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Dual 61 key controllers to replace DMC-122?


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I'm sort of following on from Drawbars' recent thread looking for a low profile bottom keyboard to go under his Stage 3 Compact:

 

I currently use a GSI DMC-122 as a controller for MainStage, but I'm planning to switch to a pair of 61 key controllers. This is mainly to cut down on weight, but it would also likely give me some more real time controls to use.

 

For the bottom board, I've got the same low profile need that Drawbars did, as I'd like the spacing to be as close to the DMC-122 as I can get it. The Nektar Impact GXP61 was mentioned as a possible option in that thread and I think it looks like a good choice. Besides the low profile aspect to it, it's apparently got a semi-weighted keybed, plus both sustain and expression pedal inputs.

 

For the upper board, I was hoping to find something with the same keybed, but a good assortment of knobs/buttons/sliders, etc. The Nektar Panorama T6 looked like a nice option at first, but it's apparently a synth action keybed and wouldn't be the same as the GXP61. The M-Audio Oxygen Pro 61 looks like a similar option, but with a semi-weighted keybed, although I don't know how close it would feel to the Nektar GXP61.

 

Which gets to the crux of my problem... I've got no way to try these out (rant about Guitar Center in Boston refusing to open a box to let me try one earlier today goes here). So I'm hoping someone here has put their hands on some of these and can give me some opinions about how these controllers feel and play. Or maybe even other suggestions on how to achieve a pair of controllers in that close arrangement with similar keybeds. I realize how subjective this is, so I thought I could list some keys I liked and didn't like, to help with any comparisons people can give. Based on the list below, I *THINK* you'd agree that I should be looking for semi-weighted instead of synth action, but I'm not even 100% sure on that part.

 

Within the past few years I have played and like: Korg Kronos 61, Yamaha Motif XF7, Roland VR-700, GSI DMC-122, Korg CX-3 (digital version, with the waterfall keys), Native Instruments Komplete S61 v2

 

Within the past few years I have played and didn't like: Korg Krome 61, Roland Gaia, Roland VR09 (first version)

 

Thanks for any help here.

"If you can't dazzle them with dexterity, baffle them with bullshit."
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I keep coming back to this thread wondering if I had a DMC-122 would I ever want to break up that unique setup. That controller always seemed to be the be all and end all for me, except perhaps the lower keybed would be a balanced hammer action. Sorry to bring the discussion sideways, but at least the thread is bumped!

____________________________________
Rod

Here for the gear.

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Heh, thanks for the bump.

 

And yeah, I hemmed and hawed about whether I should just stick with the DMC-122 for quite a while. I supposed I'm still a little on the fence if I'm being honest. The only real downside to it is the weight (it's 40 lbs.). Outside of the controller topic, I also have the Gemini module in it, which is a back up sound source if I have an issue with MainStage. If I go with the two controllers, I'll probably end up posting another thread to discuss back up sound options.

 

Damn, this thread may end up putting me right back on the fence.

"If you can't dazzle them with dexterity, baffle them with bullshit."
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