Hardware recommendations

[bastos]

Once again, hi to all of you.

I use Ableton and I'm planning to buy some gear (controller and MIDI keyboard for a start) and I'm wondering, since most of you guys are very experienced, what would you reccomend?

Thanks.

[Alume]

Have a look in 'first synth' topic. Just type in first synth in the search bar.

[bastos]

I tried...

Information

No suitable matches were found.

[innovine]

How much salt should I add to my dinner?

[oddmyth]

try harder?

http://subsekt.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t= ... nth#p49990

[disparate]

This thread's referring particularly to Midi controllers and keyboards, not synths, though?

[Alume]

Wow totally missed that. my mistake.

[bastos]

innovine, bann yourself. disparate, thank you.

[Mono-xID]

innovine, bann yourself

made my day !!! thanks !!!

[oddmyth]

yeah I automagically associated hardware with synths.

As for MIDI controllers, I think there's a few of us using Ableton Push and the consensus is generally YAY! http://subsekt.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t= ... leton+push
Additionally there's a bunch using APC40 controllers, which are made by the same company and the consensus is also YAY! http://subsekt.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4807&hilit=apc40
And the Novation Lauchpad, although I don't think we've had a real thread about that one (at least not in recent memory).

Basically pick a controller then search the name in the forum. We've discussed quite a few.

[Críoch]

How much salt should I add to my dinner?

Think you are salty enough. Try a shovel of sugar.

[bastos]

oddmyth, thanks man. What about keyboards?

[Planar]

yeah I automagically associated hardware with synths.

As for MIDI controllers, I think there's a few of us using Ableton Push and the consensus is generally YAY! http://subsekt.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t= ... leton+push
Additionally there's a bunch using APC40 controllers, which are made by the same company and the consensus is also YAY! http://subsekt.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4807&hilit=apc40
And the Novation Lauchpad, although I don't think we've had a real thread about that one (at least not in recent memory).

Basically pick a controller then search the name in the forum. We've discussed quite a few.

+1 for the APC40 and Push. I use them both and it covers composition (Push) and mixing (APC40) nicely. Push can do mixing as well, but I wouldn't endorse it above the APC if that's what your primary aim is. The nice thing is there is little knob mapping required if you're savvy with your Ableton racks.

[oddmyth]

oddmyth, thanks man. What about keyboards?

Wish I could help mate, but I haven't bought MIDI keys myself. I have a few synths with keys if I ever need to look at them again, but I generally don't, Push gives me everything I need in terms of a piano roll and I enjoy the layout better than a keyboard.

[willemb]

Also look up posts about the Arturia Beatstep. Very nicely priced midi buttons and knobs as well as awesome little melody sequencer.

[msl]

Most affordable (<100€) midi keys are total crap, and don't have nice action.

If you have a midi interface I highly recommend you pick up a cheap 90's synth instead, you can research online to see which ones have good keyboards. I recently bought a Yamaha SY77 for €70, keyboard action is much better and you get a synth to play with also! Lots of bargains to be had.

.

[LaurentOrchard]

Novation Control XL. That thing is so cool, so cheap, so ''we-dont-have-to-pay-too-much-money-for-a-UC33-anymore''

Who needs a keybed for techno anyway?

[bastos]

I have UC33 collecting dust, bought it 6 years ago, I could make some use of it. I allways thought of it as hard to program/assign... Is anyone who use/used UC33 on the board? I have to admitt, I didn't use it much at all, just for live in one short period of time.

[bastos]

Most affordable (<100€) midi keys are total crap, and don't have nice action.

If you have a midi interface I highly recommend you pick up a cheap 90's synth instead, you can research online to see which ones have good keyboards. I recently bought a Yamaha SY77 for €70, keyboard action is much better and you get a synth to play with also! Lots of bargains to be had.

.

No, I don't have MIDI interface but, afther reading your post, I'm thinking of getting some. Any recommendations on that?

[disparate]

Most decent soundcards/audio interfaces will have a MIDI interface built in - although that does of course involve spending more if you weren't already looking at buying that

My keyboard's a Novation X-Station and I find the action of the keys nice, not sure if I'd recommend it though as its price comes from it being a slightly clunky all-in-one hardware synth/controller/soundcard which made sense to me at the time but it seems technology's moved on since and you'd be more flexible with just a good controller and a couple of nice softsynths, and add an audio/MIDI interface if it's something you need (probably would eventually)