Dumb USB/MIDI keyboard

[Folderol]

I've been looking around various places for a 49 or 61 note one of these. Surprisingly only a few positively state they are class compliant, and none of them say which channel they transmit on, nor whether the channel can be changed - which I may well want to do.

Any suggestions?

[DGL.]

If no knobs is required then a M-AUDIO Keystation 49 will do, it's class compliant and the midi channel can be changed to suit or if you need 61 keys then this should be alright http://www.thomann.de/gb/acorn_masterkey_61.htm .

Other options such as the CME M Key, the miditech range, The ESI's and the Behringer's will also be alright.

Most it not all modern controller keyboards will be class compliant (only seems to be ones with built in audio interfaces seem to be non-class compliant

[Logarhythm]

Just further to DGL's comments, if you want/need some knobs etc (and who among us doesn't like knobs to play with ) then can confirm that the M-Audio Oxygen is also class compliant - connected it in the usual manner (i.e. open shiny new toy and wade in without reading manual first) and even Vista knew what to do with it straight away.
I find the transport controls etc also useful and whilst the action is a little plasticy I can't really fault it for the price.
It's not a facility I've used, but pretty sure it is relatively easy to choose what MIDI channel it's sending on.
If it helps then you're more than welcome to try mine, but as I'm in Exeter it's perhaps not the most convenient location given where you're based!
Since it is such a simple operation to connect and uses a standard USB type A to type B lead (such that you might be able to borrow from e.g. a printer to take along with you), you may well find that a friendly local music shop will let you plug in one of their display models to try.
Hope this helps

[zenguitar]

I find that the only way to be certain is to download the manual as a pdf. Ideally it should have a MIDI implementation chart that will clearly state whether it transmits in Omni mode, channel mode, or can do both. And if the MIDI Implementation chart is lacking, as it sadly is these days on so many occasions, the detail of the manual should answer the question.

Andy

[Folderol]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

It looks like the one for me is the "Miditech Midicontrol Pro 49"

Thomann have a PDF of the user manual on their website so I'm was able to confirm it has all the features I want, as well as knobs and aftertouch (which is nice). Amazon have it £10 cheaper (when you allow for P&P), but give absolutely no information about it at all, so I'm tempted to reward Thomann for going that little bit further.

[briandc]

FWIW,
I have a Behringer UMX490 (49 key) that also comes with an audio card. Some people don't like Behringer, but I can't complain one bit. On the contrary!...

brian

[ef37a]

We have an Evolution Ekeys 49 which I think has long been discontinued but the M-A 49 mentioned appears to be an exact clone? Certainly M's software works on it!

"Class compliant"? Dunno, but it has worked on every PC we have tried it on from an 850mHz XP laptop to a 2 core HP W7/64 jobbie. The Evo also came with some nice software, a Piano Teacher for the grandkids and a neat sampler with some very usable piano and percussion sounds in it plus sound FX. The latency using a 2496 is undetectable even on this old P4.

Can I put in a plug as well for Modartt's Pianoteq? Modestly priced, sounds great and a very small footpint. Even the demo is worth downloading as a test app' since it is super rugged and reliable!

Dave.

[Folderol]

Well I did the dirty deed and got myself a Miditech Midicontrol Pro 49. I actually got it from Thomman although Amazon had it slightly cheaper - my reason being that Thomman gave a lot more info on their website.

It is indeed plug-and-play. I tried it on two quite different desktops, as well as my netbook (which is what I really wanted it for).

There are the usual pitch bend and modulation wheels but also 12 programmable rotary controls which is very nice indeed. These have click indents so you can readily change a parameter by just one step. They are also 'unbreakable' continuous controls. No end-stops, but if you spin down to zero and try to go past zero nothing happens, go the other way and you're instantly going up again. I like this.

There is also a bank of numbered buttons for quick changes of parameters and also for programming. Programming is presumably held in EEPROM unlike the earlier version that required batteries if the program needs to be stored.

As well as MIDI over USB, there is a 'proper' MIDI socket, and also a socket for external power if you need it. This means you can use it as a completely conventional unit. Finally there is a socket for a normally open foot switch (programmable).

Keyboard action is firm and well sprung, slightly mechanically noisy but only really noticeable in a quiet setting. It's compact and light weight and I was quite comfortable playing it for a while with it on my knees

[ef37a]

Nice one Will,

I bet that keyboard is a development of my Evolution Ekeys 49! I see it is bundled with Samplitude SE. Can you tell me which number Samplitude? We have been using Sam 8se for years and it still works fine on Win 7 64. If you find you like the DAW do try Samplitude Producer 11 demo.

Dave.

[Folderol]

Hi Dave,

I'm afraid I didn't bother with Samplitude as I'm a Linux user so it wouldn't be any use to me.