Josh83 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Hey everybody I will attend to a 6 months long online Logic Pro course (http://www.dubspot.com/logic-pro/) which will start in October, and during this time I will be traveling a lot. So I need a small, portable MIDI-Controller, and because I have no experience with such devices at all, I wanted to know your opinions about what is the best solution to get. I have already bought the KORG nanoKEY2 and nanoKONTROL2, but as a long time piano player I am very disappointed with the nanoKEY2, because it is very hard to play so it does sound natural (especially the velocity sounds very unnatural). KORG nanoKEY2: http://cdn.mos.musicradar.com/images/Computer%20Music/Issue%20166/korg-nanokey2-460-80.jpg KORG nanoKONTROL2: http://cdn.mos.musicradar.com/images/Computer%20Music/Issue%20166/korg-nanokontrol2-660-80.jpg So I thought about getting the AKAI LPK25 to replace the nanoKEY2, but while watching some videos about this device on YouTube, I stumbled over another interesting looking device, the AKAI MPK Mini which basically seems to be the LPK25 with some pads and knobs that would replace another device (like the nanoKONTROL2). AKAI LPK25: http://www.evsound.be/images/catalogus/6704_.jpg AKAI MPK Mini: http://www.djdiscount.ch/imgshop/akai.MPK%20mini.jpg So it seems there are many fish in the tank, and before buying another device that turns out to be not the right one for me, I wanted to ask you guys what you can suggest me. Here are my requirements: - I need a MIDI keyboard so I can produce music while traveling (I have the nanoKEY2 for this at the moment) - I also need some knobs and/or sliders which one typically uses when producing electronic music (I have the nanoKONTROL2 for this at the moment, and I noticed that the MPK mini doesn't have any sliders, so would this be a problem?) - I don't know whether I need pads or something like that for producing electronic music (I'd like to learn how to produce psychedelic trance and minimal), so I don't have something like that yet, but maybe they would really be useful? - I will be traveling by airplane, so I won't have much space for any equipment And a last question: would you rather suggest to have different devices (like the nanoSERIES) or one device that has it all (like the MPK Mini)? Thanks A LOT for your help, guys! I really appreciate that! Best regards Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh83 Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Okay, a friend who is producing electronic music for years now told me the following: - He does never use pads at all - Sliders are not really needed, knobs do the work, too - He suggests me to have a single unit when traveling One thing that seems to be very useful on the nanoKONTROL2 is the solo/mute/record buttons that are there for every of the 8 tracks it supports. And also the play, pause, record, set and jump to markers, etc. buttons seem very handy. So I think the combination of the MPK Mini and the nanoKONTROL2 would also make sense, doesn't it? So I would have the knobs, sliders and special feature buttons (play, pause, etc.) on the nanoKONTROL2, and the keyboard and pads (and some additional knobs) on the MPK Mini. What do you think about this combination? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fader8 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Would the Novation Remote Compact be too big? Pickings are pretty slim these days when it comes to small MIDI keyboards. Well, big ones too, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el-bo Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 i have an lpk25, but don't really like it.....velocity sensitivity is crap (too difficult to get consistent soft notes), and the curve can't be changed in the software i've always liked my microkontrol, as i think for what it is it's pretty playable...might be looking into the newer microkeyer, as don't need all the extra controls/pads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherking Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 i'm gonna get http://m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeystationMini32.html i HATE the korg nanokey, gave it away... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh83 Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Would the Novation Remote Compact be too big? ...and a little too expensive for me. I only need this device for about half a year while traveling, afterwards I will look out for a more professional one, I think. The KORG microKONTROL does not seem to be available anymore, but the microKEY looks interesting, though it has 37 keys, which is a contra point for my purposes. Thanks for your replies, guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherking Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 dude...did u check out the m-audio keystation? small, 32 keys... link post above... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh83 Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 dude...did u check out the m-audio keystation? small, 32 keys... link post above... This looks very promising. Do you have any experience with it? How is the velocity sensitivity? In fact, the thing I really need is a keyboard that has a good and natural velocity sensitivity (after years of playing on real pianos and now having the great Yamaha P140 I am kind of spoilt), and the Keystation2 really looks great for that... Combined with the nanoKONTROL2 I guess I have everything that I need... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherking Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 it's new, i haven't got it yet. but at this size, it's as good as it will get. the akai is fair, and the nanokey (shudder)... i'll be traveling in a few months, will get one then, definitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh83 Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 it's new, i haven't got it yet. but at this size, it's as good as it will get.the akai is fair, and the nanokey (shudder)... i'll be traveling in a few months, will get one then, definitely. Damn, I hoped you would get one in the next few days and could tell me more about it then... So I'm still stuck between the Akai and the M-Audio... Let's see if I find a shop where I can try them out and compare to each other. I will give feedback here after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherking Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 it's new, i haven't got it yet. but at this size, it's as good as it will get.the akai is fair, and the nanokey (shudder)... i'll be traveling in a few months, will get one then, definitely. Damn, I hoped you would get one in the next few days and could tell me more about it then... So I'm still stuck between the Akai and the M-Audio... Let's see if I find a shop where I can try them out and compare to each other. I will give feedback here after that. are you kidding? i'm gonna let YOU buy ir first, and report back... 8) the akai is fair, the m-audio looks good, maybe google it for reviews... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh83 Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 are you kidding? i'm gonna let YOU buy ir first, and report back... 8) the akai is fair, the m-audio looks good, maybe google it for reviews... the m-audio isn't released in Switzerland yet, but I guess it will be in a few days. I guess I will go to a shop and compare it to the Akai directly, and then I will talk back to you guys. CU later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherking Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 my trip is postponed until after the new year, so am in no rush... look forward to YOUR review...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh83 Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 Okay, I bought the M-AUDIO Oxygen 25 and I'm very happy with it. I've written a summary about the other devices, I hope you will find it helpful. http://i11ogic.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/portable-midi-keyboards-which-is-the-most-natural-one/ PS: I will add some images and a better conclusion later, I have to go now... Nice weekend, everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherking Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 glad you like your oxygen keys, and good review (just read it). i will def get the keystation before i start traveling, it's exactly what i want. but...whatever works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh83 Posted October 8, 2011 Author Share Posted October 8, 2011 glad you like your oxygen keys, and good review (just read it). i will def get the keystation before i start traveling, it's exactly what i want. but...whatever works. Please give me this as a comment, would you? You'd be my first one, haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salem Beats Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 After all these years, this thread is still relevant in the search results. I agree with the poster above - KORG's "microKEY" series is a lot better than their "nanoKEY" series. I wrote a new article about the best portable MIDI controllers, updated for 2014-2015: Comparison: The 3 Best Portable MIDI Controllers ^ Check it out and let me know what you think! -Ki Salem Beats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherking Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 funny, i ultimately got a novation launchkey mini. i hated the axiom midi, found it too small to play at all. i LOVE having 16 pads on the novation...i can play what i want (using spark2) live, i don't have to switch between 2 sets of 8 pads; the keyboard is playable (not perfect, but good enough), and the knobs do knobby things (after much help setting that up, from david and others here on the forum). plus it looks good...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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