KVR Audio

hotmitts · Post by **hotmitts** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 3:19 pm

The MIDI keyboards I have had, tend to get a problem (after some time) where they send incorrect pitch data so they go out of tune.

So I'm looking for a budget (preferably round £80 -ish) option - good feeling keys, 32 to 49 keys I reckon would be good if possible...no frills just preferably nice keys to play with velocity, and a reliable make more than anything

Any thoughts?

ksandvik · Post by **ksandvik** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 4:53 pm

That's the curse with cheap MIDI keyboards, better spend money on something more reliable, Novation Launchkey, Alturia Keylabs et rest. The nice thing is that those pesky good MIDI keyboards last for years and years.

Seafire Mk2 · Post by **Seafire Mk2** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:01 pm

Do you want midi and USB, or just USB?

'Synth keys' or semi weighted?

hotmitts · Post by **hotmitts** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:08 pm

ksandvik wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2026 4:53 pm That's the curse with cheap MIDI keyboards, better spend money on something more reliable, Novation Launchkey, Alturia Keylabs et rest. The nice thing is that those pesky good MIDI keyboards last for years and years.

Thanks ... yes I'm looking at Arturia options at moment...I'll check Novation too.

Seafire Mk2 wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:01 pm Do you want midi and USB, or just USB?

'Synth keys' or semi weighted?

Kind of depends what's affordable - semi-weighted would be great for sure. USB is fine but I'd prefer soemthing with an external power source, another problem I had with a USB powered keyboard once, was that it was overloading the system power wise.

I'm thinking it may be better to spend a bit more and get quality rather than yet another cheap thing that doesn't last

hotmitts · Post by **hotmitts** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:08 pm

in fact this looks good maybe?

https://www.gear4music.com/Keyboards-an ... UIQAvD_BwE

eLawnMust · Post by **eLawnMust** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:24 pm

I have a number but like KORG microKontrol... It's 32 keys but keys are smallish so whole unit is not too big physically... Has X/Y pitch bend/modwheel, pads, knobs-sliders...

hotmitts · Post by **hotmitts** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:27 pm

eLawnMust wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:24 pm I have a number but like KORG microKontrol... It's 32 keys but keys are smallish so whole unit is not too big physically... Has X/Y pitch bend/modwheel, pads, knobs-sliders...

Thanks...Mmn looks good, how are the keys to play ?

ksandvik · Post by **ksandvik** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:38 pm

Hard to know with used gear, I suspect good means it's been used for a longer time as it's an old model. I would go with a Mk4 Launchkey myself as it has excellent integration with DAWs such as Logic and Ableton Live. But you pay more, then. Sometimes you get good deals from the novation site with refurbished/returned items -- someone used it less than 30 days and returned it.

hotmitts · Post by **hotmitts** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:41 pm

ksandvik wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:38 pm Hard to know with used gear, I suspect good means it's been used for a longer time as it's an old model. I would go with a Mk4 Launchkey myself as it has excellent integration with DAWs such as Logic and Ableton Live. But you pay more, then. Sometimes you get good deals from the novation site with refurbished/returned items -- someone used it less than 30 days and returned it.

Thanks ksandvik... see what you mean...

This one's new but on offer...
https://novationmusic.com/products/laun ... 4oQAvD_BwE

Seafire Mk2 · Post by **Seafire Mk2** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:44 pm

ksandvik wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2026 4:53 pm
Seafire Mk2 wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2026 5:01 pm Do you want midi and USB, or just USB?

'Synth keys' or semi weighted?
Kind of depends what's affordable - semi-weighted would be great for sure. USB is fine but I'd prefer soemthing with an external power source, another problem I had with a USB powered keyboard once, was that it was overloading the system power wise.

I'm thinking it may be better to spend a bit more and get quality rather than yet another cheap thing that doesn't last

I only ask a I bought a small controller which had 8 knobs, 8 pads and keys, but the only connection was usb, for data and power. Fine if you are totally pc only (or mac) but became not much use when trying to integrate with hardware etc.

Bang for buck, I would say a Novation slk. Haven't tried the newest, but mk2 and mk3 were great.

If you are just a pianist/ keyboard player you may want something simpler with a better keybed

ksandvik · Post by **ksandvik** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 6:19 pm

[quote=hotmitts post_id=9228092 time=1775929277

This one's new but on offer...
https://novationmusic.com/products/laun ... 4oQAvD_BwE
[/quote]

Yes, that's a Mk3, still good but Mk4 has better DAW integration, but if you don't need the latest / greatest DAW integration it should work just fine (mk3 also has DAW integration).

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 6:34 pm

Novation's are great. My 21 year old Remote SL is still going strong, and the 19 year old Xiosynth I had previously also worked perfectly.

ramseysounds · Post by **ramseysounds** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 7:17 pm

https://www.andertons.co.uk/nektar-impa ... tegration/ I use one of these for programming. Had it ages. Love it. USB powered connects directly to your PC

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 8:02 pm

Nektar is excellent. justin3am makes all their controller templates.

hotmitts · Post by **hotmitts** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 8:42 pm

Hhmm the Nektar also get good reviews and have cheaper options...
although maybe not weighted keys? Not sure

Good budget MIDI keyboard