KVR Audio

Flooper · Post by **Flooper** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:19 pm

Hello all,
As a way to expand my horizons and further my non-existent music theory knowledge, i opted to purchase a midi controller, even though i'm a guitar player - but planning to use the keyboard to learn piano.
As i just can't seem to settle about quite a lot of things, finding one isn't easy, that after testing a few in a couple of Music stores.

Requirements:
- 49 semi-weighted keys, velocity sensitive with aftertouch
- 4 pads at least, large MPC style.
- 4 knobs/encoders minimum.
- 1 fader min.
- LCD/LED screen preferable.

This is the shortlist, AKA - Keyboards i tried and liked, and why i didn't purchase them:
Nektar Impact LX49+ - no aftertouch, keys felt a little too soft, but good.
Novation Impulse 49 - Keys are good but a tad too soft, felt a little too flimsy, but best bang for the buck with aftertouch, although heard of it being of low quality.
AKAI MPK-49 - Good Keys and solid construction,but pads felt weird, it's an old model so i'm a little scared about compatibility issues.
Arturia KeyLab 49 - Felt good, but not as good as the Nektar, read about quality control issues...not very appealing for me.

What i'm also considering:
Samson Graphite 49 - Has all the features i want at a low cost. (Compatibility/DAW integration issues?)
M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 - Old version, not so sure it'll work - heard a lot of bad things about it and abou M-Audio products in general...so more than a little wary...

Current shortlist:
Akai MPK-249 - Looks amazing on paper, read nothing but good things on it - but it's really expensive.
Novation SL MKII - Read a lot of good things about it, and it's the coolest of the bunch - control-wise, but the pads are next to useless from what i understand.
Roland/Cakewalk A-500 Pro - Can't find too much about it online, but from what i've read - it's underrated.

Any insights or suggestions will be appreciated, bear in mind i'm on Win 8.1 machine with no specific DAW in mind, using Sonar and Cubase for now.

Thanks

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:28 pm

Roland A500Pro could be other option. Best keys from the bunch too.

Flooper · Post by **Flooper** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 5:09 pm

Thanks, i'll look into it - although a little out of my price range.

garryknight · Post by **garryknight** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 6:57 pm

I've got the Samson Graphite 25 and it has two problems for me. Firstly, the velocity curve for the keyboard is such that, no matter how it's set, I have to thump the keys to get a decent velocity; I usually have to go into the piano roll and adjust everything. Secondly, the pads also need to be hit pretty hard to get a response from them. Comments I've read (can't remember where; Amazon?) also mention the pad sensitivity, or lack of, in the Graphite 49. It might also have the velocity curve problem, too.

Of course, if you're playing live and always smash the keys and pads, it shouldn't be a problem.

Flooper · Post by **Flooper** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:19 pm

Yeah, i heard about those issues on a review, and a couple Amazon review...also about problems with DAW setup/integration...
It looked good as a whole package at a low price...but i guess corners were cut to achieve that price...

DrGonzo · Post by **DrGonzo** » Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:22 am

I bought the smaller Arturia Analog Lab controller a long time ago - and that turned out to be total and utter rubbish. Never used it a lot and a couple of days ago I unpacked it and the keys give weird spongy sounds and the pitch bend constantly sends short bursts of PB controller data.

Granted that was the first generation of Arturia controllers, but I'm burned for life. Wouldn't buy another one.

I was in the same position as the OP a couple of months ago and I jumped on the Komplete Kontrol bandwagon. GREAT GREAT keys. If you got money - make sure you get a keybed by Fatar. It's just plain love to play on those keys.

/C

Flooper · Post by **Flooper** » Sun Apr 02, 2017 9:01 am

Yeah, NI are complete bastards producing controllers so good... I tried the S25 and was annoyed i couldn't afford it lol...
I'm currently aiming for Akai MPK-249, although it's a stretch, but have yet to encounter an all-rounder like it, keybed, pad, integration... It's even difficult to find a negative review online...
Oh, and i tried the minilab once in a store just for kicks... It felt like a toy... The Keylab range is much better, but it rubbed me the wrong way, and read a lot about quality control issues about it...

kiki_90291 · Post by **kiki_90291** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 1:48 am

I have the Roland A500 Pro - the keys feel really good, but there are two issues. First, the after touch is apparently very, very hard to trigger (I haven't been able to get it to work and have read that you really have to jam down on the keys to get anything). Second, teh software is typical Roland awfulness. I had to try two different computers to recognize the keyboard. It's relatively simple to program, but I use mine with my iPad, which means I have to witch between class compliant and "advanced USB" to switch between programming and playing. I imagine if you are using it with a computer, it's much less of an issue, but for my rig, it is very cumbersome.

The keys do feel really nice and, also typical Roland, it's built like a tank. So there are positive aspects. If you are using it with a computer and a DAW (it has pre-programmed control maps for several popular DAWs), and you can figure out how to get the aftertouch to work more easily, it's a nice unit. I got mine used for a good price and I mostly use the keys and don't use the other controls a whole lot, so I'm not too disappointed.

I've noodled around on one of the new Akai Advance units. Also very pricey, but they felt really nice. I was just at the store so had no opportunity to evaluate the software.

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 4:55 am

Ignore the price differences. Controllers are key gear!

Get what makes you happy and productive.
I have two Novation SLs. Love the keys but the pads are useless so I do keydrumming (Pinheiro!), and may buy thick APC pads later....

hyperscientist · Post by **hyperscientist** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 6:23 am

Roland A-500 Pro would be my first choice because it is quality instrument all around. Novation SL MK2 would be second choice because great keybed, but lesser quality.

Both are rather old however and have terrible software, so I would likely settle on Korg Taktile which has the same keys as professional KingKorg and has relatively not so bad software.

I am certain any of the three would be better than MPK.

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:02 am

I didn't like the keys on the Kingkorg at all, felt really cheap.

I think the NI Kontrol S might be a nice option, except for the lack of pads.

hyperscientist · Post by **hyperscientist** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:14 pm

rod_zero wrote:I didn't like the keys on the Kingkorg at all, felt really cheap.

Of course you may feel that way, but KingKorg is played by the likes of Cory Henry, so regardless of the feeling they are at least capable of consistent velocity and large dynamic range - something that is not at all given for most of midi controllers out there.

Check this out, 5th minute onwards:

Flooper · Post by **Flooper** » Sat Apr 15, 2017 8:02 pm

hyperscientist wrote:
rod_zero wrote:I didn't like the keys on the Kingkorg at all, felt really cheap.
Of course you may feel that way, but KingKorg is played by the likes of Cory Henry, so regardless of the feeling they are at least capable of consistent velocity and large dynamic range - something that is not at all given for most of midi controllers out there.

Check this out, 5th minute onwards:

That's nothing short of amazing...
But i guess it's a matter of personal preference.

On topic, i opted to go with the MPK249, and it's amazing....sure i liked other keybeds, but this is definitely the one i liked best

EzVidz · Post by **EzVidz** » Sat May 06, 2017 2:27 pm

Depending on what how much DAW's your using but Novation's Launch key are pretty much supported by almost all of them.
And the quality is pretty decent for the price.

49 key Midi Controller search