Hi, Im looking to purchase a 61 key controller. I've read and watched a lot of reviews but they seem to strongly disagree on keybed and pad quality. So im asking here because people seem to be well-read here.

I think i would prefer semi-weighted to synth-action, but i've never had either.


My budget is 300$ Im mostly focused on the keybed itself because im fine with changing stuff with mouse in DAW's

M-Audio Oxygen Pro and Alesis VI61 sound appealing to me, do you know anything about their quality?

Also Hello! this is my first post here

 

I would add https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PanoramaT6--nektar-panorama-t6-keyboard-controller to your list of possible controllers to consider. they are recommended on here frequently also, and the same MSRP.

 

Nektar Impact LX61+ ($179.95)
https://nektartech.com/impact-lx49-61-plus/
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ImpactLX61P--nektar-impact-lx61-keyboard-controller

Nektar Impact LX61+ Midi Controller Review and Demo

 

@ Banesatis Budget is 300 $ - the " Roland A-800 PRO 61-key Keyboard Controller " cost $419.99
www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A800Pro--roland-a-800-pro-keyboard-controller-with-61-keys-and-8-pads

 

Excellent keybed
$279.00
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KompKA-61--native-instruments-komplete-kontrol-a61

 

Last edited: Feb 28, 2022

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61 Smart Keyboard Controller ($ 279 )
www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KompKA-61--native-instruments-komplete-kontrol-a61

 

A61 Is it basically an Komplete Kontrol S61 with no display screen and other extras? If he does not care about knobs and sliders, etc. it would be my pick. They play nicely.

 

Rollpiano GPR 61

 

I own a Roland A500Pro and the drum pads are a joke, there seems to be no touch sensitivity as there are only 2 it seems....
Besides that no complaints and it does its job.

 

I've read up on them and it seems like these three are synth-action. I plan to play both synth,string, and piano parts. That's why i would prefer semi-weighted.

 

I've heard that it's good for Komplete Kontrol software but not that great for other stuff. Is the keybed really that great? I recall hearing somewhere that it's not the same as in their other models.

 

If you are using Arturia soft synths-emulators the keylab essentials would be a good choice. Arturia's 88 key controller is also at a good price

 

Yamaha Montage 6

 

Ableton users be aware: Nektar (all products) does not officially support mapping, so performance with this daw are limited

 

dont take Novation stuff, M-audio cheap ... Roland is better

 

'dont take Novation stuff'

Sorry nothing is better for Ableton Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 instant mapping out of the box
I own a Launchkey 37 MK3 it is an overkill for my usage (it can be used standalone without a DAW because you can connect any Analog synth module with MIDI out)
M-AUDIO is a huge red flag I used to have a CODE 49 it was horrible the only positive about is was the feel of the keybed but nothing else horrible velocity curve horrible misbehaving knobs (values jumping randomly up and down) the 'Beat drum pad' is absolutely trash on the CODE 49

 

My first MIDI keyboard was the Novation Launchkey 61 MK2, and I don't know about the newer generations, but this one is pretty bad. After one or two years the keys have this uneven weight to them, they make A LOT of noise, the velocity curve is exponential-like instead of linear, or maybe the responsiveness got worse after extensive use. Oh, and the drum pads? I never used them because they're practically useless to me. I have to press the pads with unusual force, and that takes away all the feel and dynamics. From my own experience, I wouldn't recommend Novation for MIDI controllers. I think other brands can offer a much better product for the price.

 

m-audio oxygen pro 49 here and its great... it have integrated almost any DAW mapping... beat that. the pad section for the drums... meh... can be better... BUT... its just for that and some little thing, its kind of cheap. For me its super great. im studio one user but when i use ableton , get some flow even i never use it. and never get the "scene" and the "arrangement" thing haha xd