MIDI controller keyboard recommendations?

[FretFire]

I'm looking for a MIDI controller keyboard. I'll be using it to track piano/synth parts in Logic Pro X, and possibly to launch loops via Ableton in a live setting. A 49-key would be the biggest I'd need, I'm open to compact units as well.

I've heard good things about the Novation LaunchKey line and some of the newer M-Audio stuff. What are some of your favorites? I know someone will ask about budget, it's flexible but I'll say $250-300 tops.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: MIDI controller keyboard recommendations?

Arturia Keylab looks pretty good if you can find it gently used. It's got that old skoo Moog look with the wooden sides too.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: MIDI controller keyboard recommendations?

I have an Oxygen 49. Adequate for my needs. In fact, a lot of the extra controls are lost on me, though it can be handy to have a physical control there to sweep a filter or mangle some other synth parameter.

For me, it's all about the feel of the keyboard. I grew up playing piano so nothing comes close to the feel of a real weighted hammer-action keyboard IMO, but I can't justify spending lots of money just for that. So I look for keyboards that at least have a substantial feel to them, like the keys don't bend or wobble when I put weight on them. It's no surprise that key feel and action are sacrificed big time in the low end models.

For my band's album I rented a Roland RD-300NX and used it as both a synth and a MIDI controller depending on what I was doing. I would love to own something like that someday. The feel and action were perfect.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: MIDI controller keyboard recommendations?

I'd want to be looking at both the Arturia, and the Novation offerings.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: MIDI controller keyboard recommendations?

I have a Casio Privia and, as a person who didn't play piano until a few years ago, it's a pain with the weighted keys. I think they're semi-hammer, full weighted or something but they have a heavier resistance the harder/faster you push. I would rather have an unweighted or semiweighted workstation to do MIDI triggering personally.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: MIDI controller keyboard recommendations?

I am not a keyboard player.
Alesis Q49 works fine for me.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: MIDI controller keyboard recommendations?

Great advices above. The M-Audio stuff is awesome. I've been using their 2-octave Ozone compact unit for... well, everything. I created all the orchestration stuff with that for hundreds of tracks. It was purchased somewhere around 2006 and it never failed me. During the years I met a lot of their keyboards and all of them were great, with the Axiom on front. If I wanted to buy a new keyboard now I'd go with the new Axiom Air 25:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/AxiomAIR25New.html

Of course it's not probable as my 8-years old Ozone feels like new

+1 recommendation for the Arturia too. I really loved the action and the synth pack that you get with is really impressive. For its compact goodness, Keylab25 would be my choice:

http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/products/KeyLab25/intro.html