KVR Audio

dupont · Post by **dupont** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:31 pm

I have several 4 octaves keyboards but I received a 50 $ voucher to spend in a music retailer

.
I would like to take this opportunity to buy a 2 octaves (with drum pads and control knobs) mini keyboard to add to my little live setup when I gig techno sets outside, in the wood

: APC 40 MKII, Laptop + bitwig, 2 JBL PARTY110
I hesitate between :
1.Akai MPK mini MK3 but I red bad reviews about the keyboard with is fragile and too hard.
2.Arturia minilab MK2.
3.Something else in the 100 $ price range
What would you advice ?

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:36 pm

This one maybe? https://novationmusic.com/de/keys/launchkey-mini

86 € at Thomann.

BTW, if you're interested in hands on experience: The Arturia MiniLab has some nice keys, but, the encoders suck big time. I wouldn't buy it if you want to make use of those.

dupont · Post by **dupont** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:51 pm

chk071 wrote: Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:36 pm This one maybe? https://novationmusic.com/de/keys/launchkey-mini

86 € at Thomann.

BTW, if you're interested in hands on experience: The Arturia MiniLab has some nice keys, but, the encoders suck big time. I wouldn't buy it if you want to make use of those.

what is wrong with arturia encoders, I don't think the retailer has novation keyboards to sell !

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 3:14 pm

They were jumpy (jumped in values back and forth a lot when you turn them) and not very precise.

dupont · Post by **dupont** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 5:07 pm

chk071 wrote: Mon Sep 05, 2022 3:14 pm They were jumpy (jumped in values back and forth a lot when you turn them) and not very precise.

no good for live performance !
So let say none of AKAI or ARTURIA is a good choice.

FJ5 · Post by **FJ5** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 8:15 am

Nektar LX Mini? 25 keys, 8 pads, 8 knobs, 2 X Arps, deep DAW integration?

I have it as my portable keyboard, quite impressed...

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/ne ... ct-lx-mini

Might not fit inside $100 budget though - Sweetwater have it at $120.

AdvancedFollower · Post by **AdvancedFollower** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 9:45 am

MPK Mini Mk3 has a significantly improved keybed compared to the Mk2 which is probably where all the bad reviews come from.

The velocity sensitivity can also be adjusted, though it's an undocumented feature for some reason. If you press and hold the Full Level button for 5 seconds, you get into a secret menu where you can adjust the velocity curve and black key balance.

GaryG · Post by **GaryG** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 12:53 pm

chk071 wrote: Mon Sep 05, 2022 2:36 pm This one maybe? https://novationmusic.com/de/keys/launchkey-mini

86 € at Thomann.

BTW, if you're interested in hands on experience: The Arturia MiniLab has some nice keys, but, the encoders suck big time. I wouldn't buy it if you want to make use of those.

I didn't like the feel of them at all but felt the keyboard is by far the best mini keyboard I've tried so ended up buying the microlab (just the keys).

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 1:09 pm

Yeah, I can confirm that the keyboard is very nice. It's just the encoders which are bad.

Tj Shredder · Post by **Tj Shredder** » Tue Sep 13, 2022 12:31 pm

chk071 wrote: Mon Sep 05, 2022 3:14 pm They were jumpy (jumped in values back and forth a lot when you turn them) and not very precise.

Encoders can’t jump, only the software receiving it can. If they don’t understand inc/dec Midi, they jump. You actually can’t get more precise than with encoders. Some software simply assumes all is a pot or a fader…
I had good experiences with Arturia keyboards in the past (including the encoders), but totally switched to expressive controllers, as they give me so much more…

Advice for a 2 octaves mini keyboard