Best trouble free Controller

grinder · 03-17-2019, 12:47 PM

What is the best Trouble free midi/usb controller for Reaper/BFD3?
Anybody any ideas?

Grinder

Fergler · 03-17-2019, 01:01 PM

That's pretty vague, what kind of features are you looking for?
Buttons, sliders, knobs (continuous, absolute?), LED feedback or not, drum pads, separate transport buttons, piano keyboard...

If you go with something that sends only, it will pretty much assuredly work, it's just sending MIDI.

It gets more complicated when you involve mechanical faders or LEDs controlled by feedback from the DAW. I have no experience there but from what I understand you need extensions for Reaper to do this. e.g.: https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=122509

grinder · 03-17-2019, 01:43 PM

Thanks Fergler

Yes so I have been looking around for a controller specifically to use with
BFD3 inside Reaper.
I do not need sliders etc
In my investigations all I can see on the screen is problems here and problems there for Akai and all.
I have no practical knowledge of controllers apart from an old keyboard I have that does work BFD3 inside Reaper.
That said I yearn for a playable surface and plug and play I guess.
I have been looking at the Roland Handsonic and although it is an arm and a leg and one finger as far as price goes I like what it is it would be tactile to use, good under the hands by the look. Trouble is no real promise it will work
with Reaper BFD3 hence my confusion.
I am many miles (KM) away from any music store.

Any observations would be gratefully received

Grinder

Bill_Texas · 03-17-2019, 02:40 PM

Check out the nektar impact lx25+ keyboard controller. I am going to buy it. It has deep integration with reaper. After you buy it, you download a reaper specific file and then this allows it to work seamlessly with reaper. It is only $99.00 on Sweetwater.com and has gotten great revues from reaper users.
Thanks

grinder · 03-17-2019, 02:47 PM

Thanks Bill I will have a look.

Grinder

grinder · 03-17-2019, 02:57 PM

That is interesting Bill
The only manufacturer that takes Reaper seriously....
I will keep this in mind
about $249 where I live...

Grinder

patrickj · 03-17-2019, 03:21 PM

Behringer motor 49 works great with Reaper.

martifingers · 03-17-2019, 04:41 PM

Akai MPK Mini works fine here with Reaper and seems similar in spec. Good build quality too.

grinder · 03-17-2019, 04:43 PM

Looking Looking many thanks guy's

Grinder

brainwreck · 03-17-2019, 05:06 PM

How was your experience with using keys for drums? If you have used fingerpads, how was that experience?

Breeder · 03-17-2019, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainwreck

How was your experience with using keys for drums? If you have used fingerpads, how was that experience?

Two different worlds IMHO. Awesome to bring a little change to your play style. It does seem harder to keep on playing as long on the keys though, pads make you feel less tired. But both are good.

I own m-audio code keyboard with fingerpads next to the keyboard and it's awesome to play these at the same time. You can set them to two different midi channels and play both instruments at the same time - or play the same instrument with two hands, each using different part.

Pads let you think in a different way than keyboard does. Almost like some sort of diagonal guitar fretboard (Launchpad is awesome for this stuff...it can even change keys and scales so you can go wild with imagination) Keys are good for quick rolls, bridges and what not, but pad is IMHO better at replicating that standard drum feel with more pulse...

When doing midi stuff it seems it's good to have multiple ways to input it - the more, the merrier

ReaperMadness · 03-17-2019, 06:20 PM

MPD218

https://express.google.com/u/0/produ...BoCCJkQAvD_BwE

$99.

grinder · 03-17-2019, 07:51 PM

Actually no experience with either keys of pads
I did go for it today with my keyboard a very old one just keys nothing else
on it.
I did have congas once real ones I think I may be crying out for that feel perhaps. Just genuinely wanting am machine that is connectable and tough I guess.
I looked hard at the nektar impact it does tick so more boxes as far as Reaper goes not doing all that connecting leaves nmore time for composition and playing.
Checked out the MPD218 too and it's bigger mate in fact there is one third hand here in NZ but at third hand I am reluctant.
Many thanks guys it just may be Nektar or handsonic.

Grinder

ReaperMadness · 03-17-2019, 08:16 PM

If you did have a third hand, you'd be able to play some amazing rhythms.

Thoughts are with you all in NZ.

grinder · 03-18-2019, 11:19 AM

Thanks Reaper Madness
Yes very sad occasion here, very sad indeed.

Grinder

Geoff-h3o · 03-19-2019, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grinder

That is interesting Bill
The only manufacturer that takes Reaper seriously....
I will keep this in mind
about $249 where I live...

Grinder

This is eBay uk but you'll notice some entries from Oz

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...+lx25&_sacat=0

brainwreck · 03-19-2019, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grinder

Actually no experience with either keys of pads
I did go for it today with my keyboard a very old one just keys nothing else
on it.
I did have congas once real ones I think I may be crying out for that feel perhaps.

Reason I asked is because I had issues with both keys and pads for playing with drum samplers. Getting predictable dynamics was the primary issue. After recording a performance on either keys or pads, I had to do some heavy velocity editing.

Last year I moved to an edrum kit, and it solved much of the issue with dynamics, although it is still far and away from the dynamics of playing on a real kit. I also noticed that the dynamics issue wasn't only to do with the controller. The number of velocity layers in drum samplers is pretty limited, and this was a major issue for playing hi-hat, along with even more limited levels of openness. My solution there was to add in a real hi-hat, which made a major difference in dynamics playability. Overall, the ekit as a controller is pretty ok after adding a real hi-hat, but it still leaves alot to be desired in comparison to a real kit.

If I had to go back and pick either keys or pads, I think it would be tough. I think it's easier to get more predictable dynamics from keys than pads (although both leave alot to be desired). But not being a keyboard player, I think that moving around kit pieces is much easier on pads.

grinder · 03-19-2019, 11:37 AM

Well I have it down to 2
The Handsonic HPD 20 or the Nektar panorama T4
I guess I wish to purchase one or the other to be able to easily invent different beats I may not come across in standard midi files Brainwreck.
I have written to various franchise holders on the Hansonic as to whether it will be easy for the Handsonic to merge with Reaper sadly no replies so looks like the Nektar.

Grinder

brainwreck · 03-20-2019, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grinder

Well I have it down to 2
The Handsonic HPD 20 or the Nektar panorama T4
I guess I wish to purchase one or the other to be able to easily invent different beats I may not come across in standard midi files Brainwreck.
I have written to various franchise holders on the Hansonic as to whether it will be easy for the Handsonic to merge with Reaper sadly no replies so looks like the Nektar.

Grinder

What exactly do you mean by 'merge'. MIDI controllers are very generally much less trouble than audio interfaces for example. I'm doubting that you will run into problems for either choice.

grinder · 03-20-2019, 09:59 AM

Brainwreck
For all my anxieties this is the first the question has been answered for me.
I can take some comfort from what you have said.
I am secure in the understanding now that I will be able to use Handsonic with BFD3. I have "Percussion" so will purchase the Handsonic 20.
There are people like me who despite being around digital gear are still wary of all the pitfalls, having to cope with them and work out answers instead of just playing and recording.
So thank you all for replying to my two threads.
I guess that because my only controller I have owned is a Roland 200 MK11 and it has never let me down that I should have had more faith!

Grinder

grinder · 04-24-2019, 02:02 AM

Well I did purchase a Nektar GX49
Guess what the keyboard is great to use.
I am using it only for midi from to in at present in this role it was only a matter of going to Reaper preferences and midi devices and ticking mode over to allow input then it was all go.
No hassles at all.

Grinder