Which midi controller?

Joseph Dale · 04-22-2020, 03:38 AM

Guess it's time to pick up a midi controller so I can actually work - been messing around with Ableton for a while.

In general, I'd like to keep it under $300. After some research I've narrowed down my options to these three: Novation Impulse 49, Akai MPK49 and Arturia Experience 49. Any recommendations? Pros/cons, suggestions and alternative options are more than welcomed!

UPD: after some considerations, I went with Novation Impulse. Keys feel good, as I wanted to. Trying to make it work with FL Studio for recording writing as I haven't had time to do this. Still lots of thing to try and explore.

Raime · 04-29-2020, 08:24 PM

I went with a Beatstep Pro, but most people use it as a hardware controller and sequencer, which it's terrific for. I've only used it for an hour in Ableton as I don't really like using DAWs at all. Anything Arturia is just really well built, easy to use, and cheap as hell for what you actually get.

rageblanche · 02-12-2021, 01:03 PM

If you want a keyboard any of you mentioned would be great. If you want a great midi controller for Ableton it's Novation's Launch Control XL. I highly recommend it. Paired with Launchpad - it's a great control of the whole session, both channels and midi input.

LiftingShadowsOffADream · 05-06-2021, 12:00 AM

I use the voodoolab Ground Control.. super solid.. hasn't malfunctioned on me in over 10 years of heavy use.

Guybrush · 05-19-2021, 01:41 AM

The keyboard on my desk is a Native Instruments Komplete S61 MK2. It's good, although I somewhat miss having faders. It's a lot more expensive than my old axiom keyboard which I gave away some ywars ago, but that was good too.

What I care most about is the feel of the keys. As long as that's good, the rest don't matter as much, even if I find good faders etc. preferable.

Additionally, I have a korg nano for fingerdrumming and a kinda big behringer midi pedal board which is great for stuff like software guitar plugins.

04-22-2020, 03:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Joseph Dale Groupie Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: USA, Seattle Posts: 15	Which midi controller? Guess it's time to pick up a midi controller so I can actually work - been messing around with Ableton for a while. In general, I'd like to keep it under $300. After some research I've narrowed down my options to these three: Novation Impulse 49, Akai MPK49 and Arturia Experience 49. Any recommendations? Pros/cons, suggestions and alternative options are more than welcomed! UPD: after some considerations, I went with Novation Impulse. Keys feel good, as I wanted to. Trying to make it work with FL Studio for recording writing as I haven't had time to do this. Still lots of thing to try and explore. Last edited by Joseph Dale; 04-27-2020 at 07:54 AM. Reason: updates added

05-19-2021, 01:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,268	The keyboard on my desk is a Native Instruments Komplete S61 MK2. It's good, although I somewhat miss having faders. It's a lot more expensive than my old axiom keyboard which I gave away some ywars ago, but that was good too. What I care most about is the feel of the keys. As long as that's good, the rest don't matter as much, even if I find good faders etc. preferable. Additionally, I have a korg nano for fingerdrumming and a kinda big behringer midi pedal board which is great for stuff like software guitar plugins. __________________ In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.

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02-12-2021, 01:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
rageblanche Groupie Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 8	If you want a keyboard any of you mentioned would be great. If you want a great midi controller for Ableton it's Novation's Launch Control XL. I highly recommend it. Paired with Launchpad - it's a great control of the whole session, both channels and midi input.

05-06-2021, 12:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
LiftingShadowsOffADream Groupie Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15	I use the voodoolab Ground Control.. super solid.. hasn't malfunctioned on me in over 10 years of heavy use.