Want to get a MIDI controller (confused) ??

TheButler · #1 04-10-2007, 03:32 PM

Recently i have started getting to grips with the basics of Cubase 4, playing about with recording bass tracks, using effect plug-ins nothing very adventurous really. Anyway, I want to get some drums and a bit of 'techno-ish-ness' into my music and eventually begin to make instrumental tracks using my newly found interest in computer based music making as i have began thinking about studying music technology at university

I am wanting to get a MIDI controller of sorts but don't have a clue what i should be looking for/at

If someone could show me in the right direction in the slightest i would appreciate it

markjazzbassist · #2 04-10-2007, 08:31 PM

2 major options. a keyboard with built in computer. it has all the sounds preset (you can customize them too) and it's a "keyboard".

or software sounds. get a MIDI controller and you use it with your computer and have the different software keyboards on your computer that uses the MIDI controller to trigger them.

If you're just going to be doing home and studio stuff, the Software and MIDI controller would probably be best. You can also use the MIDI controller to trigger anything, be it drum beats, a horn line, etc. using software.

TheButler · #3 04-11-2007, 02:40 AM

I didn't know that MIDI was still the best option. Whenever i think of MIDI i think of the cheesy songs in early 90's AMIGA games

What sort of software is it i'd need for a MIDI controller ? Are we talking plug-ins etc for Cubase ?

Aaron · #4 04-11-2007, 04:14 AM

They are generally called soft synths - and midi has substantially improved over the years.

There are a wide variety of virtual synths and samplers. Some of the most popular are Reason, Absynth, Reaktor (what squarepusher uses), Kontakt, Max/MSP (not very familiar with this software - I hear it has a fairly steep learning curve), and Rebirth.

Generally these programs work on their own or inside music recording/mixing/production software such as Cubase, Logic, etc. as VST instruments, through a program called ReWire, etc.

BassChuck · #5 04-11-2007, 04:35 AM

MIDI is as good as you are in understanding and controlling it. IMHO it is still very underused.

M-Audio has some fairly nice controller keyboards of various sizes. If you don't need a keyboard that 'feels' like a 9 foot Steinway then you can get something very useable for under $200. Most of them use USB cables so, while the protocal is MIDI, you won't see any MIDI cables (the 5 pin DIN things) or outboard boxes.

TheButler · #6 04-11-2007, 11:59 AM

I am looking at the M-Audio offerings actually, they look like good value for money. I have a good grasp on Cubase i understand that there are programs which you can use as stand-alone or as plug-ins for Cubase yeh ? Also, I'd prefer 'hammer-action' keys is this mostly standard for MIDI controllers ?