Hi Forum,


I live outside the EU, and it's difficult to try out different controllers in my country. Because of this, I need your suggestions on MIDI controllers.

I have limited space on my desk, and I don’t need any drum pads, knobs, or screens. I’m looking for a simple 61- or 49-key keyboard that is smaller than 90 cm, with good velocity and feel. I currently use the Arturia Minilab Mk3. The keybed isn’t bad, but I’ve played the Komplete Kontrol S49 Mk2 before and know how great a good keybed can feel.

I’ve read a lot of reviews and watched several YouTube videos, and I’m considering the following models:

1. M-Audio Keystation 49: This model has both good and bad reviews, so I’m not sure which to trust.
   
   
2. Nektar GX49: Many people complain about the noisy keybed. I’m not sure what to think.
   
   
3. Roland A49: I’m not a fan of the modulation stick, but many people praise its keybed.
   
   
4. Korg Microkey 61: This is the only 61-key model that fits my desk, but I’m unsure about the mini keys. If they’re similar to Arturia’s, that might be okay.
   
   
5. Komplete Kontrol A49: I’ve never tried this one, and I haven’t found many detailed reviews, so I have no idea what to expect.
   

What is your opinion about these units? I am open to suggestions as well unless it is not crazy expensive. my budget is max 250 USD.

Thank you.

 

It depends on what you will use it for, the quality of the keybed is obviously important but which type of keybed do you want? Weighted keys because you're a piano player or non-weighted which is more suitable for organ and synths? Or a hybrid. You need to know this first.

I have a MK1 Komplete Kontrol and they dropped support for it recently, no more new software updates. Make sure the company you buy from doesn't have a repution for dropping support.

 

The Komplete Kontrol A49 is the same as the S series, but without the Fatar keybed and the ribbon controller strip under the pitch/mod wheels. The A49 will be an enormous improvement over the Arturia you have, or anything with mini keys; but it's not going to play the same as the S49 you previously tested out. You'd probably want to play the A49 and check if you like it, probably comparing it against the Roland.

 

I'm curious, what "support" do you need? Does it not work in Kontakt anymore or something?

 

It isn't the driver so much as the software vst that interfaces with the features of the keyboard. It's understandable that they had to stop developing the software eventually because the new versions of the keyboard have loads of new features that aren't relevant at all to the MK1. But maybe one day Kontakt will only work with newer versions of the keyboard. My point really is that when you buy a keyboard that relies on bespoke software there's a chance that somewhere down the line you might not be able to use it anymore. But that's the dilemna of any hardware interface I guess. If I were to buy a new keyboard that's something I would be interested in.

 

The Nektar keyboard is so horrible I still have it lying around somewhere, it's a night and day difference to my other MIDI keyboards.
My honest advice is to do everything you can with your room to make space for 88 keys.
Otherwise get a Roland or so, I found one back then that was good, maybe the same you found.

 

Why would he compare a weighted keyboard against a half-weighted one?

 

To see if he likes the Roland better than the A49. If you are used to a standard Modwheel and Pitch Bend wheel, that Roland Joystick control might be something you hate.

The Roland also has no separate power source, and the NI A49 doesn't either. Only USB.

I'm looking at the Roland and it looks like cheap junk. imho. It has that dumbass D-Beam controller on it, which should probably tell you something about it. The Roland keys are "Synth Action". The NI A49 is semi-weighted. He tested an S49 previously. The S49 is a Fatar keybed and the A49 is not. You can tell immediately they are different. The A49 has no Midi in/out. The S49 MK2 has a separate power source and USB, and the MK3 does not either now. The A49 does not. Most people think the NI A49 is an S49 without the display screens, but there are a number of differences. The biggest one though, is how they play; and that you need a computer to use it.

 

Last edited: Sep 16, 2024

Perhaps that's why I was struggling with the Nektar, it had the same issue.
Small keys are a red flag for keyboards in general except if you're young and have tiny hands

 

I'm not a piano player, and related to that, I don’t think I can play on weighted keys yet. I’ve had a chance to try the Arturia KeyLab Essentials and the Akai MPK Mini, but I did not like them at all. As far as I know, they have synth action keys, so I think semi-weighted keys would better fit my needs.

If Nektar that bad than there is only 4 options left. Actually i'm quite unsure about microkey as well. I read that it has some velocity problems.
A49 is top of my list but it is deep and that's a little problem to me as there would be almost no space for keyboard & trackpad.
Will consider wall vesa mount for my 27 inch monitor.

What do you think about MAudio?

 

Last edited: Sep 16, 2024

I have big hands, I play hard, I need weighted 88. No, I can't play piano proper for shit.

 

I play orchestral stuff just for fun. My goal is to play better on 49 and spend some cash to upgrade. If i go gor 61 i definetely but something good with fatar keys.


I go with Arturia Microlab instead of Akai. I have minilab and like keybed already but 25 keys are not enough.

 

Just in case a Yamaha turns your head, worth mentioning that the keys are often slightly narrower than standard. I have a Mox6 and I really noticed the difference when I got it.

 

Nektar GX49: experience. I choose this one because the keys were very soft to press. They eventually get stiffer when its gets older (mine is maybe 8 years old?) but now more like a regular keyboard. I prefer this because I dislike pressing hard on keys to get a sound. I've not heard any clicks when I press it, but maybe either my music is louder, I don't focus on it or I use headphones. However, after all these years in a hot environment it still functions as well as day one and I'm still happy about my purchase. I'm more a composer than a player though, so I mostly try to come up with stuff that I then implement into my music, and tweak most stuff in DAW. Sometimes i just program the thing I just played cause I find it that easier. Anyway, I can't say much about the others, but I can say that it's definitely one you should not buy if you dislike lightweight keys and def one you sshould not press if you like or are used to pressing harder keys. I played harder keys before, but I found it increases tension in my body. I try to keep my body as relaxed as possible, because I notice a great connection with the mind. The more calm state the bod is, the more the mind is.

 

For 88 keyers it will have to be Nektar GX vs Komplete.. (or any other superior model/brand)

But at this level, for 49 Keys they're practically as good,
it's more a matter of Software integration, and extra features each model/bran will offer..

Nektar GXP49 is Semiweighted, while LX49 has the Pads/Faders..

For a bit more you've got M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49, w/ Pads/Faders, semiweighted and with Aftertouch


Beyond that I guess you'll have to go Novation Impulse, or FL/Launchkey..

 

Last edited: Sep 17, 2024

When NI added polyphonic aftertouch to their MK3 builds of the S series controllers, a lot of users sold their MK2's with absolutely nothing wrong with them. You can find great condition MK2's for half the price of an MK3. Personally, I think the people who "upgraded" over polyphonic aftertouch (only to lose external non-usb power source) are nuts. If that one feature is worth it to you for $350+ more money to upgrade, you should get a piano.

 

Plus the ability to use Kontakt directly. I kept my S61 Mk2, but sure would be nice to fully utilise Kontakt libraries without having to load up the clunky and poorly designed Komplete Kontrol - particularly the shitty 'improved' browser they implemented from v3.0.1 onwards.

 

I'm not a fan of Komplete Kontrol, and I'm not impressed with the S61 MK2's screens, buttons, etc. I believe these features are more suited for live performers, which I am not. For me, it's much easier to navigate directly through my computer. I also use Sidecar, so I can easily navigate from my iPad if needed. Because of this, there's no need for me to have pads, faders, screens, or other similar features.

I feel like many companies try to sell their products at overly high prices by adding unnecessary marketing gimmicks. For me, keys are keys. If I need pads or faders, I can buy them separately.

I recently tried the Nektar GX49 and the M-Audio Keystation 49. I didn't like the Nektar's springy keys, and while the M-Audio was good for its price, I couldn't get the velocity to reach 127. My DAW doesn't have velocity settings—does the M-Audio have any?

Thank you.