MIDI Controllers

**bread man** · 07-07-2007, 10:08 AM

Ok, well I think that I'm getting a new laptop soon and I want to get a new MIDI keyboard to use with it. My parents want me to move all of my stuff into my bedroom, which means that it probably needs to be a 25 key one as I won't be able to fit anything too much bigger in my room (otherwise I'd just continue using my Yamaha PSR 295 as a controller).

I've got a couple of questions;

1. What would you recommend me for a MIDI controller around $200-$300 AU? I've been looking at m-audio and Behringer ones. Are these good brands?

2. With my current setup, I get some lag between my keyboard and my VST instruments. However, my cpu is a 450mhz Pentium 3 and I think I have 256mb of RAM. Would this simply go away with a faster computer? What sort of specs should I look for with my laptop?

Micahb · 07-29-2007, 06:18 PM

M-Audio controllers are great. I have not tried any Behringer ones, but I will be trying one out in a couple weeks or so, so if you wait a bit I could let you know.
As for your price range, it is really hard to tell because I don't know how the prices in Australia are compared to here. Tell me the model for M-Audio you are looking at and how much it costs, then I will compare it to prices here to get a rough idea and then I can give you some recommendations.
Also, how many keys do you need? How many knobs/sliders do you want/need?

As for the laptop, having no lag will come with a better system. My (older) computer is 1.8 GHz, 512 mb ram, using a midiman 1x1 to connect from the keyboard to the computer, and I have no lag at all. However, this is using older software.
What you need for specs depends on the kind of software you are running. Are you mainly just running small VSTs, or more complicated stuff? Are you going to be using samples?
I think if you got a dual core 1.66 ghz processor with a gig of ram, you would probably be happy. Two gigs would be very nice, but not essential.
Post some more and I will try to help you out best as I can.

someone13 · 08-06-2007, 01:42 PM

I have an Edirol PCR-50 and have no complaints. I really don't see anything I don't like in most of the new midi controllers. It's kind of a personal thing. Do like Micah said and get one with the number of keys and sliders that you want.

I've actually used my desktop pc on stage. I wish I could tell you what the bare minimum is for laptops, but I can't really help.