MIDI Keyboard Controller advice needed

[bad porcupine]

I am looking for some advice on a basic midi keyboard controller. I'm using GarageBand to record, and I'd like something fairly simple for laying down a quick bassline, or a simple bass and snare, or maybe even the occasional xylophone part

Here are some of the options I'm considering. My price range is from $1 to about $80. Anyone have an opinion on any of these? Or an opinion or advice in general on midi keyboard controllers? Thanks!


- Korg nanoKEY2, $49.99
Cheapest one I've seen, and I like that it is very compact. Worried about durability though.

- Akai SynthStation 25, $69.00
Good brand name, but has some features I'll never use (like the iPad connectivity).

- Akai Professional LPK25, $69.00
Again, good brand name, and looks like it has some decent features, although I'm not sure what they all actually do!

- M-Audio Keystation Mini 32, $69.95
Has 32 keys! But do I need those extra keys?

- Alesis Q25, $79.00
Another good brand name, and lots of features I may never use. Getting to the top of my price range.

- Korg microKEY,$79.99
37 keys! Holy cow, that's a lot of keys. Top of my price range. Comes with a 2-port USB hub, which is always nice to have.


If I can do the basics with the $49 Korg nanoKEY, then that's probably good enough - if it is built to last.

So, lay it on me brothers and sisters!

[Skully]

If those are your choices, get the Alesis Q25. It's got pitch wheels and full-size keys. You may not think you need either now, but you'll appreciate them later.

I have the SynthStation 25 and it's a toy. I've heard the nanoKEY2 is awful.

[SacDAve]

I just bought the M audio oxygen 25 I had a key rig 49 that gave out. The one thing I miss is the longer keyboard. I thought I would save space which I did kind of a bad trade off. But the oxygen 25 fells solid and well built. I should add I'm not a keyboard player but it's nice for plugins. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Oxygen2-25

[sharks]

I can sell you the Oxygen 25 SacDAve is talking about for $50 shipped. I bought it thinking I would lay down drum beats with it in Logic and I never use it...let me know!

[woodman]

I've got the Akai LPK25, good features and software, but I gotta say the mini-keys are a nuisance, given the size of my hands. But I just klutz through and edit in the piano roll. Skully's got the right idea with the Q25, wish I'd gone that route.

[peteycaster]

Jumping in on this thread, been looking at the same thing myself (one tool I don't have). Just out of interest, the Q25 is, give or take, $150 in Australia. Still might consider it though.

The only thing I don't understand is the bus power. I would be plugging into my interface so would the bus power (I assume USB) be plugged into a spare USB slot? Would the interface still "see" the keyboard (via midi cable)? Hope I've explained myself?

OP. Please excuse the hijack.

[James J LaRue]

the nano key looks the most like a xylophone!...so....

[bad porcupine]

Originally Posted by peteycaster

Jumping in on this thread, been looking at the same thing myself (one tool I don't have). Just out of interest, the Q25 is, give or take, $150 in Australia. Still might consider it though.

The only thing I don't understand is the bus power. I would be plugging into my interface so would the bus power (I assume USB) be plugged into a spare USB slot? Would the interface still "see" the keyboard (via midi cable)? Hope I've explained myself?

OP. Please excuse the hijack.

I don't know specifically about the Q25, but most bus-powered devices can also be powered with a regular AC adaptor. It should say so in the specs somewhere.

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

[bad porcupine]

Originally Posted by woodman

I've got the Akai LPK25, good features and software, but I gotta say the mini-keys are a nuisance, given the size of my hands. But I just klutz through and edit in the piano roll. Skully's got the right idea with the Q25, wish I'd gone that route.

The thing I like about the LPK25 is that it would fit on my desk nicely It's only 13" long and less than 4" deep. The Q25 is about 19" long and 7"+ deep, and would require me to do ... something to make it fit.

I know what you mean about the full size vs. mini keys ... I don't know if I'd use it enough for it to be a deal-breaker though...

Options, options ... *sigh*

[woodman]

Originally Posted by bad porcupine

The thing I like about the LPK25 is that it would fit on my desk nicely It's only 13" long and less than 4" deep. The Q25 is about 19" long and 7"+ deep, and would require me to do ... something to make it fit.

I know what you mean about the full size vs. mini keys ... I don't know if I'd use it enough for it to be a deal-breaker though...

Options, options ... *sigh*

That's exactly why I went for the LPK25 — I'm in cramped quarters, and I can use the LPK25 easily by simply pushing my typing kbd to the back of the kbd tray, and put the mini-USB controller in front of it, with easy access to both. Since I'm a hunt-and-peck keyboard player anyhow, the mini-keys don't exactly stifle my artistry! But full-size keys would save a lot of editing time, since I so often inadvertently hit two notes at a time and then have to clean up the mess in the piano roll.

Petey, I don't know about the other models, but mine works on USB power alone (no AC cord/wall wart).

[bad porcupine]

OK, based mostly on my size and space requirements, I think I've narrowed it down to one of these two:

- Akai Professional LPK25, $69.00

- M-Audio Keystation Mini 32, $69.95

Any final thoughts or recommendations? Thanks all!