Keyboard Controllers-all The Same? Options

[booinec]

Are they all pretty much the same?
I want to layer in some standard instrument sounds, strings mostly to add some depth to guitar, vocals and percussion. I'll be using a software synth (not certain which one to buy yet).
Want to spend under $300.00 US.
Also, I notice some connect by midi, some by usb, and some both. Are there advantages to one type of hook up over another in pro tools LE/ G5 2.0. (Digi 002, or Mbox, not certain which yet.)
Thanks,
Boo

This post has been edited by booinec: Wed 11 Aug 2004, 21:34

[Riverdog]

No way are they the same...

First off is the feel... Are you a Piano player??? Then you're going to hate the oxygen8.... (Unweighted plastic keys)...

Then there's your software...
Nowadays if you're using software synths; It really makes no difference how many times your "controller" keyboard will split... Most high end hardware "true" controllers will split between 4 and eight different instruments...

BUT - If you have a software synth that allows you to split as many times as you want, it makes no difference that your "controller" can even split at all... You would just set that up in the synth - An example would be like Emagic's EXS 24 - You can split sounds all the way up the board if you want...

I use a Kurzweil SP76 digital piano as my main board with Logic 6 Pro...
I like the feel but this keyboard can only "physically" split twice...
Logic does the work for me on the splitting issue...

MIDI vs. USB doesn't really make a difference anymore...
I'm a traditionalist So I like the MIDI route....
I suppose the only deciding factor would be how much bandwidth you're already using if you record audio through USB or if you have a lot of controller data going down the pipe - But MIDI doesn't really take up that much bandwidth...

Final Suggestion?
Find something you like that feels good and will do what you want...
That's about it...

Hope this helps...