M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3 – 88 Key Semi Weighted MIDI Keyboard Controller for Complete Command of Virtual Synthesisers and DAW parameters

Product Information

The three-foot pedal that comes with it has slippery metal pedals that your foot slides off easily when resting on it. If they put rubber on the ends, it could solve this. However, it is also really heavy, at around 65 lbs/29.5 kg, and it is more on the high end in the price for those who are just into MIDI keyboards. 10. Swissonic ControlKey 88 Being acoustic piano makers, Kawai has brought somewhat of a game-changer into the digital space for pianists. Do you need a controller for your DAW and couldn't care less about onboard sounds and acoustic piano-like performance? Do you need plenty of programmable buttons, pads, knobs, and instant integration with Ableton and Massive?

Velocity-sensitive pads have different uses, such as being able to trigger samples within your DAW, you can play chords on software or hardware instruments, and can send MIDI data. The pads are also pressure-sensitive, meaning that they have polyphonic aftertouch. Within each mode, each pad can have a different setting. Nektar has made its Impact GXP series with 49, 61, and 88 keys. The keys are semi-weighted, meaning that you can have reasonable response control on various plug-in instruments like drums, synths, or bass. It is compatible to play with your iPad using the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Connection Kit, thus giving you more freedom in mobility. Good for you if you need to have many octave ranges. It is light in its weight also and very budget-friendly; probably one of the most affordable 88-keys around.

MIDI Keyboard Controller

Each key lifts a hammer (the weight you feel), which passes through an optical sensor. A long skinny triangle cut into the hammer is what disrupts the light path, the state of which is read over 200,000 times per second. Both channel andpolyphonic Aftertouch are supported, the VAXMIDI being the only piece in this roundup that senses the latter. High-resolution MIDI velocity can be output as well. The only thing that might leave some players wanting? Although those knobs and individual displays are undeniably cool, you don’t get faders or drum pads as you do on the KeyLab. Still, the S88 is a stellar deal and a no-brainer for musicians already using Native Instruments software. So before you plop down the cash for the best 88 key keyboard, ask yourself: what kind of music will I play with this keyboard? Does this music really require 88 keys?

In terms of connectivity, the MiniLab 3 comes with a USB-C port for connecting to your computer as well as a control input for additional expression pedals or footswitches. The MIDI Out allows you to connect the keyboard to external MIDI gear, expanding the possibilities for live performance and studio work. The DGX-660 features graded hammer standard (GHS) action. This means that the weight of the keys is graded – as you move from the lower bass keys to the higher notes, the keys get lighter. This is meant to mimic the touch and feel of an acoustic piano. Investing in a MIDI keyboard can greatly enhance your music-making experience by providing tactile and intuitive control over your virtual instruments and effects. Whether you’re composing intricate melodies, crafting complex chord progressions, or simply trying to find inspiration through hands-on experimentation, a MIDI keyboard can open up a world of creative possibilities. The Fixed Vel (TS Mode) button sets the note velocity for all keys to having a 127 fixed value throughout the keyboard. Octave down and up will transpose the keybed in octave increments, and when holding Shift, one of the Octave buttons will transpose the keys down or up by one semi-tone. Below the pitch and mod wheels, you will see an LED-lit touch strip. Via the MIDI Learn function of the loaded instrument, you can assign parameters to it.The original A88 uses Roland’s PHA3 Ivory Feel-G weighted keyboard. However, since then their whole digital piano range has been overhauled and the latest design (PHA4) comes in three versions – standard, premium and concert. The A88MKII uses the PHA4 Standard action but don’t be fooled. Ultimately, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a better Live-centric keyboard, and there’s little here not to recommend.

Additionally, you get 4 touch sensitivity settings (hard, medium, soft, and fixed) to accommodate different playing styles. The key tops are plastic instead of the synthetic ebony & ivory found on Yamaha's high-end digital pianos (such as the P-255). They look good but don't do a great job of absorbing moisture from sweat. While a MIDI keyboard controller and a synth might look alike, the two instruments provide very different features. Some excellent software is included with this KeyLab 88 MkII, such as Ableton Live lite, Analog Lab V, Piano V, Wurli V, and Vox Continental V (the latter two offer more classic and retro sounds). In addition, you will receive an adapter that prevents ground loops (an unwanted current that makes a low-frequency hum in your audio signal, which is possible in connections involving computers, CV/Gate connections, and audio devices). And also a laptop stand and an iPad/sheet music stand. MIDI controller keyboards not only enable you to play and record tunes into your computer, they also let you control software - and in some cases, other studio hardware - so have become one of the most essential items for the modern music producer alongside an audio interface and laptop or PC. They can be plugged directly into your computer or laptop via USB - or, in some cases, operate wirelessly over Bluetooth or connect to iOS devices to control apps. They are mostly used to let you play and record with your DAW's software instruments and any VST synth plugins you might have installed.In our opinion, the Fatar-sourced hammer action skews a bit on the heavy side—pianists might consider this a plus—but can be lightened up via the 11 velocity curves. Aftertouch, which is also adjustable, had a wide sweet spot and was responsive to subtle changes in finger pressure. The key tops are textured, the keys sit tightly with no lateral wobble, and we just can’t over-emphasize that this action feels far more expensive than it is. The drum pads feel good enough that MPC purists just might not wrinkle their noses here. A Synthesizer is an instrument that can create (i.e. synthesize) its own sounds via an onboard sound engine (either digital or analog). A synthesizer usually combines a keyboard with the sound synthesis mechanism, such as the Roland Juno. Synthesizers can also be without any keys, such as the MOOG Minitaur bass synth. The keyboard features a PHA-50 Wood and Plastic hybrid structure with escapement, which is Roland's approach to recreating the acoustic piano feel. The velocity mapping is superb; the playing experience is just like a real piano's. For smaller setups, production on the go, basslines, and tweaking MIDI notes after playing, your setup might benefit from a smaller MIDI keyboard like the M32. If you already use KOMPLETE or any other NATIVE INSTRUMENTS software, then our MIDI keyboard range will fit straight into your setup, seamlessly integrating with the products you already own. You can use the encoder for panning and jogging the start point when the jog button is pressed. You can change velocity curves instantly on iMap software instead of navigating your way through the buttons to do this, which alleviates time and pressure.