A short update on the studio...
I have decided, as I'm doing only Ambient music these days, that I'll withdraw all MIDI connections to my DAW, and simply play my synths live from a keyboard, recording them thru audio in my DAW... it gives a more less "programmed" feel to the overall compositions since it's more varied, and nothing will be copy/pasted at all... I've gotten used to working this way now, and I am fine with it... I still have two MIDI connections from the computer in case I need to dump sounds or edit my Prophet 12 from an editor when creating presets, but this is a process done separately from composing.
But to do this, I needed another MIDI keyboard controller, because as I want between 4 and 8 synths to play around with, I cannot connect more than one to my current Roland A-49 controller, so I would have to get a MIDI THRU device to hook up more on different MIDI channels.
But there is something about the A-49 I do not like... first off, it does not have aftertouch, second, it's keys seem a bit shorter than a standard keyboard... also I feel it's a little too stiff... I'm used to playing synth actian, and I tend to miss notes on that behalf... it's just not a controller for me, though I liked the fact that it has a built in D-Beam controller... but I can live without that.
So I've looked for a GOOD keyboard controller that also has more octaves and a better feel... unfortunately such keyboard is not made these days... it's sad really... all controller keyboard are SHIT! (pardon my french).
But I managed to locate a Roland A-70 yesterday, which has one of the best synth action keybeds ever made in my opinion, it has 76 keys, and even four MIDI outputs which is PERFECT for what I need... on top it has a wery well adjusted aftertuch that is not like other Roland keybeds, where you have to break your fingers to get it, anf has plenty of both sliders, levers and mod/pitch wheels... it also has two MIDI inputs to connect external controllers and sequencers, which is exactly what I need from my DAW to send dumps to the synths.
Only problem is it's size... it will practically take up ALL the space on my studiotable, and block the three lowest units in the rackpanels right behind it... so I need to raise all synths up on the monitor shelf, and find a solution for the keyboard and mouse to my DAW... that'll be a bit of a challenge.
It has to be done though... if I am to play live, it's very important to have a superb keybed to work with, and the A-70 will deliver on that... it also has a build in tone generator for piano sounds via an optional card, but I'll probably not use it... may even sell it.
So yes... the Waldorf Quantum has been dropped ... it is too expensive for what it does, the P12 I have can do much of the same stuff though they are not the same and has 4 voices more... so that's one of my keepers in the studio... if the Quantum ever comes as a module, I may jump it... otherwise not.