This is what I do at the moment. Using a Duronic keyboard tray mounted to my monitor stand for the synths above the Keylab 61. The Keylab is raised about an inch to get it to a height where the Digitakt cables can go under it and the keys are still playable while having the Digitakt in front. I find this is the best setup for putting the Digitakt front and centre (ish) for sequencing and playing.
I’ve considered swapping out the Keylab for something like a Korg Multi/Poly (don’t love the keybed though), or a UDO DMNO, or GS Music Bree6. But none of them quite fit the bill. I used to use a Reface CP with local control turned off which worked quite well, but I much prefer full sided, semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and a mod-wheel.
I’m always happier with a keyboard synth over a desktop module for all the reasons above (convenience, piano training, feels like an instrument and not just a sound module), but I also feel like built-in keybeds are better tuned to the instrument as far as velocity curves, sensitivity, and that kind of thing. It’s a small thing, but it matters a lot to me that they instrument responds well to the keybed–it’s the reason I sold my Minilogue XD with its horrible, note-dropping mini-keys.
Then again, there are definitely diminishing returns to having lots of keyboard synths. I only have one now, and I’d be happy with two for live performance, but any more than that and I’d run out of space.
I’m a piano player and limited on space. I have more controllers that I can fit in my home studio, including an 88-key Korg D1. I’m also picky about piano action. So for me it’s either desktop or rack mount. The only full synth I’d consider would be an Osmose, but that’s because it’s a unique instrument in its own right.
Dang this conversation, among some other things, really got me thinking.
I’m constantly trying to settle on a “live” setup, mostly centered around live looping.
One of the big decision points is whether to go with:
1 controller + multi timbral module + sequencer (pyramid) as “looper”
2 keyed synths + 1 or 2 loopers
Option A has the least amount of cabling and physical space required. But you can only play one “part” at a time, and then need to layer on top.
Option B you can play two parts at once, but requires more physical space, and is more difficult to load/move.
I like both ideas. Right now I have the gear for Option A so I guess my next step is testing and playing with it. Option B would require me to sell and buy some stuff, but I’m quite tempted by some of the arguments in this thread. I can’t deny that having a self-contained instrument has its charms and upside.
This is how I do it. Each controller preset has 3 channels, one each for drum pads, left keyboard, right keyboard. So preset one is ch 1,2,3, preset two is 4,5,6, etc. Except for my Prophet REV2, which gets the full keyboard (but also has its own split mode).
