Choosing a midi controller on keybed criteria only

[YannCaniz]

Hi,

I am a guitarist for 20 years now and I want to spend more time on piano to play pop and salsa.

I really care about felling and keybed is my number one priority and I am looking for a controller with heavy weighted keys, I range 400€ 61 keys products and I went to a musical shop this morning. I tried :

- the KK A61 and it felt too springy and the keys seemed to be too big, tall (maybe just personnal feeling) and too depth.
- The KK S61 perfect but out of budget.
- The SL73 too heavy
- The M-Audio Pro Oxygen feels nice but a bit too light
- I hated all arturia models except the 88 ones but out of budget.

I searched other brand on internet and I am wondering if the Nektar GXP61 could fit my expectations, unfortunately I won't be able to test it, I don't think any shops here around get it.

I also believed the Korg D1 is doing great but it has no USB connection...

Do anyone have any suggestion even if I know
keybed is kind of subjective but what I am looking for is a keybed weighted between full hammer and half-weighted.
I don't care about after touch or pads, but some knobs and faders would be well received.

Thanks

[FJ5]

Hey, for 400 euro you will struggle with fully weighted (piano) keys other than M-Audio which you've already tried. That said, you may be able to find M-Audio's previous model 88 Hammer Pro that I believe is a bit of a heavier feel.

For good quality semi-weighted feel (& by that I mean genuine semi-weighted, not just stiffer springs & 'closed' keys) I'd recommend Novation's Launchkey 88. I have one myself, very happy with it.

[3ptguitarist]

I suggest saving up more money for the KK s61 mk2. You might be able to get one at a used price somewhere.

[YannCaniz]

I think I will go for the Studiologic Numa Compact 2, it is the same keybed as the KK S61 for half the price.

[T-CM11]

I also believed the Korg D1 is doing great but it has no USB connection...

Why is that a problem? Just use a Midi to USB cable(/interface).

[rod_zero]

Weighted keys are quite bad in budget keyboards, you have to to look at casio privia line or a Yamaha p45 for good piano action on a budget. And good weighted keys in a 61 keyboard is very rare. Maybe look for a not too old casio privia second hand if you want good piano keys, or a Roland FP20, Yamaha P35.

The KKS61 its not a weighted KB at all, if you are liking that then you can find similar, they use a fatar key action, the Novation SL line uses the same and studio logic/numa uses the same.

[Psuper]

I've tried a good many mini keyboards and their various keybeds over the last 40 years and the one that I love the most is the Yamaha GHS. I have the KX8 at my main midi studio, and the DGX-670 in our living room for the family -- same keybed in both.

The GHS action is perfect for getting the most precise nuances in lighter, softer playing spot on, which is not easily accomplished in many of the available keybeds. The tradeoff for this keybed is you won't be speed-playing repetition single notes. This is not an issue at all for me as that type of play is superior on an unweighted synth keyboard.

Regardless, if you can find even an older used one you'll be in good shape, I've had my KX8 in active service for 10+ years and it plays the same as day 1.

[bmanic]

If you can find a not so heavily played and used Roland FP-30, then that keybed (PHA-4) is excellent in it's price point. You probably need to spend over 1500 euros to get anything better or closer to actual real piano keyboard action. At least that is my current experience.

Roland's PHA-4 action is really solid and very good bang for your bucks.

I've seen some FP-30 keyboards go for as low as 300 euros used. Not sure of the condition though, so make sure you can purchase locally and have an option to try it out yourself before buying as the PHA-4 action can get worn down and become uneven after many years of active playing.

The only caveat is that the FP-30 is rather large and chunky, 88 keys thing.. so perhaps too large for your setup?