MIDI Controllers - The good, the bad, and the ugly

FatBoy · 2008-11-19T17:22:39+00:00

I am looking to buy a MIDI controller. Mostly to add some extra instruments to my tunes, bass, drums etc. Have looked around and found quite a few options,...

MIDI Controllers - The good, the bad, and the ugly

AlanRatcliffe

Try the built in synths first. Then take a wander over to http://www.kvraudio.com/ and search their database for freeware VSTi synths and start trying them all. You'll need a GM (General MIDI) instrument first - a sample based collection of "meat and potato" sounds. Windows has one built in, but it's a bit iffy sounding.

FatBoy

I don't think I understand, is a synth not the thing that allows you to manipulate a sound? I don't want to do that, I basically want to select and instrument like "Bass guitar 1" and then play and hear the sounds come out. Is that a sampler or a synth?

AlanRatcliffe

To shorten this discussion, I can tell you that what you are looking for is a GM Softsynth. Windows has one built in (The GS Wavetable SW Synth - which is what plays when you play a MIDI file in Windows Media Player). If you want something better, and don't mind paying, look at Edirol's Hyper Canvas or Native Instruments Bandstand.

FatBoy

Mmm seems that I missed your last post, read it now, thanks for the response. I just came back from town, picked up a Roland PC-300 MIDI controller for 300 bucks! I know its only a 49 key, but it'll do for now, I'm rather going to get sorta decent monitors, and then maybe later upgrade the controller than buying both sorta decent and end up having to upgrade both.

I will fiddle around a bit and ask more questions if necessary, thanks a lot Alan ?

Manfred-Klose

Roland PC-300 MIDI controller for 300 bucks

conratulations fritz!!!

FatBoy

Spoke too soon... Seems I been taken for a fool, one of the keys doesn't work properly. All the rest you can play gently or moer it down hard, this one key doesn't respond to soft key presses, they only way to get sound out of it is to moer it.

I opened it up and found these squishy rubber thingies underneath the keys. I took off some more keys off and compared, and they all work exactly the same when I press directly on the rubber. I then thought it may be the key itself, so I swapped it out with another one labeled G2 and the same thing happens. Thats about as far as my troubleshooting goes.

Anybody know who I can take it to for repairs? ☹ Probably not going to be worth it I know but ya one can dream.

Manfred-Klose

Then the problem must be in the processing part.

Fiddle around some more, and try to take some pics of it inside.

Did you check for any loose soldering points?

FatBoy

Mmm I don't think it's processing, because it works fine when I press the rubber thingy itself, I have a feeling the problem is with they key not pressing the rubber thingy correctly. I'll fiddle some more, take pics, and create a new topic in the Setup, Mods and Repairs section.

Manfred-Klose

I had a similar problem with one of my keayboards, but like i said i just fiddled around and the key started working again.

Heath

i had a similar problem with my controller , until i pulled the ribbon cable out and plugged it back in , hasn't given a problem since .

FatBoy

Will try that as well, thanks!

Manfred-Klose

I'm looking at upgrading my 61 key keyboard to a 88 key keyboard, which one would you recommend?
Doesn't need any fancy faders and stuff.

I looked at the maudio keystation 88:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Keystation88es.html

But dont know if would get used to the hammer action keys?

AlanRatcliffe

I think most (if not all) of the 88 key jobbies are going to have hammer action as they are aimed more at the piano playing crowd. You can get used to it though - millions of pianists have.

You should also look at the 72 and 76 key controllers - they are fine for all but some Rachmaninov. ? I've got a Roland A-33, which is 76 Keys (6 1/2 octave) and works fine for everything I can throw at it and 99.9% of what my classically trained wife can throw it it.