Leaderboard

It depends on a few things, really. First thing to look for is whether the keys are weighted or not, as this will impact how you play it(and you want something you're comfortable playing). Fully weighted keys are the most realistic and aimed at piano-trained players. The weight varies across the board like a real piano and allows for easier realism and a better dynamic response. Semi weighted keys are evenly weighted and offer a somewhat realistic response. Unweighted keys use springs instead of weights for an overall heavier feel. They can feel sort of slippery and if playing fast passages it may seem a little uncontrollable. Unweighted will be the most cost effective, though, while fully weighted keys will be the most expensive. After that it's all about how many keys and what features you need. Most tend to come in 25/49/88 keys. Do you just need it for general midi input, or do you want knobs/pads/faders/wheels for better control while playing? First and foremost I'd actually suggest checking out Guitar Center. While they closed their Canadian location(last I checked at least), the US locations ship to Canada and allows you to check out in CDN while adding all taxes/duty/etc. That keyboard you linked is a synth-action(by it's description), meaning unweighted. The four-way knob is a pretty cool idea for a portable keyboard, and the addition of 8 knobs and pads will make up for only having 25 keys. If you want something specifically designed to be portable that's probably one of the best in my opinion. There are a lot of 49 key controllers at a similar price point, but none of them have the same features. I found the same one(in a limited red color) new and on sale at Guitar Center as well. If you're willing to pay a bit more, the M-Audio Oxygen49 is more or less a direct upgrade. It has 49 keys(semi-weighted) and 8 knobs/pads, along with 9 faders and separate pitch and mod wheels. Also includes a port for a sustain pedal, and a code for Ableton Live Lite. It also automaps to most DAWs(but not FL Studio, if you go that route), making it relatively plug-and-play. Also allows for octave shifting and switching DAW channels via buttons on the keyboard itself, along with a play and record button.

It looks like we (Stargate) are playing Friday night. Not sure what time yet. It's an all new trio (plus some guests on some songs!), all never-before-heard arrangements in a variety of styles. Maybe even something from 3rd strike Labs is the only thing we've planned on doing thus far so this might be a once in a lifetime thing. If you can make it, please do! I love you either way tho... :EDIT: 10PM Friday

Yo guys. I can't make the musics very good yet, but if I can help at all with this album, drop me a line. Obviously we'll cover it on the podcast when the time comes, but my unshakable enthusiasm for Sonic the Hedgehog music demands that I volunteer. If anyone needs feedback or help organizing stuff or what have you, I'm game! And definitely give me a shout before this thing goes live so we can plan for it on the show, hopefully along with an interview. - Stephen