What is the best midi controller?

[Dj tonic]

I'm looking for some feed back from you hardcore reason users. I've been using reason with only my mouse and I'm ready to get a midi controller.What is the best midi controller to get the most out of reason v2.5,and what options should it have?Sliders,Buttons,Nobs???

[howie15]

I don't know how big of a controller you're looking for, or how much $$ you're looking to drop...but I bought an Oxygen 8 from a friend and it's a pretty sweet little unit. I also use my Roland JV-90 keyboard if I want to play any big parts in, but the I like the easy assignability of the Oxygen. Reason will learn by MIDI and automatically assign to one of the 8 knobs, slider, or any key. Even though it's small, it does transpose like 4 octaves both way. I got lucky and got mine for $70 but they sell new for about $140.00. For a bigger controller the Roland A-37, 76 key controller is nice, but a little more expensive @ $395.00
As far as what it should have, it depends on what you like. Do you like to turn knobs?? or move sliders?? Reason could care less since it's the same data, just a different tactile way of representing it, so it is up to you what you want to have on a controller.

Howie J

[Afrotronic]

I like the Edirol PCR series. You can program the 8 sliders, 8 knobs, and 9 buttons to control Reason, Sonar, etc. I also like the combined pitch bend/resonance joystick (instead of a dual wheel configuration, e.g., M-Audio Radium controller)

[bombastique]

Novation Remote25 wins it, hands down, in my book. I've used the Oxygen 8 and the Novation gives you way more control.

The Korg MicroControl is pretty cool, too - especially if you want pads to play on...