Good MIDI Controller

[beatsme]

can anybody recommend a good MIDI keyboard? Something not too expensive, perhaps? I don't need a ton of keys or effects, as I am not a keyboard player. I just want something that's easy to use with GarageBand and will save me the trouble of putting together a software instrument section note-by-note.

Thanks

 

[CanadaRAM]

First concept -- a MIDI controller won't have any effects (or sounds) unless it also has a sound module built in.

M-Audio and Edirol make most of the reasonably priced MIDI controllers. You could also use a Casio or Yamaha or (?) home keyboard that had a MIDI output.

You pay more for: more keys, higher quality key action, extra control features (knobs, sliders, etc), built in audio interfaces, and built in sounds.

 

[calebjohnston]

I have an M-Audio MIDI controller that I love. I have a 61 key O2 controller. It was only 100 dollars I believe, and it works flawlessly with Mac OS X + Garageband.

My only problem is the keys aren't weighted like a piano's keys, but to get that effect, you're going to be spending much more than 100 dollars. As you said, you are not a keyboard player anyway so this will work perfectly for you. I'd really look into the O2.

 

[bandit1200]

I have the 17 powerbook working garageband v1.1 and the 25 key m-audio controller.
being my first starter keyboard it is a great...plug and play.

The only problem im having is that I cant assign any of the programmable controllers to anything apart from track volume,modulation and pan!
Ive been through all the midi cc's but I was hoping to be able to control the transport controls from the keyboard....
If this is down to garageband or the o2 im unsure....

 

[quigleybc]

I use an M-Audio Oxygen 8

and I love it

best thing I ever purchased, besides my Mac

 

[calebjohnston]

Definitely go with M-Audio, they make incredible products. It didn't work well with my PC, but it's flawless with my mac. Yo.. el love it.

 

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

The music director at my church wants to get Finale. She already has a nice keyboard, so all she needs is a way to get from Midi into a new mac I am going to get for her (a cheap Mac Mini since Finale is all she is going to be using it for)
Any thoughts on the USB Uno?