Top 3 MIDI Keyboard Controllers with Sanjay C

[@Producelikeapro]

What are some of your favourite MIDI Keyboards or Controllers in your studio?

[@Charlie-Oooooo]

The Akai tools are indeed awesome! For a controller with weighted keys I love my Roland RD 300s. It literally has lead weights to mimic a piano. Weighs like 35kg!!! Also has decent 80's keyboard sounds internal.

[@Weissman111]

Still firmly attached to my Novation Impulse 61.

[@PianoDentist]

NI 32 keyboard which works great with Komplete plus a larger 61 key Nektar impact, which has profile/AutoMap software to work with your DAW

[@justinhavu]

Arturia KeyLab 61 MkII. I'm a keyboardist, so I NEED full-size keys (mini keys are not an option for me), at least 5 octaves, with a great feel, and the KeyLab ticks all of those boxes for me.

[@harrisbeatsfrankou6304]

I got sunjays recommendation on an M-audio. Its basic I can mix with it. device control...But! I want a weighted KB shootout...please. zero algoryhtms..just weighted. Thinking Arturia with Spectrasonics Keyscape. I use mainly rmx real Drummers and Kits and edit them to my taste. And I like Spectrasonics and Eric is a Boss OG from Roland. Chance of a weighted KB shootout Warren? M Maudio is perfect for swells mono synths and drum grooves...throw in the daw control to assign for whatever in seconds and it is great. 10 faders, 10 rotary dials. Sunjay sold me on that. But I really want a weighted KB. Thinking Arturia 88 keys.

[@SanjayC]

Thank you so much for having me at your studio. This was so much fun …and I need to have you bring some guitars to my studio next!

[@west4coast77]

You're a true pro! Articulate, informative and a good guy. Well done.

[@Producelikeapro]

You’re the best Sanjay! It’s always amazing to have you and your beautiful bride over! You’re an incredible team! Go Dharti and Sanjay!

[@Producelikeapro]

Yea Ken! Sanjay rules!!

[@SanjayC]

@@west4coast77 Very kind of you, Ken! Thank you!

[@SanjayC]

@@Producelikeapro Dharti is the greatest! Can't do any of this without her!

[@BJ-fj6jw]

This video is so cool, Sanjay. Two people in the video. Both are keyboard-midi experts. One is familiar with the product and introduces it to the other who is new to it, perhaps with preconceived notions, so used to studio equipment on a level I probably will never comprehend. But the friendly and rapid interaction between you two is so inspiring! This video is helping me decide which MIDI/Keyboard to get. Many thanks to both of you!

[@sinepilot]

I appreciate you going outside your comfort zone Warren! Thank you for discussing gear you might not use yourself all that much but is still really popular. My fave MIDI controller is the Arturia Keystep 37, the form factor is perfect for my limited space but I still get 37 keys, which is a lot for a one-handed keyboard controller

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I actually have a couple of MIDI controllers! I have an Arturia as well! It's great

[@SanjayC]

The Keystep is a great option for computer based production and hardware synth control.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@SanjayCmarvellous

[@musole7104]

Two of my favorite people, I clicked on the link while watching Sanjay when I heard its Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Sanjay and Dharti rule!

[@SanjayC]

Thanks so much 🙏🏼

[@soniklink-WKD4496]

Mine is a Novation SLmk3, so many templates for Synths & DAW's, with endless custom options too!. It helped me open up parameters on my Korg Monologue for patch control. I'm glad I have it 🙂

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@leefchapman]

Love seeing you two together. The knowledge between you two is great. Hope to see more crossovers.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Lee!

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, Sanjay and Dharti are amazing

[@SanjayC]

Thank you! I'm going to share some of Warren's wisdom soon on my channel. Look out for it! :-)

[@west4coast77]

Thanks Warren! You and Sanjay C are a great team.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@cynical-beats]

amazing to see you both together :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@SanjayC]

I could make videos and music with Warren every day.

[@cynical-beats]

Much love bros great content 🤘😀

[@FernandoDCDuarte]

Heeeey nice to see you round these parts of the wood Sanjay! 😊

[@SanjayC]

Hi Fernando! Nice to see you here too!

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes!! Sanjay and Dharti rule!!

[@ProbablyTooLoud]

The keyboard controller and virtual instrument topic is a rabbit hole. Please have Sanjay back on for more. He explains things very clearly.

[@Producelikeapro]

Absolutely! Thanks ever so much Mr Jones!

[@SanjayC]

I appreciate that so much 🙏🏼 I’d love to share more with Warren and all the producers here.

[@notchillustgrhymecity5904]

This was Awesome and Warren let's us kno when you get your ROLI 😁thanks guys

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha will do!!

[@guitboxgeek]

As a guitar player, whenever I need to play a bit on my midi controller I catch myself doing vibrato on the keyboard - of course it doesn't do anything to the actual midi. I may need to get one of these fancy MPE controllers!

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha I do that too!

[@jennoscura2381]

The heart of my setup is an Arturia KeyStep Pro. It's a fantastic MIDI controller. The sequencers are fantastic. It has a drum sequencer that works great. I also has really nice arpeggiators. A really cool feature is probably on steps in a sequence. I love using that in drums so I can get some variation in only one bar. Just pop a clap or cowbell in thrre and set the probability to 50. It has old school 5 pin MIDI, so it works with my vintage synths and drum machines. It has two MIDI outs and one MIDI in. The MIDI in allows me to use my Yamaha DX7 as a master keyboard. The two MIDI outs are connected to a couple of MIDI through boxes. That allows me to rout MIDI to 12 different synths and drum machines. So I can use my DX7 to play any of my other synths. In addition to old school MIDI it has USB, CV and gate for Eurorack, as well as drum gates and clock. It can receive transport messages from the DAW. So when I hit record in the DAW it hits play on the KSP and starts up the sequencers and arpeggiators. When you do that the temp of the KSP is set by the DAW. So everything lines up nicely. For me the KeyStep Pro is great. It makes it so much easier for me to make music. I used sequenced drums, sequenced or arpeggiated bass, and then I live play a keyboard on top of that. Everything goes into my 24 channel Mackie console and out to the DAW as a single track. If sequencers are up your alley; take a look at the Arturia KeyStep Pro. It's fantastic.

[@L.Scott_Music]

I had a touch of skepticism that a Top 3 midi keyboard controllers would work out very well, but with the mention of the NI board this really nailed it down well and concisely.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Loren

[@SanjayC]

I use an NI keyboard daily. Excellent integration with NI’s software.

[@L.Scott_Music]

@@SanjayC I have one on my Sweetwater wish list. How is the key weight? I'm hoping its piano like but not too much as to not work for synth styles.

[@SanjayC]

@@L.Scott_Music its much more like a piano than a synth...but keep your expectations in check...its not a piano. But I grew up learning classical piano and the NI S88 totally satisfies!

[@MettleHurlant]

I just bought an Arturia Minilab Mk II for Xmas. Still learning how to use it. Thank you for the video.

[@JudgeFredd]

Nice to see you together !

[@Producelikeapro]

I love Sanjay! One of my favourite people in the world!

[@SanjayC]

Warren is one of my fav people to make videos with! I could do this any day!

[@JudgeFredd]

@@SanjayC Please invite me for your marriage ;-)

[@bobbaumeister5243]

Absolut geil! Thanks for this information Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@allenlocke1935]

I got my Arturia Mini Lab 3 for $109.00 at Guitar Center a week ago.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@Axeltab]

I'm using the Akai MPK Mini with new Cubase's 12 midi remote featuring and the result is great! Cheers 🥂

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@SanjayC]

Another akai fan! That keyboard is so popular and works well with so many workflows.

[@andreirlmeier]

Great topic , thnx

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@markbeeson5674]

Very helpful. Thanks Warren and Sanjay.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

AWESOME VIDEO SIR!!!!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@liquidsolids9415]

Thanks! I’m in the market for a MIDI controller so this was very helpful!

[@SanjayC]

So glad it was helpful!

[@Producelikeapro]

You Rock Sanjay!

[@imag1n342]

I am trying to get into this hobby and i stumbled upon this vid. The MPK mini and the MiniLab3 look like great options for me and my budget, but i am a traditional pianist. Does the minimal amount of keys hinder "real" playing? Or should i not worry.

[@Joey-rp5vg]

Thanks for the great video

[@Producelikeapro]

Hmm I wonder why? Thanks for the great comment Joey!

[@Joey-rp5vg]

@@Producelikeapro No idea. Your very welcome though!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@Joey-rp5vg haha you deleted that part of your comment haha

[@Joey-rp5vg]

@@Producelikeapro Yes I deleted it. After looking at what I typed, it looked a touch sharp and silly.......So I shortened it I have no idea what happened to me original post. Thanks very much for spending time replying to all the post's. It is appreciated.

[@davidreidy5750]

Been kinda wanting to pick up the Akai controller but I already have enough keyboards/synths setup in my lab that I just feel better using what I already have.I mean its like a really scaled down studio here folks,trying not to trip over cables,pedalboards, drum kit,mic stands etc😆🗽

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@michelnassar9706]

MiniLab

[@Producelikeapro]

Great! It's cheaper!

[@mistergrooveman1018]

😂😂😂 This vidéo reminds me chico rea explain to a studient What was a b flat !!😅😅 How humble you are … 💪💪💪🙏🙏🙏🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha indeed! As im sure you know B flat and a Sharp are two different notes!

[@Producelikeapro]

God bless equal temperament

[@Thom726]

These controllers are the best sellers because these are cheap, but if you are a pianist or dedicated keyboard player, beats aren’t a necessity. How about a review of high end 88 key weighted controllers like a Doepfer LMK-4?

[@kashdro85]

May I humbly recommend the Kawaii VPC1 if your budget is without a ceiling. Not exactly feature rich like the LMK4 but, the action is unparalleled.

[@harrisbeatsfrankou6304]

Amen!!

[@cefahprod]

What's very interesting about SanjayC is the fact that he is a pianist and review tons of keyboard, synth and other high end pianist oriented midi controller. Maybe check his channel or maybe produce like a pro will do a video with him again about more heavy weighted controllers

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Tom, yes, these are multi faceted keyboard controllers not weighed piano keyboards. We will definitely do a weighted keyboard video in the future as opposed to one that is a midi controller with assignable pads for drums etc.

[@SanjayC]

Hi Tom...I think that's a great idea for a video. I'm going to look into it for sure. The Doepfer has always interested me. Thanks for the idea.

[@hughcdavies]

Can see the appeal of the last one. However, none I think are a match for my Korg Tactiles. The Korgs have real Midi output and whilst I use a computer to program them. I feed them into a Roland M-GS64 for sounds. I don't even own a DAW.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@SanjayC]

Yeah these are best for computer based music production for sure.

[@naryanclaudy2116]

Can you run this keyboard into something like the line 6 L2? Or does it have to run through my Mac into a DAW?

[@romanwestenholtz4396]

how much gig do they use and how CPU do they suck up???

[@SanjayC]

MIDI controllers run with negligible cpu usage. They’re sending basic MIDI messages to your computer which don’t really take up much bandwidth at all.

[@dutch4motion662]

Is there a good midi controller plug and play. Maschine 2 software. To use cc 11 ect ect

[@PsychedelicGoo]

Just got an Akai mini. The drum pads are not great. There are even videos on YT showing how to take it apart and mod it to fix them.

[@RobertFisher1969]

Too bad Sanjay didn’t show Warren “MIDI learn” capabilities. Lots of software these days has a “MIDI learn” mode where you click a control on screen, twist/slide a MIDI control, and it makes the mapping for you. Very quick and easy to get customized mappings. BTW, I thought the only Seaboard Roli is selling these days is the larger Rise and that the smaller Block is no longer available. I was late to wanting to get one, but the Rise seems like more than I’m willing to spend for an experiment. And none of the used Blocks I’ve seen for sale have inspired confidence that they were in good shape.

[@SanjayC]

That's true, I need to visit again to show Warren more tricks on the controllers! And I didn't even bring a grid controller like a Launchpad. That's for next time. Yes, one correction in the video: the Roli Songmaker Kit only comes with the Roli LUMI now. The Seaboard only comes in the bigger Rise now. Thanks!

[@Producelikeapro]

Please do Sanjay! Always amazing having you here!

[@jairruzmar8171]

There is no more rolli seaboard blocks any more, only the large ones :c😢

[@SanjayC]

Lots on the used market for a Block of the Rise is too much. Other MPE keyboards keep coming out.

[@Producelikeapro]

You Rock Sanjay!

[@nomad1517]

Arturia costs $109, not $129. Well, no tax and shipping. If that's what he was referring too.

[@adrianwagner336]

stretching those fingers a bit 😄

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha I'm getting back into playing guitar, barely been playing as we've been travelling so much!

[@gaetanclybouw]

Warren you’re pronouncing “tot ziens” wrong, you need to speak it how you read it. “Tot” is like the name Tod but with a T on the end. The word “ziens” is good 👍

[@Producelikeapro]

Bedankt!

[@manojbilla4405]

Are you Gordon Ramsay’s brother 😂😅😅

[@jatsajatsa]

You have the wobbliest table in the world, apparently...?

[@splashesin8]

:)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@subramaniamchandrasekar1397]

I hope a day will come when these people do not always use Ableton to demonstrate a midi keyboard. There are more linear daws out there. Please... Please.. Do not tell the viewers that Ableton is the most used daw in the world. The world is filled with other people also. Regards.

[@Producelikeapro]

Ableton isn’t the most used DAW out there, that’s why I didn’t say that! Actually the most downloaded DAW is FL Studio because they have a mobile APP version. Have you watched my channel before? Alberton is NOT the main featured DAW at all.

[@AlbertWeijers]

Nice wobbly table.... for me as a pianist, these things are much too small.

[@SanjayC]

I’m on your side. I actually have a full hammer action MIDI controller keyboard that I use every day. Same features just full size keys like a piano. Look into the S88 by Native Instruments if you’re interested.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing that Sanjay!