my dream keyboard controller

[spawnguy]

It's about time keyboard magazine gives attention to MIDI keyboard controllers and even made it as a cover story. (Although, I have to admit that none of the current crop of controllers satisfy my keyboard fantasy.) That's why I prepared a list of features that I would like to see in future products.

 

1. LCD display- this serves as external video monitor where we plug our laptop or desktop computers. It can be placed on the center panel of the keyboard and can be tilted to different angles. A 12-15 inch screen size option is ideal for the budget conscious user. This is perfect for live set-ups especially to those using softsynths, where they can just hide the cpu/laptop to a safer corner of the stage.

 

2. Trackball/touchpad- placed strategically near the LCD, this would make more sense to studio/stage ergonomics. It also reduces stage clutter in live set-ups since more people are embracing the soft-synth set-up.

 

3. Bigger drum/sample velocity pads- bigger is better right? While the ones in the Roland Fantom X series is sufficient for some, a few inches more won't hurt right?

 

4. Ribbon controllers- well, more option is always better for the musician.

 

5. More knobs and sliders- of course!!!

 

There you have it, my modest dream keyboard controller. Am I asking too much?

[Prague]

You're missing many things that make up a controller, in my opinion. Most of what you want isn't needed for me.

[Tonysounds]

Yeah, I found that controller round-up to be almost useless. Everything is made to be used with software? What about performing keyboardists who DONT want to take a computer on the gig?

 

Time to start buying up A90s.

[ProfD]

MIDI controllers have changed a lot over the years. Most seemed to be dedicated to getting in/out of a computer versus controlling a rack of hardware.

 

Because synths have so much more power and fairly decent MIDI capabilities, this may have led to placing less effort on dedicated MIDI controllers.

 

Spawnguy, I think your MIDI controller is right around the corner. Hold tight. Welcome to the forum.

[Krakit]

If the E-mu Xboard came in a 76 key (weighted?) version, it would be one of my all time favs.

 

Carl

[tarkus]

http://www.synthony.com/vintage/vintage.images/kx88kx76.jpg

[ProfD]

Wow tarkus, a blast from the past. Sure don't make them like they used too.

[Son of Zev]

I find the Edirol PCR series to work wonderfully with hardware synths and modules. The ability to program sysex messages into them has made it possible for me to access areas of the TX-81z in realtime that are not assigned to a controller channel... The one I use most is giving me real time control over LFO.. which is an edit mode programming point. The only issue for serious keyboard players is they don't have weighted keys (well at least mine doesn't)

 

As each controller (Slider, button or knob) is individually programmed I also use it with my effects rack.

 

The suggestions by spawnguy are actually quite good but are probably useful in a studio based device and less for live (sounds expensive and fragile)

[Clifton]

I think what spawnguy suggested would be very nice, but I'd be happier if just ONE company could get it right in an 88 key controller. I mean are these 3 so ridiculous to ask for?

 

1. At least 4 independent zones which you can layer and split easily & quickly (like on the Kurz PC Series), with velocity curves, every CC assignment, all that fancy stuff.

 

2. An assload of knobs. 9 reversable sliders. 2 CC Pedal inputs, 3 switch footswitch inputs, 3 piano pedal inputs so we can have working bloody sostenuto & soft pedals (is that so much to ask?)

 

3. INTERNAL memory to save setups, lots of them.

 

A controller such as this I would most certainly consider gigging with, but at the weight, I'd rather cart around a big ROMpler which also does all the aforementioned MIDI stuff, which is most of the big ROMplers out these days. That way I have hardware sounds at my disposal too.

 

The M-Audio KeyStation 88 came very close actually, though you couldn't save the setups internally, and, more crucially, the action was totally unplayable. I mean seriously. It's like playing jelly.

[kanker.]

and, more crucially, the action was totally unplayable. I mean seriously. It's like playing jelly.

I have to strongly disagree with you here. I think jelly would be infinitely more playable.

[Wassup57]

Spawnguy,

Seems you might want to look into Openlabs Neko, they have plans to integrate Touchpads on their keyboard but its still in development (i believe). Of course, they have knobs n slider capability as well.

[ProfD]

and, more crucially, the action was totally unplayable. I mean seriously. It's like playing jelly.

I have to strongly disagree with you here. I think jelly would be infinitely more playable.

 

Is the Keystation action different or the same as the Prokeys?

 

kanker, anything less than a real piano, xylophone, marimba or vibes is going to be less than satisfactory under your fingers.

[kanker.]

and, more crucially, the action was totally unplayable. I mean seriously. It's like playing jelly.

I have to strongly disagree with you here. I think jelly would be infinitely more playable.

 

Is the Keystation action different or the same as the Prokeys?

 

kanker, anything less than a real piano, xylophone, marimba or vibes is going to be less than satisfactory under your fingers.

Hehe, I'm OK with the Roland and Yamaha actions. Now that I have the Kawai though, that may change. I just wish someone would make a synth with action like my D-50 has. That's some amazing synth action.

 

Also, I think the Prokeys is the same horrible action as the Keystation.

[gliderproarc]

My dream controller is simple, yet would be extremely difficult to create.

I would want a USB-keyboard, pitch bend mod wheel, after-touch, sustain and pedal inputs, basic split modes and GM functions. Now here is what makes it so hard, a large color touch screen which loads the UI of Plugins on your computer and allows you to interact with the plug in as if it were flat hardware.

Now all the work put into those UIs will not be lost trying to map them to finite hardware controls.

I suppose what I want is sorta like a Lemur built onto keyboard. But with templates to load the UIs of all the soft-synths I use on a regular basis.

 

[ProfD]

Glider, your controller is already on the market. It is a Roland Fantom.

 

Seriously, the functionality you describe would probably show up in a synth faster than a dedicated MIDI controller.

 

However, Since Novation offers overlays for popular soft synths, it is not a stretch to believe one of the MIDI controller manufacturers could add a screen and software to show/save/load soft synth UIs. Just a matter of time.

 

 

[Clifton]

However, Since Novation offers overlays for popular soft synths, it is not a stretch to believe one of the MIDI controller manufacturers could add a screen and software to show/save/load soft synth UIs. Just a matter of time.

 

Cool idea, but I can't imagine using soft synths without the laptop screen in front of me (if it is indeed the kind of soft synth where playing with the UI is necessary). Honestly, if they did implement such a screen, it would be unlikely to be an equivalent size of your average laptop screen. (Imagine trying to find the individual drawbars in NI B4v2 on a tiny built-in screen!)

 

What would REALLY grab my attention though would be a fairly large touchscreen (maybe 15"?), grabbing several drawbars at once and dragging along the screen in NI B4v2 would be coooooooooool. In general, it would be much faster than using a mouse too. I've seen that Jordan Ruddess uses something like what I'm talking about, though he only uses that to display his charts/setlist while he plays.

[ProfD]

Clifton, your controller will require the OASYS technology or some kinda VGA input. Then, you could hook up a 22" flat screen and touch away.

 

We are floating around some cool ideas. Think MI manufacturers are lurking/listening?

 

 

[resigned]

We are floating around some cool ideas. Think MI manufacturers are lurking/listening?

 

 

No. Since we have some unfulfilled needs, ideas, and motivation provided by self-interest it occured to me that an interesting possibility would be for members of this forum and other interested parties to form their own small company to develop unique products. Ideas could be developed and licensed to manufacturers or even manufactured ourselves in some cases, maybe even brought to market. The Keyboard Corner Incorporated... has a nice ring to it. Thoughts?

[ProfD]

Pro, I like it.

 

There are quite a few engineers and computer heavy cats hanging out at KC to make it happen.

[WWW]

I MISS MY OLD KX88! Thanks for the memories...

[NYKeys]

:grin:

 

I will never sell my KX88.

 

I could have had a KX76 too, But let the baby slip right out of my hands. Maybe one day I'll Find another one.

 

[Clifton]

We are floating around some cool ideas. Think MI manufacturers are lurking/listening?

 

 

No. Since we have some unfulfilled needs, ideas, and motivation provided by self-interest it occured to me that an interesting possibility would be for members of this forum and other interested parties to form their own small company to develop unique products. Ideas could be developed and licensed to manufacturers or even manufactured ourselves in some cases, maybe even brought to market. The Keyboard Corner Incorporated... has a nice ring to it. Thoughts?

 

Not a bad idea at all. I'm sure plenty of us have thought 'jeez, if I could make a board that had XYZ, I'd sell thousands!', but none of us have the know-how to get anywhere near starting. The 'by players for players' mentality is a good one.

[Clifton]

I MISS MY OLD KX88! Thanks for the memories...

 

Bill, might I say that I am very envious of your gear collection.

[Legatoboy]

I found my old KX88 had a balance to the keyboard feel that was, looking back, unique. Almost like an old 50's Fender P Bass neck or something!

 

lb

[Prague]

...I'm sure plenty of us have thought 'jeez, if I could make a board that had XYZ, I'd sell thousands!'...

I'm very cautious about selling to musicians. There was a lot of "demand" here for a weighted 76-key.

 

Kurzweil was the only company to come out with one.

 

Once it came out it just got nitpicked to death and didn't seem to sell very well.

[K K]

Kurzweil was the only company to come out with one.

 

Once it came out it just got nitpicked to death and didn't seem to sell very well.

 

Very true.

 

As I said often on these forums, the main problem is that too many spoiled people want something that fits their very exact needs for half the 1980 cost. No compromise accepted.

 

If the pitch/mod wheels are spaced 5 mm too wide or if it weights 3 pounds more than their criterias, then the new controller is automatically classified pure BS.

[ProfD]

Kurzweil was the only company to come out with one.

 

Once it came out it just got nitpicked to death and didn't seem to sell very well.

 

Very true.

 

As I said often on these forums, the main problem is that too many spoiled people want something that fits their very exact needs for half the 1980 cost. No compromise accepted.

 

If the pitch/mod wheels are spaced 5 mm too wide or if it weights 3 pounds more than their criterias, then the new controller is automatically classified pure BS.

 

You all make a very good point. After watching Jimmy Smith on youtube, we are way too spoiled by and unworthy of the toys at out current disposal.

[jook]

I think touch screens are overrated..., well, in its uses for music making, and keyboard controls anyway. The concept is nice in theory (I'm sure we've all thought, "oh if only i could just change it by touching the screen!" at some point), but the problem is that it's entirely non-tactile. You have to look and focus on the screen to pull those virtual drawbars, you can't guess its placement and *grab* it.

 

Not only that, you need to *see* how much you've successfully grabbed by "reading" the response on the screen, whether you've grabbed the right bar, or the wrong bar, or pulled it out too much or not enough. It's really, quite terrible IMO, for music making, on-the-spot controlling.

 

Buttons and knobs (and drawbars) - you can FEEL that you've successfully turned or pressed the thing. The response is immediate.

 

It's an important factor, I think, in the world of devices for musicians, because our music making senses are completely tied to tactility - i think, most of us, when we're concentrating the most into the music, don't look at the device - turning off our visual senses is one of the key ways of focusing on our aural senses.

[spawnguy]

Well, Prague sorry to hear that. Musicians have different methods and tastes, both in composition and performance. My dream keyboard controller may not be right for you. My point is, more option is always best for the consumer. Hope you find yours!

[spawnguy]

Tonysounds,no offense to those who don't use softsynths to gigs! Mine was just a wish list. My point in sharing my dream keyboard controller is; "more option is always best for the consumer". It does not have to cater to everyone. To those who don't use softsynths or computers in live performance, there are a handful of products and models to choose from which is already available on the market.