At first I bought the alesis, then saw this video. Tried to make the alesis 61 key work, but the feel and unstable velocity curve was too much. I returned it, and got the oxygen 61. So much better, the feel is good just a little soft. It came with more software; Pro tools, Ableton, xpand and more. Glad I watched this video.
My concern with a lot of these keyboards out now is that the keys have no weight to them and are flimsy. Your video has really helped me out. Thank you.
Great video !!!! You convinced me to get the small M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 . Because of the bundled software , don't really need pads. I took me a while to decide but thanks to you I made my decision.
Yo, I did too! Haven’t got mine yet, but please read this; Yo! I decided on the M-Audio Oxy Pro-49! I’m Also trying to get a “Decksaver*” brand hard deck cover for it, but they don’t make it (yet)?! Anyone buying/has the Oxygen Pro-49 or 61 and want a Decksaver, perfect for carrying in a soft bag! Let them know, it takes several orders for them to tool one up! Please! I WANT one! Hard plastic cover, fits exact! *Decksaver* thanks!
Thanks for putting this overall comparison video together for these 'mid' priced midi control keyboards. I'm in the market for a good key-bed first and foremost so will go and check out the Novation in the shop before I make a final choice. My thinking is to start with one of these full-sized keyboards - which would be a progression from my current Akai MPK mini ... Then in the future be looking to invest in something with more of a systems control center capability - like the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 or the new Novation SL Mk III. Its great these days that we have so many to choose from!
really? tell me more pls. i want the same thing. i want to chose between nektar lx49+ and launchkey 49mk2 for fl studio. and i search the internet for this matchup. what is better for fl studio or studio one 4 artist. so, you just enter the midi in the daw and you can select from fl studio this Launchkey 49 or what? pls let me know more :D ty
Excellent! I´m an Mixcraft user with a choice of either Impact LX49 and Novation Launchpad 49. I guess I can live with the lower quality and feel of the Impact.
I need to learn the scales and chords with a keyboard with Jane's tutorial, 4-5 octaves. I can only have 1 keyboard below 10 ponds because I live in hotels and move frequently. The m-audio's key is really not good for learners. There is even a user-uploaded video to show a black key stuck in the depressed position. So, I can only use Korg's 61 microkey. $160-170 range.
i use to own the m audio keystation 61 and the oxygen 49 and to me personally i felt like i had wasted my time and money on both of them. a good friend of mine was like man just stop wasting your time and money and get what you want even if you have to save up for it. and thats what i did. so i did myself some researching and i found that the akai professional mpk 61 gave me the best bang for its buck. and yes i know it cost way more then these ones but one thing i do agree with what your say the key have to have a certain feel and i found that with the akai mpk 61
This was a good vid! I like the controls of the Nektar Impact, but when you got to the key bed, I said "snaps those keys are noisy". The Alesis would definitely be my last pick, I don't like fighting with the keys in order to play, and that what would happen with stiff key beds. Hopefully Nektar will hear you and make that next midi keyboard noise resistant. And also still have all the controls.
@@D3c3p but it's hard to find a replacement keybed let alone the price. but for the record, i just bought an arturia keylab essential 88 and i love the keybed. :D much better than my M-Audio Keystation MKIII imo.
Thankyou for this it has made all of the searching so simple! Was decided on the oxygen as the video went on and then you chose it at the end too so i am sold haha. Thanks again
@John Mike M-audio Keystation 61 and the M-audio Oxygen 49 is my choice for first and second keyboard in a Live setup. In terms of value for money and functionally.
Here I am at your channel AGAIN, 2nd time in one day, thanks google, ya got me to the right video info i needed, and YES John it was a blessing, thank you!
Being very inexpensive, it won't be a luxury product. But from other reviews, I read that the new keystations are much better than earlier generation keystations.
John - I have Logic Pro X and am wanting to get a MIDI controller. I am wanting a controller that quickly and easily integrates or synchs to Logic Pro X without a lot of painful mapping (I'm not "techy" and not so patient with such things). I believe you covered in another video that you would recommend the Nektar brand. I'm not planning to play Chopin etudes on this - so 49 keys should be sufficient. My main purpose would be to control virtual instruments and customize drum beats in particular. Some of the extra functionality of controlling the DAW is a plus. Having that context, would you still recommend Nektar most? If yes, which model would be best (the LX49 or another one)? Also, I have heard that the M-Audio comes with a lot of software but does not play well with Logic Pro X - but I have read a number of reviews of many people having issues even accessing the software! If the Nektar does not come with a software bundle, would you recommend just buying software separately? Thanks!
2 things, 1 is I had an M-Audio Axiom 49. Actually I still have it, but I can't use it because it just stopped working. I don't know if it died or is a driver issue because the drivers are super outdated and M-Audio doesn't support their midi controllers too well. The other is I would like native Bitwig support, rather than dealing with 3rd party controller scripts. Do you think it's worth getting the Nektar GX61 for those reasons? I don't want to get stuck with something that is going to leave me unsatisfied. Also I'm not sure if the GX61 works with Android 8.
Hello John, I want to thank you, your video talk directly to me because it's the first one i see which talk about noise made by the keys !!! i'm a pianist like you (a midified Yamaha U1 that i can't play anymore). got 2 accidents, one for my ears (oversensite to sound, so noise made by Keys is a big problem to me) and got surgery to my left hand (right hand injured too), so can't play anymore on most keyboard. I'm searching since several years a replacement for my Irig Keys Pro 37 which is ok for me (action and Keys noise) but only 3 octaves. after trying many keyboard, (NI S61mkII = too much keys noise + action hurt ), Arturia Essential 49 = black keys make noise when hitting the keybed, IK multimedia Keys I/O = Action hurt + coilwhine etc..) I tried the Keystation MarkIII (could only try the black keys, the seller refused to remove the profection on the white keys) and noise and action were ok to me. (hopping it's the same for the white keys). the oxygen, available in 5 octaves seems to have the same action But the choice is not that easy as Lot of people complain about the quality of it, issues with velocities (even with a velocity curve setting etc..) so no idea if it can be an ok choice. - Keystation ? not available in 5 octaves and lack of a velocity curve setting (yes i have a Velocity curve VST plugin but it's very annoying to use). my question (thanks if you can anwser) is about the novation launchkey. seems to be better made, the key noise seems to be ok too, but i'm just afraid the action is maybe too heavy compared to the keystation or the iRig Keys Pro37. but it's seems to be your favorite with the keystation. what do you think ? Any suggestoin ? I would be ok to buy a more expensive keyboards, but didn't found a review like yours speaking about key noises, like on yamaha MX49/61 etc... (tried a motif XS6, great before my surgery, but not after ( :( ) One of the Solution was to know which Fatar or action the keyboard the keystation, and my iRig use but never found this info. (sorry for the long mesage). Thanks !
Very nice video, man! I'm a guitarist taking my first few steps in music production. I don't know what to actually look for in a midi keyboard other than 49 keys and maybe some pads, and I thought the Alesis V49 was gonna be my pick but most people say it's not very good... Would you recommend I buy it or some other brand instead? Bear in mind I'm no piano/keyboard player tho. Thank you again for your time and for your vids, John!
After many days of cogitation, I am now favoring Roland Go:Keys as my next controller. It has velocity touch, good key bed, something you get with none of your poorly made controllers. It has usb, bluetooth, and speakers! 500 sounds with recording too. I think it is worth the extra cost to escape these dollar robbing cheaply made midi controllers.
Mark Lohnes this comment stood out to me, The software aspect of this video didn’t really do me any favours as I doubt I’d use them at the current level I am, I’d just use the midi with the software I already own (fl studio) or is the software discussed more like plug ins? Either which way the most important factors for me are the amount of keys , velocity touch and bluetooth is a nice addition. The amount of sounds doesn’t resonate with me much as id be using packs within fl.
Hi man, thanks for the beautiful comparision, very helpful. just a question, So you said that the Keystation 61 MK3 has a different key feel than the Keystation 49. Do you know if is the same for the previous version like Keystation 61 MK2/ES and Keystation 49 MK2/ES ? Thanks in advance.
The alesis v series has a lot of complaints about the pads including myself, they are completely useless, the keyboard is really good and everything is really nice for the price, but if you care about pads , don’t buy the alesis.
cool vid man. I'm looking for something to compose with in Logic Pro X. doesn't have to be weighted like a piano, but inbetween piano and synth like semi-weighted. if there is such a thing. I'm a guitarist so I'm not too knowledgeable on this stuff in piano and synth. thanks!
Great video, thanks. I own that Alexis V61, and I totally agree with what you say about it. I got it because I specifically wanted the smallest possible 61-key board with full-size keys, and it fits the bill there, but I’ve been a bit disappointed in how it plays. Biggest drawback: the controls are totally messed up. I didn’t notice until after I bought it that it doesn’t have any “switch channel” buttons! After googling and messing around, I realized that the “3” and “4” of those little clicky buttons are actually “channel up” and “channel down,” so I guess somebody at Alesis realized that they really needed those. But that led to my next problem... those buttons ONLY switch the channel of the keybed - so if you go up to channel 2, your sustain pedal and mod/pitch wheels will stop working, because they’re stuck on channel 1. I have wasted a LOT of time trying to get a sustain pedal on channel 1 to also route to channel 2. So I would really only buy the Alesis V61 (or V45) if you (a) want a very small keyboard with full-size keys, and (b) don’t ever plan on switching channels. Anyway - thanks again for the vid. Keep up the good work - your videos are super helpful and informative.
I can almost conclude by seeing this summary and after going through specific reviews of some models. That if I want to have effective control of several DAWs with a good feeling and quality action on the keyboard, I must raise the range between 200$ and 300$.
I think what people should REALLY look on these 100$/200$ controllers are the Warranty that your seller have. Im here watching this because in Brazil this Launchkey has 2 years of Warranty. If I bought a Arturia essetial I only have 3 months
I bought the launchkey off the recommendation that it had the best keybed out of the bunch, and it just doesn't at all. It has one of the worst keybeds I've ever felt.
If you’re looking for something simple and straightforward I highly recommend the Samson 61. I’ve used the LK49 and I could say the Samson bed is hands down quieter than LK and feels more solid than LK. The LK is so noisy, the spring, the movement side to side... I couldn’t stand it but it’s obviously got all the knobs and pads so it’s superior in that regard. But for playability, I’d go with Samson. A lotta people saying the Samson VEL is terrible. I have not found it to be true. In fact, the setting is a few button clicks away from changing it to your preference and style of recording. Don’t expect the VEL’s 4 levels to be super smooth... it’s not supposed to be an HQ performance board for stage playing. Its only a 1/10 or 1/15th of the price of a serious board. So be honest. Glad I gambled on it.
I don't think any of these keyboards has an expression pedal input jack. They seem to have gone out of fashion, but given the prices of some of them, you would have expected one. A sustain pedal-only is simply not enough for proper control as it means you have to either edit after you record or you can only use one hand for note input and the other hand for expression changes on the fly. Many Roland keyboards do have an expression pedal input. And most Yamahas. Also most of these keyboards have very poor key beds.
Good video. I like the nektarlx49, well, interested in it. I do not play piano, but play guitar. I would not know the difference in feel I guess. With guitars, I am the same way. How does it feel. Also, because I like the idea of the auto mapping. I have never created any music before using a DAW and would have a hard time mapping stuff I do not not even know what I am mapping. Going to try Reaper I guess. I just want to create my own music for my own amusement and be able to add this and that. I have 23 more weeks off of work and the boredom is killing me. You are good at the reviews. You are fair and honest. Thank you:)
Which of these keyboards are good as a worship piano? Songs from Hillsongs, Housefires, Chris Tomlin, Elevation Worship.....etc. Do you think the keystation 49 is okay?
Yeh, I've got an maudio 61 key axiom which I've owned for a few years. Tbh, I don't really like the feel of it, I'm more used to playing synths, I'm no pianist... The keybed on the Prophet 6 is lovely, for example.
Great review! I'm looking forward to buy my first keyboard but I'm kinda unsure as I don't have any experience. I'm planning on using it mainly for composition , and as I'm a piano player, I'm mostly looking for good-feeling keys, kinda weighted but cheap, I don't really care about knobs and other stuff. My problem is, there ain't many music stores in my city to try some keys on, and I'm afraid of buying online for the same reason. What would you suggest me in that case? If I really only care about keys, what's a good to-go option within the same prince range? Thanks!
I really like the design of the Alesis 49, but have not heard great reviews. I dont love the design of the keystation, but have heard great reviews. Should I get the Alesis 49, Keystation 49, or Keystation 61. (I have the akai mpk mini because its small and portable but i want something bigger that can stay in my room)
Your reviews are amazing. I have a decent but old Roland RD-300SX state piano with sounds an proper piano feel (at a much higher price-point):. However. I lie in my bed just playing with my computer a lot and wanted something to just mess with a play with Cakewalk or something else. So I need a slim keyboard. Was about to get one of the really small mini-keyboards for it but figured I could get away with a keyboard with less depth. Was looking at reviews and how the keybed felt. Would have love to have drawbars, pads, knobs. But that would be overkill. I decided on the M-Audio Keystation 61 Mk3 because I am a pianist and prefer full size keys. But most importantly it dimensions in the depth axis.
@@rianneschiller2168 It is so different than a piano it is hard to say. It is a functional midi-controller. Much more like a synth than a piano. I can't really recommend it or discourage it.
I am looking for a decent keyboard to learn some piano for first time, I have seen two that caught my eye, the m-audio keystation 61 mk3 and nektar gxp 61. Wich one would you recommend me?
Thks for your great review vids! I'm a long-time amateur musician (guitar, saxophone) moving into keyboard, electronic music, and recording. From your reviews, I'm deciding between the Novation Launchkey 61 or M-Audio Oxygen 61. Wondering what you think about how their drum pads compare for feel, sensitivity, response, and sensitivity adjustability - specifically for use tapping in beats? The Oxygen pads look bigger for double-tapping. What about feel? Which would you prefer? Otherwise,... the two keyboards look pretty comparable? Thanks again!
Thanks butty, big help. New to this so this his helping me starting making some beats, or something. Totally tone deaf but looking forward to avin a go. Just bought a baby board. Axiom air32 fir a start to see what happens first,but would like probably a 49 coz 61 is a bit big and I only got 10 pork sausage fingers see.
I'd love to see what John's update would be like now that the LX+ line has jumped in price. One thing that kills me is LX49+ has a noisy keybed (experienced that myself) but LX61+ does not! I'm going to GC to see if they have a Launchkey 49 or 61 to compare to my LX61+. I use Cubase and the LX+ has been great with that, but I would like to see what Launchkey integration with Cubase is like.
@@honoargo6173 Well, mine doesn't. I wound up getting and returning an LX49+ not long ago and the keybed was one reason. I thought for sure it had to be defective!
@@honoargo6173 Hopefully you get one with a quiet keybed! I love mine. The only problem I have with the design is that the ninth fader is not a master/stereo out fader by default.
Nice in-deep info about these products. Whatabout a video on usb Midi controllers with aftertouch ?. I am currently looking for something nice good quality controller with aftertouch for my Korg Kronos 73 to play synth parts on. Really not into the micro key controllers. Hard to play on when you are used to (allmost) full size yamaha synth keys with aftertouch. only positive in the ultra compact controllers is that they can fit on the right side of the Kronos with some velcro
@@Johnmike Yeah that's what I've gathered thus far. However I've heard issues with the Oxygen 49 even on 4 and some 5 star reviews about the drivers. Same for the Roland A-49 and the Alesis VI49 has squeaky keys after all these years. Haven't heard or read anything like these yet on the Launchkey 49 mk2 so I've decided I'll go with the Launchkey as my sub-$200 option. I'm still deciding at the time of typing this what my sub-$300 option will be.
Thanks for the video! I am looking for a midi keyboard to start learning (never played before). After watch your video, I think the best option for a beginner is M-audio Keystation 61. Are you agree with that?
Hey! I'm getting started with Logic Pro X and I'm a bit scared that I get a keyboard that does not feel good enough and does not have enough sensitivity range, since I also play piano. I'm also concerned about the pads feel and sensitivity. I think I'm between the M-Audio Oxygen 61 and the Nektar Impact LX61. I like the features of the Nektar and I the pads seem good, but I think that you mention the Oxygen keys feel better. However I saw that the Oxygen keys are "half-empty" and I'm scared that I might not like that, since the pianos I've tried with keys like those felt horrible, but maybe it was because they were bad keyboards. In any case, I'm wondering if the Oxygen really feels much better than the LX61, and whether the pads are better or worse - I also really care about the pads being good. Also, do I lose many features if I go for the oxygen? Would you choose another option? Thank you so much!
@@Johnmike Thank you so much! Are the Oxygen pads worse than the LX61? Do you think it would be worth spending a bit more for better feel and pads - What would you choose between 200-250? I only use Logic Pro X. Thank you so so much!
@@shubhamchauhan5499Hope the following isn't too long and answers your question. I still have both the Keystation 49 and the Impact GX61, but I got into a beast of 75 lbs, the Kawai MP8ii. As a rank beginner I was looking for something with as close to acoustic piano feel as I could get, and I do not believe you can beat the MP8ii. Also, the voices are super-pro as it is a real gigging stage piano. The almost weightless Keystation 49 leans against a night stand here and I can grab it quickly when watching RU-vid vids and want to try something small. I had to get into a DAW with the MIDI- only Keystation 49 and I never really got too good with that. I think once I get another year of training under my belt, coming back to the Keystation will be less of an extra effort. If you are going to be playing around with a DAW to make music, the keystation is great - I think it can take someone pretty far. I liked the Kaway MP8ii key action and voices so much I just bought another one from eBay that is in pristine condition - they haven't made this in some time and grabbed it while I could. The new Kawais don't have all the features of the MP8ii, either - they mixed up the voice selection. One thing I did pick up used which would be great for the Keystation is a Roland voice module to avoid having to depend on the DAW.
for a keyboard with 61 keys I don't know which one to choose between the Alesis V61, the M-audio Keystation 61 and the Swissonic EasyKey 61, what do you think? I would like to have sensations which approach a real piano (I use fl studio 20)
very nice video. I wanted to ask you a question. I mostly care about transposing what I play on the keyboard to my DAW. What is the best choice in terms of key feel, noisiness, and can have some piano performances played on it?
this was sooo helpful and just what i needed, thank you so much! keyboard feel is definitely the most important for me, but i'm in college and a lil broke lol so i think i'm gonna go with the m-audio 49 keystation
I'm considering to buy the m audio keystation 49 and keystudio 49 (first and older versions) do you recommend this old models? Or I should buy the nektar GX49 ... In my country for now it's very hard and expensive get the MK3 m audio
