Your opinion on these two 88-note keyboards?
Here, these two models are retained, but certainly other models.
Most importantly, good keyboard quality, build quality and reliability.
Thank you for your answers.
Novation launchkey 88 mk3 vs Arturia Keylab essential 88 mk3
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- KVRAF
- 7115 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
Nektar Impact GXP88, maybe?
They have a cool software Nektarine, that provides a plugin host for if up to 10 VST instruments with loads of features too. Layering, split and so forth.
But not much of sliders and pads if that is your aim. But thankfully really compact and fits on a desk even.
Keybed is really nice, but maybe it's a bit noisy when letting a key go. A little vibrating noise.
- but cost a lot less, $240 and there about
Got a 61 key as master keyboard now, and just felt like pushing it a bit.
They have a cool software Nektarine, that provides a plugin host for if up to 10 VST instruments with loads of features too. Layering, split and so forth.
But not much of sliders and pads if that is your aim. But thankfully really compact and fits on a desk even.
Keybed is really nice, but maybe it's a bit noisy when letting a key go. A little vibrating noise.
- but cost a lot less, $240 and there about
Got a 61 key as master keyboard now, and just felt like pushing it a bit.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 901 posts since 7 Aug, 2018
Thank you for your response.
Even if the price is not very high, I prefer to have a quality keyboard if possible.
There is the Studiologic brand and M audio as well.
Apparently they don't make bad products.
Even if the price is not very high, I prefer to have a quality keyboard if possible.
There is the Studiologic brand and M audio as well.
Apparently they don't make bad products.
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- KVRAF
- 7115 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
I had the Arturia Analog Lab 2006-2007 or so, and keybed was similar to Polybrute that I had.
- a little on the lighter side, but good
- I suspect Arturia stick to that
If to take Nektar I mentioned it's a little heavier touch. But like it.
- apart from keybed, expression pedal and aftertouch was essential in my case
- Arturia is a little longer travel in AT part, both Analog Lab and Polybrute, and probably the best I felt in that part if extensive use AT
I had a M-Audio Axiom more than 10 years ago, but I did not fancy keyboard at all.
- inflation in what is called semi-weighted, I would say, and shorter travel of key over all
- I had it for a week before selling it
I had a StudioLogic VMK-161 model, but it got serious transport damage and returned that.
- but Fatar keybed was real weighted in this case and that kind of feel
- maybe not optimal for synth, but for piano action
- a little on the lighter side, but good
- I suspect Arturia stick to that
If to take Nektar I mentioned it's a little heavier touch. But like it.
- apart from keybed, expression pedal and aftertouch was essential in my case
- Arturia is a little longer travel in AT part, both Analog Lab and Polybrute, and probably the best I felt in that part if extensive use AT
I had a M-Audio Axiom more than 10 years ago, but I did not fancy keyboard at all.
- inflation in what is called semi-weighted, I would say, and shorter travel of key over all
- I had it for a week before selling it
I had a StudioLogic VMK-161 model, but it got serious transport damage and returned that.
- but Fatar keybed was real weighted in this case and that kind of feel
- maybe not optimal for synth, but for piano action
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- KVRist
- 176 posts since 17 Dec, 2010
I feel like neither of the two new controllers from Novation or Arturia are a good investment at this time. The Arturia doesn't have polyphonic aftertouch, and the Novation has NO aftertouch at all.
It's bad timing because soft synths utilizing polyphonic modulation is absolutely becoming the norm. U-he is updating his whole line accordingly, Serum 2 will definitely rock it, NI stuff of course, and the new sample players competing with Kontakt are doing it too. Having a few knobs, sliders, and pads isn't going to suffice anymore and it really feels like the two most recent products from both Novation and Arturia are just "phoned in" and both absolutely miss the mark.
I'm half expecting Behringer to come swooping in with a MIDI controller addressing software control and keybed needs in the year 2024. Because with Arturia and Novation pooping out these two duds, this is all we are going to see from them for a long time. IMO they basically exited the building and left the door open for another manufacturer.
It's bad timing because soft synths utilizing polyphonic modulation is absolutely becoming the norm. U-he is updating his whole line accordingly, Serum 2 will definitely rock it, NI stuff of course, and the new sample players competing with Kontakt are doing it too. Having a few knobs, sliders, and pads isn't going to suffice anymore and it really feels like the two most recent products from both Novation and Arturia are just "phoned in" and both absolutely miss the mark.
I'm half expecting Behringer to come swooping in with a MIDI controller addressing software control and keybed needs in the year 2024. Because with Arturia and Novation pooping out these two duds, this is all we are going to see from them for a long time. IMO they basically exited the building and left the door open for another manufacturer.
"music is the best"
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- KVRAF
- 7115 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
Last update I had on Polybrute before dropping it has this semi-poly AT that worked pretty well.
Maybe they implemented that technique on their midi controllers too.
It worked like the last key touched will give AT, not the others. So rather close to real poly AT IMO.
Overall I think poly AT is overrated. Even playing two handed a lot when doing soloing where AT is used it's good enough with channel AT. But if really needing it for a recording you can do solo alone in separate recording.
- live use is different of course
Some folks want the latest that I cannot see makes a big difference for the musical side of things.
- midi 2.0
- mpe
- poly AT
I think the reason market is not crowded with poly AT keyboards is that it's not much in demand.
I've seen demos of these multi touch keybeds, whatever they are called, and it's basically for solo mono instruments like saxophone etc.
- so doing single notes, it does not matter if poly AT even
Poly AT, technique that is looking for a purpose, IMO.
- if to exaggerate a bit
Maybe they implemented that technique on their midi controllers too.
It worked like the last key touched will give AT, not the others. So rather close to real poly AT IMO.
Overall I think poly AT is overrated. Even playing two handed a lot when doing soloing where AT is used it's good enough with channel AT. But if really needing it for a recording you can do solo alone in separate recording.
- live use is different of course
Some folks want the latest that I cannot see makes a big difference for the musical side of things.
- midi 2.0
- mpe
- poly AT
I think the reason market is not crowded with poly AT keyboards is that it's not much in demand.
I've seen demos of these multi touch keybeds, whatever they are called, and it's basically for solo mono instruments like saxophone etc.
- so doing single notes, it does not matter if poly AT even
Poly AT, technique that is looking for a purpose, IMO.
- if to exaggerate a bit