[Enatic1213]

Hey, I'm looking for a new keyboard instrument and I wanted your guys advice.

I want to invest in either a Midi Controller or a Music Workstation, if you guys could fill me in on the difference between them and the different end results that would be great.

I want something that's going to sound real and rich when it comes to piano, strings, bass, drums etc.

Also something that will allow me to plug into my computer and start recording into pro tools

and something that's not too expensive.

thanks

[john]

Hey

Ok well simplest explanation is that a midi controller has no sounds. It is only a keyboard control interface... albeit some are very high quality keyboards with a very realistic piano feel.

A synth is a controller with in-built sounds. they can be played or controlled by an external sequencer.

A music workstation is a synth with a built in sequencer and song memory, and sometimes other features. Useful for gigs if you plan to play sequences. has the advantage that it is an all in one.... also has the disadvantage that it is an all in one! lol

here it partly comes down to your main intended use....

cheers

John

[Enatic1213]

john, on 05 October 2009 - 04:51 AM, said:

Hey

Ok well simplest explanation is that a midi controller has no sounds. It is only a keyboard control interface... albeit some are very high quality keyboards with a very realistic piano feel.

A synth is a controller with in-built sounds. they can be played or controlled by an external sequencer.

A music workstation is a synth with a built in sequencer and song memory, and sometimes other features. Useful for gigs if you plan to play sequences. has the advantage that it is an all in one.... also has the disadvantage that it is an all in one! lol

here it partly comes down to your main intended use....

cheers

John

Thanks for your reply

I really like just sitting at my keyboard and making an entire song, or most of a song from just my one keyboard, but the sound is too fake sounding. So i wanted something i can work up a song with and have it sound decent.

[smueske]

What you want is a good MIDI controller and a good virtual sampler. You can pick up both for under a grand. A workstation will cost you three times that much.

Regardless of your setup -- any reason you want to use protools? -- there's going to be a steep learning curve. For example, you can't use VSTis with protools. If you're just looking to add to your sounds, you might consider using a different host -- FL Studio and Orion, for example, have lots of built in generators and the programs are relatively cheap. I wouldn't choose protools just because everyone else is -- if it's what you have and what you want, that's fine. For electronic-based music, though, there are much better solutions. Reaper, for example, is a full-blown host you can buy for 60 bucks. It doesn't come with built-in generators, but you can use any DXi or VSTi instrument with it.

A little more info about what you want to do would be helpful...