Best MIDI controller less than $500?

[Examigan]

I need a new one and was reading about Novation's lineup. I've heard the keys are nice on those, also the Komplete Kontrol keyboards are probably nice. I am just limited to a certain amount of $$. I'd prefer one that has aftertouch. I'd like 61 keys but could live with 49 I guess, and probably can't afford 88.

[chk071]

If you can stretch your budget a little bit, I would get this one: https://www.thomann.de/de/native_instru ... 61_mk2.htm

Aftertouch and a very nice keybed.

[killmaster]

I like the way the Nektar products integrate with my DAWs Reason and Bitwig and Live. I'm not sure if the keyboards are poly aftertouch. I use the P1 and it is so excellent.

[Ah_Dziz]

I bought a cheap controller every other year for quite a while. They basically broke like clockwork. I did m audio, the cheaper novations. Eventually I bought a nektor panorama 8 years ago and it's still working fine. Definitely worth spending a bit on it. I also tried some of the nicer novations over the years but after receiving 4 that were defective in the box I gave up on that.

[anomandaris1]

I have 2 Nektars and they work well. One has aftertouch and wasn't expensive -gxp.

[FranklyFlawless]

I need a new one and was reading about Novation's lineup. I've heard the keys are nice on those, also the Komplete Kontrol keyboards are probably nice. I am just limited to a certain amount of $$. I'd prefer one that has aftertouch. I'd like 61 keys but could live with 49 I guess, and probably can't afford 88.

I have several recommendations for each keybed size.

61:

• Akai Professional MPK261
• Alesis VI61
• Nektar Impact GXP61
• Nektar Panorama P6 (B-Stock)
• Nektar Panorama T6

88:

• Nektar Impact GXP88
• Studiologic SL88 Studio

Out of all of these, I would pick the Studiologic SL88 Studio, but the Nektar Panorama P6 (B-Stock) is also a thrifty choice worth considering.

[Examigan]

I also tried some of the nicer novations over the years but after receiving 4 that were defective in the box I gave up on that.

I was checking out the Novation Impulse 61 key as it looks good, on paper at least.

Anyone else have a Novation Impulse?

[SHall1000]

Depends on what you want of course but for the ultimate in connectivity, midi, cv, usb, DAW and hardware control, 8 track sequencer, illuminated keys with scales and zones, check out the SL MK3.

[Lectropunk aka influx808]

I tried all the leading midi controller but the best for me is my roland system 1 synthesizer it can be mapped to synths with midi learn, its really great I highly recommend this

[Ah_Dziz]

I also tried some of the nicer novations over the years but after receiving 4 that were defective in the box I gave up on that.

I was checking out the Novation Impulse 61 key as it looks good, on paper at least.

Anyone else have a Novation Impulse?

I used the impulse 61 after 2 axiom 61s died within 2 years. It lasted the same 2 years (approximately) then the pitch and mod wheels started acting up. I still use it as a secondary controller with PB and MW deactivated. I love 61 key controllers with heavy synth action keys (I'd consider the axiom, impulse and the panorama all as this). The panorama is kicking years later with no issues even after a dumb client spilled a 24oz beer right into the guts of it. If you're okay with difficult to repair hardware that's not really built to last I would highly recommend the m audio or the novation stuff around the price of the impulse. I might go with an NI keyboard now if I was looking for something since they have real wheels now. I can't stress enough how trouble free and fun to play the P6 nektor panorama is and has been though.

[Examigan]

I have 2 Nektars and they work well. One has aftertouch and wasn't expensive -gxp.

I checked out the Nektar Impact GXP61 and it seems pretty good, except I wish it had a 3-4 knobs somewhere on it for things such as cutoff and resonance.

[UtopianLament]

StudioLogic SL88 Fatar keybed with aftertouch is on sale for $500 on Reverb.

[thecontrolcentre]

I'm a fan of the Novation ReMote SL ... I have the original SL25. Bought it new in 2006 and it's still going strong after 17 years of daily use. It has two screens, mono-aftertouch, is velocity sensitive with loads of buttons, knobs & faders. If It ever stops working I think I'd look out for a second-hand SL37. Saw one on Ebay recently, in good condition for only £130. There's a 61 key version too. The older X-Stations work well as midi-controllers (with a built-in soundcard).

[alefri]

Novation 61SL mk2, has Fatar keybed, aftertouch, 24knobs/faders + 32 buttons + 8 pads and you can find it for less then €200

[chk071]

I also tried some of the nicer novations over the years but after receiving 4 that were defective in the box I gave up on that.

I was checking out the Novation Impulse 61 key as it looks good, on paper at least.

Anyone else have a Novation Impulse?

I have the Impulse 49, and, it's fine. The keys are good to play (no premium keys by any stretch though, but, no light synth action keys either), the Aftertouch is not very good (very inconsistent and very hard to dose), the sliders are nice, the encoders are endless encoders, and, when you haven't turned them for a while, after a while, they will get jumpy, and require some full turns again to stop being jumpy. It has a built in arpeggiator (not really many features, I always use software arpeggiators instead), and it's very easy and clear to configure (Novation always does a good job with that).

You also get some software with it, like Ableton Lite.

Overall, I'm happy with the keyboard. Especially for the money, it's very competitive (not many keyboards that have Aftertouch for that price). I can recommend.