Ive never liked playing keys much, i like the grid based controllers however ive seen some amazing ideas with honeycomb type grid and a xylophone, just wondering what all is out there when it comes to different non traditional midi controllers
I am really liking playing the Expressive E Osmose. I'm note incredibly proficient at the keys, but the level of expression makes it possible to create subtleties that make up for my clunky playing. It's been really nice.
I’ve never been much into traditional keys myself either, and I think a grid-based controller could be a more intuitive way to play.
I find this to be an interesting question on the NDLR forum. It would almost seem like the expected answer would be the NDLR itself is the most fun non-traditional MIDI controller. I have three of what I consider non-traditional MIDI controllers, Conductive Labs NDLR, Torso Electronics T-1, and Midicake ARP. All three are extremely powerful and immensely fun - and all very different from each other. Of the three, I often fall back to the NDLR the most - I get a lot of satisfaction out of it.
I'm not a player of the black-n-white keys either. I've tried the grid of the deluge, with little success. I've found for live lead line noodling on top of running sequences, I like the pads of the ASM Hydrasynth desktop the best (although I don't typically control other devices with these MIDI pads). My other go-to for lead line playing is my Casio DH-100. I learned the saxophone in the 70s, so I got the Casio long long ago as my first MIDI controller. Expression wise, the Casio is very limited and frustrating for a player of a real sax. Therefore, I've got my eye on a Berglund NuRAD. For me, this may be the ultimate live MIDI controller. Or, I could save some cash and just get a Yamaha or Akai EWI controller.