Midi controllers? - GoFuckYourself.com

Jakez · 01-04-2012, 05:25 PM

If you were going to buy a midi controller to use with FL Studios or Reason to produce hip hop type music what would you get?

MaDalton · 01-04-2012, 05:32 PM

ebay, 100 bucks, buy an Atari ST ;)

garce · 01-04-2012, 06:07 PM

If you're on a budget, look for something from M-Audio. A good variety stuff, very reliable, and inexpensive. I use my controller more like a real piano because I can actually play, but hey! You can do a lot of shit with it.

88 programmable keys. Worked a charm when I was a tree of life druid playing WoW. THAT was awesome...

thehand · 01-04-2012, 06:31 PM

Great if you want to save space

CyberHustler · 01-04-2012, 06:34 PM

I have an Akai MPK25. You make music?

mynameisjim · 01-04-2012, 06:36 PM

Depends what you are doing? Do you need drum pads, keys, or just a controller to move sliders.

I use Ableton with the Akai APC 40, I think that's the best setup you can find. They are built to work together.

A good all around controller would be an Akai MPK 25. You get keys, drum pads, and a bank of knobs for controllers. That will get you started with producing. However, I would say if you plan on using the pads, go to MPCstuff.com and buy the extra thick pads.

Jakez · 01-04-2012, 07:21 PM

Well I'd like to get something that will have the drumpad, keys, knobs, etc. all in one unit. The budget is about $500 so whatever is best in that range. I think I will probably get the most use out of the drumpad.

I noticed a lot of people mentioning the Oxygen and Akai units when I searched Google, but some people said they are the cheaper budget ones and there are better companies to go with like Novation/Korg?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberHustler

I have an Akai MPK25. You make music?

Not yet but I've always wanted to. I'm just clueless about all this equipment because there are a ton of different kind of midi controllers. I'm not planning to do anything live or anything, just want to get started on learning how to put some instrumentals together and maybe produce later.

Jakez · 01-04-2012, 07:42 PM

I like the Akai MPK25 looks like it has everything I'll need especially if I'm just getting started. And the price is right so I'll have money left over on the gift card in case I want some other toys. Thanks guys.

RonTheDon · 01-04-2012, 08:23 PM

The MPK25/49 is nice... so is the APC40

Best thing to do is go to Guitar Center and play with a few. The last thing you want is to order something online and have it not be what you expected, quality wise.

Also, it helps to know what you're trying to do. Keys are always great because drawing in your notes can be a pain in the ass. Pads can be very useful too, as with sliders and knobs. It really depends on... what you're trying to do. Heck, you can use pads in a not-so-traditional way, such as triggering FX.

I'm a Logic and Ableton user. I've been using Logic since way back in the Logic5 days. I find myself doing most of my composing in Ableton and mix downs in Logic.

Oh yeah, the Oxygen8 is pretty good and cheap. However, I found that the less keys I had, the more frustrated I got down the road because I hated switching up and down octaves. It sucked when trying to actually play.

raymor · 01-04-2012, 08:32 PM

I should get one of you guys to play on a midi keyboard along with my Christmas or Fourth of July music. I can trigger my lights and fireworks from the midi file so they are perfectly timed to the music.

The Truth Hurts · 01-04-2012, 08:33 PM

Axiom. 61 keys plus pads.. sliders... knobs... etc.... works nicely.

CyberHustler · 01-04-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakez

Not yet but I've always wanted to. I'm just clueless about all this equipment because there are a ton of different kind of midi controllers.

A MIDI controller is only a cooler looking device to do what your mouse and qwerty keyboard can mostly do already. Especially if you're just starting. And FL Studio's piano roll is the shit.

mynameisjim · 01-04-2012, 09:56 PM

If you want mostly pads, the Korg PadKontrol is the best for the price. But it only has pads.

If you get the MPK25 YOU HAVE TO GET THE THICK PADS from MPCstuff.com so make sure to figure that into your price. The MPK pads are not sensitive enough for creative beats.

As you do more, you will end up getting a specific controller for different tasks. For example, I use an APC 40 for producing, an MPK for composing, and the Korg for beat making. But an MPK 25 can do all of those tasks so it's the best to buy first.

Jakez · 01-04-2012, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mynameisjim

If you want mostly pads, the Korg PadKontrol is the best for the price. But it only has pads.

If you get the MPK25 YOU HAVE TO GET THE THICK PADS from MPCstuff.com so make sure to figure that into your price. The MPK pads are not sensitive enough for creative beats.

As you do more, you will end up getting a specific controller for different tasks. For example, I use an APC 40 for producing, an MPK for composing, and the Korg for beat making. But an MPK 25 can do all of those tasks so it's the best to buy first.

Yeah I read a lot of stuff about the MPK pads sensitivity problem and people needing to mod them. So I'll probably buy the mpcstuff after I see how annoying the stock ones are. I think the MPK is the best bet for me to see what parts of it I like to use most and go from there next time I'm buying something.

mynameisjim · 01-04-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakez

Yeah I read a lot of stuff about the MPK pads sensitivity problem and people needing to mod them. So I'll probably buy the mpcstuff after I see how annoying the stock ones are. I think the MPK is the best bet for me to see what parts of it I like to use most and go from there next time I'm buying something.

Even if the stock pads aren't great, you can use the keys just like pads to crank out beats and the MPK has really nice feeling keys. If you are doing hip hop style beats, the keys should be just fine. The super sensitive pads are only really needed for intricate, expressive stuff.

I know some guys who prefer using the keys instead of pads.

calvinawe · 01-05-2012, 05:59 AM

you wanna program drums or make melodies?
an m-audio trigger finger is good for drums, as for synths.. anything from m-audio or behringer would do

01-04-2012, 05:25 PM	#1
Jakez Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oddfuturewolfgangkillthemall!!!!!!! Posts: 5,656	Midi controllers? If you were going to buy a midi controller to use with FL Studios or Reason to produce hip hop type music what would you get? __________________ [email protected] - jakezdumb - 573689400 Killuminati

01-04-2012, 05:32 PM	#2
MaDalton I am Amazing Content! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 39,822	ebay, 100 bucks, buy an Atari ST ;) __________________ AmazingContent.com - providing only the best content and service since 2003 Monetize your content on Veegaz.com - one of Germanies largest VOD sites Got German traffic? We convert it into money for you! Skype: madalton02826 - Email: oltecconsult [at] gmail [dot] com

01-04-2012, 06:31 PM	#4
thehand 235 Pound Gorilla Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Valhalla Posts: 3,467	Great if you want to save space __________________ Tim Siner Who the Fu#k is TimSiner?

01-04-2012, 06:36 PM	#6
mynameisjim Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,985	Depends what you are doing? Do you need drum pads, keys, or just a controller to move sliders. I use Ableton with the Akai APC 40, I think that's the best setup you can find. They are built to work together. A good all around controller would be an Akai MPK 25. You get keys, drum pads, and a bank of knobs for controllers. That will get you started with producing. However, I would say if you plan on using the pads, go to MPCstuff.com and buy the extra thick pads. __________________ jim (at) amateursconvert . com Amateurs Convert

01-04-2012, 07:42 PM	#8
Jakez Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oddfuturewolfgangkillthemall!!!!!!! Posts: 5,656	I like the Akai MPK25 looks like it has everything I'll need especially if I'm just getting started. And the price is right so I'll have money left over on the gift card in case I want some other toys. Thanks guys. __________________ [email protected] - jakezdumb - 573689400 Killuminati

01-04-2012, 06:07 PM	#3
garce Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,103	If you're on a budget, look for something from M-Audio. A good variety stuff, very reliable, and inexpensive. I use my controller more like a real piano because I can actually play, but hey! You can do a lot of shit with it. 88 programmable keys. Worked a charm when I was a tree of life druid playing WoW. THAT was awesome...

01-04-2012, 06:34 PM	#5
CyberHustler Unregistered Abuser Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 25,634	I have an Akai MPK25. You make music?

01-04-2012, 08:23 PM	#9
RonTheDon Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: United States Posts: 69	The MPK25/49 is nice... so is the APC40 Best thing to do is go to Guitar Center and play with a few. The last thing you want is to order something online and have it not be what you expected, quality wise. Also, it helps to know what you're trying to do. Keys are always great because drawing in your notes can be a pain in the ass. Pads can be very useful too, as with sliders and knobs. It really depends on... what you're trying to do. Heck, you can use pads in a not-so-traditional way, such as triggering FX. I'm a Logic and Ableton user. I've been using Logic since way back in the Logic5 days. I find myself doing most of my composing in Ableton and mix downs in Logic. Oh yeah, the Oxygen8 is pretty good and cheap. However, I found that the less keys I had, the more frustrated I got down the road because I hated switching up and down octaves. It sucked when trying to actually play. __________________ ICQ: 609051050

01-04-2012, 08:32 PM	#10
raymor Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,745	I should get one of you guys to play on a midi keyboard along with my Christmas or Fourth of July music. I can trigger my lights and fireworks from the midi file so they are perfectly timed to the music. __________________ For historical display only. This information is not current: support@bettercgi.com ICQ 7208627 Strongbox - The next generation in site security Throttlebox - The next generation in bandwidth control Clonebox - Backup and disaster recovery on steroids

01-04-2012, 08:33 PM	#11
The Truth Hurts Zph7YXfjMhg Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In Your Skull Posts: 15,256	Axiom. 61 keys plus pads.. sliders... knobs... etc.... works nicely.

01-04-2012, 09:56 PM	#13
mynameisjim Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,985	If you want mostly pads, the Korg PadKontrol is the best for the price. But it only has pads. If you get the MPK25 YOU HAVE TO GET THE THICK PADS from MPCstuff.com so make sure to figure that into your price. The MPK pads are not sensitive enough for creative beats. As you do more, you will end up getting a specific controller for different tasks. For example, I use an APC 40 for producing, an MPK for composing, and the Korg for beat making. But an MPK 25 can do all of those tasks so it's the best to buy first. __________________ jim (at) amateursconvert . com Amateurs Convert

01-05-2012, 05:59 AM	#16
calvinawe Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: AWE hq Posts: 786	you wanna program drums or make melodies? an m-audio trigger finger is good for drums, as for synths.. anything from m-audio or behringer would do __________________ yep.