whats a ideal keyboard controller for the xs rack? i know there a million out there but, i need to know what to look for when im buying a keyboard controller for the xs rack becouse im thinking the xs rack need a keyboard that tiggers all those white noises and stuff like that needs a velocity, So if there are controllers that come to mind then let me know and the thinks to look for when buying one…
Thanks in advance

As we’ve figured out thru the multiple discussions in this forum, it all boils down to what is most important to you and how much you are willing to spend.  Do you need weighted keys?  Is the way the keys feel to you important?  Die hard keyboardists might be more particular in this department.  Do you want a joystick or wheels?  Do you need a ribbon controller?  There’s plenty of boards out there with plenty of knobs and sliders.

In my opinion, Fatar makes the best keys for weighted and synth style.  You can find Fatar keys in both Studiologic and Novation boards.  Novation is awesome if you want to use synth style keys and have lots of control.  Their newer line of boards have “touch responsive” sliders and knobs, so that if you just touch them (not have to click) the parameter will display on the screen.  These boards cost more though.
Cheaper boards are in fact, cheaper.

Hope this helps.

I agree, Fatar ir great, but I have a different problem: I want to change my MULTIS by external MIDI-Controller, and no keyboard, no footcontroller does it so far. Just the sounds IN the Multi are changed corresponding to the MIDI-channel I send the program-change, but I - and alot of other users I imagine - want to have a quick change of entire MULTIs on stage. Could you/somebody help me out, knowing a controller (could be keyboard, footcontroller...etc.) that does it? For example choosing MULTI 25 should work like : pushing buttons ‘2’, ‘5’ and ‘enter’. Nothing else.
The ES works perfectly with Nobles MF-1 footcontroller, but XS, no way.
Any ideas?

Thank you very much,

Reiny

keytarhero - 31 May 2010 04:37 PM

As we’ve figured out thru the multiple discussions in this forum, it all boils down to what is most important to you and how much you are willing to spend.  Do you need weighted keys?  Is the way the keys feel to you important?  Die hard keyboardists might be more particular in this department.  Do you want a joystick or wheels?  Do you need a ribbon controller?  There’s plenty of boards out there with plenty of knobs and sliders.

In my opinion, Fatar makes the best keys for weighted and synth style.  You can find Fatar keys in both Studiologic and Novation boards.  Novation is awesome if you want to use synth style keys and have lots of control.  Their newer line of boards have “touch responsive” sliders and knobs, so that if you just touch them (not have to click) the parameter will display on the screen.  These boards cost more though.
Cheaper boards are in fact, cheaper.

Hope this helps.

hi yes, thanks for the reply, Fatar is a very nice board but too expensive for me, maybe i just buy a korg m50 and use it that way…

babar - 02 June 2010 07:58 AM

keytarhero - 31 May 2010 04:37 PM

As we’ve figured out thru the multiple discussions in this forum, it all boils down to what is most important to you and how much you are willing to spend.  Do you need weighted keys?  Is the way the keys feel to you important?  Die hard keyboardists might be more particular in this department.  Do you want a joystick or wheels?  Do you need a ribbon controller?  There’s plenty of boards out there with plenty of knobs and sliders.

In my opinion, Fatar makes the best keys for weighted and synth style.  You can find Fatar keys in both Studiologic and Novation boards.  Novation is awesome if you want to use synth style keys and have lots of control.  Their newer line of boards have “touch responsive” sliders and knobs, so that if you just touch them (not have to click) the parameter will display on the screen.  These boards cost more though.
Cheaper boards are in fact, cheaper.

Hope this helps.

hi yes, thanks for the reply, Fatar is a very nice board but too expensive for me, maybe i just buy a korg m50 and use it that way…

Well mabe not the korg m50(doesnt even have aftertouch), So i was thinking Yamaha KX 61 but even that board dosnt have aftertouch.... no i dont know, i need a board were i can assighn the AF1 and AF2...i do prefer the joystick instead of the wheels and need a board with aftertouch...common guy give me somthing i can check out? also im on a budget so cheap as possiable…

I would recommend the Akai MPK series. I’m a keyboard player so I got the MPK88 for the hammer weighted keys. It also have aftertouch.

hacksaw15 - 17 June 2010 08:32 PM

I would recommend the Akai MPK series. I’m a keyboard player so I got the MPK88 for the hammer weighted keys. It also have aftertouch.

You can check out Edirol or Cakewalk midi boards.  They are both “by Roland.” If you like Roland keys—that’s what they’re using.  If you’ve seen the new Roland Gaia, you’ll notice it is the same knobs as these controllers.  Also, they have a joystick.  Let me know what you think!

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/controllers.asp

Still not as great as the Novation boards, but pretty spiffy.

keytarhero - 22 June 2010 10:52 PM

You can check out Edirol or Cakewalk midi boards.  They are both “by Roland.” If you like Roland keys—that’s what they’re using.  If you’ve seen the new Roland Gaia, you’ll notice it is the same knobs as these controllers.  Also, they have a joystick.  Let me know what you think!

Cool!  and the Edirol has aftertouch—so that’s good!  Not sure the big difference between the Cakewalk and Edirol, other than the fact that the Edirol is being discontinued to make room for the Cakewalk.  Support should be fine though.