torhu Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 I got the urge to record some music, installed REAPER a couple of weeks ago. I bought a used Novation Launchkey 49, which works fine, but seems to not get along with the USB controller, driver, or whatever on my Windows 10 PC. I have to try a bunch of times to get it work, unplugging other USB devices, trying to plug them in in various orders, etc. So I'm looking for a replacement. I want something that is not too expensive, that can sit on my couch, my lap, or whatever. A decent action that you can use to record drums and bass, for piano stuff I can move my laptop over to my stage piano and use that. I would like to have a couple of programmable knobs, but I don't need the typical Ableton Live EDM setup or anything like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Mike Metlay Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 There are a zillion possibilities out there. If you want something with 49 full sized keys, consider the Samson Graphite 49, which is solid, playable, reasonably full featured, plays well without a lot of driver fussiness, and is unbelievably cheap for the quality you get. If even that is too much, the Carbon 49 is even cheaper and lighter. If you want something with smaller keys, or fewer keys, or both, the field widens enormously. Just ask! Quote Dr. Mike Metlay (PhD in nuclear physics, golly gosh) Musician, Author, Editor, Educator, Impresario, Online Radio Guy, Cut-Rate Polymath, and Kindly Pedant Editor-in-Chief, Bjooks ~ Author of SYNTH GEMS 1 clicky!: more about me ~ my radio station (and my fam) ~ my local tribe ~ my day job ~ my book ~ my music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torhu Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 Thanks Can't buy that in here in Norway, but I can order it from abroad. What I can get here is an Alesis V49, any idea on how that compares to the Samson..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowMan Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 I may be the exception to the rule on the Graphite - two keys died on mine the first week. Returned it for an Arturia Keylab 49. Pretty happy with it for couch noodling with Ipad apps. However if you are planning to use it for organ, it"s inconvenient having the slide faders on the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docbop Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Can't recommend anything, but can tell you what not to get the Roland A-49. I was told keys were full size and they are a really strange size especially the black keys. Plus I had to install a special driver for it so I would skip that one. Love my RD-2000 don't like the Roland A-49. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhoh7 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Nektar is good for DAWs: I have a T4 and like it. https://www.thomannmusic.com/search_dir.html?sw=nektar+t4&smcs=a4e3b2_4425 There are cheaper ones you will see Quote RT-3/U-121/Leslie 21H and 760/Saltarelle Nuage/MOXF6/MIDIhub, SL-880/Nektar T4/Numa Cx2/Deepmind12/Virus TI 61/SL61 mk2 Stylophone R8/Behringer RD-8/Proteus 1/MP-7/Zynthian 4 MPC1k/JV1010/Unitor 8/Model D & 2600/WX-5&7/VL70m/DMP-18 Pedals Natal drums/congas etc & misc bowed/plucked/blown instruments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoodyBluesKeys Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 I did have a Samson Carbon 49, and gave it to my granddaughter when she needed a controller. Liked it well enough to buy the Carbon 61 after a few months. Good for the times I want a lightweight controller with more keys than my iRig Pro 37. Quote Howard Grand|Hamm SK1-73|Kurz PC2|PC2X|PC3|PC3X|PC361; QSC K10's HP DAW|Epi Les Paul & LP 5-str bass|iPad mini2 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrrtyuuiioop Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 Cheap controllers and good action do not go together. The Roland A500 Pro has the best key action of any MIDI keyboard controller that I have tried. Quote Feck u Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analogman1 Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 I wish the Samson had an expression pedal input, that would make it perfect. Anything else in that approx price range with expression pedal and sustain pedal inputs? Quote Tom Nord Electro 5D, Modal Cobalt 8, Yamaha upright piano, numerous plug-ins... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 I wish the Samson had an expression pedal input, that would make it perfect. Anything else in that approx price range with expression pedal and sustain pedal inputs? No, and the only solutions are peripherals. Might as well go up a tier. Quote ____________________________________ Rod Here for the gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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