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Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2020 5:21 pm
by hm11
Hey folks, i need some recommendations for a portable midi keyboard. Im trying to up my game on my music production. I want to kill as many birds as i can with the same stone, i work 12hr shifts, take care of my dad (as a job) and any other errands i gotta do, i do them. I want a midi keyboard so that when im at work i can use it to work on music (With reaper) but i dont know which ones to look for. I basically want one that has strong keys, dont care much for control buttons (knobs, pads, EQ) since i can do al of that in software. And of course it has to be able to fit a standard size backpack.. It can be 14-15 inches in lenght.. I can make exceptions, just as long as it can fit on my backpack which at this time i dont have the measurements. Any what saith you?
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2020 7:07 pm
by Michael Willis
One of the M-Audio Keystation models should probably work for you:
https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=keystation
They come in a variety of sizes, pick the size/portability tradeoff that works for you.
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 4:47 pm
by hm11
Thanks!! Ill check em. I forgot about reverb...
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 5:59 pm
by sysrqer
Keystep is pretty good and compact with some handy features.
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 3:26 am
by andersen
Hey,
Don't know if you're still looking for a midi controller/keyboard, but I'll give you my two cents.
I went with a Native Instruments Mk 32 and I like it a lot. It came with Komplete Kontrol and a bunch of other NI software synths/loops/instruments/FX.
As soon as I began working with it I realized I needed a bigger key board. The next one will be a 48 key controller. This 32 key will become a dedicated drum or synth controller.
NI has LOTS of instrument packages and while some of them are pricey, they go on sale from time to time so if you have a low level bundle of synths/instruments, you can upgrade more cheaply. You want rock, lots to choose from. You want hip hop, lots of loops etc... You want studio sampled orchestral instruments... yup.
This is hind sight. I was just looking for a good controller when I bought it. I like the action on the keyboard too.
Cheers
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 12:56 pm
by hm11
so your saying that 32 while smaller will make me gravitate to 48? even onthe go?
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 2:31 pm
by TAERSH
For portable I have a GarageKey Mini MIDI Keyboard with 37 keys in 45cm width.
Probably not what you're looking for, though it fits all my needs. There's no controllers on it, except two buttons for octave up/down with USB connection only.
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 6:31 pm
by andersen
hm11 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16, 2020 12:56 pm
so your saying that 32 while smaller will make me gravitate to 48? even onthe go?
I got the controller to use with a synthesizer synth and FX and then found I was actually using it as a piano! It's too short for that. Needs another octave, but (IMO) it's perfect for FX and synthesizer lines. NI software is pricey (but good). There's good support and a big NI community. It came with Ableton Live demo > 8 tracks max I think. Never used it. If I only had a Mac.
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:16 pm
by hm11
Ok, i think ill use it to lay a few synth lines and not full actuall production.. I mean who knows maybe i will and ill just make do with that! But right now portability is a #1. Specially since i got a 60 something key keyboard at home and at work i getvthat urge and fire to produce.
andersen wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16, 2020 6:31 pm
hm11 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16, 2020 12:56 pm
so your saying that 32 while smaller will make me gravitate to 48? even onthe go?
I got the controller to use with a synthesizer synth and FX and then found I was actually using it as a piano! It's too short for that. Needs another octave, but (IMO) it's perfect for FX and synthesizer lines. NI software is pricey (but good). There's good support and a big NI community. It came with Ableton Live demo > 8 tracks max I think. Never used it. If I only had a Mac.
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 3:58 am
by andersen
hm11 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:16 pm
Ok, i think ill use it to lay a few synth lines and not full actuall production.. I mean who knows maybe i will and ill just make do with that! But right now portability is a #1. Specially since i got a 60 something key keyboard at home and at work i getvthat urge and fire to produce.
andersen wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16, 2020 6:31 pm
hm11 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16, 2020 12:56 pm
so your saying that 32 while smaller will make me gravitate to 48? even onthe go?
I got the controller to use with a synthesizer synth and FX and then found I was actually using it as a piano! It's too short for that. Needs another octave, but (IMO) it's perfect for FX and synthesizer lines. NI software is pricey (but good). There's good support and a big NI community. It came with Ableton Live demo > 8 tracks max I think. Never used it. If I only had a Mac.
There are a bunch of free Windows synthesizer synths. DX7, moog, hypercyclic, arpessionators... I've yet to conquer that learning curve her in Linux land. But with a controller at the ready, you can have a lot of fun. It will boil down to the time and the learning curve. I too little of one and too much of the other.
Cheers!
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 5:53 am
by Kott
The smallest keys I have found is the CME XKey 25
https://www.thomann.de/intl/ru/cme_xkey_25_silver.htm
It works fine under Linux and even configure/update utility works with Wine.
Drawback - is the short key press, it's very different feeling in compare with other controllers.
Re: Portable MiDI Keyboard recommendations
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:31 pm
by hm11
Ive made my decision and purshases the nektar 25.. Here ;
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QY4PKNS/re ... UTF8&psc=1 is a very simple keyboard. I never really needed to use controllers so i based it on my actual use.