KVR Audio

Bippo · Post by **Bippo** » Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:05 pm

I'm not a piano player, but I do need some decent velocity sensitivity in my keyboard.
My previous keyboards were yamaha moxf6, roland fa6, and samson carbon.
The samson had the worst keybed, the fa6 was nice but the keys themselves were short in length, and the moxf6 was shitty.

These days I'm using yamaha modx6, which has decent a keybed for me, and I'm looking for something similar keybed wise, but with less physical depth because I have limited space on my desk.

I use my daw and various plugins to make tracks, so I really don't need all the fancy pads and knobs.
Just need 61 keys, with decent keybed, transpose buttons and pitch bend+modulation wheel.

I thought about buying the M-AUDIO Keystation 61 MK3, because it has only 18cm depth and would be great for me (having small depth is a "must"), but does its keybed is any level near the yamaha modx or roland fa?
Are there any midi keyboards which are the "go-to" in terms of quality keybed?

EnGee · Post by **EnGee** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 12:08 am

I actually didn't like the MODX 6 velocity response! I was really disappointed with the MODX 6 keybed especially I have already sold my two very good quality keyboards (one was nektar P4 and the other was 88 Casio PX-5S with very nice weighted keys).

Like you, I didn't want something taking space and rather flatter than other keyboards (including the MODX 6). I have MiniBrute 2 synth and I liked a lot the keys but it is only 25 keys, so I ordered Arturia KeyLab MK II 49. In short I love it. It also makes the Piano on MODX 6 a pleasure to play because the velocity is fantastic on this keyboard

The excellent side from the point of software, is that Ableton Live 10 support is excellent, but other DAWs are not so good. I use Live 10, so I'm very happy. I think this is the best quality midi keyboard out there if you don't want Native Instrument special support. NI keyboards are also great, but I don't like their "locked" integration with NI software only.

Be warned though, Keylab MKii is heavy because it is built like a tank (metal chassis). It is really very high quality and very elegant as well

jdnz · Post by **jdnz** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 2:42 am

do you want hammer weighted? if so see if you can find an old stock roland rd64 - same keybed as the a88 mk1 and same depth,

whilst it's technically a digital piano it also has a midi controller mode - and the added bonus of being able to use it standalone if wanted (not the best piano sound in the world but fine for practicing)

machinesworking · Post by **machinesworking** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 5:40 am

Novation SL series have always been great, I Think the MK3 looks like a fantastic keyboard, not sure about your depth demands with it though.

trusampler · Post by **trusampler** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 5:50 am

Synths, and Workstations are where you'll find good action and great keybeds. Most midi controllers are cheap Chinese crap until you spend your real money.
Though I do have a komplete kontrol mk2 61 which is fine for alot of things. Novation Mk3 is nice as well.
The higher end Arturia midi controllers are nice.

Point is, if you want good keys, they'll cost you.

EnGee · Post by **EnGee** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 7:07 am

Yeah I think it's one of those three, NI S49/61 MK II, Novation SL MK3 and Arturia KeyLab MK2. Those IMO are the best midi keyboards/controllers. Nektar P4/P6 is also a good one but has poor integration with Ableton Live (Although excellent support for Reason, Bitwig, Cubase and Reaper). Nektar has little bit wider keys than Arturia's, so not all have the same size exactly for keys! I have small hands, so I don't mind the small size.
So, do your research and see which one suits your hands, workflow and DAW best.

Bippo · Post by **Bippo** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:40 am

Thanks for the recommendations.
It seems that most of the keyboards you mentioned are already having too much depth, maybe 5cm less than my modx6, and for only 5cm difference I would rather keep my modx.

The roland rd64 looks interesting, I see its discontinued, but maybe I'll manage to find it in a good condition, definitely gonna look for it.
I see that the newer roland rd88, has even less depth than the 64, which is perfect for me, but 88 keys is too much space for me. Hope they will release a 61( even 73) keys version someday.

Basically, this is the layout I really want:

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Very minimal depth (less than 20cm) with 61 keys.
However I've heard too many bad things about its keybed.
If I could find something with such small depth but with a decent keybed, I would be more than happy

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:59 am

Don't think you'd be happy with the M-Audio Keystation. Pretty low cost keyboards, which won't have a good keybed.

I would have suggested Studiologic, but, they only seem to have 73 keys plus.

anomandaris1 · Post by **anomandaris1** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 10:22 am

The best keys are on Kavai digital pianos (which can be used as midi controllers, of course). But they are on the expensive side. I think they have at least one of them that is marketed as midi keyboard (which is also big, heavy and expensive).

EnGee · Post by **EnGee** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 10:23 am

What about the Roland A-49? I don't know if there is a 61 version.
Personally, I have a very good experience with the Nektar Impact keyboards, they work well with Live as well as other DAWs and they have big keys. Maybe the GX61?
https://nektartech.com/impact-gx49-61/

trusampler · Post by **trusampler** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 10:31 am

Don't forget to check Used gear as well.. Sometimes you can find great deals on ebay ,reverb.com.. good luck

The Foreigner · Post by **The Foreigner** » Wed Sep 09, 2020 1:08 pm

Novation SL 61 MK2 is very cool and has a fatar semi-weighted keybed.
Here is one on sale for 240€.
https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_ ... 98404.html

Ksamphos · Post by **Ksamphos** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 4:04 pm

I have a Casio ctk3500, I always found the keys good, but Im not sure if they are the level of the best controllers in terms of sensitivity.

I mean, digital pianos have weighted keys, they can be nice in feel but are weighted necessarily more sensitive?
I wish the makers were more clear about this and gave some grade of keys sensitivity for us to know.

I have a m audio keystation 49 2nd gen which is very portable and light, but has not good sensitivity, giving too much emphasis to low or high.

WatchTheGuitar · Post by **WatchTheGuitar** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 4:13 pm

Do you not have space for a keyboard stand? Would open up your options and potentially give you space for a 73/88 key controller.
You can get very usable decent stands for £30. Then you'd have way more choices over what keyboard to get and the biggest benefit from my POV is not having to stare at a screen while you play.

cleverr1 · Post by **cleverr1** » Sat Sep 26, 2020 6:23 pm

I picked up a Roland A800 Pro a couple of years back for £150 off eBay. I wanted something not too deep to use on the desk, but also I wanted to use it live so the knobs and faders were required. It is 25cm deep and uses the same keybed as the FA06, but I can't say I ever noticed the keys being short. The quality of the keybed is extraordinary for something so light and cheap, reminds me of a Motif / DX7. The aftertouch requires serious pressure compared to others I've used. If you could live with the short keys I can't think of anything of this quality in the price range. £239 on Bax Music here.

Are there any good 61 keys midi keyboards to the rescue?