25 vs 49 MIDI keys

[upd@te]

Hello Forumers!!

Im really interested in gettting my first MIDI keyboard. However, I dont know which to choose between the three:

1) AKAI LPK25 MINI 25-NOTE USB MIDI CONTROLLER KEYBOARD

video in action: http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q2UKyVYp4M&feature=player_embedded#at=16

2) Alesis Q25 (25 note usb midi)

http/www.alesis.com/q25

3) Alesis Q49 49-Key USB/MIDI Keyboard Controller

http/www.alesis.com/q49

Let me point out that price isnt an issue for me. My main concern is the amount of keys. 25 vs 49 keys. I am a pianist so when i saw the video of the akai midi keyboard in action, I was really surprised about its size! I know that the amount of keys really dont matter much, since its a''MIDI'' keyboard and you can program sounds into them. But still, can the 25 keys do everything the 49 keys do? Does the key difference matter that much?

Thank you for your insights, in advance!

 

[finn281175]

If you want to be playing stuff in realtime then yes it does matter. I know you can keep building up a piano score using midi and changing the octave on a 25 key controller but I find it much less time consuming when using 49 keys. I recently upgraded from a 25 key M-Audio to a Korg K49 and and I am so glad I did!

 

[upd@te]

yeah. Thats what i kinda thought. How was your jump from 25 to 49? Was there MUCH difference?

Also, since i play real piano notes aswell, do you think 49 is fine? Or still not enough? ( i do have a piano on the other room though, but i may be playing the 49 key one in my room, since its more accessible.)

Thanks!

 

[finn281175]

For me yeah a big difference. You cant really get too creative with only 25 keys! If your used to playing a piano and you can afford it (and have the space) then go for a full size midi keyboard.

 

[upd@te]

Best answer selected by upd@te.

 

[upd@te]

thanks! do you happen to use FL studio for effects?

 

[finn281175]

No. I am running Cubase rewired to Reason. All my effects are vst plug-ins.

 

[upd@te]

ok back to the keyboard question, sorry if I'm being a bit annoying..but anyways I mentioned that money is not an issue. but I would like to point out that the 25 key is around $100 while the 49 is $200.

I am just learning MIDI effects, thus Im just a starter. MIDI's are mainly for music editing/composition and effects and I probably do not need to play full on piano notes on it. Is 25 key really that hard to deal with? I'm considering it since its just a ''starter'' instrument for me, then again, why not add an extra $100 so I can get a better ''starter'' MIDI keyboard?

You said the 25 key is more time consuming, may I ask, on average by how much? Sorry for all the questions!!

Thanks!