Thank you for the info. Of course everything is important. No aftertouch is a bummer but you can't expect that in every controller. Heck even Yamaha MOX didn't have it lol.

The controller will be my workhorse for everything that is NOT acoustic piano ( i already have weighted 88 keys for that). Heavily used for finger drumming and the pitch wheel will also take a lot of beating from synth and Electric guitar VST solos

It caught my attention how Roland mention this:

" The A-49’s keys have a rounded shape for better reaction to the player’s touch and more comfortable glissandi. Other enhancements have been made to reduce the already low mechanical noise and eliminate vertical shake."

 

Hey,

I've test the some of your list keyb :

-the novation is a gold if you use ableton, good integration, OK keybed.
-keylab, good for Analog lab, meh keybed
-Roland, good keybed
-NI KK, Noisy buttons (clicky clicky wake up baby) , good keybed.

But finally i found the Best keybed for the price ! 189€ the Nektar GXP49 : https://www.thomann.de/gb/nektar_impact_gxp49.htm

-2 Pedal input (Sustain and Expression )
Aftertouch

and the keybed is gold ( at least for me ) the 49 version is more synth action (61 more piano synth action). the keybed is much much better than the GX Version.

the functions is good for nektar app but meh for the rest (i program buttons in studio one for select tracks/transport/volume)

 

Last edited: Dec 1, 2021

Roland A-49 test // USB MIDI keyboard controller
https://www-bonedo-de.translate.goo...st.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de
www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/roland-a-49-test.html
https://gearspace.com/board/reviews/917212-roland-49-a.html
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A49BK--roland-a-49-keyboard-controller-black/reviews

 

Last edited: Dec 1, 2021

Nice video. That's what scares me about the "too much space" between the keys and lower chassis. Looks to me almost identical to the space in the Keystation This will cause longer vertical travel when pushed. With heavy finger drumming, that's a recipe for destruction

 

Here is a visual comparison:

 

Last edited: Dec 1, 2021

Some opinions here..
https://www.reddit.com/r/FL_Studio/comments/exb7mo/arturia_keylab_essential_vs_novation_launchkey_a/

Even tho Novation keys seem regarded as more stiff/realist,
ppl seem to favor Arturia in general terms..


Good call about the Nektar GXP,
I've got the Nektar LX88+ and the keys just feel good, no problems whatsoever..

Ofc it's completely Different than fully weighted keys/hammer mechanisms,
like the Casio CDP/AP/Privia stuff..

But for what it is, and for learning Piano it's good enough

(And for composing I actually prefer it,
fully weighted is more stiff/bouncy, so it takes more effort/finesse to play..)

 

Last edited: Dec 1, 2021

At 2:58 when he reviews the keybed: This pretty much took the Novation out of the equation for me. I know exactly what he means and i have played those type of keys before. While they're not by any means "bad" but they're not for me. Not going to take the chance.

 

Top 3 49-Key MIDI Keyboards

Best MIDI Keyboards in 2020 - Top 6 MIDI Keyboard Controller Picks

 

Last edited: Dec 1, 2021

Cool! Just a disclaimer that the Komplete Kontrol in my budget is not the S version, it's the first version. And the Arturia is not MKII version, it's also the first version.

 

I can't speak for others but Kontrol (I've got KK A61) is fantastic with Ableton and Studio One.

Out of the box you get instrument chains, pre-mapped controls (or you can do your own mappings), transport control, and what's best: the 4way joystick/button. Navigate and launch clips without any hassle, click to record and so on. No need for mouse or keyboard.

Love mine, absolutely do.

 

Oh i bet. How are the keys to you?

 

Komplete Kontrol Mk2 is ace but not at your price point its more than just a keyboard it all about intergration , I would not bother with 1st version also for finger drumming your better of with a NI machine i picked a maschine mk2 from ebay cheap so id get one of the other keyboards you mention and a machine will still be less than Komplete Kontrol mk2 .

 

Thanks. I don't do finger drumming on pads unfortunately. Way more control over hi hats articulations/mapping with the keyboard keys for me. I play complex stuff (jazz/fusion etc) when finger drumming. Downside: you break keys over time . Just have to pick one that lasts longer this time lol.

 

Please go to the store and try out the Roland A-49. Well what you said - I think that's right:

1.) Novation - LaunchKey 49 MKIII (239 €) - 49 velocity sensitive keys & 16 RGB illuminated velocity sensitive pads
2.) Arturia - Keylab Essential 49 (225 €) - 49 velocity sensitive keys & - 8 velocity-sensitive pads with aftertouch
3.) Native Instruments - Komplete Kontrol 49 (179 €) - newly developed semi-weighted keyboard with 49 keys
4.) M-Audio - Keystation 49 MK3 (87 €) - 49 keys with velocity sensitivity
5.) Roland - A-49 (169 €) - 49 full-size keys with velocity sensitivity

 

That's right. The Komplete Kontrol is the A version, yep.

 

What about the Akai MPK49? Noone mentionned it and it has some of the best reviews. If you are a finger drummer you should consider this one (MPC-quality drum pads)
https://www.thomann.de/fr/akai_professional_mpk_249.htm

edit: And if you're looking for the best DAW integration, with good drum pads the Nektar LX88+ is very good too (though some people really don't like his noisy keyboard). And for the price of a 49 keys you can get the LX61...

 

Last edited: Dec 1, 2021

The keys are fine for me, they're full sized and they feel solid.

Now, I'm not a pianist by any stretch of imagination so I kind of play soft but I think they could benefit from a slightly harder touch. When I play the guitar I whack the shit out of the thing whereas I don't do that with this keyboard.

This is the biggest failing I think: there is no adjustable velocity curve in the A-series. I get around this with Ableton's Velocity plug-in which works very well (the "Forte" preset does it for me)

 

Only the mini available for me as an option.

 

Get the velocity curve plugin inside this pack and you won't need anything else.

https://code.google.com/archive/p/pizmidi/downloads