Keyboard MIDI controllers for Reason

[GiladT]

I'm using Propellerhead Reason on my PC, and because writing music with the mouse is such a drag, I think about getting a MIDI controller keyboard. But I'm not really sure what I actually need (I'm a home/basement/in-the-dark-of-night user). What I want to know (keep in mind that I'm using Reason Software and nothing else) is: Do I need all the controls on the Roland A-37 for example or is it enough to use the software controls? Should I be looking for a synth (which is more expensive) or just a controller? How important or useful is the aftertouch option? Can anyone suggest specific keyboard models that I should check out? Should I get an internal MIDI card for my PC, or an external module? Any useful info that you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I'm in NEED.

 

Thanks, Gilad.

[DJDM]

Originally posted by GiladT:

I'm using Propellerhead Reason on my PC, and because writing music with the mouse is such a drag, I think about getting a MIDI controller keyboard. But I'm not really sure what I actually need (I'm a home/basement/in-the-dark-of-night user). What I want to know (keep in mind that I'm using Reason Software and nothing else) is: Do I need all the controls on the Roland A-37 for example or is it enough to use the software controls? Should I be looking for a synth (which is more expensive) or just a controller? How important or useful is the aftertouch option? Can anyone suggest specific keyboard models that I should check out? Should I get an internal MIDI card for my PC, or an external module? Any useful info that you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I'm in NEED.

 

Thanks, Gilad.

Oh I love Reason! I would say get whatever keyboard you can afford. And yes aftertouch is very cool, (you'll see!). You don't need to spend very much on your hardware to get a lot out of the program and in fact most basic keyboards will do the trick.

You probably do not need a synth unless you plan to record it on hardware or in another application because there is no option for recording external audio in Reason. Besides with all of the sounds that you can generate from it, Reason tends to be a little sonically all inclusive for most users.

Are you using Reason 1.01 or 2.0?

 

I will check back on this thread later but for now I have to get to bed.

 

Best of luck,

- DJDM

[GiladT]

Thanks DJDM. I think I'll probably settle for a modest keyboard after all, hopefully with aftertouch, this way I can also save the money for a decent sound card/midi card. I can't wait... Thanks again for your help.

GiladT.

[Gus Lozada]

Hello Gilad !

 

Midiman / M-Audio catalog includes three cool options to control REASON (and any other MIDI devices): The OXYGEN 8 , which is a very cool and portable two octave keyboard with 8 assignable knobs (perfect for REASON). It is by itself a MIDI USB interface and gets its power from the USB port. No batteries or power supply requiered unless you don't use the USB port.

 

In the same line you will find more octaves but without the knobs in the Keystation 49 and Keystation 61. Any of them offer aftertouch.

 

Now...

 

Since REASON allows you to assign any MIDI controller to control its parameters via the "midi learn" function, virtually any midi synth will work.

 

to Israel...

[DJDM]

Gus,

Your right on there! The Midiman Keyboards are very cool!

For the money they are hard to beat.

- DJDM

[Felix_dup1]

Also be sure to check out the Evolution MK-249C - 12 knobs, pitchbend and mod wheels, and 49 keys. No aftertouch, but more room to play than an Oxygen8.

[DJDM]

Originally posted by felix:

Also be sure to check out the Evolution MK-249C - 12 knobs, pitchbend and mod wheels, and 49 keys. No aftertouch, but more room to play than an Oxygen8.

That's true, and the Oxy 8 is really a bit too small to be anything more than a scrtach pad but no aftertouch?! I would rather die! Ok maybe that is a little much but...

- DJDM

[Unisys]

I use the Oxygen 8 with Reason and it works well. The keys are pretty flimsy and not very stable feeling but it's still worth 140 to me which is what I paid.

[RABid]

I like the Oxygen 8. It is great for sitting on the computer desk just above the computer keyboard and quickly putting down tracks. Spending more money puts you very close to keyboards like the Yamaha S03 ($500) or E-mu MK6 ($600). Even if you get something like these later you will continue to use the Oxygen 8 because it is so handy to have around.

 

Robert

[GiladT]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I checked out the oxygen8 and since I'm originally a piano player, it's much too small for me. I really think anything with less than 5 octaves will drive me crazy. I liked the evolution 361-C - and BTW, if it has a USB interface, does it mean I don't need a MIDI card?

 

GiladT

[DJDM]

Originally posted by GiladT:

Thanks for the advice, guys. I checked out the oxygen8 and since I'm originally a piano player, it's much too small for me. I really think anything with less than 5 octaves will drive me crazy. I liked the evolution 361-C - and BTW, if it has a USB interface, does it mean I don't need a MIDI card?

 

GiladT

If it has USB then you are correct, you do not need a Midi interface.

It might be a good idea to look into one down the road but for now the USB should do the trick.

- DJDM