In one of your reviews of the M-AUDIO HAMMER 88, you refer to the touch, and say that if you're a pianist, this [the HAMMER 88] is the keyboard you want. Well, I got mine in yesterday, and I absolutely love the touch. Back when I was a kid, and at the San Antonio Piano Academy, I played on a lot of Kawaii grand pianos, and loved the heavy touch. My new MIDI keyboard has that same touch. Listening to all of the reviews, I was expecting to see a bit lighter touch, but it's the same touch. I love it. And that comment, in whichever of your videos it was, made the decision for me---and it was the right one for me. So thanks for that! :-) Now I've learned that I have a long way to go to get back to where I was 37 years ago....but I will get back to that, and I suspect, much faster than it took the first time around. And just FWIW, I'm using it with LMMS and free VSTs, or will be, once my 30' USB/MIDI cable comes in so I can have the keyboard where I want it, not forced to have it only a short distance from my computer's USB ports.
I LOVE my Hammer 88.....but as a classically trained pianist who plays at church, now you have me wanting to get a SL88! Love your channel, which I just discovered this week!!
Finally, what I was looking for! Thank you! SL88 has a lot of variations for velocity, while Hammer has just four presets. Can you set a decent, playful velocity curve with a Hammer? I've heard mixed reviews about that. If you didn't find problems in velocity response, the Hammer will be my choice after this review! 1. Clean front (I only expose keys below my desk) 2. Lighter keybed feel !!! (I hope it isn't "spongy" as some claim) 3. Wheels 4. Easier/simpler to set up
Definitely not “spongy” at least to me...compared to the SL88 the hammer feels like “semi-weighted pro” lol...like its closer to the semi-weighted feel than “hammer action” but I still love the feel of the hammer...it’s a very light touch and it offers little resistance as you play...so doing runs or doing movements across the keyboard are much easier...and it definitely wins in the “ease of use” award...it’s pretty much plug and play...no menus to dig through and all that...
I had the Arturia Keylab 88 with the same Fatar action and had issues with random velocity spikes. May have been the Arturia hardware and not a Fatar thing. Sold it and bought the Hammer 88. Actually like the board. Doesn't feel like an acoustic (none of em do to me). Tough as nails and has a great feel on Rhodes patches.
Great video as always. Would really like to see a detailed video of how exactly to connect the SL to VST instruments, both in DAW and in standalone like your GP Doobie Powell Peculiar Sounds set. Studiologic's SL Editor (which, I just found out the hard way, will not work with the Numa X Piano... incredibly short-sighted on Studiologic's part) connects only to its proprietary midi channel 2, and it's pretty confusing software, frankly. I presume you can map this stuff manually using the single encoder knob on the board itself, which has to be incredibly tedious if you're trying to set up dozens of preset groups and layers. Every product video I've seen from any retailer or from the manufacturer themselves skip over this process. It's bizarre, not one of them will walk you through the steps of how this is done. Plus, all of their software looks like it was written in the 1990s. Very Windows 3.0. I would think, with all the money they spent developing and marketing this thing, they would have dropped a little on software development. Just wondering what you do and how you do it. One point that you missed was real estate. I was really feeling the hammer 88 until I realized it has a very narrow and sloping top hood on it. This is a particularly puzzling choice on M-Audio's part considering they make pro music equipment. Most anyone interested in using a professional keyboard MIDI controller would also be interested in either having control functions as part of the unit itself, or at least being able to set things down on top of it. The hammer 88 is impractical in that it will gobble up space in the room unless you're using one of those tables that has a drawer built in for your keyboard. The Studiologic, OTOH, has a generous amount of space Plus magnetic trays you can add on. Laptop, control surfaces, add on faders, whatever, plop it right down on top. That unit is built for actual working musicians.
I prefer the simplicity of the Hammer 88 so I’m going for that. I saw a review and setup for the Studio Logic but it didn’t seemed a little confusing setting up the software for it
It came down to these two models for me. Price wasn’t a factor. Both lack useful hands on controller features, but action is what determined my purchase. Hammer-88 for me. If you’re a pianist who uses a weighted controller for production, graded hammer actions IMO can feel a little wonky when producing non piano tracks. I find the consistency of a balanced hammer action to work bests for pianists who record complete scores/compositions that include many different instruments.
Absolutely...which is why if you are an all around producer that does scoring, piano tracks and regular beat making or auxiliary synth work...I suggest having one controller that will give you that “piano feel” and another that’s semi-weighted that gives you the perfect feel for recording synth lines and other instruments...for me I’ve always kept the native instruments S61 for the regular stuff and keep a graded piano controller around for piano stuff
I just ordered the StudioLogic SL88 Grand looking forward to it getting here in a few days. I know a number of people who like the Hammer 88 but ever thing I hear says the StudioLogic Grand keybed is closest to a acoustic piano. Also the StudioLogic has a couple cool accessories at magnetic attach music stand and a laptop platform both adjustable.
I'm selling my Yamaha P45 and upgrading to this. I love the MIDI functionality, it's way cheaper than comparable digital keyboard with onboard sounds, while still being just as good functionally.
How does the feel compare between the two? I tried a p45 in the store and liked the feel better than the Roland fp-10 & Korg b2. There are no stores near me that have a studiologic to test the keyed so I'd just have to take the plunge
@@aescasse Yeah, so, I decided against it because upon further inspection the action wasn't quite good enough. I instead am going for a Korg D1. It doesn't come with onboard sounds, only has regular midi, so this makes it cheaper but it has the same action as some of their best keyboards. I also tried out a Roland for around $1000 (also with a higher value action),. but it had quality control issues with the keybed, and it felt sluggish.
Fatar keys are very heavy. Had one a while a go and it was not fun to produce for hours with over the top heavy keys... Im hunting for a new controller. Im trashing my Arturia Keylab 88 disaster. Came with tons of manufacture issues even tho it was recommended by a guitar center dude...
Get the Hammer 88 Pro. Not very sexy BUT the best feeling keyboard EVER, slightly ligther than the rest of the competition and doesn’t cause fatigue. This one feels perfect actually, it’s the others that feel too hard. Even the poster said in his review of the Hammer 88 Pro that the keyboard was perfect.
One thing that anyone considering the Hammer 88 should know is that there is no way to change the global midi channel from the keyboard. To me, it was a deal breaker.
I was tempted to get the numa compact 2x before I bought the Roland Juno ds88 as my home stage piano. Only reason I didn't get it was because I wanted drum beats on my keyboard because I'm not as good setting up drum styles. Looking back it would be a great gigging board.
The sleeper is the Korg D1 for just a bit more dollars. Crazy bonus is, it has the same keyboard as the top-of-the-line Kronos! Excellent feeling keyboard ..and an excellent controller with a few sounds .
The big problem with the Korg RH3 keyed is that is dual sensor instead of triple sensor. It will have less accuracy when transmitting midi notes to your daw with a dual vs. triple sensor. The only budget stage pianos I have found with triple sensors are the Roland PHA4 actions found in the FP-10 and FP-30 in this price range.
I have a real upright piano(Yamaha b1)and the studiologic sl88 and I can say now not all real acoustic pianos feel the same and I purchase my Yamaha b1 acoustic because of the light action and sound But I use my sl88 for practice and find it helps me to play the real thing and the studio logic has a quality Keybed that feels like it’s going to last forever(unlike my first Nord piano)I had the same two keyboards to chose from and went with the studio logic because it’s an all rounder.Next purchase for me is a Nord electro 6d which will be driven by the sl88 for a good piano feel
Craig Simmons just got an electro 6D-73, and have been using the SL 88 for years. I can say, I really like this combination… However, it takes some playing around with the velocity settings of the SL 88 to make them work well together. Not an issue, just don’t get alarmed if it doesn’t feel right at first…
Craig Simmons you definitely won’t regret it! Well, the electro six in itself is just a phenomenal instrument! LOL and you will be surprised at how much the action actually works for piano. Pleasantly surprised! blessings my friend!
Nord uses the same Fatar beds, wich is also why I am never gonna get a Nord Piano. I was actually considdering the Nord Electro 4 (61 waterfall keys Fatar tp/8o) for organ sounds but those were so clanky as a toy keyboard. The Hammond XK-1c was only a tad better, so ended up with a Crumar Mojo61 wich uses a modded tp/8o wich is much nicer to play. Its still fa"tar" away from the tank build of old Hammond keys, but its a much better key feel and very usable. One wonder why Fatar keeps making crap that has to be modded to be usable.
Is the Studiologic SL88 Studio better Thank the NI Komplete Kontrol S88 MKII? If so, Why? I am asking for make thé good choice. I am not a good piano player and I like the Light guide of the NI KK MKII... thank you.
Mr. Mike, thanks! I was interested in the action and I wanted an after touch with good piano feel. I'll get the SL88. Thanks! One question: have you tried the SL990 or the Numa Compact 2? Thanks!
Hey John Mike... Kawai VPC1 vs SL88? I have the VPC1, but it weighs a ton...and lacks features. Please keep in mind...in addition to writing pop/rock, I play jazz and classical. Thanks for any thoughts...
Do you know which one feels closer to a Yamaha grand piano? The nicest piano I've ever tried was a Yamaha C1 grand piano, and I loved how light the keys were, it felt right for me. Thanks
Is it possible to easy control the volume of layers of a sound? I can't see faders but you say that it is possible... Another question: would it be possible to use two espressione pedals? One for volume (assignable let's say only to some layers, using mainstage) and another one to use like a modulation wheel?
Hi John, thanks very much for your very good and instructive Videos. What keyboard controller would you suggest, if the main interest is to get a very acoustic piano like key feel? Thanks Claus
@@Johnmike Hi John, got the sl88 before a couple of days, and I'm very pleased and satisfied. It's a wonderful keybed with real piano like feel and action. Play it with native instruments kontakt player and different sampled instruments like "the grandeur" and "Alicia Key´s grand piano." It´s a phantastic feel and sound! Like it very much. Thans very for your reply and suggestion. Sincerely. Claus
Cheers for the review. Great channel. I’ve read about latency issues with the SL88. Have you experienced this at all? I’m deciding between the SL88 or the Doepfer PK88.
Hi John. Great review as usual. How does the action on the SL88 compare to a NI S61in terms of weight? I like the feel of my S61 but I'm looking for an 88 keyboard. I guess I'm asking which is closest to the NI keyboard. Thank you
I have a Korg D1 (in another room for practicing) and looking into replacing my M-audio Axiom 61 with a hammer action keyboard in the studio. How does the Fatar compare with the RH3 in terms of key “heaviness”? I’m totally fine with the RH3 and totally annoyed with the plastic spring Axiom keybed now.
@@Johnmike Ok, thanks very much John, I watched a few of your Hammer 88 and Hammer 88 Pro vids and now I'm confident about the Pro. I would kick myself if I got the SL. Thanks!
Hi John and thank you for your review, I about to buy a controller for rock music on Logic to play piano, rhodes, strings, percussions, and synths + weird sounds... would you say the keybed is ok ? not to heavy ? (I'm a piano player, and owned a Rhodes in the past, own a U1 from Yam.). I just tried today an arturia essential : sooo cheap feeling in the keybed ! an A61 and a S61 : ok I would say, but I don't understand their "semi weighted" description because it isn't really. For me a semi-weighted is a Piano Rhodes like keybed. So, As I can't find a Studiologic to try it before, I would be very interested in your advise and reflexion on my search. thanks !
SL88 is for a real pianist. I will go for it, just a good keys, no need the mod wheels, knobs, whatsoever, etc. Then just get the 61 key version of the m audio keystation or with the oxygen pro for synth things or any other out there, no need the full 88 keys when it comes to synths. For minimalist yet maybe complete.
Hello John. I have recently come across on your reviews on 88 hammer action miidi controllers. I really appreciate your comprehensive touch. In one of your videos you mentioned you have used Yamaha kx8 in the past . How would you compare Yamaha kx8 keys action to your favorites m- audio and sl 88 studio. Does Yamaha have lighter touch that those mentioned above ,does it still hołd it,s ground after so mamy years been discontinued. Thank you very much for answering. I am curious, is it worth upgrading for latest best choice of yours. Best regards Bogdan Sting
Hello John, thanks for the comparison. All your videos are quality stuff. I think I am leaning towards the sl88. Sometimes I take paino lessons at my piano teacher's house on a yamaha CP4 stage 88. I love the feel of it, I think it leans more towards a heavier touch. Would you happen to know which of these two feels more like that?
Hi, i just buy the SL88 Studio and i feel a lot like extra latency due to the keys... i see some say the same on forum and stuff, i realy don't enjoy the responsiv when i play fast, i also see a bug on pictures velocity, "soft" "hard" is invert. Realy sad becose the keyboard look realy great. I would like to know does the Hammer 88 got a better fast response?
@Jak of all tirades Nah lol that's something totaly basic, i got a bunch of analog hardware gears here so that's something i will no years ago if its was from my audio interface, usb hub etc... i got others keyboard work like a charme
I think the term "soft" means that you don't have to hit it hard to obtain high velocities. Me personally I don't have latency problems with my SL 88 connected via USB on my PC.
Lots of people seem to recommend these boards, but giving especially Studio Logics not very impressive history of quality, I would still be very weary about choosing anything from that company. Now pretty much every brand of keyboard controllers in this price range uses stock Fatar beds wich isn't either a quality assurance. There is some company that seems to mod them so they are usable, but they still don't come near to high quality in house keybed production of the major electronic Piano companies, but people also have different ideas of how a keybed should feel, so try before buy is propably the best advice.
@@Lalairu I'm not surpriced. Their Numa organs has also gotten lots of critisism for giving proplems after a while. After what I have read I would never put a single dollar in SL. Not sure if it boils down to the company, or just the fact that Fatar is crap, if its not modded. I lean towards the latter. I have a Crumar Mojo61 wich uses the Fatar tp/8o waterfal organ 61key keybed. Same as most other uses like eg Nord Electro 61key. Difference is the Nord makes huge amount of clancky noise when you slides your hand up and down the keys and feels like its gonna break if you touch the krys just a bit hard. The Crumar you can still feel a little cheapish plastic feel in the keys, but its nothing compared to the Nord, because Crumar mods the keybed before using it. I think they replaces the springs and propably adjusts the ballance of the keys, cause I havn't had any issues with it. I havn't personly tried a hammer action fatar keybed, but have read that some people have had issues with various keyboards using them , especially the fairly cheap 88 key midi controllers, where they basically just have to buy the keybed, a finnished pcb with keyscanner and a arduino midi/usb interface and throw it all in a plastic case with a few control buttons and sell it. I would rather go with an Arturia that at least put some effort into having some good software to control their own and third party vst plugins, or a Ni controller wich is also very nicely made, but they are also a tad more expensive than the cheapes of controllers. I would actually much rather go out and buy either one of the cheap Yamaha/Roland synth or Pianos and pay a little more than many of these controller keyboards, cause even they are also using their own manufactured entry level keybeds they are usually still better than the fatar beds, but you usually don't get aftertouch with any of those entry level pianos or synths, wich for many hobby users usually isn't a dealbreaker.
@@usernameihavechosen289 One that I know of is Crumar, that modifies the tp80 waterfall keybed for their clonewheels. They do not specify what the mod is, but I would guess its the springs and propably some of the filt under the keys. I have the Mojo61 and it is much better to play on than the Nord Electro. I tried out the Hammond SK1C vs the Electro first and I wasn't really impressed with either of em, but the Hammond did behave slightly better springwise and not nearly as much key noise when doing hand slides. The Electro was exsessively noisy and cheap plastic feel in the keys. I ended up taking the chance on the Mojo61 from what I had heard and read, since I couldn't find any stores that had them in stock, and I was really surpriced how much better the same keybed was in the Mojo. Its still not nearly as "sturdy" and quality feeling like a real hammond B3 keybed as the actual build of the keybed is not altered, but compared to the quality of todays keybeds its decent. I still find tho that beside a few of the major companies like Yamaha and Roland's top line of synths and E Pianos the keybeds they put in mid tier keyboards today is subpar to what you got in the 80-90'ies. Its very noticeable that most companies are willing to put rather junky keybeds in even a 2k $ synth to get the price of the product down.
Hey, I’m looking to play gospel piano at church! I’m deciding between these two, based on your time with these both, which would you choose? God bless!
Do you think midi is the best option opposed to just getting a digital keyboard and using as a midi? What’s your opinion? I’ll definitely try to help you out by using an affiliate link, I just wanna make the right purchase from the jump. I’m new to all of this and I’ve been watching several of your vids. Thanks a ton!
Tonnie Banks I definitely prefer using a midi controller over buying a traditional digital piano...there are so many great sound options you can get on your iPad and on your computer...since you are just getting into it...I would suggest the Hammer 88 because it has a lighter touch and it comes with a ton of software to get you started...whereas the SL has no software...just keys
Alright cool cool! I’m def going to take your word for it then! One last thing! I don’t have a laptop yet nor iPad, could I get buy with just purchasing an iPad? Or do I just need to purchase the Mac first, since I don’t have either one? I really appreciate your time!
I've been looking to get a midi controller to use for live performances. I've watched and appreciated quite a few of your videos. You did some on the Keylabs a bit ago. Both the Essential and the Mk2. Your videos helped push me in that direction. How do they compare to these? Obviously more controls on the Keylabs. Which is the better value? I'll be playing mostly pit orchestra - so variety of patches from piano to synth to .. who knows really. Don't need the patches, just interested in the best hardware option. Any thoughts would be awesome!
For synths is better and easier to play on normal keyboard, semi weighted or unweighted is good for synths! But this is always your second keyboard, first you need something for piano!
Hey John, Great review on both of these keyboards. My question. I´ve seen several reviews where people had problems with the keys making noise after a certain period of time. I´ve seen it on both of these keyboards. There are even videos on RU-vid on how to remedy the problem on the Studio Logic SL88. I see you still own and play the Hammer 88, so it must be pretty good. Other people have complained about the key action, and velocity on the Hammer 88, and some have said the Studio Logic SL88 keys are great, or too hard. I´m sure both of these keyboards will last at least a year before having any of these issues, and that some people have had no issues at all. A friend of mine Joel Holmes has a video up on RU-vid playing the Hammer 88. I called him, and he said he liked the Hammer 88, and has had no issues with it. But he doesn´t play it all that often. I´m a pro drummer/composer/producer. I make my living playing drums, and doing recording, mixing, and mastering. I play both piano, and guitar, but I´m not a real pianist. But, I prefer the feel of weighted keys better than semi weighted for playing, and for drum programming. I´m old skool, I still program drums on a keyboard, and I can´t do that on a semi weighted. I have an Alesis QS 8 which finally stopped working after 20 years. I was thinking of getting it repaired, or buying a new keyboard. I also have an M-Audio Axiom 49 with semi weighted keys, and after touch, which is fine for synth lines, etc. Anyway, as you are a real pianist, I was wondering if you had any of these issues so far. Keep up the great reviews.
I do have a couple of keys “click” on the upper octaves on the m-audio...it’s a tad “annoying” but not a deal breaker for me...the SL88 is probably one of the heaviest feels on a keyboard on the market...so it’s not for everybody... but it’s my favorite feel...the M-audio is the best in-between feel...not too heavy not too lite..
Imo, growing up playing organ and some Piano, but I am definetly not a trained pianist, If you arent trained on Piano getting a too "heavy" fully weighted keybed can be a burdon if you want to play fast synth licks on it too. I have a Kronos 2 73, and I do actually like its keys for Piano, but when you havn't really rehearsed daily on a Piano since your youth its quite a challenge to play synth lines on, and aftertouch on a Weighted keybed is darn hard to control as well as on a semi weighted keybed, so currently I am looking to find a decent quality 49 or 61 controller with aftertouch that don't feel like a Bontempi child keyboard to play on.
@@mrdali67 I‘m a professional drummer, but also started playing guitar, and piano in my teens. I actually bought an upright piano, to put in my parents basement, and took lessons from my piano player in the band I was playing with. He was older, a great player, and he knew I wanted to learn chords to write songs, which is exactly what I did. He would give me some chords to work on, and I would write songs with them. I‘ve written lots of songs, and beats, and ALL were done on a weighted keyboard. I had an MPC Renaissance for 3 years, and only used it 3 times. I prefer a weighted keyboard, or playing with sticks on pads to the MPC. My weighted master keyboard in my studio broke down 2 years ago, and I‘ve mainly been doing mixing, and mastering for clients, and not writing my own music. But, since this COVID-19 stuff, and the lockdowns, I have the urge to start writing again, so I bought a Hammer 88. I already have an M-Audio Axiom 49 which is much easier to play Synth lines on, but more difficult to play beats on. I got the Hammer 88 3 x weeks ago, and could hardly play any of my songs on it, but after 3 weeks of playing every day, my keyboard chops are coming back, and I‘m loving the feel of the Hammer 88. 😊
now is this hands down the best midi controller keyboard 88 keys minimalistic with real felling of a real piano on the market? and what about the roland a88 i know that one is nearly 1,000? i beleave you because now they have a studio logic grand with real wood keys that means this is no joke.
@@Johnmike now that you cover this subjects i want you to watch this is very interesting and important about pianos ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1O7_MtFbnWI.html
Which one would you recommend for somebody who has no experience in playing actual pianos (no idea of how real weighted hammer-action feels like) and used only really cheap non-weighted velocity-sensitive keyboards and controllers before? I want to make, both piano music, as well as other stuff with it and originally, was all-in for the SL88 as it's a hundred bucks cheaper where I live, but some negative reviews about durability, broken hammers and rattling keys made me rethink. Also, I'm not sure if the "semi-weighted" feel of the Hammer as you've described it in a reply to a comment here wouldn't be better for someone with no real piano experience?
@@Johnmike i got a pretty nice pc with an 7th gen i5. runs ableton smoothly with a bunch of tracks and plugins. using also a umc202 as an interface, and asio umc driver. never had midi stuff so i dont have an idea of how it would be
What is your affiliated station? I have been looking for awhile yet l am unable to spend $999.99 for enjoyment. Can you help me. I have a Krog EK60 keyboard with 60 keys so much stuff that l am not ready for this yet hammer keyboard . Darlene krauskopf
Split in 2, in 4, , play two channels simultaneously, change between your favorite velocity curves, all by just rotating the knob (after you program your favorites using the PC software). I love the easy of control.
@@Johnmike I was thinking about buying a Roland FP-10 or M-audio Hammer Pro but your entiusiaism for this have me thinking maybe I should buy one of these 😅
