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Jeadhob · Sep 16, 2002, 01:09 PM

Hey I am looking for a Midi Keyboard. I am not looking to spend alot but I want the basics. Does anyone know of a good web site that shows different models, prices, pros/cons/ and even compatibility. It must run under Mac OSX and 9.X. Also suggestions on places that sell gear would be awesome too.

Thanks in advance.
Jeadhob

fisherKing · Sep 16, 2002, 01:30 PM

midiman & evolution make good basic keyboards.
i use the midiman oxygen8 (only 2 octaves, but portable...goes well with my powerbook)

check out the retailers, ie samash.com, zzounds.com, musiciansfriend.com.

velocity-sensitive is important (volume), not sure which ones also have aftertouch.

good luck!

macaddled · Sep 16, 2002, 01:50 PM

another vote for the Oxygen 8. it r0x0rs.

other retailers that I've used and liked are audiomidi.com and 8thstreet.com

8thstreet are my new favorites because they're in PA ... they do free UPS ground and from there it appears UPS ground to NYC is an overnight service!

macaddled · Sep 16, 2002, 02:13 PM

Here is a handy article that discusses your very question:

linky

rob5243 · Sep 19, 2002, 12:24 PM

The Midiman Keystation is a good bet. They have 49 & 61 key versions.

tr · Sep 19, 2002, 04:16 PM

why does everyone seem to love the oxygen 8? are you all hypnotized by it's knob-twiddling abilities? it's way too small to be useful, except for some single note stabs here and there, and the aforementioned knob twiddling.

the other midiman units are pretty good. don't have one, though. i bought a really cheap kaysound mk-4902 about 3 or 4 years ago, i think it was about $100. had all the features i needed: pitch and mod wheels, volume, velocity sensitive, program numbers/bank change buttons, transpose, and it can run on batteries. still works great.

tr

fisherKing · Sep 19, 2002, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by tr:
why does everyone seem to love the oxygen 8? are you all hypnotized by it's knob-twiddling abilities? it's way too small to be useful, except for some single note stabs here and there, and the aforementioned knob twiddling.

i dunno, i like the portability of the oxy 8 (dont use the knobs much)

i can take my powerbook & the keyboard in a bag & work anywhere...
and never let the 2 octaves limit me.

check out my music

here

everything done in Reason w/the oxy8

tr · Sep 20, 2002, 12:30 AM

Originally posted by fisherKing:

i dunno, i like the portability of the oxy 8 (dont use the knobs much)

i can take my powerbook & the keyboard in a bag & work anywhere...
and never let the 2 octaves limit me.

check out my music

here

everything done in Reason w/the oxy8

hey, great site!!!

i'm impressed by the music in the palm advert, as well as all the other clips. c'mon, check it out people!

i guess the oxygen 8 does make good on portability, especially if you're using your laptop as your digital workstation. but, reading Jeadhob's original post, it seems like he's looking for a good, full-featured midi keyboard. i think if he got the oxygen 8 for his main keyboard, he's selling himself short. i mean, it's a cool keyboard, but i wouldn't make it the main controller for my studio setup. my kaysound mk-4902 isn't the best of studio midi controllers, but it works for what i use it for, which is mainly for controlling my akai s2000.

tr

spiky_dog · Sep 20, 2002, 12:08 PM

Any thoughts on the Edirol PC-300? I want more than two octaves myself, and will mainly use the keyboard for input into notation programs. Or is this product not what I need, or overkill? Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.