MIDI Controllers?

[gylfih]

Out of curiosity, which MIDI controller do you think is best? What makes a MIDI controller with loads of good VSTs any worse than a high-end really expensive synth or workstation?

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Out of curiosity, which MIDI controller do you think is best? What makes a MIDI controller with loads of good VSTs any worse than a high-end really expensive synth or workstation?

VSTs require very strong PC.
They are not good for live performances, not good at all.
Some people (like me) just like messing with hardware.

Best set up is IMHO a sampler/workstation + couple of pure synths + a PC for recording and mixing (processing).

With a set up like that, your studio work would go very smoothly, and you won't have any problems with live gigs.

My IMHO

[gylfih]

VSTs require very strong PC.
They are not good for live performances, not good at all.
Some people (like me) just like messing with hardware.
I dunno... my current (cheap and basic) setup is a 49 key midi controller (not enough keys IMHO), running on Ableton Live, which is extraordinarily powerful stuff. A lot of its presets are great, but it hasn't got good piano sounds :frown:, but then, how much is a halfway decent piano VST? I've got a freeware one that isn't amazing, but will do... Add in some other VSTs like Arturia's Minimogue and you're set!

Pricewise... Powerful laptop/desktop - my laptop was £600 and it's good enough for my VSTs
M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 (best features for the price) - £250
VSTs - most of mine are free

Total for the setup - £850

Price for a good synth/workstation (not counting the Fusion), with the same features - >£2000

Ableton also has a Rack feature, so you can put all your VSTs in a chain (up to 127 mixes) and cycle through them with a pedal... what's wrong with it?

But I know what you mean about messing with hardware... the amount of times I go to a store and play with a Moog...:biggrin:

[EMH]

It's not that expensive to buy a comp that can run VST's great anymore. You can get duel core processors from like 30-35£ and up.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Point taken... well, maybe I'm kinda outdated....

But I'm still convinced that hardware is much more reliable, better for live performances, and just fun to play with.

[EMH]

I'm with you on that. :wink: