KVR Audio

kidseek · Post by **kidseek** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:30 am

hey kvrs

im looking for a midi keyboard that has good velocity response

i dont care about pads or faders because i have them on a separate controller
its looking like its come down to these options

M-Audio Oxygen 49

http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-Oxy ... 1478112.gc

CME U-Key V2 49-Key

http://www.guitarcenter.com/CME-U-Key-V ... 1526139.gc

Behringer U-Control

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringer-U ... 1724743.gc

Cakewalk A-500S MIDI Keyboard Controller ( looks the best so far? )

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Cakewalk-A- ... 1526690.gc

Alesis QX49

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Alesis-QX49 ... 1795209.gc

anyone have experience with any of these keyboards?
i really just care about the velocity response only (1-127)

thanks all

Ja.x · Post by **Ja.x** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:13 am

I have a M-Audio Oxygen 49 and planning to get rid of it. Keys are shit (too soft and swing sidewards). I miss my old Evolution

. No idea about the other controllers but also interested in opinions. About the CME UF50? I need knobs and sliders, no need for pads but it won't hurt. Anybody?

smcginty27 · Post by **smcginty27** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:46 pm

I have an oxygen 49, the keys are not great. Thinking of upgrading to an m-audio keystation 61es

kidseek · Post by **kidseek** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:54 am

how is the velocity response on the oxygen?
like when you play can it range from 1-127? or is it fixed velocity??

Aiynzahev · Post by **Aiynzahev** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:19 am

I have the UMX. Its good. Good build quality, looks really good. Its nice to have metal.

icontakt · Post by **icontakt** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:17 am

I tried both the Oxygen and A-500S at the shop and the difference was huge. Oxygen was quite horrible to be honest and A500S was very good IMO. The only thing I didn't like in A-500S was that it didn't support aftertouch and it only had 49 keys, which is why I bought the expensive model A-800Pro that had the same key action as A500S (if I'm not mistaken). I hope you'll try it out before purchasing.

tehlord · Post by **tehlord** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:25 am

The Oxygen is great as an all round controller for the non player, but as an owner of the 49 version i'll also agree that the key action isn't great. Which is a bit rubbish as I do play

Ja.x · Post by **Ja.x** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:42 am

kidseek wrote:how is the velocity response on the oxygen?
like when you play can it range from 1-127? or is it fixed velocity??

I never bothered to measure velocity (neither read the manual

), but it seems OK to me in that departement. Often the velicity problems have to do with the plugin itself. The main problem with the keyboard is that keys are made of very very cheap toyish plastic.

Any of you guys have a CME UF50?

smcginty27 · Post by **smcginty27** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:35 pm

antto · Post by **antto** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:31 pm

Ja.x wrote:Any of you guys have a CME UF50?

i got a CME UF60 classic
it's very solid, but since i'm not a real keyboard player - i can't really comment on the velocity performance
it seems okay to me.. the built-in velocity response curves are great (there are also response curves for the aftertouch)
i mainly bought that CME because of the 5 octaves, and the KNOBZ and sliders (which are potentiometer type, not encoders)
..ehm, and the price for all of that

iPlogger · Post by **iPlogger** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:49 pm

I got the Oxygen 49 back in December and have had a great time with it. As a main keyboard or for lots of use, I'd recommend something a bit more sturdy and durable. I bought it specifically for portability with my iPad and it has TOTALLY met that need. It's very light and requires no AC adapter. I sometimes bring it to work, put it on my desk and practice.

As it turns out, I am now using it in live situations (which isn't what I was expecting) and it's working out fine, though it moves around a bit so I have to hold it down with my left hand while playing with my right.

The velocity seems fine on it, though I haven't specifically tested out the velocity levels.

Overall, I highly recommend figuring out what you want to use it for. If you plan on using it for lots of use and work, it may be a little on the cheaper end. You will want something more solid with better keys. But, that being said, I am extremely happy with mine, but I knew specifically WHY I went with this model over something better.

kidseek · Post by **kidseek** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:52 pm

tapethebinary wrote:
kidseek wrote:how is the velocity response on the oxygen?
like when you play can it range from 1-127? or is it fixed velocity??
Yes the velocity can go from 1-127 and it has 8 or 9 built in velocity curve shapes. I have mine, a second generation silver one, about two and a half years. In my experience the keys all need to be pressed once after a time of not using them as they make a click and are a bit stiff when first pressed. Velocity wise the keyboard is usable, i use FL Studio so there is another variable velocity curve in the midi options which is a help.

I have not had the chance to play on a semi-weighted midi keyboard such as the keystation 61es, but id imagine its better, but i dont know.

Im sure you have already but if you havn't, spend some time on youtube and look at some reviews

cool, looks like im getting the oxygen then, i mainly just care about velocity settings, i would get the cakewalk but its an extra 50 (whatever) and id have to order it only rather than buying the oxygen straight away today!

ermi · Post by **ermi** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:11 pm

tapethebinary wrote:In my experience the keys all need to be pressed once after a time of not using them as they make a click and are a bit stiff when first pressed.

How much time are we talking about, days, minutes?
Also does this affect the 3rd gen Oxygen as well?
I think I have this issue with an old Roland keyboard where the keys would get "sticky" after.. 10 seconds. It's really annoying.

I'm about to buy the Oxygen 49, because I couldn't find anything similar (size/amount of buttons) in this price range, except for something from an unknown brand, but even that would have to be ordered from abroad..
For this keyboard I'm not looking for any special key response or piano feel etc. (I'm a noob keyboardist anyway.) I'd just like something with soft keys and some sliders/knobs to control the DAW.

smcginty27 · Post by **smcginty27** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:25 pm

iPlogger · Post by **iPlogger** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:05 pm

ermi wrote:I'm about to buy the Oxygen 49, because I couldn't find anything similar (size/amount of buttons) in this price range, except for something from an unknown brand

Exactly! That's why I went with the Oxygen 49. For the price, amount of buttons and the very positive reviews it seemed like the best deal. But, like I said earlier, it's not nearly as solid as pricier ones. But it sure is light, extremely portable and easy to carry with me. Which were important for me as it is mainly to allow me to practice and write stuff with the iPad. Now I can jam around while I am out of town.

A good velocity sensitive midi keyboard? ($150-200)