"Airplane" keyboard advice

[boarderbas]

Hi all,

I'm flying a lot and would like to buy a mini keyboard for making music on the plane/at the airport/on the road.

Pitchbend would be nice, but only if it's usable.

There are a lot of small laptop-sized keyboards, but probably most of them are toys. I'm looking for something really usable. I'm not interested in the best brand, or something that will satisfy my gearlust.

Any advice?

[fullenglishpint]

Akai LPK25



or the Akai MPK Mini, which is basically the same but also has velocity sensitive pads.

[boarderbas]

Thanks. I know this keyboard (as I know M-audio, Icon, Korg, Omnironic, ION, CME, Alesis etc.). How does it compare?

I'm now doubting between:

Icon i-key:
Modulation and pitch controll.

Akai
The sure bet for build quality.

M-audio keystation 32
Nice one, but may be just too big.

Omnitronic
Like above, but chunckyer and shorter. Looks cheap.

[botstein]

The M-Audio Axiom AIR mini is nice - M-Audio's new owners put a lot of effort into making it sturdier than the last generation, which would break at the drop of a hat, and I find it to be really nice to play, as opposed to toy-like like some others.

The MiniNova is relatively small, if you would like a really nice instrument. It's awesome.

[mostapha]

The M-Audio Axiom AIR mini is nice - M-Audio's new owners put a lot of effort into making it sturdier than the last generation, which would break at the drop of a hat, and I find it to be really nice to play, as opposed to toy-like like some others.

I'd bet on it being one of the best, but M-Audio's cheap keyboard still felt like cheap keyboards unless they drastically changed it for this one. It also seems pretty freaking huge for use on a plane.

Honestly, I've used (or owned) several of those small keyboards……and they're all really disappointing.

As much as i prefer the big one, the Maschine Micro is the most impressive small controller, but getting a "keyboard" out of it kind of depends on actually using the Maschine software. When you do, using it is kind of like using a 4-string guitar with a weird tuning (E Bb C E) and your hand coming from the wrong side. But it's playable. You can also build MIDI Out groups so that the pads just contain scale notes (for arbitrary scales), which make it easier to decide on a scale and then wank on it with less of a chance of playing a wrong note.

If I were working on planes and didn't want to use my computer keyboard to input notes, that's probably what I'd do.

[botstein]

I'd bet on it being one of the best, but M-Audio's cheap keyboard still felt like cheap keyboards unless they drastically changed it for this one. It also seems pretty freaking huge for use on a plane.

Mos, they pretty seriously changed it up. They gave the Axiom a spine (literally). I really, really hated Avid's M-Audio, too.

Honestly, I've used (or owned) several of those small keyboards……and they're all really disappointing.

As much as i prefer the big one, the Maschine Micro is the most impressive small controller, but getting a "keyboard" out of it kind of depends on actually using the Maschine software. When you do, using it is kind of like using a 4-string guitar with a weird tuning (E Bb C E) and your hand coming from the wrong side. But it's playable. You can also build MIDI Out groups so that the pads just contain scale notes (for arbitrary scales), which make it easier to decide on a scale and then wank on it with less of a chance of playing a wrong note.

If I were working on planes and didn't want to use my computer keyboard to input notes, that's probably what I'd do.

You have got to try the new Ableton script. It allows you to input notes with chromatic tuning (as you described) or in any mode (Dorian, Locrian, etc) on any root note. On the mkii, it shows you the scales on the pad colours, via individual notes or intervals, just like Push is supposed to.

If he's got his laptop, is the mkii really that big? The Axiom Air isn't much bigger.

[mostapha]

You have got to try the new Ableton script. It allows you to input notes with chromatic tuning (as you described) or in any mode (Dorian, Locrian, etc) on any root note. On the mkii, it shows you the scales on the pad colours, via individual notes or intervals, just like Push is supposed to.

I would, except that I much prefer Maschine + PT to Live. And I've already got MIDI Out groups set up for the scales I'd actually use.

[MrPopinjay]

Has anyone used the Korg Nanokey2?

[mostapha]

In guitar center……for just long enough to realize that I hated it.

[MrPopinjay]

What do you prefer?