Cheap midi triggers with loadsa buttons/switches

Ok, so currently I'm using a pretty basic setup, Live & an Emu X-board are pretty much the core of my beatmaking. This works great for composition and writing tunes, but I find structuring tracks, triggering effects, launching drum loops etc a real pain in the arse... all the controls on the X-board are gradual and not really sutable for simple on/off stuff like this.

So, my main requirement is CHEAP. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP because I have no money. Next, as many assignable buttons (or switches, or any non-gradual controls) as possible. I don't mind getting it from ebay or whatever.

I really want to move my production to a level where there's a real evolution in my tracks and they don't have that forced feel that comes from take after take after take of recording to modify tiny aspects of the song, and I felt like this was a good place to pick people's brains.

Thanks

Get a behringer bcr.

Or a doeppfer regelwerk :P

You can always make your own by taking apart a cheap MIDI compatible keyboard. Or you can route said keyboard to your laptop and use a sample bank.

look here http://forum.watmm.com/index.php?showtopic=17191

hmm.. I wouldn't have posted this if that'd shown up on search. I was sure someone must've posted something like this before. sorry :)

Behringer BCR 2000.

  mrx said:

look here http://forum.watmm.com/index.php?showtopic=17191

That is definitely not the cheapest way to get as many assignable buttons and knobs as possible.

The only answer to this is the bcr.

There is no cheaper alternative which has an equal amount of knobs and buttons.

Wait, I just reread the OP, are you looking for just buttons and switches?

Because then forget the bcr.

Yeah, buttons & switches are really what im after, I have knobs in abundance

You could use a midikeyboard to trigger things with, just label the keys.

They can be obtained very cheaply.

Then look for the controller with the best button to knob ratio for the least money.

That's what I would do for a temporary solution.

If you really want a dedicated controller with a lot of buttons and switches you're going to have to spend a bit more money then on a 'regular' controller.

Building one yourself is of course an option, maybe even with the arduino kit (if you get a couple) but building it that it won't break within a relatively short period of time is going to be more expensive and time consuming.

Usually these kinds of controllers get quite some abuse.

Getting a good costum case built is usually pretty pricey.

Anyway this is just what I know/think.