Hiya, I've been messing around with GarageBand for iPad for a while and I feel like I want to take it up to the next level. I kinda know how to press notes on a keyboard and not make it sound like a fudgey mess, so a keyboard controller is in my sights.
The features I'm looking for (in descending order of priority) are:
- Durability. I want the keys to be heavy-duty, long-lasting ones. Should be going strong after 5 years at the least. Chassis durability is a big plus. Weight isn't an issue, so the stronger, the better.
- iPad compatibility. I don't have a PC DAW, so this is a must.
- Full-sized keys. I hear they're more durable than the smaller ones, so full-size keys are a big selling point for me.
- Budget. $150 is my starting point but I can stretch to $250 or even more if they're really worth it.
- Key range. I'd like to be able to put them anywhere, maybe take them to school for music class, so key range should be 49 keys or less.
- Extra features. Beyond the keys themselves I'm not looking for much, maybe pitch/mod wheels and octave buttons at the very least. Sustain pedal jack would be neato for electric piano+bass+drum jams. Pads would be a useful plus (nice for having drum loops so I can mess around live). I can do away with knobs/sliders but I'm not gonna turn a suggestion down if they're already there.
My use case will mostly be at home, but I'd like them to be on-hand when inspiration strikes (at home, at school, or anywhere else).
Right now I'm considering: * Novation Launchkey 25 (seems fully-featured. not sure if the pads work in GarageBand though) * M-Audio Oxygen 25 MkIV (same as above, so it's either this or the Launchkey as a top pick) * Novation Launchkey Mini (picked for uber-portability, mostly) * iRig Keys Pro (Has everything I need in terms of basic features. Also plug-and-play with GarageBand) * Korg MicroKey 25 (Nice and small, has essential features, and is honestly really cheap. Will probably get 37-key version if they're good)
If any of you guys have experience with any of these, please let me know your top picks. If there are others I should consider, also let me know.
Thanks!
Submitted February 24, 2017 at 08:22PM by thatBeatsguy http://ift.tt/2lOIVeX
