Hi all
As my back has now finally given way, I need to find a replacement for my ridiculously heavy Arturia Keylab Mk II 88.
I need a pro keyboard with 88 keys that doesn’t weigh much. I don’t care about weighted keys. Does such a beat exist? Or do I need to move to 2x 56 synth action controllers.
Would really value any suggestions you might have.
Novation LaunchKey 88 note?
I’m 71yo and do not find the Arturia KeyLab to be inordinately heavy
I’m using 2 arturia essential 88s.
I’m happy with them as incredibly programmable keyboards but the keybed is just that… “essential” … nothing special.. so, this year I’m going to change one for a Kawaii es120… it weighs just 12kg..
Nektar Impact LX88+ 88‑Key USB/MIDI Keyboard Controller — one of the lightest full-size 88-key controllers you’ll find (around ~8.2 kg), so much easier to lug around or move than the KeyLab Mk II. Keys are semi-weighted.
Keylab 88 essential?
These are all really good suggestions, thank you!
I did however forget to mention one additional requirement - a shelf for my laptop and somewhere for my iPad to go. Both of which my heavy Arturia 88 has.
I realise I could buy separate stands for these, but ideally I’d find something integrated with the keyboards. Having spent a little more time looking, I can see that the Korg Keystage 61 is the only other keyboard offering that.
It could be that the time has finally come to move to 2 x 61. If I can cope with the change in playing style, the weight saving would be astronomical (each keyboard weighs just 5kg). Especially as I could also do away with my audio interface by the sounds of it, Keystage has one of those inside too!
I tried the Keystage 61 - it’s just too small for me.
I then looked at the Nektar and the Novation keyboards - great controllers, but sadly neither support an expression pedal.
So that leaves the Keylab 88 Essential. Probably the best option for me, so have just purchased that. Will still need to find an additional solution for the iPad and MacBook Pro, but that’s for another day.
Yes. The mk 2 and mk 3
What a bizarre omission. If you have a spare USB port, you could use an AudioFront device for an expression pedal. I’ve used them in the past - they work very well.
I use a doremidi device for 3 analogue momentary/switch pedals and an expression pedal. This device converts the signals to midi and sends the signals via usb to your computer.
1 usb = 4 pedals, totally configurable
Another option for adding ‘missing’ controllers:
