ASR-10 as midi keyboard

i'm going to be in the market for a midi keyboard to use with software but i've read you COULD use the ASR as a midi keyboard. it seems like it may be worth it to just get one since it's also a good sampler but i was curious to know how effective it would be as a midi keyboard. i'm not sure how much i would use it for actually constructing an entire beat

You're only limited to what you know.

That being said, any midi keyboard will work to complete the task you originally asked about.

Once you understand the fundamentals of midi sequencing, you can then see the power of what the ASR is all about.

dabmeister wrote:You're only limited to what you know.

That being said, any midi keyboard will work to complete the task you originally asked about.

Once you understand the fundamentals of midi sequencing, you can then see the power of what the ASR is all about.

i know that any midi keyboard would work, but in terms of quality they're not all the same. i see a lot of threads about the MPK keys breaking and all that.

my point is that for the price of a lot of midi keyboards, you could spend like 200 dollars more and get an ASR

The ASR as a MIDI keyboard... it's do-able.
The ASR as a MIDI controller... why do that???

JesseHolmz wrote:

dabmeister wrote:You're only limited to what you know.

That being said, any midi keyboard will work to complete the task you originally asked about.

Once you understand the fundamentals of midi sequencing, you can then see the power of what the ASR is all about.

i know that any midi keyboard would work, but in terms of quality they're not all the same. i see a lot of threads about the MPK keys breaking and all that.

my point is that for the price of a lot of midi keyboards, you could spend like 200 dollars more and get an ASR

Don't get me wrong, I'm praising the idea of using the asr as a controller in your situation.

But personally, I couldn't get with the feel of the stiffness if you really play keys like I do. But then again, you also don't have to buy into my opinion about using it like this because I do still own one but never acquired a liking to using it as a controller.

My controller of choice happens to be a Roland A-70 76 key joint. I love the feel of this thing.

i hope everyone gets my question... basically i'm just asking if i should just get an ASR instead of a midi keyboard since i could technically use it as a midi keyboard plus have a good sampler

JesseHolmz wrote:since i could technically use it as a midi keyboard plus have a good sampler

You could technically use any sampling workstation as a midi controller.

When it comes to choosing a midi controller keyboard you should concentrate on feel and features to help make the best choice.

Feel is about how you like the physical touch, size and responsiveness of the keys. Whether the keys suit your playing style, are they too light or overly heavy? And what about the build quality? Does the board look robust enough for the stage or travelling with or is it light and flimsy, prone to lifted key syndrome or dodgy contacts?

Features to consider include the number of midi ports, whether it has USB and assignable controls. Is it portable, can you see what your doing in the dark? Is it easy to set up for use with your software/ hardware, can you save and use templates. Does it have transport controls and enough keys. What other tools does the board bring to your studio?

Try and get down to some music stores to get a FEEL for various keyboards, midi controllers and synths. Consider a board that offers more FEATURES than just midi control, you need to use that studio space more efficiently. If portability and midi control is all you need a midi controller is a solid choice. Try some Yamaha's, Roland's and Korg's, some Novations and M-Audio's there are plenty of very good boards to choose from.

Using an ASR-10 as a pure midi controller may not be a wise choice. It is an increasingly rare instrument, held in high regard by a generation of musicians. If you used an ASR-10 as a midi controller you'd be gaining no value from the board whatsoever because 99% of keyboards can do that. You'd be adding wear and tear to the keybed and other internal components while getting no real benefit from doing so, in effect wasting the resources by using only 1% of its features.

The ASR is big and heavy, although it does have a great feel to it IMO. But if it happens to be your only board, just use it and make the most of it in the process. Take the time to learn about the machine, use the sampler, use the onboard FX maybe not the sequencer!

Ok.The biggest drawback is...................having your hands on the keyboard!!!!Its a big electronic machine and you will certainly get a dose electricity.Some people like that.Saying that,i like the feel of that old equipment.I used the ensoniq esq1 for the same and its great to be able mix it in to the other material your playing.

clint246clint wrote:

JesseHolmz wrote:since i could technically use it as a midi keyboard plus have a good sampler

You could technically use any sampling workstation as a midi controller.

When it comes to choosing a midi controller keyboard you should concentrate on feel and features to help make the best choice.

Feel is about how you like the physical touch, size and responsiveness of the keys. Whether the keys suit your playing style, are they too light or overly heavy? And what about the build quality? Does the board look robust enough for the stage or travelling with or is it light and flimsy, prone to lifted key syndrome or dodgy contacts?

Features to consider include the number of midi ports, whether it has USB and assignable controls. Is it portable, can you see what your doing in the dark? Is it easy to set up for use with your software/ hardware, can you save and use templates. Does it have transport controls and enough keys. What other tools does the board bring to your studio?

Try and get down to some music stores to get a FEEL for various keyboards, midi controllers and synths. Consider a board that offers more FEATURES than just midi control, you need to use that studio space more efficiently. If portability and midi control is all you need a midi controller is a solid choice. Try some Yamaha's, Roland's and Korg's, some Novations and M-Audio's there are plenty of very good boards to choose from.

Using an ASR-10 as a pure midi controller may not be a wise choice. It is an increasingly rare instrument, held in high regard by a generation of musicians. If you used an ASR-10 as a midi controller you'd be gaining no value from the board whatsoever because 99% of keyboards can do that. You'd be adding wear and tear to the keybed and other internal components while getting no real benefit from doing so, in effect wasting the resources by using only 1% of its features.

The ASR is big and heavy, although it does have a great feel to it IMO. But if it happens to be your only board, just use it and make the most of it in the process. Take the time to learn about the machine, use the sampler, use the onboard FX maybe not the sequencer!

well like i said, the fact that it's a great sampler as well is appealing to me. the turn-off about the ASR is that it seems like the learning curve for actually composing something on it is high. if anything, i would sample with the ASR and chop it up with software and use the samples on my MPC or something else.

if you're in need of a MIDI controller, then get a controller instead... if not, you're just gonna end up scratching your head and looking to re-sell the ASR10 shortly after you get it... god knows we've all seen it happen multiple times on the forums... while the ASR is a great classic sampler that you could use for MIDI notes... you'll probably want something with more control [midi knobs & sliders] if you're actually looking to use it as a controller. now if your priorities were more set on a classic sampler more so than a controller, i would then say get the ASR10.

crossings wrote:if you're in need of a MIDI controller, then get a controller instead... if not, you're just gonna end up scratching your head and looking to re-sell the ASR10 shortly after you get it... god knows we've all seen it happen multiple times on the forums... while the ASR is a great classic sampler that you could use for MIDI notes... you'll probably want something with more control [midi knobs & sliders] if you're actually looking to use it as a controller. now if your priorities were more set on a classic sampler more so than a controller, i would then say get the ASR10.

i mean the idea of using it as a sampler in terms of literally just getting that ASR sound from the sample is appealing. using a really outdated piece of gear for making the actual beat is less appealing. i've seen some stuff about the ASR having a pretty big learning curve. but for $500, it's not that much more than a midi keyboard

Well, I think you've already set up this barrier for yourself in terms of presumptions, or hearsay. IDK if you mentioned you've dealt with an ASR before, but as with anything someone may not be familiar with, you dig in and concour that joint & move on.

Heck with the timid stuff, jump in and do you.

You'll be spending and extra $200 for nothing. Get an EMU x-board. very nice keybed, a whole lot cheaper, and a whole lot lighter. And a whole lot more reliable.

Let that asr go to someone who is gonna put an investment into it. The sound is dope, but running your samples straight thru is only part of the picture. that's not gonna make em sound like asr beats. there's a whole lot more to the sound of any sampler than just the components used in the converters and the sample rate/bit depth... Its time for people to put that myth away....

JesseHolmz wrote:using a really outdated piece of gear for making the actual beat...

...is the only way to make the beat sound like it was done on an ASR.

alright well the asr 10 is a beast. i lv the thing and you can use it as a contoller if you want. just dont use the seq in it and when you hook it up the mpc turn the local midi in the asr 10 off that way you seperate the asr key board from the sound mod in it. and who cars about the keys and it getting rare. it sould be played and keys can be fixed. plus it ca be triggered by the mpc if ya want to fire off some drum sounds. when you turn local off send the out of the asr to the in of the mpc then out the mpc to the in of the asr. then you can use it as a master keyboard as well as seq thw asr with the mpc.

need me to clarify anything hit me up[