I'll be honest I'm rather impatient when it comes to making beats.

I'm finding it rather boring and somewhat difficult to make beats without using a keyboard. I can still knock out great tunes, but it's often that I have to think too much for making melodies and basslines. It's kind of stressfull because I'll hear a great melody in my head, but it would leave my head before I can create it. It bogs my creativity and I can't get into the flow. I would rather compose music by playing. Playing is fun, and I normally play piano so I feel it would make my production go a lot smoother.

Making beats without a keyboard is great so far, but it would feel a whole lot easier with a keyboard. Just venting a bit of steam. I just want to hear some comments and testimonials about you guys' keyboards.

H. Ejam

HAHA Counter intuitive sounds like the right word. Well said!

It's actually easier and quicker to use a midi keyboard depending on how much time you spend on making music. I actually do about five tracks a day rather i finish them or not!!!! By me knowing how to play, i can use the piano roll in FL and just line up everything.......it usually doesn't take me that long.......i usually know what key signatures i'm going to use.....i then add my chords afterwards. I do that with the basslines too.

I really like using the step sequencer for my drums.....i don't use the playlist too often....it's quicker for me to use the step sequencer. Alot of people sleep on FL, but if you take a little time and learn it.......you can create some nice tracks!

I don't care what these so call big name producers say about FL.......many of them use FL on the down low then convert their tracks to whatever hardware they use......they won't say it on record, but behind the scene they give FL props!!!!

I use FL 7 XXL Producer Edition & Reason 3.0 with an extensive library of sounds.

Yes very true, these past couple of weeks I've actually taken the time learn how to use FL studio, and my tracks have improved tremendously. It also helps to learn because FL studio has a lot of flexibility, allowing you to be more creative, which gives you an edge over other producers.

Yup i'm in the same boat...have only made beats using the good ol comp keyboard haha still waitin to get the midi keyboard...but to answer ur ? if ur lookin for a cheap board for around $150, u can go with the M-audio Oxygen 49keys for $139.00 or there's a 61 key for $169.00, i was gonna go with the 61 until i heard about the Emu-X board 49 key...comes with some stuff an i hear the keys feel good so ima prolly go with that now...

links:

http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Oxygen49-49key-Mobile-USB-Controller?sku=706311

http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Oxygen61-61Key-Mobile-USB-Controller?sku=706312

http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/EMu-Xboard-49-USBMIDI-Controller?sku=706284

so there u have it...those are some good ones to choose from for the price range...but if u can dish out just a bit more go for emu-x...ima tryin dish it out...as that board is raising in rating.

Yeah for some reason, the m-audio oxygen 49 is just calling me. Its what I want for christmas this year!

the only reason i really want a keyboard is to make playing chords easier, and for any sounds that may be included