I don't know what I should be more surprised at: the keyboard not going to 127 velocity or your DAW not being able to correct that.
Maybe it was malfunctioning?

 

If the Semiweighted keys on the Nektar GXP49 are like those in the LX88+ or even GXP88...
it may be worth checking them out


I've got a LX88+ and the keys have a good weight to them,
they're quite silent, and have a spring action which imo feels good enough.

What it does not have is real Hammer-Action like you will find in higher grade controllers like M-Audio Hammer Pro or Studiologic SL etc..
or in Digital Pianos like Kawai ES-120, Yamaha-p145 and up.

But that's a different story..
(in fact if you want the Best Action, get the ES-120 and you're done.. unless you spend about a grand)


If you want a small and cheap 49 Key controller, you got to accept certain compromises,
and the quality of the Keys/Action is culprit..

You wont find a good feelin/responsive Professional keyboard for Piano playing for 100 bucks,
only much higher grade controllers will feel solid enough and professional.

But what's the point?
That's what 88 Key controllers are for..

As a manufacturer/consumer it doesn't make sense to make a Top Pro level 49Keyer,
you rather put the effort/money in doing the full thing..

We have all been there: they're heavy, bulky. there's no space..

Eventually you just bit the bullet, get the 88 keyer and get done with it like most of us did..

 

My small experience on the subject :

If keybeds are so important to you ... forget about putting a small controller on your desk.
And use a floor stand on the side of your desk with a GOOD 88 keys.
You can choose keybeds AND controls separately too.

I found a second hand CASIO CDP 130 and keybeds are FANTASTIC for this price range.
I paid it 200-250 euros. A bargain for Scaled Hammer Action this good (and sound too).

I use a separate small KB with controls and a padKontrol.

If semi weighted, you can find affordable controllers all in one.
But frankly, 61 keys full size is the bare minimum.

 

Well, I think you're right.
First off, there is the key release speed issue in weighted keybed, it's something that takes quite a time to get used to (unless you have double escapement mech).
Second, if you're not used to weighted keys you feel unconfortable (I play piano but for many years I played only synths and it was almost painful to recover on weighted), semi weighted is perfect.

I don't know your purposes, but I think 61 would be a better option (two hands), at times 49 could be a bit tight.

 

I do agree, I still use it as study piano, its keybed is great and its velocity response (MIDI OX tested) linear and precise.

But I think it could be a little heavy touch for the OP.

 

so basically you just want a midi keyboard, not a midi controller per se. You should watch youtube videos from the last 20 years. Create a list of keyboards you find interesting. and buy it used/2n hand. Lots of midi keyboards produced in the last 20 years. if you don't need a screen, faders, knobs or other controllers, just get an older midi keyboard, you might have to use a midi interface, not USB, but when one wants, what one want, one learns to accept, whatever is needed, to get what one wants.

Roland has made very good keyboards, over the years, also Yamaha. look at their older/past products.

 

one of the 1st midi keyboards I bought was a Yamaha YPT model, the YPT is a Yamaha Piano Trainer. These are often used in music classes in schools. The features have varied over the years and they removed midi ports in some of the later models. The earlier models include midi in/out and some record to sd card as well. Its a 61 key in your size range. The built in sounds vary from great to less than great, but the piano is very nice and it has several piano variations built in. They have speakers, and headphone jacks, accepts a sustain pedal, etc.

https://europe.yamaha.com/en/produc...yboards/portable_keyboards/ypt-230/specs.html



I own the YPT-300, here's a review.
https://www.yamaha-keyboard-guide.com/yamaha-ypt300.html



very common, I paid 70$ usd for mine about 10 years ago.

 

OP wants a keyboard not wider than 90cm or 36 inches, 88 keys in a yard are gonna be mighty tiny.

 

in addition to that also depth should not be exceed 26 cm unfortunately.

I still try M-audio keystation but compared to arturia minilab mk3 it is very quiet. Something wrong with the velocity. Actually it is consistent on Maudio and no volume jumps like Arturia but it is hard to reach above 91. (Maybe for me i don't know.)

I see that there is no velocity settings for Maudio and my DAW (Luna). I don't know...

 

Hi all,

What you choose between Roland a-49 and Native A49?

Thanks

 

I've always been partial to Roland, own a lot of their gear, but I've not tried either keyboard, so I'm a poor choice of expert, in this regard. might want to get the manuals from their website and see what the difference in features are, at least as a start. then look for youtube reviews from some poor beggar who wasn't paid by the company for his review..

 

I got the korg microkey 37 and I like it a lot.
It's way better than the akai mini keyboard I had before that.

 

Not find any good review for roland actually. For native there are lots of paid promotions on youtube just like you said.
Many people liked both units but is anyone had both?

 

I wanted to try this but there is no place for me to try microkey. for now it is my last choice if i don't like roland nor native.