Off Topic midi controller search

[gtrman66]

Hi all,
I'm a noob to computer recording so please bear with me. I am in the process of putting together a home studio and find myself in need of a keyboard midi controller; preferably with pads to trigger samples also. I'm not a keyboard player but would like to be able to play some of the virtual instruments in Studio One pro 2 with the keys, and use the pads to trigger drum sounds from ez drummer 2. I'm trying to stay around the $100ish price range if possible but if there's something out there that's a better fit that costs a bit more I will definitely consider it. My setup is a line 6 pod hd usb'd to a mid 2010 iMac with 16 gigs ram running Studio One Professional 2, 2 Eris 8 monitors, and a presonus faderport. I'm leaning toward the M-Audio oxygen 25 or something similar but I was curious to see what others on the forum were using. I'd also like to find a controller that requires minimal setup and tweaking if possible.....or at least doesn't require a computer science degree to install lol.....Any suggestions?

 

[beej]

Why not use the guitar?

Jam Origin | MIDI Guitar

I played with the beta quite a bit- very cool and tracks well.

 

[Wahoonc]

I was able to use a HD500X as a midi trigger, but I'm only using it with a GC. Read the GC (Game Changer) threads. Quite a few folks recommend IK iRig products. I'm new to midi as well, but setting up triggers between the GC and HD500 was very easy. Since the GC has a midi jack, I didn't need an adapter. I would think something like the iRig would be easy to use with Macs, but that's just a guess.

Monitors? Subjective, of course, but I've heard good things about Eris. The Adam A7X sounded really, really good to me in person, but I couldn't justify the money for a speaker that size. I don't have a studio, though, so it really didn't make sense anyway. But the sound was very nice. KRK is a good speaker too, in my opinion. I don't like the look at all. Good bang for buck, as far as that goes.

Just some thoughts. Don't know if any of it is helpful.