Keyboards for RME

[ramechling]

Hello Gang,
What a thrill to read thru your posts and see the enthusiasm for the RME.
Way back in the '70s I owned and enjoyed a Mini-Moog for a few years and now, the thought of having access to presets and midi control is beyond belief !
My question: Are there any particular midi-controller keyboards that you've found especially useful to access the RME ?
Sorry, but I'm trying to do my homework before making a sizeable investment... sound familiar ?
Thanks a million ! Richard M.

[Lengai]

I believe the board on the Voyager is a Fatar so maybe a Fatar MIDI controller? It doesn't matter too much I don't think...whatever is in your price range.

[Sweep]

I'm using the Voyager rather than the RME, but as a general comment on MIDI controller keyboards, possibly the cheapest way to get a good MIDI controller is to buy an old DX7. That way you get a five octave sensitive keyboard with pitch and mod wheels for very little outlay, and you also get FM sound generation as well. (And it's nothing like as difficult to program as people claim it is).

[Marzzz]

Of course, a Voyager would make an excellent controller for an RME.....!

[MC]

... possibly the cheapest way to get a good MIDI controller is to buy an old DX7.

The old DX7 keyboard isn't the greatest MIDI controller as it will not generate a MIDI velocity of 127 - maximum is 108 or something.

I think the author is looking for a MIDI controller with continuous controllers so he can manipulate filter cutoff. DX7 won't do that.

[ramechling]

Sure appreciate your replies and sense of humor.
Have been considering the CME keyboards...their UF series looks very useful.
Just for the fun of it I have looked at the Doepfer lmk2 and lmk4 on AnalogueHaven's website and even downloaded the owner's manuals from the Doepfer homepage....
let's see... $1350 USD and $1750 USD for keyboards to control a rackmount synth that Sweetwater sells for $2200 USD...hmmm... I don't think so !!
Anyway, thanks again for your help. -Richard M

[MC]

Just for the fun of it I have looked at the Doepfer lmk2 and lmk4 on AnalogueHaven's website and even downloaded the owner's manuals from the Doepfer homepage....
let's see... $1350 USD and $1750 USD for keyboards to control a rackmount synth that Sweetwater sells for $2200 USD...hmmm... I don't think so !!

Judas Priest those are expensive. Look at M-Audio controllers, bigger variety and much more reasonable. Even their fully loaded 88 key weighted controller with a panel full of knobs and sliders is US$599.95

[OysterRock]

You can get a MIDI controller keyboard for well under $200. I don't see why he would need a controller with knobs since the RME has all the knobs you need on the front of it!

Surely one of these will suite your needs:
http://www.zzounds.com/cat--Compact-Key ... lers--2687
http://www.zzounds.com/cat--61-Key-Keyb ... lers--2685

A keyboard with aftertouch is something to keep in mind if you are interested in using the Voyager's aftertouch features.

[ramechling]

Had no idea so many of you would respond with heartfelt suggestions.
Have to admit that it was very nice of DOEPFER to post in their Gallery the two photos of Dr. Bob at the Musikmesse Frankfurt 2002 show.... and oh,boy..those sequencers with 48 pots.. !
Back to keyboards, all of us have different needs for the hardware we choose. Some have only a desire to record music and some of us have no intentions to record and prefer to play and practice 'live'.
So, in answer to OysterRock, I can see where mod wheels, knobs, footswitches, etc. would be handy if playing preset sounds in the RME in a live situation...everything right at hand.
Lastly, we all do our homework on the internet, etc. before paying out hard earned money, and look for user comments to help guide us.
The M-Audio Pro88 controller has some 'less than sterling' criticism, while the Novation ReMOTE SL61 and CME UF8 seem to be very well liked by all who've used them. Thanks again everyone !