Hello guys, i need to replace my shitty midi keyboard (it doesnt even have a brand), it served me well in the past years, im not a piano / keyboard player, i use the controller to lay down some basic melodies and play a little bit for my own enjoyment.

These are the options i have on my radar, i would love to have your input and experience to decide which one i should buy.

All of them in 49 keys:

M-Audio Oxygen
M-Audio Keystation
Roland A500S
Nektar Impact LX49+

Those 4 are around my budget.

Thanks!

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2017

I have a Keystation 88 and it's stinkin' awesome. M-Audio is the bomb. I've heard stories about people thinking they had broken their Keystation because they dropped it or it flew out of their car's trunk in an accident, but it survived miraculously because they're built so well. Can't go wrong with a Keystation.

 

i think u should stay away from m-audio, because their worst support.
i have Nektar Impakt LX88+ and it's great keyboard and not expensive u have pads and faders and more goodies that u don't have on Roland A500S.

 

Looks interesting and cheap!!

 

hi, i use novation impulse, great keyboard +great midi parameter.

 

First, thanks guys for your answers. And yes at least at first glance, Nektar LX+ looks to have some pretty nice goodies and the keyboard itself looked solid (based on my very very limited experience). Its probably the first choice so far, i will see if there are some more suggestions before decide anyways.

Honestly, it was the first one that i looked at, but sadly the 49keys version go for TWICE than the rest i listed . It really looks amazingly built and pletora of features, but outside my ballpark. Maybe if i develop better skills on the keyboard, could be my next update.

 

First off, stay away from Nektar. Junk. All of the controllers listed are as disposable as kleenexes. (especially the Nektar line-up) imo

Also, none of them have MIDI out except for the ROLAND.

The A500 keybed smokes the rest of these keybeds

The A500 has FPS low-latency midi transmission (from the key press to the midi transmission) which reduces your latency right from the start.

The A500 is built like a tank

The A500, however, is not class compliant, so you will need a driver if you use USB. :-(

That being said, I would not waste time with any "controller" other than a Roland A-800, 500, 300; Akai MPK2 series, Novation SL/X-Station series.

If you can get a used Kurzweil K2xxxx those have incredible keybeds and the VAST engine to go with it. Don't pay more than $350 for a K2000 (which cost over $2000 back in the day)

this is a no-brainer too : 88-key fatar weighted : http://www.ebay.com/itm/KURZWEIL-PC...951219?hash=item33ccc76333:g:t38AAOSw-4BXax2i

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2017

I recently bought M-Audio Keystation 49 and it was a good decision. If you don't need all those extra knobs and faders, this one is great for also a good price. There are enough A artists around who use this (or the higher key versions).

 

Last edited: Apr 20, 2017

Korg Taktile 49 - The best MIDI CC there ever is and will be, my only hope is that they make an 88 version, i'd instantly buy it.

 

I`d suggest to stay away from maudio... they make toys, not instruments imo.

The Roland a500 would be the best option from the few that You listed.

ps.
...but, First of all, You should put Your eyes on a 88 keys keyboard, since this is a thing that you will have to play for the next few Years probably ?!? It will have a huge impact on Your playing style, especially `cause of the fact that You are a "beginner"...
So, if space is not an issue, an 8 octave keyboard will make You a better player (hopefully )

 

Nektar Impact LX49+

Hi OP. I have this one
It's really cool. I wanted to buy something that also had a few controllers but still enough keys so if I ever learnt to play properly I wouldn't need to buy a new one. Much happy with it, the keys are also sensitive or semi-sensitive, which is nice. And it's not cheap plastic or shit that breaks quickly, it seems to be robust enough (well it's not top quality I'd say, but not crap either).

This is perfect for me I think, but If I have to tell you one con/disadvantage: IT'S FOOKIN HUGE!!

 

if you really dont care about playing and good or proper keybed
get a used MIDIMAN wich is the older name of m-audio. the names are the same like keystation
and the driver support is there too. keystation 61 could be had for 30 bucks or similar

but i would urge you to look for the ni offerings (if you use their gear). like kontakt or any other synth
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Komplete-Ko...885966?hash=item2cbd25188e:g:5iAAAOSwTM5Y6Gon
just 40 bucks above your limit ;)

.ps
my old midiman still works after 12years
a bit more stylish and usefull is the CME Xkey 25 always nearby and doesnt take much space
i mostly use this or pads!

 

Do not buy these shit, try a keyboard/piano/controller around $1000 or above, yod better use the old one to making some money

 

plus one for Nektar ! Have a Novation impulse + Nektar Panorama P1

 

Roland A800 Pro here... 61 keys more than enough for most tunes..and plenty of knobs, faders etc for tweak and control mania.. action is mmm ok....

I have the Keystation 88 as well, limited controls yes, sturdy yes..
and has a better key feel to me as well

If you get the A500 you could come along and find a Keystation later on,
probably used for much cheaper..

 

Why don't you go for Roland A-49?
It's amazing.

 

If you're not really into playing keyboard anyway: have you considered mini keys? Generally cheaper and fits better on the desktop.
Especially the Korg Microkey series are very playable imho. Though I have several standard sized keyboards I'm using the Bluetooth variant coupled with my phone as mobile studio and take it to jam sessions.

If you don't mind the weight otoh, try to get an old workstation from the 90s. Bluerover rightfully recommended the K2000, I would add all Ensoniq stuff at least. Almost all (formerly high-priced) quality digital keyboards from the 90s are available very cheap today. Even cheaper if you go for the less popular choices. A few years ago I got myself an used GEM workstation for about 100 Euros including stand. It has a great Fatar keyboard with poly pressure. 2nd hand deals might depend on the area you're living, though.

Your choice depends a little bit on *why* you want to replace your keyboard.
Need better keyboard action -> old Workstation (and probably even Microkey)
Need more knobs&pads -> new USB controller providing decent software
Old keyboard dead -> Your choice

 

If you can find one, get a Korg Kontrol 49. It's what I have and is faultless. It's designed to specifically be a studio controller and, being a Korg, is solid as a rock. As a testament to it's awesomeness, it's used by many pros in the current music scene (look up Future Music's In The Studio video with Pendulum and Knife Party's Rob Swire).