[A.Buttle]

Hey all, I'm looking to pick up a MIDI controller. Do any of you musicians know of a good one that's not too expensive but still worth my cash?

I'd like to be able to create my own music for films and the like, so yeah.

Any suggestions would be great. I have no idea where to start.

[Loki]

gEE tHANkS jOE! Why go out in public when I can serve all your nee ... um answer all your questions ...

Get a Midiman Midisport 2x2 for starters. They work well with Macs too ...
All you need it for is for hooking up a controller keyboard, right?

[Giant Hamster]

Can't help ya here, buddy...I don't deal with midi or keyboards.

[[Shizo]]

Hehe, i was just researching that MIDI poop.
By controller you mean knobs controller or keyboard? Or both? Because they have different things.
Evolution and Miditech make cheap keyboard controllers. http://www.innovativemusic.com.au/Products_frame3.htm?miditech.htm&2 http://www.xsound.com.pt/miditech/mdt_index.htm
^^ just to look at Miditech
And Evolution has similar array of products like im buying Evolution MK-149
They come in USB version also, which is probably better because you dont even need a MIDI in port.
Look at what they got, pick what you need, then find it on ebay or elswhere.

[A.Buttle]

Peter - I've been trying to contact you but you've been out and about and busy as hell. You and Jamez were the first people I thought to ask, actually. I'm actually looking for both a MIDI interface AND a keyboard. Miky pointed me toward MIDIman, but I'm wary of their controllers. Perhaps that's wrong. Any advice would be great, foo'. Hit me up on AIM when you get a chance.

Jamez - I thought you told me once that you had a keyboard hooked up through Buzz? Was I tripping balls?

[Shizo] - Thanks.

[[Shizo]]

Midiman is more expensive but less features as i see it.
Look at the new Evolution products - http://www.evolution.co.uk/ really amazing stuff, i'd buy if i had money :)
Some more Miditech thingies to look at http://www.innovativemusic.com.au/Products_frame3.htm?miditech.htm&2

My personal choise came down to Evolution MK-149 and Miditech MT-49.
If i had more money i would get a keyboard+knobs controller like http://www.marcandella.ch/WG3/Miditech/Midicontrol/MT_Midicontrol.htm (sturdy looking piece) or this http://www.evolution.co.uk/moreinfo/keyboards/pro49c.htm (its new and its USB!)

BTW why do you need a MIDI interface? Dont you already have a USB/MIDI/Game port on your computer?

[ April 29, 2002: Message edited by: [Shizo] ]

[A.Buttle]

I only need the MIDI interface if the controller isn't USB.

See, I'm going to get a brand new Titanium Powerbook care of Stanford University this summer and need something that doesn't require a PCI slot.

USB, though, is very doable.

I'd like one with keys and knobs.

[A.Buttle]

I also noticed that these two seemingly identical products, one from MIDIman, one from MIDItech have a price disparity.

This one : http://www.innovativemusic.com.au/Products/Miditech/mtech_minicontrol.htm

Is 215 US dollars and from MIDItech.

This one : http://www.midiman.com/products/midiman/oxygen8.php

Is 180 US dollars and from MIDIman.

They seem to be EXACTLY the same, down to the layout and colors.

Evolution, however is much cheaper than MIDIman, even though they stock some MIDIman items.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ has some REALLY good prices. Check them out.

[Giant Hamster]

Yeah, I have a really lame little general midi Kawai keyboard plugged in...but I don't use it nor does it have anything cool on it. It's just here so I can bang notes on when I'm bored.

[A.Buttle]

As I find, I add.

I think we ALL need one of these.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[[Shizo]]

eheha yes!!
ROCK OUT

[Cooter]

"Strap it on and start funkin' out."

LOLOLOLOL!!!!

[Lunatique]

Oh man, I hate those. Keyboard players are doomed to stand behind their instrument like a dummy. Trying to compete with the guitarist for the spotlight is just silly.

[[Shizo]]

No! No! Look at me look at me!! I can rock out even better than i can play this crazy instrument!! *pushes away guitar player and steals the show*

[A.Buttle]

There's a guy who stands in the Uptown 6 station at Astor Place and plays one of those sometimes. He gets SO into it.