Jump to content

Midi keyboards...Axiom 49 or Edirol PCR-500?


Recommended Posts

hey there, thank god for these forums! i'm new to logic and recently purchased logic 8. I'm looking forward to create psy-trance music and hopefully becoming a local dj within the community :)

 

My friend who is helping me out (he is a dj) suggested i get the axiom 49, but i have done my research and it's come down to the Axiom 49 and the Edirol PCR-500. These are the boards within my price range and are apparently familiar in the dj scene. i just wanted to get opinions on these boards, maybe in comparison to each other. also if one is more compatible with logic than the other and if any experienced dj's have any more recommendations.

 

i have done a search in these forums for an answer but couldn't find anything so i searched google and i found good and bad about both, but the people i asked weren't using logic or djing...so thanks in advance for your advice!

 

daz

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Things i like about Axiom are the look, the faders, the transport buttons and the feel of the keys. The keys are actually a little bit heavier than, say, the CME UF8 that my friend has. The pressure pads in Axiom are ok but i had to buy a separate pad controller since they weren't good enough. Worst thing about this keyboard is probably the rotary knobs. The feel is awful since they got these small steps that makes them grumble while tweaking. They might be good for changing a value one by one, for example oscillator waveform or something like that. But i'd never use them to control a linear parameter, like filter. I've never used the PCR-500, but it looks quite nice. The crossfader might come handy. But i like separate pitch and mod wheels, which btw have a great feel in Axiom.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use both. Forget about the Axiom. It's a great keyboard controller with drum pads and good kb feel that they totally screwed up by making the rotary buttons "stepped". Useless for any kind of continuous automation like a smooth filter cutoff automation.

 

The PCR500 is a great controller (the drum pads are tiny though).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thanks for the info, i'm definitely leaning towards the Edirol, it's $30 more,but that's not a major hassle :)

 

Is the Edirol board going to be better for a beginner? is it easy to use/set-up that kind of stuff?

thanks again for your help.

 

daz

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the Edirol PCR-500 and I'm really happy with it! The keys feel good for keyboard work and if you tweak the sensitivity a bit it's good for piano bit's aswell.. I've played on the Axiom aswell and I also like that one, but the keys felt a bit sluggish, but that's a matter of personal taste! Getting the thing to work is easy, but I can't figure out how to use all the knobs and sliders with logic, but I'm sure it's me..

 

David: Can you tell me how you do it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was planning on buying the Axiom 49 myself but i now i know that the knobs are done in steps i don't think i want to now so i will go for the Edirol PCR-500 does this have weighted keys?...can i assigned the sliders as well as the knobs to say a filter cut off and reacts straight away with no latency?...

 

Also i did'nt know what soundcard i wanted but have read that the Apogee Ensemble is good!...

 

I am still on Logic 7 PPC but slowly saving for a new setup!...

 

8 Core Mac Pro {Leopard}

Asus MK241H Full HD 1080p Monitor

Apogee Ensemble

Edirol PCR-500

Logic Studio Logic Pro 8

Redmatica Keymap

New Melodyne

 

My dreamset up! :S

 

There is great info from this site good stuff!...Thanks...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The keys are semi-weighted, so yes they are weighted and feel robust but don't expect a real piano.. You can assign the knobs to Logic and adjust the parameters real time, but like I said I haven't figured out how.. but I'm new to logic so don't expect it to be extremely hard :D
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The keys are semi-weighted, so yes they are weighted and feel robust but don't expect a real piano.. You can assign the knobs to Logic and adjust the parameters real time, but like I said I haven't figured out how.. but I'm new to logic so don't expect it to be extremely hard :D

 

Hi,sorry i did"nt realise you ask that question i know how to on Logic 7 if this will help!...

 

Lets say your using EXS24 turn you filter on then move the Cutoff so this will be the last thing you touched in Logic then hold down Apple key and press L then choose a slider/knob on your keyboard and move it {not sure if you have to move it all the way up and down so it reads it all} then the cutoff will be assigned to that slider/knob you choosed!...Hope this helps!...

 

So basicaly the last parameter {with any plugin} you touch last in Logic then Apple L then choose a slider/knob!...

 

I am hoping they are semi-weighted not like a piano!...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
I must be the odd one out here - I just bought the Axiom, as I loved the feel of the keys. I didn't like the feel of the PCR-300/500./ Just personal taste I guess. Maybe because I originally learned piano as a kid (play guitar mostly now) and wouldn't call myself a keyboard player.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...