I can't maneuver around quick enough on this Studiologic SL 990XP fully weighted controller. I feel like I'm mired in mud trying to play soft synths. The perfect midi controller for vst synth and Kontakt use would have 88 semi-weighted keys with after-touch. What are you guys using? Thx. Leonard


Side note.
I'm surprised there isn't more discussion here on how a patch interacts so differently with a user when that user switches from a light to semi-weighted to fully weighted controller. There are times I can very definitely tell what kind of keyboard a sound designer was using when he/she created that patch.

I haven't tried any of the newer 'boards, but I wanted to just say I have different 'boards for different uses. My old Alesis 88 key weighted is for pianos and orchestration (keyswitching), my Korg Triton Extreme is for most everything else, and my Novation X-Station is for particular kinds of lead work.

I'm sure you've thought about keeping the Studiologic and getting a light-action board for other uses...wouldn't that be the best of both worlds and permit playing two synths at once also?

It is quite astonishing that there are only a few 88 keys controllers out there with semi-weighted keys. Actually i was looking for 76-keys , but there is less available than 88 keys.

- Icon Logicon 8 air
- Studiologic VMK 88 plus
- M-Audio Keystation 88 es (but no aftertouch)

I think you have to choose carefully because there are quality issues with every model. You can get tons of 25-keys controllers, so i think mobility seems to be the biggest wish of the musicians in the last time

88 key controllers with semi-weighted keys are like unicorns.


Man up and work on your technique, then weighted keys won't be a problem.

You can get used Clavinova's for real cheap these days, and the keyboard action on those is superb.

They're quite bulky and only work over MIDI (well, the older ones for sure) but you won't get better for less than €500 imo.

Keep in mind that many of the libraries require 88 keys to best use their full key-switching functions. Every studio really should have an 88-key model imo.

Thanks for feedback, fellas. It is odd there isn't more 88 key semi-weighted midi controllers out there. I also have an X-Station -which is great for lead work. I'm actually considering the Jupiter 50. No doubt it has an excellent middleweight feel. But, it's $2000 and it only has 76 keys and all I really want is a midi controller. Perhaps used gear is the best way to get hold of one.

No, it's not odd. It's expected of 88 key controllers to be fully weighted, just like a real piano.