Help me select a midi Keyboard I won't regret in 2018

Discussion in 'Studio' started by Ted Smithton, Jan 16, 2018.

?

Which MIDI Keyboard is superior

  1. Akai Professional MPK261

    10 vote(s)
    29.4%
  2. Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2

    17 vote(s)
    50.0%
  3. Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK1

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  4. Akai Advance 61 Keyboard

    1 vote(s)
    2.9%
  5. Roland A-800PRO

    6 vote(s)
    17.6%
  1. maverickvd

    maverickvd Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2015
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    16
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  2. Rakbeatzz

    Rakbeatzz Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2013
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    12
    Nektar Panorama P4 or 6....That is an awesome controller with DAW functionalities.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  3. electriclash

    electriclash Guest

    dude I like the xtouch (altho I do hear it sometimes*)


    *always a startle
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  4. Ted Smithton

    Ted Smithton Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    78
    Thanks to everyone for your help

    I have now dropped the coin on a drumrollllllllllll...........MPK261 !!!

    it was close call with the NI Kontrol

    And I will tell you why I am glad I didn't get it.

    For me Kontrol's screens and workflow are a total gimmick. Sure they are nice and colourful.

    It is now my conclusion that hardware like this is old fashioned.

    Similar to gear from the 80's and 90's with small screens we all loathed to use.

    Hell I've got enough vintage synth modules for that kind of "nostalgia"

    Don't get me wrong Kontrol seems very appealing and that's good marketing, but the Akai is where my money is at.

    cheerio friends! and thanks heaps, enjoy your chosen controller, each to their own.

    :like::bow:
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  5. electriclash

    electriclash Guest

    dude you called out the best part earlier... arps, one note chords, scales.. the mind behind::: its nought to do with tiny screen or the lame patch selector (which I hate hahah)

    Good on you man! We all look forward to hearing some tricked out beats :cheers::cheers::cheers::hifive:
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • Love it! Love it! x 1
    • List
  6. Ted Smithton

    Ted Smithton Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    78
    Yeah it was a close one and you can see my rant is just to justify my decision :rofl:

    Really wish I had some of those features but I figure I'll find them as a midi plugin :guru:

    The Akai has midi after all :rofl:
     
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  7. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2011
    Messages:
    4,273
    Likes Received:
    3,371
    Location:
    Where the sun doesn't shine.
    Regarding the feel, my first 2 synths were Rolands [Jupiter4 and D10/20, late 80s] and they were the best synth action, semi-weighted keyboards for me. Second best were Yamaha's SY. I never liked Korg keyboards as they felt too clunky for me, but the feel was alright, too [M1, T3, 01W]. Now, I'm saying this because I've been into a huge music store a couple of years ago and I've tried about 30, if not more, different MIDI controllers to find the one that has a similar feel to D-20 or D-50. Suffice to say that only Akai and Novation keyboards felt similar to those.

    I was so unpleasantly surprised by what kind of keyboards they're trying to sell these days... :sad:

    Anyway, so I'm using Novation Remote SL37 as my main keyboard because it's an incredible performer. I love lots of controls you can use to transform the sound. I don't use that auto-thing, either. It's unnecessary. Just use the Editor to make some templates and there you go. :wink:

    The best quality synth keyboard I currently have is definitely my Kurzweil K2000VP... I only use it when I need more octaves, though. It's just not as practical as Novation Remote.

    Well [cough] I actually wanted to congratulate you on your choice, Ted! :wink: I'm sure you'll be satisfied. Akai keyboards are also built better than Novation ones. I chose Novation just because it's so small, but big enough, with so many controls and X/Y touchpad. It's the best for me, but the quality of it could be better. It's very "plasticky", but the keybed is alright anyway. If I ever get tired of it, I'll buy Akai MPK49.

    Cheers! :headbang:
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  8. tzzsmk

    tzzsmk Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2016
    Messages:
    3,173
    Likes Received:
    1,942
    Location:
    Heart of Europe
    yea I have the Rise 49 for almost 2 years now,
    SWAM woodwinds and various string instruments are entirely new experience to play,
    though I enjoy playing atmospheric drones most (the front/back slide can transition between 2 entirely different soundsets, so for ex. string/woodwind orchestra slide is cool
     
    • Interesting Interesting x 3
    • Like Like x 2
    • List
  9. Ted Smithton

    Ted Smithton Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    78
    Thanks @SineWave It was a tough choice and these are all great keyboards. In the end it was a tossup but the Kontrol's gimmicks and price is what let it down, the last thing a producer needs is another poorly implemented interface in which to sidetrack creativity.
    Luckily I saw though the smoke and mirrors to the solid contender that is the MPK series.
    I too was spoiled by the D50 (great for the era) and various Yamaha keyboards so it easy to be dissapointed with these cheap plasticy keyboards. Special mention to the Yamaha KX25, which is pretty awesome, but no longer made. I'm going to hang onto that one.
    I must admit I bought a M-Audio Keystation as a temporary solution mainly because it was cheap but my god run for the hills anyone thinking of using that model. The shit thing about those cheap controllers is they are hard to sell, because no one wants your crappy toy keyboard :no:
    Now i'm selling my MPC and not looking back. :guru:
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  10. Ted Smithton

    Ted Smithton Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    78
    35231879586_393ded7025_b.jpg
     
    • Funny Funny x 3
    • Disagree Disagree x 1
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  11. tzzsmk

    tzzsmk Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2016
    Messages:
    3,173
    Likes Received:
    1,942
    Location:
    Heart of Europe
    @Ted Smithton wtf dude xD
    btw here's a track I made about year ago using just Seaboard and various virtual instruments (and acoustic drums played and recorded by me too),
    it's actually somewhat uneasy to play accurately :D
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Interesting Interesting x 2
    • Dislike Dislike x 1
    • List
  12. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2011
    Messages:
    4,273
    Likes Received:
    3,371
    Location:
    Where the sun doesn't shine.
    :rofl: I bought M-Audio Keystation 49 in 2002, too and it served me somewhat well for a good few years. I bought it after auditioning several other keyboards at the time, because I thought the keyboard itself wasn't that bad, actually. Those were relabelled Evolution keyboards. But the wheels started "developing their own mind" [sending MIDI messages at random] after a couple of years and I couldn't repair them as they are sealed in plastic [thanks M-audio], so I just had to buy something better. I still have it, though, since its resale value is... not a value at all. :rofl:

    Yes, D-50 had an excellent keyboard. Better than D10/20 and one of the best solo-synth-action keyboards at the time. Those keys were true semi-weighted keys with metal weights underneath them. :wink:
     
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  13. Ted Smithton

    Ted Smithton Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    78
    Oh yeah, a lot of new producers these days don't realise that part of what D50- and DX7 (for that matter)were truly inspiring instruments.
    You take the sounds out of context and instantly they can be turned into a massive dog turd.
    Producing music is a discipline and a deep meditation, not to be confused with a hyperactive child bashing away on his toy.
     
  14. Ted Smithton

    Ted Smithton Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    78
    @tzzsmk
     
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  15. Ted Smithton

    Ted Smithton Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    78
    tenor.gif
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  16. Ted Smithton

    Ted Smithton Producer

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    78
    Yo Dudes
    Gotta say I'm very happy with the MPK261, reaaly exceeded my expectations.
    Let me just say this beauty is a future classic!
    Thanks everyone for your help :bow:
    .... and for those kinky guys trying to turn me to the dark side of rubber fetish, enjoy you tacos... :rofl:
     
    • Funny Funny x 2
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  17. yabiss

    yabiss Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2013
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    274
    Location:
    In my pants
    what about these? from alesis and M.Audio. Anyone has tried them?[​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2018
    • Dislike Dislike x 1
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  18. yabiss

    yabiss Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2013
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    274
    Location:
    In my pants
    I currently have a Novation SL61 MKII.
    Great keyboard feeling but no durability for me. One key is now too sensitive and plays loud when you blow on it and one key only plays when i seat on it.
    And yes, i've taken it apart and fully cleaned it. Non-smoker and no exteriors so...
     
    • Interesting Interesting x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • List
  19. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2011
    Messages:
    4,273
    Likes Received:
    3,371
    Location:
    Where the sun doesn't shine.
    Novation keyboards aren't made that well these days, either. :sad: Especially cheaper ones - Impulse range. They look nice and have a lot of knobs and sliders, but the keys aren't as good as they used to be. Novation SL range is still the best from Novation.

    However, Akai keyboards are currently the best bang for your money, I think. Although there are sob stories about some loose pots on the net. I've got MPD32 and I must say its pots and knobs are top-quality. And in general these Akai products feel quality made when you compare them to other stuff that's there. :wink:
     
  20. electriclash

    electriclash Guest

    +1 mpd32; gotta love all that assignability! -added a few strips of electric tape under the pads for a bit more bounce as well
     
Loading...
Similar Threads - Help select midi Forum Date
Im building a studio and i need some help with equipment selection Studio Feb 14, 2017
Help to create Stadium Crowd Vocals how to make "that" sound Wednesday at 8:52 AM
Help with Pulsar Modular R2R release Software Sunday at 1:49 PM
Help me with Korg Polysix Synthesizers Mar 19, 2024
Black Rooster Audio failed load [HELP] Software Mar 16, 2024
Loading...