M-AUDIO vs. FATAR

[jerozgz]

Hello everybody!
I'm going to buy a 88 keys midi keyboard. I think 2 good options are: M-AUDIO KEYSTATION PRO 88 / FATAR VMK 188 PLUS

Do you know these keyboards? Wich do you recommend? (Or if you know something better)

I will use it with Receptor Pro Jr...in my gigs, I usually need Ivory, Miroslav Phillarmonik, Blue, etc.

Thanks!!!

[richwhite9]

The Fatar series is popular with Piano players. Keyboard Mag and several other reviews rate it as one of the best, if not the best, pianao actions in a controller.


Here's a review of the 76-key version.

http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/stud ... r-06/19252

As far as the M-Audios go far more features and it ahs 4 zones. The Studio Logic is a one zone machine.

As far as the M-audio key feel and build quality goes I'd suggest you do some reading.

I think it's a features vs quality decision.

[Acoutistic]

I use the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 with Receptor - I like it. But I'm not a piano player, and just about every piano player who touches my Keystation keyboard complains about the feel. So I would _strongly_ suggest that you try before you buy. The buttons & sliders are easily programmable for use with Receptor, the keyboard sets up well for zones, etc - but the issue with this unit is the feel of the keys. The Keystation also weighs about 50 pounds.


M

[johnrule]

I purchased a Studiologic/Fatar Numa after looking at all of the 88 key controllers, but I was looking specifically for piano action quality. The Numa has the best graded-hammer action on the market, but it is not a great controller in my opinion. It has some very good zone and layering features, but the fact that the modulation wheel is located on the side is very strange indeed. After using it regularly for several months with my Receptor, I am very happy with the combination (especially the single USB cable for midi and power!), but I need to buy a second controller with proper mod and pitch wheels as well as after-touch. The Numa does have after-touch, but it is too sensitive to use (for me anyway) and there is no way to adjust that. Maybe they will fix that in a firmware upgrade...

I used to have a Kurzweil PXC2, and the action on the Numa is superior to that (heavier). I also tried an Alesis 8HD (a very interesting keyboard) but the action was too light (a Studiologic keybed I believe), and the velocity curves were never quite right. The Numa has a learning mode for the velocity curve, so you can really customize the way that it responds.

Good luck,

JR

[Throbert]

All M-audio Keyboards I have played were really dead feeling. I feel the most important thing about an 88 key board is the action and how good it feels to the user. Usually the full size weighted action board is going to be at the bottom of the stack so I could care less about controls. In fact the controls get in the way when you try to sit another board on top. I have a Kawai ES3 for my full size weighted and it only has a row of buttons close to the keys. I love the action so for controls I sit a Korg TR on top and a BCR2000 above and to the left. Make your full size an instrument and put what controls you want on top .

[jerozgz]

Thanks to all!

Well.... I wish to split the keyboard, and this option is not possible in fatar...with Maudio I can split the keyboard in 4 zones....but everybody say MAudio feeling is not a good feeling. I play keyboard....actually a Roland XP-30, and i need yo play, piano sound, string sounds, synth sounds, and solo sounds....so i don't need a 100% piano feeling, but I'd like to have a good felling when i'm playing........any other option? A keyboard that I can split in 2, 3 or 4 zones, and with a good feeling on playing?
THANKS.

[Throbert]

If your going to use a computer Software can be used to split layer and setup velocity curves.

If you have to get a controller that does it all and plays well I would get
One of the Kawai MP series. look here

http://www.kawaius.com/main_links/digital/06_dpmain.htm