Controller Keyboard

[Venn Diagram]

What are you all using ?
How do you find its integration with the Integra ?
Looking for something preferably with 61 keys minimum and open to thoughts and/or suggestions.

[PauloF]

What are you all using ?
How do you find its integration with the Integra ?
Looking for something preferably with 61 keys minimum and open to thoughts and/or suggestions.

I have a Cakewalk A-800 Pro and a PCR-500, and I use both to control the Integra in order to have up to 4 different sets of sounds (layered or not), and the two give me a lot of buttons, knobs and sliders so I can control several parameters at the same time.

The sliders give full control over the 16 MIDI channel "volumes"
The knobs are being used to control Cutoff and Resonance for at least two of the channels (Solo synths), and things like: Reverb, Chorus, Growl, Strum effect, etc
The buttons can control other ON/OFF parameters like: Acoustic Variations 1-4, portamento, harmonics, mute, etc.

I like both the PCR-500 and the A-800 PRO, the A-PRO is really a follow-up from the PCR series, with some advantages and a BIG disadvantage, that I'll detail.

- The PCR-500 is very flexible but not very easy to configure if you want to do it on a hurry. Especially when saving your new settings. I lost some time to get it right in the first place, but after getting all my Control Maps done, I forgot about it and it is just power it on and play.

9 Rotary encoders
9 Faders
18 Pressure / Aftertouch sensitive PADs
7 Configurable buttons (4 of them for DAW Transport Controls)
1 Crossfader Fader (cool)
49 Velocity sensitive Keys and Aftertouch
2 Separate MIDI channels (for Single - Upper/Lower, Dual or Split Keyboard functions). Each channel could be assigned any MIDI channel on-the-fly (cool for live work)
MIDI IN and MIDI OUT Connectors
USB MIDI
MIDI Merge

- The A-Pro is much easier to configure but it has less controllers and it is not possible to change the MIDI channel of the non-active part (default=Lower Part)
9 Rotary encoders
9 Faders
8 Pressure / Aftertouch sensitive PADs
13 Configurable buttons (8 of them for DAW Transport Controls)
61 Velocity sensitive Keys and Aftertouch
MIDI IN and MIDI OUT Connectors
USB MIDI
MIDI Merge
2 Separate MIDI channels (for Single, Dual or Split Keyboard functions). However it is only possible to assign any MIDI channel to the Active Keyboard Part (Upper or Lower, not both like on the PCR)
We can set the Keyboard MIDI channels like this:
1- UPPER
Only Upper Part is enabled with it's predefined MIDI channel (set by the PC/MAC Editor). We can change it's MIDI channel freely by setting it on the Endless Rotary Encoder

2- LOWER
Only Lower Part is enabled with it's predefined MIDI channel (set by the PC/MAC Editor). We can change it's MIDI channel freely by setting it on the Endless Rotary Encoder

3- DUAL
Both Upper and Lower Parts are enabled for all the keyboard, each one with it's predefined MIDI channels (set by the PC/MAC Editor). We can change Active Part (default=Upper) MIDI channel freely by setting it on the Endless Rotary Encoder.

4- SPLIT
Both Upper and Lower Parts are enabled for the predefined Split, each one with it's predefined MIDI channels (set by the PC/MAC Editor). We can change Active Part (default=Upper) MIDI channel freely by setting it on the Endless Rotary Encoder.

I've been reading about the Keyboard action a lot, but as my experience with different keyboards is limited to Acoustic Piano, Roland RD-170 Stage Piano, Fantom Xa, RS-70 (similar Keyboard to Xa), the PCR and the A-PRO, I can't say much about the keyboard action, but for my playing both the PCR and the A-Pro have very good synth action keybeds, both with Velocity Curves and Aftertouch.

[Venn Diagram]

Thanks for the reply.
I managed to get a Korg Triton Studio in mint condition for less than the cost an Remote SL49 mkII.
It is working really well - pitch bend, mod wheel, expression strip, SW1/SW2 + 4 Assignable controllers are working really well and i get to use the Korg arp's with the Integra-7.
I've actually got it configured to I can sequence it from both Logic and my Elektron Octatrack which is loads of fun all round truth be told. The Triton Studio has wonderful action and a really good build quality too. I've been processing it through my Nord Modular for all sorts of silliness today :).

[PauloF]

Thanks for the reply.
I managed to get a Korg Triton Studio in mint condition for less than the cost an Remote SL49 mkII.
It is working really well - pitch bend, mod wheel, expression strip, SW1/SW2 + 4 Assignable controllers are working really well and i get to use the Korg arp's with the Integra-7.
I've actually got it configured to I can sequence it from both Logic and my Elektron Octatrack which is loads of fun all round truth be told. The Triton Studio has wonderful action and a really good build quality too. I've been processing it through my Nord Modular for all sorts of silliness today :).

Good stuff!! a lot better than a Controller then.

[rolandvet]

I use my Kurzweil PC3 as my main controller (once was my main keyboard/sound source until I got the I7).

Its 76-keys, semi-weighted, 9 sliders, plenty of buttons, and one of the most flexible customizable MIDI configuration options around. Oh, plus it has some great sounds (particularly its B3 emulator).

[PauloF]

I use my Kurzweil PC3 as my main controller (once was my main keyboard/sound source until I got the I7).

Its 76-keys, semi-weighted, 9 sliders, plenty of buttons, and one of the most flexible customizable MIDI configuration options around. Oh, plus it has some great sounds (particularly its B3 emulator).

is it flexible and easy to use as a controller?

[Venn Diagram]

Good stuff!! a lot better than a Controller then.

Indeed it is, loving it I must confess and I have been amazed at what i've been able to program on it also - stuff that sounds almost granular and glitchy in the pad department and material that really complements the i7.
Mind you I am finding the SN-S really sounds great with my MS20, Analog 4 and Nord Modular also. I spent nearly all day yesterday in the studio at the keyboard playing and experimenting with layers and sound design.
Great days indeed.

[PauloF]

Good stuff!! a lot better than a Controller then.

Indeed it is, loving it I must confess and I have been amazed at what i've been able to program on it also - stuff that sounds almost granular and glitchy in the pad department and material that really complements the i7.
Mind you I am finding the SN-S really sounds great with my MS20, Analog 4 and Nord Modular also. I spent nearly all day yesterday in the studio at the keyboard playing and experimenting with layers and sound design.
Great days indeed.

That's the beauty of it!! ;-)

[Vlad_77]

I use my Kurzweil PC3 as my main controller (once was my main keyboard/sound source until I got the I7).

Its 76-keys, semi-weighted, 9 sliders, plenty of buttons, and one of the most flexible customizable MIDI configuration options around. Oh, plus it has some great sounds (particularly its B3 emulator).

is it flexible and easy to use as a controller?

Hi Paulo,

I don't have an Integra-7, but I do have a Kurz PC3 and yes, it is extremely flexible/powerful as a MIDI controller and really easy to use at least in my experience, but, I'm used to Kurzweil's UI so ease of use is of course subjective, but, the flexibility is there and as mentioned, you have great sounds too! The KB3 engine kicks ass with B3 stuff and VA-1 is a powerful virtual analog. Add in Dynamic VAST and the Roland and Kurz would be a powerful combination.

Best,
Vlad

[rolandvet]

I use my Kurzweil PC3 as my main controller (once was my main keyboard/sound source until I got the I7).

Its 76-keys, semi-weighted, 9 sliders, plenty of buttons, and one of the most flexible customizable MIDI configuration options around. Oh, plus it has some great sounds (particularly its B3 emulator).

is it flexible and easy to use as a controller?

Very flexible...the MIDI customization level is pretty incredible. In terms of easy to program, well, I'm not a programmer, so any kind of tweaking is hard to me. The one thing I was able to somehow do was to set up a MIDI scheme where jiggering the pitchwheel triggers a designated "variation" in an I-7 sound.

[PauloF]

I use my Kurzweil PC3 as my main controller (once was my main keyboard/sound source until I got the I7).

Its 76-keys, semi-weighted, 9 sliders, plenty of buttons, and one of the most flexible customizable MIDI configuration options around. Oh, plus it has some great sounds (particularly its B3 emulator).

is it flexible and easy to use as a controller?

Hi Paulo,

I don't have an Integra-7, but I do have a Kurz PC3 and yes, it is extremely flexible/powerful as a MIDI controller and really easy to use at least in my experience, but, I'm used to Kurzweil's UI so ease of use is of course subjective, but, the flexibility is there and as mentioned, you have great sounds too! The KB3 engine kicks ass with B3 stuff and VA-1 is a powerful virtual analog. Add in Dynamic VAST and the Roland and Kurz would be a powerful combination.

Best,
Vlad

Hi Vlad,
Thanks for the info. What do you think about the PC3-LE? would it be suitable and as flexible as the PC3 as far as MIDI controller is concerned?
I ask this as I thought about the Kurz PC3 some time ago, but it is too expensive for me, and the PC3-LE seems, even being a 64 voice model, a good representation of the bigger brother PC3 and a lot cheaper. What's your view?

Cheers,
Paulo

[Botuur]

I use an a-500 pro ( easy to program, many knobs and sliders) , a m-audio 88 pro keboard ( for its 88 keys and 4 channel split), and finally a kurzweil pc361 ( it is not so easy to config for a i-7, because the midi config are not the same between kurzweil and i-7 for instrument selection), but the kurz has a great organ, and special synth sounds - great combination together with the i-7

[rolandvet]

Hi Vlad,
Thanks for the info. What do you think about the PC3-LE? would it be suitable and as flexible as the PC3 as far as MIDI controller is concerned?
I ask this as I thought about the Kurz PC3 some time ago, but it is too expensive for me, and the PC3-LE seems, even being a 64 voice model, a good representation of the bigger brother PC3 and a lot cheaper. What's your view?

Cheers,
Paulo

In terms of MIDI-tweakablity, the PC3-LE appears to have nearly the same level as the PC3. As far as I can see, the main differences are (in the PC3LE) the 64-voice polyphony, slightly lower number of programs, lack of sliders. But it appears that all of main PC3 sound categories--including the KB3 organ--are there. Don't know if the PC3LE keyboard is semi-weighted, however. In the photo it looks more like a synth-action KB.

[Parsifal]

Don't know if the PC3LE keyboard is semi-weighted, however. In the photo it looks more like a synth-action KB.

From what I know, it has a waterfall action (very organ-like).

[PauloF]

Don't know if the PC3LE keyboard is semi-weighted, however. In the photo it looks more like a synth-action KB.

From what I know, it has a waterfall action (very organ-like).

Correct!

Both PC3LE6 and 7 use the same type of keybed (Fatar TP8) with 61 and 76 Keys (respectively). These keybeds have Semi-weighted action with velocity and aftertouch sensitive keys.

The Kurz PC3LE8 have a 88-note fully-weighted hammer-action with velocity and aftertouch sensitive keys. (Fatar TP40L)