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Which controller ?

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johnmark
johnmark|63

Hi, I'm starting music production, I have a brand-new MacBook Pro 2015 13'' with i7 3,1 GHz, 16 Gb Ram and an SSD, I think it should be enough. I'm going to use Ableton Live, or maybe Logic (Ableton more probably). I'd like to buy a larger midi keyboard (37 or 49), even without pads and knobs that I already have on my Novation Launch Control, but because of I'm studying far away from home, I need something small and fully equipped that I can bring with me even on travelling. So the question is, what's better between an Akai Mpk Mini MkII and an Arturia MiniLab MkII ?

Thank you for the help !

whorse
whorse|471

i just ordered a Arturia MiniLab MkII, they been on a roll lately with the matrix brute and drumbrute, its almost like they're in their prime.

there's also the novation launch key mini, which is more portable than the minilab mkII

anyways my mkII from arturia comes in the mail on the 13th, so ill post a update

jimmarchi1
jimmarchi1|41029 MODERATOR
GEAR:
  • Roland Juno-6
  • Gibson SG Standard
  • Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp

an aside:

I know some will argue with me, but stick with Ableton of FL studio if you are not using a lot of hardware synths.... while the old dinosaurs, Cubase, Logic and Sonar (cakewalk) have great soft synth implementation they were originally designed strictly as sequencers that predated virtual instruments, the audio recording/sampling was added later and the recording facilities are good but the sample manipulation can be tedious for people new to them whereas Ableton and FL began their lives as elaborate sample sequencing/manipulation platforms that added softsynth implementation once the main plugin standards were well established and they are very easy to learn on allowing one to easily create a track with all virtual instruments and samples... the real time manipulation angle to Ableton is why its so popular and if you are coming from a DJ background rather than a traditional studio production background it will probably be the most rewarding option for you... Logic is very much more protools influenced despite being a little more geared towards dance music than PT

GEAR:
  • Roland Juno-6
  • Gibson SG Standard
  • Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
johnmark
johnmark|63
In reply to jimmarchi1:

H, thank you for the answer. I'm coming from an old-fashioned way, but I think still very funny, of creating music: guitar in my hands, drum sticks and I play with my group ! I'd like to start producing some kind of electronic-experimental rock music, and because of I've been playng the guitar for 10 years, more or less, I'm looking for some kind of instinctive way to play and produce, so for this reason I've started with Ableton ! ;)

jimmarchi1
jimmarchi1|41029 MODERATOR
GEAR:
  • Roland Juno-6
  • Gibson SG Standard
  • Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
In reply to johnmark:

lots of keys, good weighted ones

GEAR:
  • Roland Juno-6
  • Gibson SG Standard
  • Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
johnmark
johnmark|63

Yes, I know nektar makes good keyboards, but as I said I'm looking for a small and portable keyboard because of I have to travel a lot !

whorse
whorse|471

I just got my minilab mkII a few days ago, and I love it,

http://i.imgur.com/qNNfWq8.jpg

the keys have a nice push back

pads are very responsive

pitch n mod wheel that work by touch

countless sturdy knobs to assign to whatever the hell you want

takes usb b type no micro or mini bs that always comes loose

comes with software (midi controller center) to really customize everything above the keys to your liking

comes with analog lab 2 lite, where you get to access to a buttload of presets from their amazing analog emulation work over the years with the knobs already pre programmed so you can edit the settings. and the librarian inside of it is top notch.

desktop size

johnmark
johnmark|63

I finally ordered the Akai MpkMini MkII yesterday. It seems to me a little bit more portable and has bigger pads, so I decided to go for that. However, thank you !

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