Keyboard Controller
Akai SynthStation25: Overview
Quick Tips To Shopping For A MIDI Keyboard Controller
If you're thinking about becoming a music artist from the convenience of your own home then a midi keyboard controller is a very important must have. The controller is essentially a digital device that has piano style keys with plenty of knobs, buttons and sliders. It typically doesn't include its very own sound system and that means you will need to connect it to a computer with a sound card and speakers for you to hear anything.
When researching one you should consider a few aspects because simply buying the most costly one with more knobs and sliders and such doesn't really fit everyone. Price and quality are the most important considerations but space limitations and also use also come into play. Let's admit it, even if you have the money to invest in a big one you won't be able to really take full advantage of it if you don't possess the space to place it in; and if you're always on the go lugging a 50-pound behemoth may not be all that realistic.
That's why for many home-based musicians, the smaller the midi keyboard controller the better. On the subject of portability, getting a 25 key unit may be the solution to use. The best choice would be the M-Audio Oxygen 25 and it has 25 velocity sensitive keys (the harder you press the louder the sound it generates). It has 8 midi assignable knobs, an assignable slider and 6 devoted transport controls. It's USB powered (meaning no power adapter needed), is only 16-inches or so in length (can slip in front of your computer) and weighs in at only 3.8 pounds (a lightweight to carry around).
If you would like to acquire a bigger midi keyboard controller then go up to the 49-ners: the Oxygen 49. As the name say they come in 49 keys that are also velocity sensitive. It's also USB driven, has the same range of knobs as the Oxygen 25 but has 8 more assignable sliders and weighs in at 6.4 pounds. Then there's the Oxygen 61 with 61 keys and has exactly the same number of knobs and sliders as the Oxygen 49 and weighs a bit more at 7.5 pounds.
M-Audio isn't the only manufacturer in the market these days. Behringer also offers their very own types of the 25, 49 and 61. The U-CONTROL UMX250 has 25 keys and has 8 knobs, 10 assignable switches, 2 wheels and one slider. The U-CONTROL UMX490 has 49 keys and comes with the same number of knobs and switches as the UMX250. The UMX610 is their bigger sibling with 61 keys.
So you see with regards to buying a midi keyboard controller, you certainly has a lot of options as to the types and brands available. The texture and comfort level will be dependent upon you so you need to actually look at it in order to see if it's the correct one for you.
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