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Hi everyone!

I am looking at the49 key controllers and would love to hear from anyone who uses either, or has a better suggestion. I chose these two as they are supposed to have a very good workflow from the keyboard vs using a mouse to get around the screen.

What I've found in online reviews / youtube etc so far:
Nektar Impact LX 49 seems to integrate with Logic really well, and control many important functions out of the box, and easily programmed if needed.
Arturia key lab essentials 49 seems to do ok out of box, great with some tweaking, but also has a big plus in the included software and a better feeling key bed. (The key bed and software is a secondary concern for me)

I'd like to stay under $250, so these both fit the price range.

Neither is available locally, so all my research is online... I'd love to hear from anyone who has some suggestions!

I have the Arturia. The plus is that it comes with killer synths. The minus for me is that it doesn't play nice with Reason, don't know about Logic. I've heard nothing but great things about the Nektar.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you have the key lab, or is it the key lab essential?
Cheers-

Keylab 49

Thanks

Native Instruments has a new line of controllers with Komplete/Kontakt support/integration, you might want to have a look, if you're heavily invested in their VIs.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ontrol-a61

There's also a 49 key model.

mojobone wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 31, 2019 10:27 pm

Native Instruments has a new line of controllers with Komplete/Kontakt support/integration, you might want to have a look, if you're heavily invested in their VIs.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ontrol-a61

There's also a 49 key model.

I own the NI Kontrol Keyboard and can absolutely recommend it. The only disadvantage is that it does not work that well with a sliding keyboard tray (in case you want to use one of these - many studio desks are equipped with them) due to the depth of the unit, so depending on the desk/tray it can be difficult to access the display and knobs in that configuration but if you put it on your desk it will work great! I am a piano player and used to work with hammer action control keyboards but I always thought that whilst they are great to play piano parts they are less versatile when it comes to e.g. playing bass lines or string parts. I now use a Clavinova for piano parts (if realism matters...) but everything else I do on the NI Kontrol Keyboard. Hope that helps.

Nektar just released a crazy cool controller called the Panorama T4. It's about $295, but it's brand new technology and the key-bed is hands down my favorite for a MIDI controller. Here's a list that helped me decide a little while back.

https://keyboardkraze.com/best-49-key-midi-controllers/

If that's too expensive, you can do the Native instruments A series, but I'm not crazy about them. Maybe try looking at the M-audio code 49 as it's about $200.

Thanks Danny. Nektar does seem to be the winner

Its an old post, but I wanted to reply - I went with the Nectar LX + for use with my Logic Pro and I absolutely love it. Integrates perfectly.