88-Key MIDI Keyboards

I wanted a hammer action midi controller that is built like a tank like the rest of my gear, and the MC-3000, hands down, is the most full featured pro level midi controller available up until now. The MC-3000 features two MIDI ins and EIGHT MIDI out ports, with two MIDI thru ports. It features a built in patch bay to route all of these channels in any way you like. While having this much control does get a bit confusing, it's all in there. Split your keyboard any way you like, trigger different synths with different velocity curves, it's all there. UTILIZATION General configuration- easy to figure out. Eight buttons with sliders on the left. Completely assignable, but the base function is an on/off switch for each MIDI out and volume or assignable cc functions for each slider per active channel. Manual- can be sketchy at times. With so much depth into midi functions, things can get confusing and complex setups can make you pull your hair out. All the info is in the manual, but again, with all the sub menus, it can be a real chore to learn how to assign a function. Channel/ patch selection- once you are in the patch edit mode you can assign all your midi channels and patch selections. There is a template of many older synth modules that recall their factory patch settings. I have also undertaken the laborious task of assigning my own patch info for each of my newer modules. General configuration- it's easy enough to get setup with a few basic setups, but to dive deep into this machine can be very complex. OVERALL OPINION Most like- the hammer action is as good as any Yamaha or kurzweil high end model digital pianos. I also appreciate the number of connections, making this controller a true midi master keyboard, and is very good for large setups that use multiple modules. Least like- lack of cc controllers. Yes, there are 8 sliders, but some knobs would have been nice, as well as a transport control. However, if should point out that any negative comments I have regarding this and other features are redeemed in the physispiano K4. This is the new incarnation of this keyboard, made by the same manufacturer, viscount. It offers much more cc controllers, a transport control, a much easier to use graphic color LCD display, and several USB ports (both sides) for USB MIDI control and as a host for iPads. Secondhand value of around $500-600 is a great deal considering the features and that this board once cost around $2400. If you need piano hammer action, you are not going to find better action in a strict midi controller than this keyboard. While void of some modern features like USB MIDI, it is a machine that will allow you to create extremely complex midi setups. With 8 midi outs and two midi ins, you can transmit up to 128 channels of midi. I purchased this board used and mine was part of a touring fleet for the pit crew on the Mama Mia tour. It was loaded with some really complex setups (I understand they used 5 of these in the pit), setups far more complex than my connection to my DAW, plus 3 modules and an iPad. Again, if you have the money to spend on a NEW controller that is a direct descendent of the MC-3000, look up the Physispiano K4. New price is around $2000. The EX model also has the sound board of their famous physispiano.

88-key piano with MIDI control. The piano is weighted (unlike the A50) with polyphonic aftertouch. It has 4 split zones, 64 patches, 4 split points with channel, wheel, velocity, aftertouch, and program change assignation. UTILIZATION Technically speaking, the piano is very easy to use, but it is very poorly explained in the manual. The keyboard is very nice, it provides, partially, the sensations of an acoustic piano. It obviously isn't a Steinway or a Bösendorfer in terms of comfort, but it is a real delight to play. OVERALL OPINION I think it's a very good master keyboard aimed especially at pianists. Organ and synth players would be certainly thrown off by the keyboard. Despite its piano keyboard it nevertheless allows me to control some of my synthesis expanders, but also some of my virtual synths at home. I've used it for 7 years and I am still very pleased with it. While I certainly prefer to play a real piano, I really enjoy playing it. I use it often onstage, since it's lighter and more practical to move than an acoustic piano. Plus, it provides me some autonomy on tour, because some venues don't really observe the riders (although it's pretty rare to be totally honest). I prefer to play my A 80 rather than a cheap and out-of-tune piano. Sarah.

For the price, this is the best 88-key weighted keyboard controller out there! OK, so its not quite as good as a 'Kurzweil" keybed, but it is the next best thing, ...responsive, stable and light. The next best feature is its ease of configuration using either the on-board color LED screen or (better) using the on-screen GUI app to do it, ....and having jacks & provision for three (3) switch controls and 1 expression pedal. I also decided to get the optional snap-on laptop shelf for my laptop, which has come in very handy. The only con I could say is that I am not a fan of the joystick-style controllers on the keyboard, but I am using this primarily for piano, electric pianos, and organ anyway.

Roland A-88 is a midi controller, not very cheap cheap but very high quality and playful. Characteristics that motivated my choice was Premium 88-key Ivory Feel-G keyboard,and also the direct link mode. It has a midi connection that works really great with Pro Tools and other daw's . UTILIZATION The general configuration of the program it's very simple, yet very very fast. The manual has a nice description regarding the knobs, slides, velocity sensitive keys, presets, program changes and MIDI channels. The patch selection is easy to follow even for an amateur, it's very straight-forward and sensitive. OVERALL OPINION What I like most about are the 88-key Ivory Feel-G keyboard , the lightweight and compact design , the Two knobs, two switches, the D-BEAM controller is also a great feature. What I also like is the fact that is USB bus powered , is compatible with Windows Xp / Vista / Mac OSX and Windows 7 and the fact that this product can be connected to an Ipad. My opinion regarding the price of this product is decent , you can buy this great usb midi controller online for about 1000 $ , which is not that much if you consider the 88 keys provided , the great feel , the weighted keys and the great design. Precision and quality of the sound is very good, the knobs , the keys , everything responds very well , I haven't find any problems regarding its features. I've tried several midi controller , this is one of the best that describes the feel of a real piano , however if you're fancy about different knobs , pads , and stuff , you can find a more complex kind of midi controller. Knowing what I know , I would buy this product if I would search for something that is as close to a piano.

Akai MPK88 MIDI keyboard has fully weighted keys with aftertouch, as well as 16 genuine MPC pads that motivated my curiosity to try this product, and I must admit it's very Pro and it almost feels like a real piano. It has a Midi type of connection. UTILIZATION The general configuration of the program it's very simple, it has a well detailed manual. However it has plenty of controller, knobs, sliders, so if you're new to this technology you should read it more carefully and check maybe some tutorials and guides. OVERALL OPINION What I like most about Akai MPK88 88-Key MIDI Controller is the feel of the keys, the aftertouch, the rubber, I also enjoy the fact that MPK made this controller to feel more like an acoustic instrument rather than as a controller. Another great features that this product has, it's the build-in arpeggiator that can boost your creativity and just add some fun to the playing. As a pianist, you would find more than enough the 88 keys provided by MPK and 76 assignable rotary knobs, sliders, and buttons that allow you full control over your work station. My opinion regarding the value of price is great, for 800$ you get a 88 keys midi controller with many features and with the Ableton Lite version, which is quite handy. This controller adds that little detail regarding mixing, sequencing, with 16 genuine MPC pads, velocity- and pressure-sensitive. However this product is quite heavy, so if own this program, don't think you just can carry it around like you would with an M-audio Axiom 49, this product is heavy, keep that in mind. Everything about this product works great, my only complain would be that it costs pretty much, so not anyone could afford to buy it, having said that, this product has a top quality and response.

I use the VPC1 exclusively with Pianoteq, running on an ordinary laptop, with an M-Audio interface and 2 KRK Rokit 6" powered speakers. I use USB only, no power to the keyboard, although it does come with an external power supply. This keyboard has no onboard sound at all. It is purely intended as a PIANO keyboard, for use with simulated electronic piano sounds via MIDI. Some other keyboard instruments can also work, such as harpsichord, etc., but it is not suitable for stage piano use. The instrument is heavy and bulky. A little hard to move around for performances. The action is excellent. Feels exactly like a grand piano, with a fairly heavy touch, but not to the point where it's tiring to play, at least not for me, although I've seen reviews that faulted it on this point. It is well made. I've used mine almost daily for two years and it seems no different than when brand new. The velocity curve default on my software is pretty standard, which is to say it is not idiosyncratic or unusual. The output is very sensitive, from a whisper pianissimo to as loud as you can play captured in seemingly infinite gradation. It defaults to 1 = silent (0 is note off), so it can emulate a piano almost perfectly. It has three pedals as an included accessory, and has a sostenuto function, so you really can play it just like the grand pianos emulations. Overall, it is expensive but probably the best choice out there for under $2000 US for a MIDI piano controller with no extraneous nonsense.

I chose this product because of its color black grey and white it matched the color theme of my Macbookpro and my audio interface Steinberg UR44. This unit is very simple. It has 88 semi-weighted keys, which will give you more like playing an acoustic piano and it has a midi ins/out similar to other controller but i use the USB connection because the cable is much more cheaper I use the m-audio sustain (sp1) and its compatible UTILIZATION Setting this up was very simple, just plug in play. i use macbook pro ( mid 2012) 4 gig ram 2.66 quad-core running at osx 10.9.4 and it works very smoothly. my audio recording software that I use is Cubase 7 and theres no compatibility issues I didnt have time to read the manual because of its thickness. but the unit itself is a plug and play so everything will just work fine OVERALL OPINION The Cheap plastic feel of its casing irritates me. sometimes i hear crackles when i move it to one place to another. this unit might crack if you fell it accidentally. you must place it to a flat and solid flat-form for the plastic not to squick I tried Casio keyboard before but my heart is in the m-audio because of its simplicity and support and integration Pros - Natural feel of keys -cheap - for home studio use Cons - cheap plastic feel - it doesn't feel sturdy -some keys squeaks

The M Audio KeyStation Pro 88 is a full midi keyboard with midi out and midi in with all of the octaves of a real piano. But don’t be fooled, this Midi keyboard does not have the feel of a real piano. The keys are weighted and it gives them a good feel, but the feel of it isn’t like a synth and its not like a real full piano. Its kind of like an in between of the two different types of keys. You can also ad sustain pedals to this board as well. UTILIZATION The keys feel great and it is a very sturdy keyboard, but I feel like if it left me with the urge of wanting to sit at a real piano. Its not built cheap, but it doesn’t leave you satisfied, so if you are a keyboard/piano player and you are looking for something with a real feel too it don’t go with the M Audio Keystation Pro 88. OVERALL OPINION I used mine for about a month and then took it back and go a different one. You mine as well go with one of the M Audio Axiom midi Keyboards. Their are midi keyboards and are not intended to feel like a real piano. M Audio fell short with this board with trying to make it have a real piano feel to it. So if you are looking for a real piano feeling midi keyboard this will leave you unsatisfied, plus the keys are too heavy to use it for your production if you are into hip hop. You wont be able to do those quick sliding melodies and synth lines with this board because the keys are too heavy. Plus the price is a little high for a midi keyboard like this when there are a ton of others on the market that will suite you better.

8 controllers for velocity, tone, etc........ U can control Pro Tools (only stop, start, rewind, and FF) or a sequencer through it. Price paid: $529.99 USD UTILIZATION No problems! OVERALL OPINION A TANK! It looks like its off a space ship. It came from NM and the box took quite a beating. However the unit was fine. I HIGHLY suggest this Midi Controller. The keys feel like I'm playing a grand piano, and it comes with a sustain pedal, usb cord, ac cord, software drivers, and instr. manual I'm NEVER selling this controller! Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: bhardman ( 8-, 2005)