Thanks Ed and Bill
I think Im getting close to what I need now.
Iv been looking on ebay and some of the evolution keyboards are within my price range.Now I need just one more piece of advice.What software do you recommend bearring in mind that ease of use is important and that I want to be able to download sounds/voices etc and use them.

Thanks again
Si

By the way Ed
Iv done a search for you thread and cant seem to find it.
If you can find it please post a link...If not then just the links to the controler sites would be much apreciated.

Cheers
Si

Hi!
I'm no expert on PC music software for beginners. However, there are many other wise ones here.

Controllers...
Well, instead of me having to type it all again and killing my brain trying to recall all the links that can be found on Google, Mamma, search and other internet search engines I will just mention some controllers and older synths that can be used as controllers.

Look for brands like:
Roland, Yamaha, General Music, Evolution, Kurzwell, Kawai, Korg, M-Audio and Alesis..

They all have been making synths and controller keyboards for as long as I remember. Mind you ideally I think you should get a new controller with it's own USB interface so all you will need to worry about is installing USB drivers and connecting the USB cable.

Buying used gear (be it a synth, synth module or just a controller) is tricky. Too tricky for beginners. I got burned buying used gear several times so it is safe to say that it is unsafe to do. In a long run you also want something that will last you for a long time and is easy and cheap to repair. Most of old synths and workstations (except for a few like DX7 for example) are hard to find in a good shape and even if lady luck smiles at you few years down the road you will break off a switch or the internal battery will give out and you're pretty much screwed. Of coarse you can always buy another controller but I'd go with something new if I were you.

Here's however some of the old synths that you can use as controllers.
Alesis Quadrasynth, QS6, QS7, QS8.
Roland JV30, JV80, JV90, JV1000, XP50, XP80.
Korg M1, T1, T2, T3, O1/W.
Kawai K1, K3, K5, K5000.
Yamaha DX7, DX5, DX7II,SY77, SY88, SY99, EX5, EX7.

Those are synths. You will be able to use them for both sounds and controlling your computer and software synths.

You may also want to GOogle search specs, prices and info on Roland A-series controllers. I've used them all I think. From A30 to A90. ALl are good. A bit hard to find used sometimes but generally they come in a good condition because Roland builds their stuff well) and their service is pretty good. At least to my experience. Aftertouch can be a bit stiff but that's not necessarily a bad thing if you don't want unwanted aftertouch events recording into your sequencer all the time and you don't want to disable aftertouch altogether. That is another story for another time.

Okay. Good luck. Do some searching. Generally websites like Vyntage Synth Explorer provide all the necessary info on older synths and controllers. You will find specs, links, info, reviews and price lists there. Just type in a model name and you can find out anything you like.

-ED-


[This message has been edited by 3351 (edited 09-13-2005).]

Hi Si
I used to use an Evolution keyboard with my computer some time ago and while not having the feel or robustness of more expensive keyboards, I never had any problems with it, but as ED says unless you can actually try it, you may get your fingers burnt.
The Evolution keyboards also came with a basic sequencer program, that contained the following edit functions, Track, Drum, Score, Mixer, Conductor, Event and Piano Roll, it could also import Wav audio files to mix with your Midi sequences.
In addition it also incorporates basic styles and an on screen keyboard, so was ideal to get you started. It used to be available on the Evolution web site but now seems to have disappeared, fortunately I still have a copy on my hard Disc, the size is 788Kb so if you have a broadband connection I could email it to you if the keyboard you purchase has not got any software with it, (It includes a quick start guide in the help menu) Don’t forget to Google as well.
Hope this helps.

Bill

Hi Bill
I think I will be buying an evolution as the price is right.
Thanks for the offer,the software looks like just what I need to get started.
If I dont get the sofware with the controller I will get in touch.

Thanks again
Si

Hi Si
Just thought I had better mention that the Evolution software I have on my Hard Disk is the FREE download version (No Restrictions) off the Evolution web site, NOT the program that came with the keyboard, which was included when I sold it. So there are no licensing problems.

Bill

Has any one ever heard of the TERRATEC TMP1 ?.Are they any good ?.

Right thanks to all your advice I have the following on the way...
Evolution MK161 keyboard/controller
Soundblaster with proper midi in/out..I forget which one it is but its good enough for what I want.
Software...Cubase Sx3...Synfactory...AdsynDX

Thats about it for now.
All thats left is a very sharp learning curve...lol

Cheers
Si