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aronnelson

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Posts posted by aronnelson

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    I was able to go to Guitar Center and try some of the keyboards again. This is after doing a concert on a Steinway LOL. Anyway, the RD-88 has escapement but it didn't feel that natural to me. I liked the Fantom keybed and I looked it up, it has wooden keys and that felt good to me. I was also ok with the Nautilus keyboard which seemed to feel pretty heavy. But after all of this, I think the RD-88 is most suited for the job at hand. It has no faders, but it does have knobs and the favorites will work for program changes. I remember disliking the piano sound, but I would use it only if MainStage went down or for jam sessions. The RD-88 doesn't match my initial specs but it's good enough and the synth engine is apparently great so that's something.

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    On 1/17/2023 at 11:06 PM, stoken6 said:

    I found it like playing through a sponge. An irregular sponge, with varying consistency. If that doesn't deserve a bad rap, I don't know what does. (But I know opinions are subjective - many hate Fatar's TP40 action, which I'm happy with). 

     

    Cheers, Mike.

    Thanks Mike. Well, I'm not going to end up choosing it, but when I asked that piano player how the action was, he said it was really good and he said "I love Fatar keybeds". hahahaha

     

    I know what you mean, a long time ago I played a Kurzweil keyboard that was heavy AND slow. I felt restricted!

    OK maybe it does deserve a bad rep!

     

    • Like 1

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    I finally got to try a TP100 - the Studiologic SL73 studio. My first reaction is that the action is fine. It's on the heavier side but I could still play fast and play trills etc...

    So I think that most of the people saying it's slow and too heavy don't play much piano. I expected something a lot worse. 

    But the more I think about it, even though I didn't like the RD-88 piano, I would just be using it as a controller and the knobs are ok, not the best, but I could make do with it. I think it is a better overall controller due to having favorites. The Studiologic program select is not as good.

    If I really had to have faders, I can use my Korg NanoKontrol.

     

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    I noticed that my Mac mini uses a lot more memory than the Intel version. I'm not sure if a 16G Mac mini can be a substitute for a dedicated synth. I guess with unrealBook connected via bluetooth MIDI, patch changes are so fast, I can rip though songs and only a few songs have a problems switching between patches fast enough. 

    Right now, I guess my PX-5S is good enough for the gigs I will use MainStage for. I will wait for NAMM.

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    >Quick aside- is Unrealbook going to keep getting updates 

     

    I've been updating it all the time. I'm on my 1545 beta update.

    I do agree that supporting something like XML would be great. It's just finding the time to do something like this.

    If there as a library, that would be easier but it would jack up the cost since I need to fund the library. Just a simple PDF library can be upwards of $5000.

     

     

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    How do you switch patches on this? I don't know how I would get around the lack of bank and program buttons with the new controllers. I need to switch patches quickly. I'm almost giving up already..... I guess I could get another PX-5S which would work - mine is kind of falling apart. Even a 10 key would be better than a scrolling knob or hunting through menus.

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    OK I went to the music store today and tried a few keyboards. First off, I did not like the RD-88. The keybed was ok but the piano sound was brittle and not very musical (to me). I tried various lighter action controllers and of all things, I thought the Arturia Keylab 61 had a very decent action. I think I could use this one. Too bad it can only send 16 program changes. The Novation Launchkey action was ok too. But also limited on program changes. Several of the Novation controllers had decent light actions.

     

    Then I played the Yamaha MODX8 and the sound of this keyboard was so much more musical than the RD, but no way am I going to carry that.

     

    So I kind of gave up. No one has any controllers with the TP100 so I won't take a chance when I know the TP110 was created to fix the problems. I could live with the Arturia Essential if it has the same action as the Keylab 61 - so does it?

     

    Maybe I should just wait for NAMM.

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    >Keyboard Maestro or other programs that will remap keys or midi presses

     

    Yes ini the early days, I wrote an app that selected tracks on Logic in an attempt to get something like MainStage going. 

     

    >but I think there's  much more comfort in seeing the screen

     

    Yes, I VNC into the Mac mini using my iPad. Just in case I need to do something.

     

    >If your using an app like Forscore or Igigbook they can easily do program change

     

    Exactly! I wrote unrealBook so it does the program changes for me. I guess I could put the wireless MIDI into my MainStage interface and then use the Numa via USB only.

     

    I can try it. I think it should work. 

     

    I've used my Mac mini on concerts with the PX-5S and off-island with rentals or my Korg Kross. This was an older mini, so I haven't tried it with the m1 Mac mini.

     

    Abresch, yes I saw that thread. I used to own a PC361 and I loved it but it had problems and I had to sell it. If the Numa Compact 2x is anything like that action, then it's fine. The mix face could work, but like I said I have 2 Korg fader units and I just want to minimize the setup. 

     

    Thanks!

     

     

     

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Thank you all! Yes, I know about the small Korg controllers, I have 2 of them. I'd prefer to have it on the keyboard if possible. As for the PX-5S, it is good, but I had to fix some keys and the plastic doesn't really hold up well after putting the screws back in and mine unfortunately took a fall so for a while I had 2. I know - there's nothing like it for the price. The Roland is good but no faders. Yes, the CP/YC models are incredible! But if I had that, I probably wouldn't need my MainStage setup which I am trying. Right now I have a Korg Kronos and PX-5S and a bunch of analog gear. I have a new Mac mini m1 for MainStage and I want to have something that runs a little like my Kronos. 

    The PX-5S does fit the bill, but you know how it is... I want something newer - but maybe that's not a good choice. Maybe nothing better got created?

     

    >always use something that can make noise on its own

     

    Yes! That's why the Numa Compact 2x seems like a decent choice. Even if it doesn't work out, it's not a huge chunk of $. The Mac mini m1 boots up FAST. Much faster than my Kronos !

     

    The only bummer about the Numa is the rotary dial. In fact, most of the MIDI controllers don't have program change banks/buttons. BUMMER!

     

    Maybe the choice is either a PX-5S again or the Numa compact 2x? 

     

    Anyway, if anyone else has found something let me know. Thanks!

    88 note keyboard controller for Mainstage

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Hey guys,

     

    I want to have a live rig for MainStage using an 88 (or 73) note controller. But here are the features I need:

     

    1: Lightweight. Around 30 pounds or lighter.

    2: Has faders.

    3: Has decent action. Better than a Korg Kross 1. Ideally weighted and decent/fast action - like a Yamaha CP series or Casio PX-5S.

    4: Can send program changes to MainStage - ideally with program change buttons - would be great if has banks and program select.

    5: Compact - not super bulky.

    6: Needs some sort of pitch bend/mod.

     

    I want to use MainStage headless without having to go through the UI. Basically I want to be able to switch patches and play it like any other sound module. Switch patches, use the faders etc...

     

    I've been looking and it's tough. The Arturia Keylab 88 Mk2, is limited sending program changes and the keybed is slow.

    Same with Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol 88. Well all Fatar TP100LR seem to be slow and have problems.

    Studiologic fixed this with Numa X piano, but no faders. If this had faders it would be perfect!

     

    So after giving up on TP100LR based controller, I am left with lightweight keybeds.

     

    So I am currently deciding on the Numa Compact 2x. BUT there's only a rotary dial for selecting patches. And I am not sure if the board can receive MIDI program changes to select the patches and also send program changes to MainStage via USB.

     

    Have I missed a keyboard that has good action, is lightweight and has faders? Yes, I know about the PX-5S - I have one and it's perfect except it is very fragile. I want to get something a little more robust for gigging.

     

    Any help appreciated!

     

    Aron

     

    Behringer OB-Xa

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    > Maybe Behringer will remake a Chroma someday... always wanted one

     

    If you are serious, I think that there's a place in the SF bay area with lots of them. They approached me once about it and said they had a bunch of them lying around I guess.

    Behringer OB-Xa

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    This is interesting. The patents have expired and everyone involved knew that would happen eventually. They all participated knowing this.

    If recreating an OBX was so important to Tom, he could have done this long ago but he didn't. Now the ARP 2600 - I am not sure about that one. It will be interesting to see the talk between Behringer and Korg.

    I'm guessing the keyboards might be a "clone" but only in the same say that Studio Electronics made minimoog-like modules etc...

    I really doubt it's going to look like an OB-X at all. I may be way off base though.

    For me, unless it's laid out the same and looks similar it loses a lot for me.

    Behringer OB-Xa

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    > what makes anyone think Uli Behringer is going to do it?

     

    Because they are recreating the Curtis chip. No matter what, people will probably say it doesn't sound exactly the same, but it has a chance based on what they are doing. The first start is to get those Curtis chips made again - that's good for everyone if they make it available again. Many old keyboards can be fixed as well.

     

    and....

    >I just don't understand why everything needs to have a cheap affordable alternative.

     

    It's always been like this EH made a living off of this. Now pedals made in China do this. Kids need affordable stuff - the patents ended long ago - this is how it works. It's not like football jersey numbers where you stop using forever.

    Behringer OB-Xa

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    > Taking a man's life's work and selling a knockoff on the cheap while he is still alive selling his own products is just yucky

     

    Yeah, I understand. I feel the same way about the Klon Centaur. Yet, he is still in business and the $50 EH clone is not putting him out of business (yet).

     

    But to be fair, Tom is not making the OB-X (at least I don't think so).

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