What's the best semi-weighted 49 key midi keyboard?

[fluffy_little_something]

axiom 49 , i had it for one month before the usb broke, never maudio again...

I have also read of several quality issues with M-Audio, which is why I opted for a Roland again, which unfortunately are also made in China these days. So it is definitely not the same quality as old Roland synths.

[TheNickC]

axiom 49 , i had it for one month before the usb broke, never maudio again...

I have also read of several quality issues with M-Audio, which is why I opted for a Roland again, which unfortunately are also made in China these days. So it is definitely not the same quality as old Roland synths.

I think for $150 no brand is going to be high quality. Have had a couple 49 key MIDI keyboards in the under $300 range and they've both had issues. Reading customer reviews on various MIDI keyboards I keep reading the same things too, some may score higher than others but they all seem to fail somewhat frequently

Currently have a novation launchkey 49, it's good when it works but it frequently disconnects and won't send data even though the LED is still on so the whole USB connection isn't shot...don't remember what I had previously but the keys felt very cheap and the pitch wheel would get out of tune constantly, and it also had an issue keeping it's connection

[t3toooo]

Currently have a novation launchkey 49, it's good when it works but it frequently disconnects and won't send data even though the LED is still on so the whole USB connection isn't shot...

I also had those symptoms with some of my gear.
Using a active powered USB hub solved the problem.

[fluffy_little_something]

axiom 49 , i had it for one month before the usb broke, never maudio again...

I have also read of several quality issues with M-Audio, which is why I opted for a Roland again, which unfortunately are also made in China these days. So it is definitely not the same quality as old Roland synths.

I think for $150 no brand is going to be high quality. Have had a couple 49 key MIDI keyboards in the under $300 range and they've both had issues. Reading customer reviews on various MIDI keyboards I keep reading the same things too, some may score higher than others but they all seem to fail somewhat frequently

Currently have a novation launchkey 49, it's good when it works but it frequently disconnects and won't send data even though the LED is still on so the whole USB connection isn't shot...don't remember what I had previously but the keys felt very cheap and the pitch wheel would get out of tune constantly, and it also had an issue keeping it's connection

Well, the Roland A-49 is about 200 dollars here, and it is relatively simple, no sliders, pads etc., not even a display. So frankly I do expect it to be high quality. I mean, such a keyboard looks big, but by modern standards it is simple inside and only so big because of the keys. Else they could make the whole thing the size of an iPod. And the keys are not expensive, they are made by the thousands, simple plastics shaping processes.

[Synchanter]

I went to a store and hit hard the keys of all the MIDI keyboards under $200.
My fingers liked the A-49 the most because it felt the sturdiest and most responsive to different pressures.
So far so good, it works fine with Reaper and my soft-synths.

[3ptguitarist]

I looked up the roland a-49, and sweetwater says it has synth action. Is this correct? I'm actually looking for semi-weighted keys. Thanks though.

[EnGee]

Your choices are numbered for under $200.

It is between Roland A-49, Novation Launchkey 49, M-Audio Oxygen 49 and Alesis QX49 for Midi Keys/Controllers. Your chance to find a better Keys action might be a second hand deal.

However, there is another solution (some are doing it really). Casio Keyboard like CTK series which has a better key action than the three above but has no mod/pitch wheels or any sliders. Anyway, Casio CTK has 61 keys, but with Korg NanoKONTROL2 can be a good combo under $200.

[rod_zero]

I looked up the roland a-49, and sweetwater says it has synth action. Is this correct? I'm actually looking for semi-weighted keys. Thanks though.

These days thye naming is quite all over the place, and the difference between wynth and semi weighted could big or small depending on the manufacurer.

[Synchanter]

I looked up the roland a-49, and sweetwater says it has synth action. Is this correct? I'm actually looking for semi-weighted keys. Thanks though.

I don't know exactly whether they are semi-weighted or not. The keys gave some resistance to pressing, which I liked. In my limited experience, it seems Roland did indeed pay some attention to keyboard feel compared to others the same price point. Don't want to build expectations this is some super-keyboard, feel is subjective, so do try it out if you can.

[poonna]

However, there is another solution (some are doing it really). Casio Keyboard like CTK series which has a better key action than the three above but has no mod/pitch wheels or any sliders. Anyway, Casio CTK has 61 keys, but with Korg NanoKONTROL2 can be a good combo under $200.

Be careful though, some of the lower-end CTK range don't even have velocity sensitivity. So check the specs well first.

I've got a Casio PX digital piano, too. Love the keys. I believe you will need a specific Casio MIDI driver for the USB model on Windows, because Windows default driver will have too high latency on them.

Years ago, I tried a few M-Audio and was never impressed with any of their models. I got the Novation in the end. Goes to show that key feel is very subjective.

[EnGee]

Be careful though, some of the lower-end CTK range don't even have velocity sensitivity. So check the specs well first.

Indeed. Two things to be checked, the velocity response and General Midi. Also, if it is able to connect to PC through USB (Many do, but not the cheapest ones).

I've got a Casio PX digital piano, too. Love the keys. I believe you will need a specific Casio MIDI driver for the USB model on Windows, because Windows default driver will have too high latency on them.

Lovely keys feel, isn't it?
The Previa series also has a bigger physical keys than my Oxygen 49 (which is tiny little longer keys than my previous Edirol M-50!). The keys of the Casio Previa are wider little bit. The keys also have the "ivory feel". They are plastic of course, but they are high quality plastic!. Another nice thing about PX-x50 series (and PX-5S) that they have High-Resolution Midi. Some programs (like Pianoteq) support Hi-Midi which gives not only 0-127 Midi info but 16,384 ( I don't know how it is calculated exactly, but it works with 14bit resolution).

For the Driver, I don't remember if I have installed a driver for Windows 8.1, but I did download Casio Data Editor for PX-5S which simplify organising/importing/designing your presets/stage setting ...etc. I don't have any Midi latency with Windows 8.1 when I use "Casio Midi ..etc" as output.

One important thing would help the OP to decide is if he would play Piano melodies, or it is just for simple Electronic melodies and mostly for Synth/effects controlling while pressing few keys (which any keyboard with some knobs/sliders would do).

Years ago, I tried a few M-Audio and was never impressed with any of their models. I got the Novation in the end. Goes to show that key feel is very subjective.

So true, it is very subjective. This becomes more subjective with digital/acoustic pianos. There are those who prefer the light weighted keys and those who prefer the heavy weighted keys, and those who are in the middle of course. Even the same company has different key actions. So that I advised the OP to go to check in the shop.

[damoog]

The new Alesis ones look nice - not tried one yet but they do what you want:

http://www.alesis.com/vi49

Honestly those are the worst looking controller keyboards ever

[aMUSEd]

Well personally I wouldn't want a bunch of pads on my left either (I wouldn't use them), but they do seem to have everything the OP asked for, plus these do have aftertouch and apparently good keybeds, although the buttons to knobs ratio is a bit weird.

[damoog]

Well personally I wouldn't want a bunch of pads on my left either (I wouldn't use them), but they do seem to have everything the OP asked for, plus these do have aftertouch and apparently good keybeds, although the buttons to knobs ratio is a bit weird.

Sorry to bit a bit of an arse with the last comment,if they have everything the op wants then fair enough...I'm not a fan of alesis gear though,I had a qx49 for a week and that thing was terribly built

I would recommend a nektar panorama 49,great keyboard semi weighted action,great integration with not only reason but ableton and cubase

[dsan@mail.com]

<snip>....I would recommend a nektar panorama 49,great keyboard semi weighted action,great integration with not only reason but ableton and cubase

Great reviews, good looking machine.

But then more than 3 times the price the OP had in mind -

What's the best semi-weighted 49 key midi keyboard? I'm hoping for something low cost, nothing more than $150. I can sometimes find used ones online for that price range.

Happy Musiking!
dsan