A few qustions about keyboards/synthesizers

G’day

I’m currently interested in buying a keyboard/synthesizer for electronic music production. I am currently using Fl Studio software and mainly using the Sylenth digital synthesizer and I am sick of using my QWERTY keyboard for playing keys. Before I look into purchase I would like to find out some information:

1.
I am using a new standard desktop pc computer, what possible upgrades will I have to check to be able to run a synth smoothly?

2.
Will the analogue controls work in conjunction with a different digital synth plugin, partly or not at all?

3.
Where would you recommend finding the cheapest price on synths and keyboards?

Cheers Sean

It sounds to me like you're wanting a MIDI controller keyboard. That will allow you to control your VST plugins.

Start off with something like an M-Audio Oxygen 49. It should be somewhere around £90 and plugs into your computer via USB.

You can assign various controls to control various parameters in Sylenth using the MIDI learn function on the Sylenth GUI.

Cheers mate maybe that’s the sort of hardware I should be looking into. What are some of the better MIDI controller keyboards out there? I’m looking at spending a maximum of $600.00AU

Quote:

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You can assign various controls to control various parameters in Sylenth using the MIDI learn function on the Sylenth GUI.

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Can you do that with modern analogue synths to or not?

Some synths (rather than controller keyboards) will send data over MIDI, it really depends on which ones you mean, and if you really mean analogue. Most modern synths are in fact digital models of old analogue synths (Virus, Blofeld, Nord Lead etc) and some are true analogue synths (Prophet 08, Minibrute etc).

I like the M-Audio Axiom and maybe the AKAI MPK series too, you might be able to get a 61 key version for your budget.

As for Synths, you might find a Roland Gaia or perhaps a Korg MS2000 for your budget. You'd have to check whether your DAW/plugin setup would read knob controller data from either though.

The Roland Gaia SH-01 was actually the synthesizer I was thinking of getting. I had a crack of one in the shop and it was really fun.

Apologies if I haven’t got my terminology right, but before I started this thread I was thinking, it would be worth spending a bit more cash and picking up a hardware synth if it can also drive soft synths. It would be great as I would have the best of both worlds and have a more hands on experience. But if the hardware synth can’t work with soft synths, which seem to be the future of EDM production, than I’m spending a lot of money on hardware that will only be restricted to its own sounds. I won’t be able to play the thousands of different sounds that come with soft synths.

Now that I understand what a MIDI keyboard controller is maybe that’s the way to go then.

It should work fine.

Just check that the knobs and sliders transmit MIDI data before you buy. As long as they do that, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to assign one of the GAIA's controls to a soft syth. The keyboard will work for sure.

Okay ill look into if the knobs and sliders can transmit MIDI data, if so i think the GAIA will be the way to go. Thanks for the help mate, I've got heaps better understanding now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seano

1.
I am using a new standard desktop pc computer, what possible upgrades will I have to check to be able to run a synth smoothly?

2.
Will the analogue controls work in conjunction with a different digital synth plugin, partly or not at all?

3.
Where would you recommend finding the cheapest price on synths and keyboards?

Cheers Sean

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Shouldn't have to. Most keyboards are midi (and USB) - so most systems have the correct drivers available.

They should work, but double check. Sometimes it's just a case of 'overlaying' the controls (or mapping) them onto the device. The manufacturers can help here.

And I would go for the Korg Nano keyboard.

I am not up on keyboards. We have an Evolution Ekeys49 which seems to serve Son well enough (no longer made as Evo' but the M-A 49 looks suspiciously like it!).
But I am struck by your remark...
"1.
I am using a new standard desktop pc computer, what possible upgrades will I have to check to be able to run a synth smoothly?"
This tell me that you do not have a dedicated soundcard or Audio Interface? Without such whatever shiny new keyboard you plug in you will be cursed with bad "latency". This is the delay twixt you striking a note and hearing the resultant sound. People vary greatly as to how much delay they can cope with but the built in OnBoardSound of computers is almost always far too slow.

If you wanted the fastest MIDI setup you can get for the money, get an M-Audio 2496 soundcard fitted, assuming your computer has a spare PCI slot, most I think have at least one left now. The alternative is an external usb interface and I make no aplogy for once again touting the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6. You also get Cubase LE5 and Kontakt Player with it.

Whatever AI you go for make sure it has MIDI ports* (DINs) on it. No sense in restricting your MIDI flexibility at the outset. Also, a MIDI out on the keyboard is very handy.

*Many newer AIs shun MIDI including FCS Steinberg!

Lastly for now. There are tweaks and optimizations that will speed up your PC for recording. I will find you a link.

Dave.

Can't find anything on Win 7 (sure it's there!) but this..

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar0...sician0302.asp

gives the basic ideas. The main tweaks are: Kill Win sounds, mouse and keyboard bloops. Kill OnBoardSoundcard (at least whilst you install a better one). VERY important, disable any wireless modems.

Have fun!
Dave.