Im looking for a controller KB 61/76 that has a great keyfeel, and Assignable BUTTONS so that on stage I can just hit the buttons to change sounds on the fly......what are your recomendations..
so far my considerations so far are.......?

Roland A37 http://www.roland.com/products/en/A-37/index.html

Edirol PCR M80 http://www.roland.com/products/en/_support/dld.cfm?ln=en&dsp=0&iCncd=746


Thanx In Advance

Donny, as we discussed, I sure like the looks and specs of the M80. One thing I have found out using the Casio as controller, is that you will have to put some velcro or something on the bottom of the controller and probably on your stand to hold the thing in place, because it will only weigh 8 pounds.
Even the Casio wants to slide around a little.
Give me a call when you can.
DonM

Are they still selling the Roland A-37?

Its discontinued ....
but you can find one if you look around.......

DNJ, while I hate recommending keyboards with built in sounds for use as controllers nonetheless they may be worth a look for your purposes. For example some of the lower cost Roland boards have enough midi implementation along with good key beds. You can always check to see if you can access the instruments within MidJay from these Roland keyboards. Some of these keyboards are very small in size and weight.

I still feel if you make your system appear "minimalist" to customers you will have a whole lot of fun explaining where all the bueatiful noises are coming from. They will think you have something hidden away somewhere in the pantry!!!

I like the A-37.

[This message has been edited by Frank L. Rosenthal (edited 11-23-2005).]

Don you are right about the Casio wanting to walk all over..I use the Apex stand with the rubber/pad surfaces on the bars...and it still wants to get up and go!!!

An X stand with the large rubber knobs do okay..

Another thing with the Apex stand and the Casio..I have to wedge some tissue in the front of the bars, between the bars and the keyboard. to keep it from rocking[Casio has a slight taper in the body where it hits the bars.]..You could add another section of pad on the bars end..

I too, like the A-37..Right now it would probably my choice because of 76 keys and good features, including two zones..

I have a Roland A-37 and I use it to control not only a Motif ES rack and a Fantom XR but my Tyros 2 as well (talk about a 76 notes Tyros... )
As Fran pointed out, it can transmit on two separate zones (upper and lower) and you can choose just one of them or layer them together.
The cool thing is that you have 128 memories, completely programmable; it takes a little work, but you can definitely do what Donny is asking: select a different sound/registration on the Midjay or evey other module of your choice.

oh... and it's extra-light as well: 17 lbs or 7.7 kg.

Hi Donny,

As you have probably read I just bought the Roland RS-70 synth. I too am looking for a controller keyboard so that I can hook the synth and ultimately an arranger module up and control them both from one keyboard with decent keys. (At least this is the plan )

Instead of 76 keys I have decided to go for 88 keys (but unlike you I don't have to lug it around to gigs so I don't have to keep size and weight in mind!)

The two boards I have narrowed my search down to are surprisingly light (though size may still be an issue for you?).

Anyway here are my two choices .... see what you think.

StudiLogic VMK-88 Pro

And also ....

M Audio KeystationPro 88

See what you think. Plenty of assignable buttons on both these units. (I am leaning toward the M-Audio unit.)

Best wishes and let us know what you get
Tony

Andrea thanx for the reply.....I dont want to tale a chance on the edirol pcr m80...it looks too PCish....I bought a M audio 461c and returned it after one hour....very toyish all around.....

The A37 looks like the best bet at this time for my needs.....having sons programed to the buttons for fast acess on the fly on stage is a MUST for me ......so I guess thats no problem correct?

No probs Donny!
Knowing that keeping size and weight to a minimum whilst not compromising on quality has long been your motto I did consider that 88 key controllers were probably not right for what you need.

I don't suppose I really *need* 88 keys as opposed to 76 but if it is staying home 99% of the time I figured why not.

Having said that there is a Roland A30 for sale on ebay UK at the mo at a very reasonable price. The auction ends tomorrow so I may be tempted by that (unless anyone here tells me it is a bad idea compared to the two I am looking at?)

Best wishes and hope the Roland works for you
Tony



[This message has been edited by Tony W (edited 11-23-2005).]

Tony they are both nice controllers..The M Audio weighs 50 pounds..Too heavy of a controller for gigging..

The Fatar model may be the better controller for on the road..

I also considered the same models..If I make my move, I am pretty sure it will be the A-37..

Donny, yes... on the A-37 you have 128 memory locations and you can transmit bank and program change numbers on 16 midi channels for each split zone (lower and upper), so I guess that the trickiest part is to set the receiving unit (in your case the Midjay) to react to those program changes accordingly. However, bear in mind that you are limited to a maximum of 128 programs (in your case songs or registrations). If you need more than that, I suggest one of the Oberheim controllers (but they are more expensive and heavy!)

Andrea......
thankyou for the info on the A37 is it easy to setup the program changes?.........all I need is to Assign about 20 sounds or so to buttons & I can work my magic on stage.....everthing else is done by the FS6 Pedal or on the Midjay itself with ease......Im really enjoying this Ketron unit mucho!

Ciao

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-24-2005).]

Donny,
yes... assigning program changes is really easy: all you need to do is press three buttons and you are done; of course reading the manual beforehand does not hurt... but it's just half a page, so don't worry!
Ciao!

Andrea....you email isnt listed

email me so I can talk to yu privatley about the A37 if you dont mind
thanx

onemanband52@yahoo.com