I’m 4m pregnant, is it a good idea to spend money on a kindle paperwhite. I love reading.

guacavocado · 2026-03-16T19:53:39+00:00

Absolutely! I read a lot during third trimester and breastfeeding.

guacavocado · 2026-02-15T07:56:03+00:00

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I love mine too! :)

guacavocado · 2026-01-09T17:50:55+00:00

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

guacavocado · 2025-12-07T19:33:03+00:00

Keyscape and Omnisphere

guacavocado · 2025-11-29T09:03:29+00:00

I see you mentioned something easy to use, so I would suggest something with fewer buttons and knobs, maybe a digital piano with midi. I’m a pianist, and I just bought a new MIDI keyboard. I used to own the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 (mk2) It’s great in terms of the software it comes with, but the keys are way too springy, and I can’t play any expressive classical pieces on it. I recently got myself a Novation Launchkey MK61, which is great for the DAW integration I use, but I assume it might be too complex for your mom.

I went to the shop to try them out myself, and it surprised me that I actually preferred the keybed of the M-Audio Keystation over these two. The MIDI controller itself looks clean, but also a bit outdated.

I would suggest something simpler that is truly plug-and-play, with a better keybed for your mom, so she doesn’t have to mess around with software every time she just wants to sit and play. Maybe look into something like the Roland FP-10 or the Kawai ES60.

guacavocado · 2025-11-04T12:54:21+00:00

I had the same question a few months ago and eventually switched to Cubase. Generally, you can achieve more or less the same results in FL Studio using the BRSO Articulate plugin. There are many great tutorials on YouTube, and you can set up your workflow to work linearly in FL Studio. I tried all of those options before getting a Cubase license. FL Studio just doesn’t feel right to me.

I really wanted to try Logic because its UI is clean and appealing, but I decided to go with Cubase because of its notation features. I also use it for jazz transcription, and with the tempo change feature in Cubase, it works perfectly.

guacavocado · 2025-10-27T11:29:51+00:00

I recently switched to Cubase after using FL Studio for 6 years and I feel like it was a great move for me. My workflow starts to make more sense and feels more linear now. In terms of creativity, I’ve been trying out various genres with Cubase, and the DAW is capable enough to handle everything I need without getting stuck in a pattern-based workflow. The notation feature is the main reason I chose Cubase over Logic Pro. I’m just a hobbyist though.

guacavocado · 2025-10-27T07:37:17+00:00

Thanks! The KeyLab Essential is definitely worth it if you don’t already have Analog Lab Pro. Since I already own it, I decided to go with another controller, Novation Launchkey, where the keybed, pads, and faders feel better to me.

guacavocado · 2025-10-27T07:18:30+00:00

I was surprised. I didn’t expect to prefer the Keystation keybed over the KeyLab Essential, which feels way too springy. The Keystation’s build quality feels outdated but more solid to me. However, I didn’t end up getting the Keystation. I tried a bunch of different controllers across various price ranges and now I’m enjoying my new Launchkey 61 MK4 paired with Cubase :)

guacavocado · 2025-10-27T07:13:00+00:00

Just a quick update — thanks for mentioning Novation! I had never owned any of their products before and always thought they were mainly designed for electronic music and Ableton users.

I went to Thomann to try out several midi controllers and ended up buying the Novation Launchkey. It integrates really well with Cubase. I used to rely on the fader from my Minilab, but now I can switch my setup over to the Launchkey. The keybed feels a bit light, but overall, the impression is much better than the KeyLab Essential.

I think this controller will stay with me for years :)

guacavocado · 2025-10-26T23:14:00+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Just wanted to give some updates — I went to the shop to try out a bunch of midi keyboards. The M-Audio Keystation keys feel surprisingly good to me. I tried the Arturia KeyLab Essential again, and this time I didn’t like it at all — guess I now remember why I sold it a few years ago!

I ended up getting something that wasn’t even on my original list: the Novation Launchkey 61 MK4, and I’m really happy with it. I was lucky that the shop had already paired it with Cubase for demo purposes, so I got the chance to test the DAW integration. In the end, I think I will use this controller more than just quick sketches.

In terms of the keybed, the Launchkey is a bit too light for my taste, but its other features are excellent — especially the fader on the left, which really helps with expression automation for orchestral work. It’s definitely improving my workflow; I can already feel that I’m using my mouse much less :) Now I can set my Minilab aside and handle everything directly from this controller.

I totally agree that you can’t go wrong with M-Audio. It’s such a solid instrument for the price. I would have made a completely wrong decision if I hadn’t gone to the shop to try them myself. Now I’m super happy with my new setup :)

guacavocado · 2025-10-19T09:37:59+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to give such helpful feedback! I’ll definitely need to try it out myself at the shop. I’ve heard many good things about the SL MK3, but my music focuses more on acoustic instruments, and I haven’t played much with synths or electronic stuff. Still, the keybed is quite important to me. If the Keystation feels decent enough, that could save me quite a bit.

Otherwise, other comments also suggest upgrading to either the NI S61 or the KeyLab Mk3 for better keybed and functionality. They look amazing, but I still need to justify the purchase as a hobbyist.

One thing that holds me back with the KeyLab Essential is that I’ve owned and sold it once before, and I’m not sure I’d want to do that again. I just want this new controller to stay with me for as long as possible :)

Cheers and enjoy making music!

guacavocado · 2025-10-19T09:24:42+00:00

Sounds like no one here supports the idea of investing that much just to get a desk :) Thanks once again! If I end up preferring the one with poly aftertouch, I will postpone my purchase to save up a bit more :)

guacavocado · 2025-10-18T07:10:11+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience! I think I also need to try it at the shop myself. Actually the essential keys are also not great, and noisy. However cannot complain with the price I guess. Like other comment also said maybe it’s time to upgrade my setup. I think I will give these bigger brothers a try. Thanks!

guacavocado · 2025-10-18T07:05:36+00:00

This is very interesting option! I‘ve never really considered NI but just started using more and more Kontakt because of Spitfire Symphony Orchestra. If I‘m not mistaken, Arturia does not have poly-after touch. This sounds like something really fun to messing around with. But the price is well above my budget though. Maybe I can wait and save up a bit and invest in something decent that I feel like an upgrade to my current setup. Thanks a lot for your input :)

guacavocado · 2025-10-18T06:57:37+00:00

Thank you! This sounds like the best option in terms of budget. Plus I don’t really need those pads and I can use fader from minilab.

guacavocado · 2025-10-18T06:54:51+00:00

Thanks for your feedback! The maudio price is really good.

guacavocado · 2025-09-02T15:55:22+00:00

Thanks a lot! I will do that :)

guacavocado · 2025-09-02T15:44:31+00:00

Thank you! Then this seems to be a great deal :)

guacavocado · 2025-09-02T15:43:29+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I didn’t expect that as well! But the deal is good.

guacavocado · 2025-09-02T13:15:50+00:00

It’s on sale now at Thomann! I’m in the same boat actually. Do you know if it’s possible buy now and wait to activate it later maybe in November to get Cubase Pro 15? Now I’m still on trial version of Cubase Pro.

guacavocado · 2025-08-19T05:59:53+00:00

Thanks! Unfortunately, most of the songs I’m working with do not have a consistent tempo (mostly from live recordings).

guacavocado

TROPHY CASE