Hello...

This is basically an extension (of my already long) Keyboard Controller Confustion Post.

With one of my requirements (partially) filled. I think I am going to veer away from the Casio/Yamaha all in one home units and rather use a dedicated controller.

I will fill you in in what I am looking for.

As a refresher, I am mainly looking for something to control soft synths. I was originally looking at a hardware based synth keyboard that I can use to do the job, but alas, they can be pretty pricy (even used) and moreover, many lack the controls I desire. In my search...only one Synth...the Roland JD-800 has more than enough sliders to work with. However, they are all sysex and not cc...so that is a problem.

Now I am looking into dedicated controllers. I am looking to keep the price at around $500, because there are some cool soft synths I would like to purchase right off the bat. So I would like to hear your opinions on these choices I narrowed down below.

The contenders:

First up: M-Audio.

While there are enough controllers from them that would fit my needs, I am axing everything from this company. Their keyboards feel like cheap home/ toy keyboards. So iksnay on M-Audio just to let you know.

Next up: Doepfer. Absolutely love the d3 organ set up on their home page and this set up would fill about 90% of my needs. Moreover, this stuff looks REALLY well built. Downers: The price is WAY out of the ballpark and further, I don't know of anyone who sells these here in the US. But I will keep my mind open for the future. Looks like really good stuff.

Next Up: Studiologic...VMK-88. Looks like it will definately do the job in a relatively light but LONG package. Would be happy with something like this in a 61 key package. Good news is the price is right! The only thing stopping me from going this route is that I never was able to get my hands on one. Most of the local music stores do not carry it. I would figure the price/number of keys ratio, would dictate this as a rather 'cheap' unit. So bascially I would need to know otherwise. Has anyone used this unit and is happy with it?

Next: Yamaha P-120. While not a controller...this unit has THE BEST keyboard feel of anything I touched. Very much like a real piano. The built in piano/organ sounds are AWESOME. The price, more than double...but considering the built in sounds are excellent, it would make up for the cost in terms of soft synths. So the problem is I would need an alternative box for midi controls. Any suggestions? How does this unit compared to it's cheaper brothers, the P-90 and P-60?

Next: Edriol controller-61 key. I considered these only because Roland makes the keyboards for them and the 'feel' would be there. Price is really nice and low. However, there is one one annoying thing...only 8 sliders. Need 9 for B4. Again, like the VMK-88, I never touched one.

Next: Korg Kontrol49

This is a fairly new unit that came out and while it is one octave short of my minimum, it does have quite a few neat features that I like. There is definately enough controls. While it does suffer from lack of the last 9th slider for B4, it does make up with the 16 velocity/pad switches. Also you can label the controls electronically. It is a small unit and will even fit on my desktop. As I said it does fall one octave short of what I am normally used to...but you can offset the keys...so that is a help. Price is right on this unit as well.

Control only options: Evolution UC-33e

If I were to go the Yamaha P series option above I know I would need a control-only controller. This was one that I just looked at. I never heard of this company before, so I do not know how well their products are made. But one thing I must say...it has all the options I would need...24 rotary controls, 9 (yeah NINE) faders, 14 buttons and a whopping 33 presets. Moreover they offer overlays for the control functions of popular software packages. Nice piece and at $260 it is a nice price too. It looks promising, but has anyone used this piece? How is the quality?

Ok, I will stop here.

Thanx in advance,

Geo