MIDI keyboard selection

Discussion in 'Soundgear' started by just a musician, Nov 25, 2022.

  1. just a musician

    just a musician Newbie

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    Hi everyone!
    recently decided to add an arrangement to my tracks, I decided to take myself a MIDI-keyboard :keys:
    the choice fell on 25 keys. I chose for a long time, but I could not decide .. tell me, please, what can I choose:dunno:
     
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  3. Xenon

    Xenon Producer

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  4. heheh cat

    heheh cat Newbie

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  5. mrpsanter

    mrpsanter Audiosexual

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    Nektar, Arturia, AKAI or Native Instruments.
     
  6. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    About Nektar, give it a try before you buy as their lower end keyboards are clunky. When you release the key, they make a noise.
    My Arturia Keylab died recently, and after trying several Keyboards I bought a Alesis V61, it's a synth feeling keyboard, and it works very well. It have only 4 knobs and 8 pads, but I can expand this with any external device.
     
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  7. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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  8. nōmad

    nōmad Newbie

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    Arturia stuffs have good keys and are built like tanks. I've had Akais, but their products always felt hollow to the touch for me, keys were squeaky as well.

    The Alesis ones are solid as well, my friend had one and I kinda took to it.

    M-audio is also rated. Had a Code 61 that I used for years before moving.
     
  9. BlackHaze1986

    BlackHaze1986 Rock Star

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    On which DAW are you Producing?

    I recently checked for 25 Key Midi Controllers and my Choice is Aturia Minilab 3. Best Keys if you compare with Novation Launchkey or Akai Mini. Good Size and Price and good DAW integration.
     
  10. dondada

    dondada Audiosexual

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    arturia where horrible with their software support for their hardware.
    maybe they are better now, but bugs and longevity aren't always addressed.

    Akai seems better, and talking about feel, if that's really important than a 25 key wont cut it
    i would opt for a slim air key and an control surface, or something with a good keybed.
     
  11. ArticStorm

    ArticStorm Moderator Staff Member

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    i bought a Akai LPK25 for 36€, its very good for traveling and if you dont want any extra features, its ace. To bad it doesnt have an micro midi out, this would had been perfect for playing with hardware synths.

    Why a 25? is it the size, price or that you dont need a bigger size, since not playing strings/pads?
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2022
  12. naitguy

    naitguy Audiosexual

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    It definitely depends on what you're looking for. I have the Nektar Impact LX25+. It's a good keyboard, but I'm going to sell it this year and get an Arturia Keystep 37. I've got two other devices for pads and knobs/sliders now, a Novation Launchpad X and Novation Launch Control XL. Both are great. The Launchpad in particular is unreal though, and I'm happy to have this. I don't use it for drum beats.. I use it for entering melodies and such. Anyways, enough rambling.. the point here is I was able to trim the fat off the keyboard and not worry about how many knobs/dials/pads/transport buttons/etc it had.

    My decision to get a Keystep 37 is mainly because it's nice and small, but I am also probably far too infatuated with the arp/sequencer on it, but I'm really excited to play around with that. the Keystep 37 compared to the LX25+: Smaller keys, of course (and synth action) and slightly wider, but an extra octave of keys, plus less deep, and less high. I think probably lighter too. As a somewhat long term LX25+ owner and "noodler", I actually would like 1 more octave.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2022
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    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2023
  14. Legotron

    Legotron Audiosexual

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    Arturia MiniLab, I have mk 2, quality stuff for good price
     
  15. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    I totally disagree with you.
    Receiving information from experienced users is much better than looking at main retailers webpages and chose by your guts.
    Discerning the answer made by experienced user from the rest is the first key.
    The sedond one is to see if some critics / problem are repeatedly mentioned about a specific keyboard, so you can shorten the list of eligible models.
    Then, you can go to a store and try the ones on your list.
     
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    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2023
  17. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    Sorry, I totally misunderstood your first comment, because of this "respective recessions" I didnt understood ... sorry again. Yes our view are very close. :bow:
     
  18. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    I think 2 octaves+1 is way too small. I often play RH only on the Grandma and even the 3 octaves is restrictive. And you guys are talking about chords and Pollys. Too small. I think 49 is the best amount of keys if you have a limited workspace. It's still too small to really play LH+RH but you can get away with the restrictive aspect. just imho.
     
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    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2023
  20. BlackHaze1986

    BlackHaze1986 Rock Star

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  21. LoveToGig

    LoveToGig Producer

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    You can also consider these:
    Studio Logic SL88 (88 notes weighted)
    Roland A800 PRO (61-note light weight)
     
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