Best midi keyboard / controller for a relative beginner?

Hi everyone,

I've just started getting into music production, and was wondering what midi keyboard or controller everyone would recommend? My budget is around 100-150 pounds. At the moment ive been mucking around with a mate's Reason 5 software, but I'll probably go for Cubase 6 or Pro Tools 9.

Also is there any other hardware that would be good for a beginner to consider buying?

Cheers

an audio interface is a good start, incase you want to do any serious work with audio (vocals, hardware synths, guitars and so on).

on the software front, you have alot of options:

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/mu...859-summary-all-audio-apps-available-osx.html

(theres even a few free ones on there to get you started right away!)

on the midi keyboard front, i use an M Audio Oxygen 25 at home, and an Akai LPK 25 when im travelling. (its about as long as a 30cm ruler).

definitely check out the M audio range, Akai, or Behringer. for £100 - 150, you should be able to get a decent one with a fair amount of controls, faders and so on.

Thanks robduckyworth I looking more at the keyboards with more keys. I was thinking that ones with less keys would hinder me making leads, do you not find that to be the case?

yeah I do if i am honest, it is a restriction, but the keyboard is not my main instrument, I play guitar, and i need to trigger samples and stuff occassionally, which is why i use them. if someone brought out a decent guitar - midi device, i might finally be able to program decent MIDI.

the oxygen and axiom m audio keyboards have got larger key options available.

Ok great thanks for the info!

Anyone else with other suggestions?