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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 22, 2023 12:19:58 GMT -6
I sold my old M-Audio Keystation 88 a year or so ago…weighed about 60 lbs, weighted keys and just took up too much space. I replaced with a $200 cheap “synth action” 61 key M-Audio…it works (not well in Luna), but the non-weighted keys suuuuuck for anything other than B3.
I’m looking for at least semi weighted, probably just 49 keys because I’ve never played farther than two octaves in my illustrious keyboard playing career…would be cool if it had pads and faders for drawbars…and would be awesome if there were presets for plugs like B-3X.
I’ve been looking into the NI range and the A49 might be what I’m looking for - semi-weighted, fatar keybed. No frills. But no faders. The S49 looks great but it’s $700 freaking dollars. Anyone own an Arturia Keylab?
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Post by keymod on Dec 22, 2023 15:02:42 GMT -6
I have a first-gen Keylab88 which seems quite nice. I have yet to explore all of it's functions.
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Post by niklas1073 on Dec 22, 2023 15:20:12 GMT -6
I have an older short arturia, which i love as controller for moog and such. But for piano I am actually just about to pull the trigger on a studiologic sl73. Seem to be most bang for the buck. Has great hammered weighted keys with after touch. Something like 350 euros. Cant find anything beating that. They make also an 88 version of it.
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Post by sirthought on Dec 26, 2023 22:30:14 GMT -6
Most of the keyboard controller-only options are not semi weighted. I'd look at the Yamaha YC series. Their smallest is the 61 key, which is a waterfall/organ style keybed. The next size up, the YC 73, has semi weighted keys more like on a Rhodes or Wurli electric piano. The 88 is weighted more like a real piano, but not as high end as their really high end digital pianos ($7K+).
The nice thing about this YC series is they really have excellent on board sounds. I love the electric pianos as much or better than many of the plugin VIs. I think the pianos are nice enough for me, but if someone I'm recording has a favorite they prefer, the Yamaha USB interface is the nicest and easiest keyboard I've ever had the good fortune to track. Way more flexible than the Nord and Roland boards I've tried.
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Post by rob61 on Dec 27, 2023 7:22:28 GMT -6
Might wanna check out the Nektar T-4 (49 keys) or T-6 (61 keys) semi-weighted, aftertouch, adjustable velocity response, 9 sliders (which can be programmed for Hammond drawbars with the B-3 plugin), transport controls for all major DAWS, 8 rotary encoder knobs, and 8 drum pads, also with aftertouch. Small and portable, you can set it off to the side and grab it when you need.
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Post by mattbroiler on Dec 27, 2023 8:45:13 GMT -6
+1 for Nektar I have the LX25 and it's quite good compared to other controllers at the same price.
the fader and knobs in particular work very well for plugin controls
I'm not a keyboard player so can't comment on the key action from a more skilled standpoint but they are semi weighted. I sold my MAudio and Akai units and kept this one
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Post by skav on Dec 27, 2023 11:08:45 GMT -6
I like the Arturia minilab and microlab.
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Post by bluesholyman on Dec 27, 2023 14:50:45 GMT -6
I wish I had a good suggestion for "semi-weighted" and < 76 keys. That StudioLogic mentioned above would probably be my choice if I were looking. I currently have an M-Audio 88 Hammer aka "The Beast" that shifts gravity in that section of my studio. I like fully weighted 88 keys, even though my keyboard career is far less illustrious than yours. I'm still looking for the Key of H, but I think I need 96 keys for that. Haven't found one of those either.
For similar price, I think I would look at an Arturia Keylab, but I don't have any specific experience with those. For me its all about how it feels. For synth action, I have a Roland A500Pro that I found at Goodwill for $75 - got lucky on that one, love the action and it does the job, when I'm not transposing to the Key of H.
Let us know where you land....
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Post by sirthought on Dec 27, 2023 15:12:42 GMT -6
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Post by bluesholyman on Dec 27, 2023 15:52:32 GMT -6
I'll have to check this out on my Circle of 6ths. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 27, 2023 16:00:06 GMT -6
I wish I had a good suggestion for "semi-weighted" and < 76 keys. That StudioLogic mentioned above would probably be my choice if I were looking. I currently have an M-Audio 88 Hammer aka "The Beast" that shifts gravity in that section of my studio. I like fully weighted 88 keys, even though my keyboard career is far less illustrious than yours. I'm still looking for the Key of H, but I think I need 96 keys for that. Haven't found one of those either. For similar price, I think I would look at an Arturia Keylab, but I don't have any specific experience with those. For me its all about how it feels. For synth action, I have a Roland A500Pro that I found at Goodwill for $75 - got lucky on that one, love the action and it does the job, when I'm not transposing to the Key of H. Let us know where you land.... I hear you on the heavy. I had an M-Audio Keystation 88 that probably weighed 75 lbs...but sold it. (Imagine that) Then bought cheap, rudimentary 61 key M-Audio...didn't realize it, but I hate the synth action for anything other than B3. I've also been kinda leaning towards that Arturia Keylab 49 |
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Post by paulnajar on Dec 31, 2023 3:24:42 GMT -6
Another vote for the Nektar T or P series. The P is older but smarter. The T has a newer keybed which apparently feels slightly better. Longtime P series user here.
It may not be on you list of priorities but worth mentioning that the Nektar P series is by far the best DAW controller contained within a keyboard out there. It’s the only one I’m aware of that actually receives feedback from the DAW without any additional software in between.
If not the Nektars then anything with the Fatar TP9/ TP10 keybed. Widely considered about the best un/semi weighted keybed out there. I believe the Novation SL Mk3 series uses them amongst others.
If you want something more weighted check out the Studiologic SL73 controller. Fatar TP100/LR weighted action keybed. Pretty decent. Owned the 88 note for a while. For weighted action anything less that 73 keys there are very few options I’m aware of.
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