I’m trying to find out what keybed type i might want if i was going to compose. Now as the stated the 3 types in the title, those are my options. I’ve beer looking mostly at Arturia’s selection from the Keylab 88 MKII (Hammer Action) to the Essential MKII (Semi-Weighted) and the New Essential MKIII (Synth Action). Now I’m not a pianist, but i do compose a lot for strings. So i have a lot of ostinatos. My question is if anyone has ever played fast string sampled ostinatos on either of the 3 keybeds and can recommend which one works better with that type of playing.
Oh and also i hate the octave button… I would love your opinion on whether i should get the 88 keys for composing and not necessarily for playing.
I think what you are asking is a personal preference. My best recommendation is to visit a local music store and spend a little time trying out as many keyboards as you can. Not all keybeds are created equally and there can be a substantial difference between two keyboards of the same type.
Well personal preference gives insight… tbh here were I’m from (Lebanon) you don’t find many stores with open box devices to try before you buy. And besides that you can’t try them with the software (Sample libraries).
That’s why starting this thread. Might put a lot of things into perspective for users.
In my opinion an 88key is an overkill. 66 would be more than enought for composing.
I prefer Hammer action keybeds as I come from a piano background but when I was in the quest of finding the best hammer action I tried a bunch of full weighted keys and not a single one had the exact feeling until I tried the Doepfer PK88 which I bought.
I recorded few times but after that because of its size and weight I was too lazy to set up so I end up using my akai mpk synth-action keys.
Not happy when I do, so I am thinking of selling both and get a mid size keyboard which I will actually like when using.
So to conclude, keybed type is one thing, but also size and ease of use should be taken into consideration.
Yeah i think the thing about the 88 keys is that you dont need to shift all the pitches around to reach the 2 extremes. This way each key has its pitch which makes it easier to see where you are.
I understand.
If this is your only keyboard and you think you will play any piano type sounds at all, I would recommend an 88 key weighted hammer action keyboard. If not, semi or synth action keys will suffice. I wouldn’t go below 61 keys.
Beyond that, I do feel it comes down to personal preference. I spent a good amount of time trying keyboards and digital pianos out. My personal preference for weighted keys are Yamaha pianos. I much prefer the weight and response compared to Roland pianos e.g. Casio was a close second. My criteria for a digital piano was 1) a good keybed I felt comfortable with and 2) on-board piano sound(s) for quick access. I ended up with a Yamaha P-115 a little over 5 years ago. It’s a cheaper model but it ticked all my boxes at the time. When this piano retires, I will look for a model with a bit fancier and more responsive keyboard. Most likely another Yamaha.
Around the same time I was also shopping for a 61 key MIDI keyboard. This time I went with the best keyboard action I could find and didn’t have any other reservations such as controllers, pads, etc. The keyboard I liked the best playing ended up being a Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol 61 Mk2.
Hope this helps in some way. Let me know if you have any questions.
IMHO - go for at least the semi-weighted action. I’m from a Piano background, and it’s the least I could get to get some decent feedback from the keyboard itself. I would have gone for Hammer Action, but at the time, I was gigging as well, and I have a back to protect ;).
Personally, again, the 88 is what I’d go for, but it’s taking everything to the extreme - I guess if you have the space and the cash, it’s worth it, but I could work with smaller. At home, I have a tiny controller (which is useful, but hateful at the same point) - I should nick one from work XD
This is really a preference choice you need to make. As a rule most piano players would prefer a weighted Fatar-like keybed because they are accustomed to that feel and response from the instrument after playing a real piano most of the time. In my case I have a Kronos 88 fully weighted keyboard which I use for piano parts and situations where you need to impart more feeling in your playing style. These weighted keyboards, in my opinion, provide me a better feel for expression. If the part I am going to be playing is more like a synth or organ like parts, then a lighter touch key feel is probably desired.
In my case, I am invested in the Native Instruments ecosystem so I went for a Komplete Kontrol S61 Mk2, yes for the feel, but mostly because of the DAW integration with NKS and Cubase but I do find it limiting when playing certain instruments.
I could just as easily have gone with Arturia Essential for the feel and integration with Cubase, but would lose out on the NKS integration… Not an easy choice to make if your ability to try these out is limited.
the keybed in the 88 is made by Fatar.
The same keybed is also put in Fatar’s own brand of controllers, Studiologic.
Might want to look into those, there’s also a 73 keys model with hammer action.
Yeah my gut tells me to go with the Arturia Keylab essential MKIII but waiting for them to make the 88 key version. Because like you said you might need the organ style playing and when it comes to my personal preference, I’m not a peso player, but i love the weight of my acoustic piano but can’t imagine if be able to get fast ostinatos with the weighted keys…
If you have room for an 88-key (and not traveling with it), then it’s a no-brainer: get an 88-key.
Smaller keybeds are only if you don’t have enough space or budgets for the 88… or if you travel a lot.
My favorite action by far is the Roland PHA-50 (or PHA-4).
+1 on the recommendations of trying many, because this is soooo personal!
Some people love the Yamaha keybeds, but personally, I can’t play them… and some might hate the PHA50 I like so much…
What I did several times is buying on the used market, play it for months or years, then sell back for the same or more money…
It depends.
Studiologic also makes a controller (SL Mixface) with sliders and buttons that you attach to their keyboards (or use standalone) which offers that functionality.
You can place that ontop of the keyboard, but also anywhere on your desk, which is much more ergonomic IMO.
I find it tiring to keep my hand hanging in the air to operate those controllers with sliders above the keys. Looks nice in pictures, not the best in the real world, IMO.
You’re very right, it does seem very odd that the faders are all to the right of the keyboard while usually one would use his left hand to control expression and such…