Best MIDI controller less than $500?

[Examigan]

I was also just thinking what would be the best one if aftertouch wasn’t a factor. I don’t use it much anyway and it could save me some cash if that wasn’t a requirement.

[anotherscott]

Samson Graphite 49 is a low cost nice feeling board with aftertouch and lots of controls.

If you stretch a little, you could consider Hydrasynth Explorer, which has decent MIDI functionality, but has polyphonic aftertouch. and nice internal sound engine as well.

[mixyguy2]

Bump for additional inputs!

[felis]

Arturia Keylab:

Velocity
Release Velocity
Keys send after touch
Pads send polyphonic after touch

[MFXxx]

Just on a tangent would a Roland Gaia 2 meet the mark?

[stoopicus]

Arturia Keylab:

Velocity
Release Velocity
Keys send after touch
Pads send polyphonic after touch

I love my KeyLab 61 Mk. 2, but like clockwork, a couple years old and the knobs and faders are starting to get sticky. This isn't just an Arturia thing of course, but I really wish companies would stop using these coatings that degrade. Luckily there's a solution:

[chk071]

I recently bought an Arturia Keylab 49 mk3. I really like it. It's better in every regard than my former MIDI keyboards (M-Audio Oxygen mk2, M-Audio Axiom 49 2nd gen, and the Novation Impulse 49). Compared to the Impulse 49, it has a much better keybed, much better Aftertouch (you can actually dose it now...), better knobs and faders, and also the better software to configure it (Arturia MIDI Control Center).

Now, if Arturia and NI also make bi-directional communication with Komplete Kontrol possible, it would become even better.

[whyterabbyt]

Luckily there's a solution

He's recommending Isopropyl Alcolhol, but from my experience, IPA isnt actually the best thing for this. There's solutions you can buy specifically for removing sticker residue etc that so actually worked better for me. I'd tried 90% IPA solution on stuff where it wasnt nearly as effective as this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TAT4GM

The 'advantage' of IPA compared to that is that its not quite as noxious and horrible to breathe. Solvents do f**k up your lungs though. Be careful either way, use the proper kind of respirator, ventilate the room well, or just do it outside.