Hey guys!

I've been looking to get my first MIDI keyboard,
I'm no piano player so I don't need something too grand, but I realized I want 49 keys.
I've weighed my options mainly around M-Audio stuff.
I looked at the Keyrig 49, the Oxygen 49, and the Axiom 49.
The axiom is pretty expensive for me - but I can get a used one.

From reviews I see around it looks like EVERYONE is disappointed with their midi keyboards, so I really dunno what to pick.

Initially I went to the keyrig 49 for the price, but now I'm scared.
How much will I hate the "non-realistic" keys?
Is it better to buy a second-hand Oxygen or Axiom?
Is there something else for the 100-150$ price range?

Thanks a lot!

I also hate my M-Audio Keystation.

The E-MU Xboard series is very good though.

I like my Novation ReMOTE SL ... semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, loads of knobs, buttons and sliders, an X/Y pad, LCD screens, MIDI ports, USB and Automap.

Simple.
The Axiom is the only one there.
I had an Oxygen, which was just horrible.
Stuck notes, terrible action, loose usb connector.
Then I got the Axiom, and it was just perfect.
No sticking notes, great feel, and solid port/usb connector.
After over 2 years with it, never had a problem.
It's got aftertouch,and velocity curves too.

for what it's worth: I bought a cheap M-Audio keyboard about 5 years ago used on Craigslist for $40 (they don't even make it anymore). chunk of plastic garbage, very unrealistic keys, shoddy USB port,... i am still using it and it works great. had to update drivers a couple of times, but I am shocked it's still kicking. never had problems with stuck keys (or anything). the one thing that really bugs me about it is the non-weighted keys. if i'm playing synth parts, I don't notice it; but if i'm playing piano, it is a big bummer. I sometimes work stuff out on the piano in my living room, and then move over to the M-Audio and want to cry. BUT it does the job admirably.

Novation impulse or sl is better than axiom. I use the automap all the time. And i think impulse is cheaper than axiom.

It isn't 49 keys, but I've been very happy with my Edirol PCR-80 for years now. There was a problem with velocity failing on it, but Edirol repaired it free of charge. I can highly recommend that series.

That was my experience with KeyRig/Keystation too, Michael, and paid roughly the same on eBay. It's a really light (but quiet!) action, and I'm always surprised how well the keyboard tracks velocity. From a pinky to an elbow, it's right there. Especially nice for doing finger drum/percussion parts!

Featuring only pitch and mod controllers and one assignable data fader make it a poor choice for real-time, hands-on types, but I picked up a Korg NanoKontrol with gobs of assignable knobs and faders PLUS basic DAW control for $29 at Musician's Friend, and still only had $70 in the whole set-up!

KVR/eSoundz: Xenobt

If you aren't a piano player, you're not going to notice the "non-realistic" keys for the simple reason that you don't know what they're supposed to feel like in the first place. I'm assuming with "non-realistic" you mean unweighted keys as opposed to piano-like weighted keys.

i've never liked regular synth keys so i recently went with m-audio prokeys sono 61 which has the semi-weighted keys m-audio puts in their better midi keyboards. it has no bells and whistles like the axiom but the keys are the same - they don't feel exactly "real" but i much prefer them to the flimsy-feeling regular synth keys.

I used to have an Axiom 49 and I liked it. The feel of the keys was nice and it had a number of knobs, sliders, and a 8 drum pads.

I have a Roland A-Pro 500. I had an Axiom, but I couldn't get used to the keys. I tried te SL MkII but the XY pad is not responsive enough, and Automap, which is very handy indeed if you don't like to assign midi yourself, makes the keyboard far too expensive. This is of course my opinion.
What I like about the Roland is in the first place the keyboard itself. The keys play very easy and give a more solid feel without trying to be (hammered) piano keys. The instrument feels more solid too. What I also like is te manual. The entire software setup, midi, aftertouch...everything is explained in detail.

Both keyboards have weighted keys. Not hammered ones like piano, but pressure-sensitive.


Of course Automap is extremely easy to use and to learn. Work your way through the manual and in a few hours you know Automap. v4 is really useable, even for Kontakt instruments inside the NIsampler.

But the SLMkII costs 100Euro more here than the Roland and it is, my opinion, not that much better. Automap may be the only benefit. If you want an XY pad, get a Korg nanoPad. Together with the Roland you still save.

Behinger UMX keyboards are surpisingly good.

I have the M-Audio 61es the feel is amazing, beautiful velocity, just perfect and quite sensitive. It should be sensitive but no too sensitive and the velocity is right there on the perfect spot! And it's semi-weighted keys. The pitch wheel is extremely comfortable, and the modulation is so soft and easy to controll the effect and also easy to just kick/throw to full if using organs or something.
Hmmm ye its plastic so you might want to be abit carefull with it, that's all.
Over all I've been using it for 2years and am not changing it for any other MIDI Controller, just does its job perfectly!
And for more sound tweaking, envelope or wave forms I use my Korg NanoKontroll which fits PERFECTLY on top on the M-Audio 61es.

You haven't experienced any of the problems like with the PCR-30 series, with keys dying?

Picking up Analog Lab 49 keys before the end of June, will add 3 free Arturia synths