At the moment I use a Korg Triton Extreme+Moss board (which is up for sale at the moment, if anyone's interested) as a master controller and find that I tend to use VSTi's more than anything, so the Triton really is not getting the use it should. So when I finally sell the Triton I need a decent MIDI controller, I was thinking along the lines of the Akai MPK 261, that is unless any of you guys can recommend something better.

 

hi @jefft ,may i ask what D.A.W are you using ?

imho this is a good one :
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ImpactLX88P

 

Last edited by a moderator: Feb 17, 2018

Spyfx, I used to run Cubase 8 but changed last year to Studio One 3, with the Triton as the main keyboard controller, Korg PadKontrol as a drum controller into a Focusrite Saphire Pro 40, with a digitech RP360x and a Line 6 HD500 for bass and guitars

 

nice !,i use the above controller with Bitwig,Logic pro x,Ableton & Reason 10,as you can see in the vid it works with Studio One
the akai is a great controller too,but a bit more expensive and it has 61 keys instead of 88
so hope this info helps you

 

Lol thanks for the advice in theory it looks good, but here in the UK it is no longer available and marked as discontinued, also I have little arms so the 88 keys might be too big.

 

https://www.andertons.co.uk/keyboar...d-controller-w-daw-integration-impactlx88plus

if arms too small :
https://www.andertons.co.uk/keyboar...d-controller-w-daw-integration-impactlx61plus

 

Certain companies are saying its now discontinued in the UK.. wonder why. Anyway once I sell my Triton, then I may go physically shopping rather than browsing, but now I have the two contenders, and it really depends on quality and maybe resale value but it certainly gives me something to think about.
Akai MPK261 Vs Nectar Impact LX88..........fiiiiiight in the words of Harry Hill

 

Hi @spyfx
Hope all is good for you my friend.
I own a Akai MPK 88. How would you compare it with your suggested Nektar Impact LX88 ?

Thanks !

 

hi @safran5020 ,i hope all is good for you too my kind friend
The Akai Mpk 88 is a very very good controller,a classic one & has fully weighted keys and features aftertouch according to Akai
Akai has not yet or maybe never update its 88 keys as did with the new akai mpk series
The nectar 88+ costs $319 instead of $799 here in th U.S for the akai & features a semi weighted keyboard action & has various scripts for tight intergration with D.A.W's (i know that the akai has some programs like for ableton,some synths & others),that for @jefft might be an option since it integrates with studio one(the nektar)
so both for me are good,if you are a heavy filmscore composer or pianist i would go with the Akai mpk 88,if you like a bit of synth action too i would go with the nektar

also have a look here if interested or like/love bitwig : (at the end has some nice live mode features & the developer imho is such a great guy & humble) :

 

Last edited by a moderator: Feb 17, 2018

@spyfx

Thanks for the heads up

 

speaking as someone who once used a korg t3 as a controller and then sold it and bought a midi controller keyboard, let me just warn you upfront - you will never find a midi controller keyboard that has the same quality keybed as a korg instrument. even korg's midi controller keyboards feel cheap and plasticy. i tried as many as i could get my hands on. the nektar panorama keybeds are okay, but there is an issue with the black keys that is well documented. the nektar impact line is cheap and plasticy. m-audio keybeds are cheap and make lots of clicky-clacky noise. akai mpk261 is about the best out there, but it still feels cheap next to a korg instrument. the roland a800pro comes the closest to feeling like a a real instrument, but the midi implementation and features are pretty outdated. in the end, i decided to buy the behringer motor61. i will admit that for me the deciding factor was the 9 motorized faders more than the feel of the keys. but the keybed is on a par with the akai mpk 261, so i didn't sacrifice that much. my advice to you is to get out and put your hands on as many different controller keyboards as you can before you sell your triton. you may change your mind.

 

Midget detected!

 

I'm sure this useless comment will help the OP

 

Nektar = No midi output, only USB ; No aftertouch.

I vote AKAI. Go big and do it right.

 

buy a new released keyboard was enough, those plastic membranes doesnt has so much difference(arturia keylab 88 for keyboardlist, keylab essential for synth)

 

Last edited: Feb 17, 2018

Magic Mango, the midget speaks. I've been comfortable with 61 keys, so the Akai fits the bill. The Triton is way to complex for my needs, all I've been using are the presets. And just realised that I'm only using a small amount of its potential,basically just using it as a controller, so why not sell it and buy something les complex. The Akai does have aftertouch and so far thats in the lead.

 

Well the TRITON is a beast! Sequencer, arpeggiator, killer sounds, multi-timbrel, it's a classic. The keybed is top-notch. I had a hard time selling my rack version :-/

 

Even if you are not a virtuoso player with short arms, I find the extra keys handy for inputting keyswitches without having to shift keyboard octaves or input them manually

 

I did not like MPKxx but the MPK2xx is damn decent for the money imo. They really stepped it up. I chimed in a couple threads before. I'm a fan of Akai MPK2 series for todays controller market.

realitybytez is right about those old keyboards though, good quality, better keybeds usually but you do (or did) pay good money for it. If you're looking for something approaching a piano feel, wooden keys, hammer graded, counterweight, ect, look for a controller by Kawai (just under couple grand) or something pretty decent like Studio Logic (under a grand) but you wont be getting all the bells and whistle, just something more like a piano.

You have to consider what you'll be doing with your controller and if you actually need those knobs, sliders, pads, ect.

I have a Triton somewhere in the garage, the Hip Hop kids I knew loved it back in the day. I never really cared for it personally. I bought it for them to use, it was a must have then. I have a couple Nords too. I found myself using them as not so convenient controllers. The truth is, for the stuff I'm into, I don't need the best keybed. It's not like I'm playing fast runs with very focused dynamics. Na, I'm fucking with samples, noise, synths, and beats. So long as the controller stays together, doesn't malfunction and lasts for decent amount of time, I'm good.

Good Luck!