Midi controller

jdolecek70

Please suggest a 25 key midi controller for me as the title says

rickwaugh

Check out geoshred, if you want a soft controller.

rumorazzi

@jdolecek70 said:
Please suggest a 25 key midi controller for me as the title says

No.

Ribbon

Have a look at Akai, Korg, Novation and IK Multimedia, they have good 25 keys controllers.

richardyot

Arturia minilab, or Korg Nanokey Studio.

Ribbon

Ah yes, I forgot about Arturia

u0421793

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_harp

Heiliger_Bimbam

Love my Korg NanoKey Studio. Backlit velocity sensitive keys, Eight velocity sensitive drum pads, a Kaos pad and eight pots in eight banks (64 pots in total) and it highlights me different scales (what is pretty neat, because I have no idea of music theory. But hitting that backlit Dorian or Lydian scale keys sounds always good).

Works great via bluetooth with my iPad and macbook. No complaints so far.

SpookyZoo

The Novation X-Station is the ultimate midi controller for use with iPad.

They're not in production any longer but can be found 2nd hand.

Loads of posts on this forum from user Syrupcore detailing why it's such a good option.

mini list...

• All knobs/sliders are set out in sections like Oscillator/Filter/LFO's so everything makes sense and helps muscle memory of where controls are rather than a row of 8 ambiguous knobs.
• Has it's very own capable synth
• Is also an audio interface
• Knobs & Buttons can be set to NRPN too
• Buttons can be set to step values which are super-useful when assigning a button to control something like a drop-down menu in Gadget.

Here's the Sound on Sound review...

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/novation-x-station-25

supadom

Yes, x Station is an amazing, often forgotten option albeit not super portable. Also Novation Xio i expect although I never tried assigning the knobs.

In mini keyboard category

Arturia mini lab 1
If you can live with endless knobs and cheeks falling off

Arturia mini lab 2
if you can live with endless knobs

Akai MPK mini
If you can live with mushy keys

Korg nano studio
If you can live with clicky keys

Novation launchkey mini
If you can live with wobbly pads

Maudio axiom air mini
If you can live with shiny/reflective tops

Reloop keyfadr/keypad
If you can live with stuck notes and windows only editor

Lots of choices out there

ToMess

korg microkey has the best keys out of budget mini midi keys. However its just keys + mod&pitch wheel. Comes with usb and usb + bluetooth options, and 25, 37, 49 and 88 key versions. If you are looking for simple and portable mini keys, its the best choice. However something like novation x-station or SL MkII(25, 49, 61 and no keys options) offer a lot more. Alesis VI series is also worth looking at.

Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr

The CME supposedly has the best keys and build quality. One really should go to the store and try these things out, since it's a matter of personal taste.

jdolecek70

When you plug your midi controller in and launch a synth app are the knobs and sliders preprogrammed to any of the editing function on the synth ?

SpookyZoo

@jdolecek70 said:
When you plug your midi controller in and launch a synth app are the knobs and sliders preprogrammed to any of the editing function on the synth ?

Most Synth apps will have Midi-Learn that will allow you to bind the controllers knobs to specific parameters of the app.

Matthew

No bells and whistles, but I've been a fan of the Korg MicroKeys for several years. I'm not much of a key player, but the keys are big enough that I don't hit the wrong notes and not as squishy as some other mini controllers I've used.

jdolecek70

Will a camera connection kit get me enough bus power to power the midi controller or do I need to buy a midi interface? I'm only going to use the midi controller

Ribbon

@jdolecek70 said:
Will a camera connection kit get me enough bus power to power the midi controller or do I need to buy a midi interface? I'm only going to use the midi controller

Depends on the keyboard controller. The Akai MPK Mini Mk2 for instance will only work if plugged through a USB hub as it will force the iPad to deliver more current through the port, while some (usually bigger ones) need a powered hub and others can be plugged straight into the CCK without additional power as they're USB-powered (f.ex. Novation Launchkey Mini, iRig Keys Mini, Korg MicroKEY, Arturia Minilab, Akai LPK25 etc). There's enough options for you not to need to buy extra hardware imo. Most midi keyboards this size are USB-powered.

Will

To add to @SpookyZoo's X-Station mini list:

• Battery operated. Will even charge rechargeables when plugged in
• Has on board effects
• Works as a stand alone mini 2-channel mixer (with effects)
• Works as a 1-in/2 out DIN midi interface

As @supadom said, not as portable as other more modern options but if you want a controller to program soft synths, there's nothing better because of the labeled layout. Plus all of the other stuff.

lifereinspired

Check into the Korg MicroKey Air series. You can connect directly via USB (and the device powers the keyboard via bus) but it's also great because it you can use it completely wirelessly on iOS, Windows, or Mac. Korg has updated the BT drivers so that latency isn't as issue. I have one and love it.

[Deleted User]

I’ve got a Launchkey (49 key). Works really well with the iPad, and doesn’t need a power supply.

jdolecek70

Guys- I appreciate all your assistance, you have been very helpful.....I'm still in the deciding process....I know I need full sized keys and I need knobs....I just want the highest quality 25 key controller and the problem that I see is in the 25 key package it's harder to find quality.

jdolecek70

Will an older midi controller work on iPad as long as its like USB? Looking at grabbing a used one

Will

@jdolecek70 said:
Will an older midi controller work on iPad as long as its like USB? Looking at grabbing a used one

If it's class compliant (doesn't need dedicated drivers), it should work.

audiblevideo

Arturias Keystep also works well. A lack of knobs and pads, but cv usb connections and ipad powered

ion677

Keystep is built like a tank (I love mine) - but no midi knobs. I’d wait for namm to decide. I can almost guarantee one of these companies will have a new midi controller coming out.
I hope Arturia makes a keystep pro with more keys and midi controller knobs.

Will

@ion677 said:
Keystep is built like a tank (I love mine) - but no midi knobs. I’d wait for namm to decide. I can almost guarantee one of these companies will have a new midi controller coming out.
I hope Arturia makes a keystep pro with more keys and midi controller knobs.

And a multi-track sequencer. Wish they'd just rip of the X-station actually (and add a sequencer). Novation doesn't seem interested.

jdolecek70

Are the nektar controllers any good?

StMichaels

I just bought my son the new IRIG they come in 25 or 49 keys and the nice thing is it comes with the attachments to connect to the IPA, charges ipad (need to buy the add on charger) and has an audio interface built into it. I'ts very nicely built.

freemobil64

my favorite midi controller is here. For now a design study.

SpookyZoo

@jdolecek70 That Sound On Sound article had the X-station listed as £499 as it's release price but can now be found for £90 - £140 2nd hand.

DeVlaeminck

@SpookyZoo said:
@jdolecek70 That Sound On Sound article had the X-station listed as £499 as it's release price but can now be found for £90 - £140 2nd hand.

Where’s that?