MIDI Keyboards.... recommendations ? what do you use?

[stevecollom]

hey guys.
My m-adio key rig 49 midi keyboard has a note that stopped working (unless i hit it with a hammer ) so i'm gonna start looking for a new one. any recommendations?

i want something weighted. 49 keys is still ok (space is limited) also with some trigger pads as i do a range of styles from dance - strings.

what do you use?

steve

[mazz]

The Novation keyboards have really nice action. The M-Audios always feel a bit "plasticy" and noisy to me. I have a 25 key Novation that has pads and a very nice keyboard (non-weighted), it's a SL MkII

[Mark Kaufman]

I want this one: http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/pro ... intro.html

I use a discontinued Yamaha KX-49...just ok.

[jdstamper]

I'm primarily a guitarist. Someday I'd like to have a supreme keyboard, but right now it's not justifiable

Last year I bought an M-Audio Axiom 61 (2nd gen), at a real good sale price. It's got just the right combination of features and price for me, and the way it's laid out fits into my workflow. I've been very happy with it, although I would like the key action to be more natural, it does cost me extra time to fix velocity on many notes that I could have played with more feeling on a better keyboard ... but again, hard to beat for the price.

Jim

[cardell]

I'm primarily a guitarist. Someday I'd like to have a supreme keyboard, but right now it's not justifiable

Me too.

Don't laugh, but I've got this (really cheap...but great for me): http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UMX250.aspx

Stuart

[andygabrys]

I was using an ancient MIDIman 61 keystation (m-audio before it was m-audio) until dec of 2010. which was horrible and the drivers came on an engraved stone slab.

at that time I was able to afford to get an AKAI MPK88. There was kind of a price war going on at the time, and I got it from Amazon.com for about $495.00

Its a controller only, no sounds. Its got weighted action, aftertouch, arpeggiator on board, 16 MPC type pads, 8 drawbar type sliders (too bad there weren't 9 like it seems real Hammonds have) and various other buttons and twirly knobs that I rarely use. Expression pedal input, and two footswitch inputs. USB or MIDI on board,

I am not a pianist so it seems to work pretty nicely for me. Worth a look I think. only drawback is its a beast.

[Cruciform]

I'm primarily a guitarist. Someday I'd like to have a supreme keyboard, but right now it's not justifiable

Me too.

Don't laugh, but I've got this (really cheap...but great for me): http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UMX250.aspx

Stuart

I have the UMX490. It's an excellent keyboard.

[Cruciform]

hey guys.
My m-adio key rig 49 midi keyboard has a note that stopped working (unless i hit it with a hammer ) so i'm gonna start looking for a new one. any recommendations?

i want something weighted. 49 keys is still ok (space is limited) also with some trigger pads as i do a range of styles from dance - strings.

what do you use?

steve

Andy mentioned the Akai keyboard with pads. Can't go wrong with Akai, IMO. I use a Behringer UMX490, which has 8 assignable knobs and 8 buttons - I've been very happy with it, but it's not weighted. I also have the Akai MPD26 pad controller for drums.

[mojobone]

What Mazz said, and also that several M-audio keyboards I've auditioned had an annoying amount of side-to-side wiggle, release rattle, and just felt cheap, generally, with that 'I feel like I'm playing a table' thunk at the bottom of a keystroke, instead of a spongier yet still-solid thump. (indicates old, cheap or stingy use of felt) I prefer semi-weighted waterfall keys, coming from a Hammond background, (helps me get my 'gliss' on) but note that regardless of quality, nearly all piano-style actions are made by either Fatar or Yamaha. The Nord stuff is among the best, but Yamaha, Roland, Kurzweil Casio and Korg all make good 'uns.

[stevecollom]

great ideas guys.keep em commming. I checked them all out. i'm thinking i might have to wait to get the weighted keys and maybe go with more of a midi controller. I went down the local GC and tried a few models. Yeah the m-audio's do feel like plastic bottle keys
I really like the idea of the Artuia (analogue sounds) and the Novation has great feel and looks like it would work well with Ableton Live..
I'm trying to find a dealer that might have an Artuia that i could try.

im gonna have to wait for a really nice weighted keyboard.