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  3. Best keyboard to use with VSL?

  • Best keyboard to use with VSL?

    D
    D
    I am looking to buy a new Midi controller to use with VSL when it becomes available in EXS format. Which Midi-controller/synth is best for use with the VSL? What features are must have, which are nice to have and why, and which are not needed at all?

    I'm looking hard at the Kurzweil PC2X because I like the way it feels better than the rest. Other contenders are Yamaha S80 or S90, and Korg Triton. I know most of the features get wasted with these high-end models because all the sound comes from the EXS but I haven't found a good low-featured keyboard with good weighted action. Maybe some of you have opinions on this?
  • M
    M
    i would consider 88keys as much( or all?) of the keyswitching is in the 1st octave.
    outside of that not sure what eles to look for that mey help you with the VSL.
  • T
    T
    Some things to think about.

    Primarily it has to be something you are comfortable with.

    Weighted Keys are a Must for realistic Piano and also good for Perc. But my personal preference for Strings/Woods/Brass is to use a Velocity Sensitive semi weighted.

    All Midi Weighted Keyboard use velocity curve switching and getting one that allows you to change the shape of the curve could be important to you.

    Depending on your host software - you can use midi controlers for key switching - I have remapped an old D110 programmer unit to do just that.

    Personnaly I have always favoured Roland Weighted over all others - check out the XV-80 unit or the older Rhodes (Roland) both have an excellent feel and responsiveness.

    Fatar have a great range of 'Master' keyboards that are very resonably priced.

    You might also like to consider other Midi Controllers - Such as Yamaha's Flute and String Range - you dont necessarily have to learn the whole instrument.

    tattie
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD
    At the Libray, people use the Doepfer-masterkeyboards pretty often.

    www.doepfer.de

    HTH,

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Libary
    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • D
    D
    Dietz,

    Thanks for reminding me of Doepfer. I had forgotten about them. I have heard they are excellent keyboards, but no one around here carries them so I have not ever been able to see one up close. Can anyone compare the feel of the keyboard to an acoustic grand? I've owned both a Steinway and a Yamaha. And the keyboard action is the most important feature to me. It seems they have the Midi features covered.
  • T
    T
    I will jump in again here.

    The best advice is you have to play it (I know that might be difficult - but who knows someone who has one could live just around the corner) - Master Midi Keyboards vary quite a lot - even within the same model range.

    I tried several including a couple of Doephers and the Fatar range (think they use the same action) - the thing that I found missing on both was the bounce - but that is a personal thing.

    One thing you will never get from a master midi keyboard is the ability to pre warm it. - Perhaps difficult to put into terms - its that stage that you get to - just before a gig after the sound check where you know that YOU and the PIANO are 'Tuned'

    OT a little bit - Anyone else agree with me that Semi-weighted are better for Strings/Woods/Brass?

    tattie
  • R
    R
    I teach music technology and have a thriving business sequencing for a long list of clients, and I would never use a weighted keyboard for sequencing anything except for maybe a piano concerto. I have tried dozens of keyboards (we have a lot at my college) and still use my old MI (Korg) for professional sequencing. It is completely un-weighted (what some used to call organ touch) I agree that what you need is "bounce" in the thread earlier, if by that you mean instant rebound. You just can't sequence realistic wind/string passages with sluggish keys. I would never want to play a piano concerto on such an instruments, but that is not SEQUENCING. Pianists who learn sequencing usually go nuts with such an unweighted keyboard, tho' so you still have to find what's right for you.
    Russ
  • S
    S
    On a semi-related note, has anyone had any luck with midii guitar converters? I once owned a Roland Gm 70 but never found it to track well. As a guitarist I would love to be able to sequence more string parts via the guitar but I don't want to invest in anything unless it will do a much better job than my GM 70.

    Scott
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD
    This could be a nice new option:

    http://messe.harmony-central.com/Musikmesse04/Content/M-Audio/PR/Keystation-Pro-88.html

    HTH,

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
  • P
    P
    Sure looks interesting! Cheap also! Thx,

    Peter
  • C
    C
    Yep. i wonder if it's got Channel Pressure too...

    Christian


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