Midi keyboard controllers

[the Life Aquatic]

So I'm looking to by a midi controller to use with my iPad and my computer. Was hoping for some input as to which one. I've been looking at the maudio axiom 25s and akai mpk 25. I want USB and midi connectivity and drum pads and midi assignable knobs are a plus. But I think I could settle for just a key controller that's not a nanokorg and cheap

[behndy]

i usel the Akai whichever's in this pic -



4 pads and knobbies, you can change what midi note or cc the pads send out,the shuttle controls send cc so i've got some apps on the pad to use them for different things.

neat thing is it powers off a One Spot too.

[behndy]

OOP! THAT'S what i was trying to remember.

SO. it matters a lot on how you're going to hook it up to your 'pad. if you're using some type of interface like the Alesis IODock i have there, or even if you want to charge your pad off dock/lightning cable into a power supply while you use it, you NEED to make sure the keyboard has a MIDI out. that's why i went with the Akai and where it gets problematic.

'cause with the dock/lightning as the only cable input on a 'pad, you're stuck with options. to have it have a MIDI cable input, you need a dock interface like the IO Dock or there's 2 or 3 other options out there that will power the 'pad and let you still have an input interface.

so check to make sure that the interface either takes USB MIDI in or has a MIDI input. and most of the micro keyboards that i was looking at that would only use USB MIDI got "sometimes it works with the 'pad, sometimes it doesn't" reviews.

unless you're running the 'pad off of it's battery and not charging it whilst playing.

[sonidero]

I've played both the Akai and Axiom and prefer the layout and general awesomeness of the Axiom... I own the Axiom and use it strictly to control hardware but it's tits for that so...

[behndy]

yeah, it looks like it's most of the micro ones that don't have a MIDI out.

BE CAREFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLL.

[the Life Aquatic]

I have a camera usb connetction converter thingy. Figured that would be fine for the moment, but also was looking at the getting an alesis i/o dock or just a midi connector. The axiom 25 looks like it could be the one i buy, lot of features, good price new, and usb and midi connectivity.