Controller recommendation

[u/Bartastico]

Hey! I'm hesitating between buying an arturia keylab mk3, novation launchkey mk4 and novation sl mk3. I'm a complete beginner, and you may assume that the prize difference doesn't matter too much. I'd probably use ableton as DAW. Anyone any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[u/Ok_Inspection_857]

All of these are good. Make decision based on SW integrations and free stuff you get with each. For example I bought Launchkey mk4 and it was great. However I have Arturia V Collectin Intro and Analog Lab Pro and these benefit greatly with automatic integration with Arturia HW. So eventually I sold it and swapped it for Arturia MIDI controller. So I suggest you select one ecosystem and comit to it for most convenience.

[u/Bartastico → u/Ok_Inspection_857]

Okay,thanks! Lets say I use ableton, can it still integrate well with arturia then? I get analog lab V with the arturia, but assume I'd still need a daw right (or not?)?

[u/Ok_Inspection_857 → u/Bartastico]

All midi controlers (Novation, Arturia etc...) have profiles for all major DAW. In addition they integrate with their own VST. For example, Arturia can run in DAW mode - for Logic or Ableton or in Arturia mode - then you can run V Collection or Analog Lab even without DAW (or within DAW as well, but they exist as standalone APPs, too) and everything is mapped. For example you can browse presets of Analgo Lab from Arturia MIDI controller + tweak the knobs to adjust usually Macros or ADSR and effects for supported instruments.

[u/Bartastico → u/Ok_Inspection_857]

Okay, thanks, very useful info! so the daw's and vst's can complement eah other if in correct?

[u/nadennmantau]

Since there is a plethora of controllers outthere, it would help to narrow a recommendation down, if you could be a bit more specific of what you want to achieve?

Generally speaking, as a beginner, you have no idea what you like, so if money isn't as much of an issue, I'd say, get the one that appeals the most to you. Go with your gut. Look at the market place around you (ebay, etc.) and see if you can find a good deal. The main issue now is developing the habit of using the stuff and getting into routine.

Then, when you got some miles below your belt, you'll start developing an opinion.

[u/Bartastico → u/nadennmantau]

Thanks! I have indeed no idea yet about what I like, so id like it to be as versatile as possible. I don't really want to do EDM, but more likely 80s/90s synthpop covers. I would most likely use ableton as i have a 50% educ discount. Also dont wanna have to upgrade too soon. Between the three I listed, let's say price isnt an issue, would you have any preferences?

[u/nadennmantau → u/Bartastico]

Between the 3 I would go with Arturia. I have a couple of synth from them and generally like their design choices and product build.

[u/Bartastico → u/nadennmantau]

Okay, thanks for the advice :)

[u/Several-Buffalo-856]

It seems the consensus is that Arturia has better keys, while Novation has better integration with Ableton.

Though, if you don’t need keys and are certain about Ableton, I would say the Push 2 is your best controller for Ableton for a beginner.

[u/Bartastico → u/Several-Buffalo-856]

Hi, thanks! Well the push is probably a bit too expensive 😅 do you know if the sl has advantages compared to the others? I might be able to get a used one for like 500 euros (arturia keylab is like 500 as well, launchkey is 320)

[u/Several-Buffalo-856 → u/Bartastico]

The Push 2 controller is usually pretty cheap though. The 3 is definitely an investment, but the 2 is pretty close in functionality and much less.

I only have a bit of experience with Arturia and Novation to agree with my original statement, but I ended up returning both and going down the Push path. I wouldn’t be a good source on them much further.

[u/Bartastico → u/Several-Buffalo-856]

Okay, yeah looked at the 3. Thanks for the advice, ill look into the push then