Keyboard controller jam....

Mark Wein

Grand Poobah
Staff member
I need an inexpensive keyboard for the studio....we're adding an electronic music production class and there is no keyboard instrument close the the workstation. I'm looking at the following choices....some of these are just plain keyboards and others have more features:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Oxygen2-61

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Keystation61es/

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ALE-QX49-LIST

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-MII-KEYRIG49-LIST

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-MII-OXY49-LIST
 
I'm thinking either the Oxygen 61 or the Alesis QX49. The Alesis also has DAW presets from what I understand. It's similar to the layout of the Axiom 49 except the Axiom 49 has 4 extra pads. You can get them used on ebay for something comparable. Here's a link
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=axiom+49&_sacat=See-All-Categories

However, I've read that there are some driver problems with the Axiom in swithing back and forth between mac and pc. It's possible that some of these used ones have been used with PC and we would need to find a way to reset their drivers by patch updates and such. I'm weary about Alesis since the feel and sound of their product hasn't been good since the HR16. For a class though, it should be fine. The 8 faders and 8 knobs should be more than enough for the class purposes. I've read that the throw on the faders isn't that long, but that could also be a good thing for hip hop scratch plugins. :P I'd say of the choices there, the Alesis based on the options. (keeping in mind i've never played on any of them)
 
Showed up yesterday. Plug it in and it works. Who knew? :embarrassed:

30880cab.jpg

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Now it's time to start messing with the Logic virtual instruments. May I suggest Sitar/Psychedelic Sitar for starters? :love:

I made an 8 bar techno tune for my students yesterday while I was messing with it. I need to learn how to better use the virtual instruments and I really won't make a full switch from ProTools since I've been doing most of my recording in my office for the online school lately but I'd like to become more proficient with this. I'll probably get Final Cut in a few months and work on being able to doing some music for picture even if its only for our own instructional products.
 
I'll probably end up getting a smaller one for my office once I build a shelf next to my desk...it's the one thing I'm missing that I could actually use in there.
 
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