I like the reviews you are making. One thing - in Arturia Keylab 88 Essential you are able to switch off screen saver (Called vegas mode). Quote from Arturia forum: "Start the MIDI CONTROL CENTER Once open, click on DEVICE SETTINGS on the top right of the window Then look for VEGAS MODE and then click on DISABLE"
Hey J.M. ,once again you covered a great review. This is crazy because over a month ago Was focusing on purchasing the Nektar controller then just about 2 weeks ago Ive been hearing very good reviews on the Arturia which Im leaning towards purchasing primary in additional to their software that comes along. But after listening to you review, I'm unsure now. Wowwwww. Keep doing a great work.
You should check the Numa Compact 2 (or 2x) out. It should be in the league for a more semi-weighted feel (Fatar TP/9P keybed) and has USB audio so it's a one-cable connection with a computer! Would love to hear your thoughts about that particular one.
Apparently you can still get original keylab 88 for $600 from sweetwater b-stock. I'm having trouble finding a video of someone playing the mk2 to compare, but the key action seems really nice on the old one.
Thank you so much for reviews. I think 2 weeks and buy "second hand" CME UF80 Classic. Its f**** AWESOME! You and your videos convinced me that the keys are very important and I didn't bother trying to choose between bad and very bad keys. Thanks again for your channel!
Thanks for this relevant and coherent comparison video! I'm in the market for a MIDI controller and yours is the only video that answered the questions I really cared about.
John I love your videos. Always informative and refreshing! Can you help me make a choice between 2 boards? I'm looking at the Nektar Panorama T6 and the Arturia Keylab 61 MKII. I know they are in two different price ranges, but as far as feel/touch and live performance capabilities which one would you choose? Thanks!
this is exactly the demo I was hoping for! these 2 are in the running for good lightweight 88's for carrying to live gigs. Thanks! Any thoughts on velocity curve and what has more dynamics for piano playing? I've heard Keylab is frustrating for getting good velocity settings.
Yea the Nektar feels like it’s a bit more better for piano playing...the Arturia has great synth action...but I wouldn’t play a piano track or live with it
John Mike Definitely sounds like a good board for doing mixtures of piano and synth stuff at the same time for gigs. And the aftertouch is a great feature like you said. And hopefully there’s room to fit on a Korg nanocontrol for sliders and knobs. Thanks!
I made it simple to decide asking these questions Am I planning to use it a lot with DAW music making? Arturia. Is the after-touch a feature that I need? Nektar. Best deal features for the money? Arturia Essentials 88-key at today's cost $349. Beside all buttons, knobs and sliders + Free Analog Labs (a $200 value software with over 2000 sounds ), Ableton Live Lite ($100) and the Model D ($50) that's is $350 worth of software. The Asturia In my math it means free Arturia Essentials 88-keys midi controller. Am I pianist and deep into pianos and nothing really more? None of these, buy something else.
Thank you John Mike, your videos are great! But I'm still trying to figure out what the heck is "after touch"... Random google result says, "Aftertouch is the distance a piano key moves with diminished resistance after the escapement of the jack is complete." Wikipedia says, "Some confuse pressure-sensitive with velocity-sensitive. To avoid this confusion, pressure sensitivity is often called aftertouch."
I think I will spend 30€ more and go for the studiologic sl88 studio, instead. Considering that I already have a launchkey mini mk3 that provides me enough DAW controls, I suppose it is a wise choice to get a fully weighted keybed... Also because I want to start learning piano. Only regret is that I won't get all that arturia software :(
I think a better comparison would have been the Arturia Keylab 88 Essential against the Nektar Impact lx88 and not the gxp88. Since both have similar controller functions, I’m debating between the two.
@@YAOG well I ended up keeping my Roland A-88. I was looking at these two because I wanted to replace my Roland for something lighter and easier to carry. But I’m the end I decided that I didn’t want to sacrifice the feeling and response of the A-88 hammer action keys. But to answer your question, I think the Arturia is better.
I've not tried this Arturia, but when I received the Nektar Gxp 88, I returned it without setting it up. The keys are not as good as the Nektar Lx88 which I used to have.. I'ld still love to try my hands on the Arturia Essential.
@David-hz8pf Have you ever compared lx88 with keylab essential 88, keylab mk2 61, lx61, gsp61, oxygen61pro? At least something. An interesting assessment of the feel of the keys, where they are more like weighted ones like those of a piano? I want 61 keys, but the feel of the keys is no worse than the nectar lx88. Thank you.
@@e0236 I prefer an 88 keys and I'm very picky with the feel of a keyboard, so I eventually settled for the Studio logic Numa compact 2x. It has everything I want and I've not regretted making that choice. It's a stand alone keyboard and can also be used as a midi controller. It's light weight and still under a $1000 bucks.
I'm confused as to why you made no mention of the location of the pitch & mod wheels on each keyboard.The Arturia has the wheels on the top on the keyboard(which is very awkward & inhibits performance.....whereas the Nektar has the wheels on the side,where they should be.) Some of these companies focus too hard on devising ways to make keyboards more compact(& consequently sacrificing playability in the process.)
The Arturia has a problem. There is some kind of glitch in the velocity firmware. Arturia has put out a firmware patch/update... but (in my case) it didn't fix the problem. Basically, when you play, the velocities are all over the place. Some keystrokes are softer than you played them, and some are way too loud. I returned it and ordered the Nektar. Hopefully I'll have better luck with that.
Hey John Mike! I have a quick question. You may have covered this in a past video and I may have missed it. But I will ask anyway… Is there are 88 midi controller out there with built-in sounds? I’m currently in the market for one. I know there’s plenty of keyboards that also have the midi control functions. But what about reverse? Is there a midi controller, that has some keyboard sounds built in? Just in case my laptop or iPad fails... I hope my question was clear enough. Have a blessed day!!!
What the best midi controller for a MC707 without any software etc? Just need something update and flexible, have a laptop, but not into the music software. Thanks a bunch.
Can somebody help me. I recently bought Yamaha digital piano (Clavinova cvp 805). And im looking to use it with my older 49 keys MIDI keyboard (Evolution ) . So then i can able to play synth tones in cvp 805 through midi keyboard. But i got an issue here. When i hit and hold the single note in midi keyboard the cvp 805 note will not stays. Its cut. Sometimes its skip.
I’m looking for a piano for under 300$. I want it to be one of those pianos that can sound like other instruments like guitar bass electric piano or like strings and idk if this is a thing electric guitar. I need one that can really last a while and not sound horrible. Please I’m trying to find a good piano that’s worth it. Thankyou. I just want to have a good time making loud get me moving type of piano
Under $300 and decent sounds, I'd say you're looking at used. Look for one of the Casio Privias. We've had a PX310 for years now, and while my daughter's not a huge fan of the weighted action compared to a grand piano, it's better than most others at that low a price point, and the sound is pretty good.
ive found arturia extremely complicated to set up and customer support is horrible. I bought Nektar L49 and it works amazingly!!! I would never buy arturia
Dear John, thank you for your informative videos. Which one I should buy, nektar impact lx88+ or arturia keylab essential 88? And which one has quality keys than the other? Thank you.
You are unimpressed with the Arturia Keylab 88 key action, but in another video you stated that you were impressed with the feel of the Komplete Kontrol 88 key action which shares its Fartar keybed with the Arturia Keylab 88. How do you explain this discrepancy?
The keylab essential 88 and the regular keylab are two different keybeds…the regular keylab is weighted piano type keys…the essential has semi weighted keys…komplete Kontrol 88 has the same keys as the regular weighted keylab…
@@farlesthan1479 not when using and iPad as a sound source that doesn’t have enough power to power it, also not when using a legacy outboard synth that only has 5pin din midi connections. Usb has its limits.
@@farlesthan1479 you missed the point, that’s like telling moog or Dave Smith to put a USB port on all their synths. If you want more keys you have to use legacy 5pin midi which then means dc power adapter to the arturia , it’s going to take a long time for all classic modules and outboard synths to all have usb.
Hi John ! Some users of the Nectar Impact GXP 88 say that black keys sound louder than white keys. Have you figured out such a trouble with this keyboard ?
@@Johnmike thanks for your return. So I don't know if I will purchase it. Do you know about a keyboard with NO difference of loudness between white and black keys, considering that I'm looking for a semi-weighted 88 keys keyboard ?
the best keybed in 88 keys budget keyboard, m confused which one to buy, between this nektar impact gx88 or m audio keystation 88, or any better 88 keyboard in that price range?
@@lpsc_zzz Well I got it and I love it. BUT, apparently I'm very DAW stupid. Not sure where to begin but I think my focus should be on learning music versus understanding all about the DAW at this point.
I would get Arturia Keylab just for the Analog lab, but it doesn't look like the controller to get. I wonder if they'll ever be a MIDI keyboard with Roland's pitch/mod wheels with traditional pitch and modulation wheels.
Roland a88 mkii - is good with less daw volume sliders but some level of daw control. Problem with Roland a88 mkii is it’s too expensive. Oddly it’s much better value for money to get a Roland juno ds88 which has same pha4 Keybed as Roland a88 mkii. Or for more daw control fa08 makes for a great purchase
@@wilkopiano Yeah but they both have the traditional Roland joystick of which is not bad, I just like what Roland did with the Fantom, two traditional pitch wheels and their Roland joystick, imagine that on a MIDI keyboard.
@@tonylancer7367 Roland pitch joystick is a bit like marmite with the modulation being a momentary latch you have to hold rather than traditional persistent modulation with wheels, leaving your left hand free to play. I find that persistent modulation doesn’t put as much breath and character into phrases and for that I use the knobs or an expression pedal anyway. I personally like the Roland joystick and the and korgXY joysticks. Everyone to their own I suppose.
@@wilkopiano Definitely, to each his own, I was thinking that I might play organ sometimes and I then it's a little ridiculous to hold the modulation up until I don't need it. I know I can MIDI map it to buttons (SLOW and FAST), but I was trying to be as organic as possible. Too bad Yamaha don't have joysticks, like you say, they are more expressive.
Support the channel by using our affiliate links here:
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My favorite thing about the Arturia is that it comes with the Analogue Lab software..
Continue to enjoy the reviews and comparisons. Curious to see how the new M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3 compares to these two boards...
Coming soon!!
I know you promise a comparaison between keystation mk3 88 and arturai essential 88... when?
if you are planning to use windows 11 don't go with maudio until maudio catches up to full supported compatibility. Hopefully you are on a mac.
I like the reviews you are making. One thing - in Arturia Keylab 88 Essential you are able to switch off screen saver (Called vegas mode). Quote from Arturia forum:
"Start the MIDI CONTROL CENTER
Once open, click on DEVICE SETTINGS on the top right of the window
Then look for VEGAS MODE and then click on DISABLE"
Hey J.M. ,once again you covered a great review. This is crazy because over a month ago Was focusing on purchasing the Nektar controller then just about 2 weeks ago Ive been hearing very good reviews on the Arturia which Im leaning towards purchasing primary in additional to their software that comes along. But after listening to you review, I'm unsure now. Wowwwww. Keep doing a great work.
thank you sir John Mike, I was about to buy Arturia Keylab 61 when I bumped into your channel.
You should check the Numa Compact 2 (or 2x) out.
It should be in the league for a more semi-weighted feel (Fatar TP/9P keybed) and has USB audio so it's a one-cable connection with a computer!
Would love to hear your thoughts about that particular one.
Yes please!
Apparently you can still get original keylab 88 for $600 from sweetwater b-stock. I'm having trouble finding a video of someone playing the mk2 to compare, but the key action seems really nice on the old one.
Thank you so much for reviews.
I think 2 weeks and buy "second hand" CME UF80 Classic.
Its f**** AWESOME!
You and your videos convinced me that the keys are very important and I didn't bother trying to choose between bad and very bad keys.
Thanks again for your channel!
Your opinion is correct. I just ordered impakt gxp 61
thanks yo i was saving up for the
arturia but after this ima go with the nektar even though its i higher price think its more of what i need
A really nice video. Thank you! 👏🏻
Thanks for this relevant and coherent comparison video! I'm in the market for a MIDI controller and yours is the only video that answered the questions I really cared about.
John I love your videos. Always informative and refreshing! Can you help me make a choice between 2 boards? I'm looking at the Nektar Panorama T6 and the Arturia Keylab 61 MKII. I know they are in two different price ranges, but as far as feel/touch and live performance capabilities which one would you choose?
Thanks!
You were so helpful to me.
this is exactly the demo I was hoping for! these 2 are in the running for good lightweight 88's for carrying to live gigs. Thanks! Any thoughts on velocity curve and what has more dynamics for piano playing? I've heard Keylab is frustrating for getting good velocity settings.
Yea the Nektar feels like it’s a bit more better for piano playing...the Arturia has great synth action...but I wouldn’t play a piano track or live with it
John Mike Definitely sounds like a good board for doing mixtures of piano and synth stuff at the same time for gigs. And the aftertouch is a great feature like you said. And hopefully there’s room to fit on a Korg nanocontrol for sliders and knobs. Thanks!
Wish u would try gxp49/61
I made it simple to decide asking these questions
Am I planning to use it a lot with DAW music making?
Arturia.
Is the after-touch a feature that I need?
Nektar.
Best deal features for the money?
Arturia Essentials 88-key at today's cost $349.
Beside all buttons, knobs and sliders + Free Analog Labs (a $200 value software with over 2000 sounds ), Ableton Live Lite ($100) and the Model D ($50) that's is $350 worth of software. The Asturia In my math it means free Arturia Essentials 88-keys midi controller.
Am I pianist and deep into pianos and nothing really more?
None of these, buy something else.
Arturia It looks super !
You can turn off the Arturia light show by adjusting the "vegas" setting in the MIDI control center.
Good look...that would definitely help...still doesn’t address being able to turn it off without unplugging it...but still helps nonetheless
Yep...Yep...Yep....Thanks man Good Info!
Thank you John Mike, your videos are great! But I'm still trying to figure out what the heck is "after touch"...
Random google result says,
"Aftertouch is the distance a piano key moves with diminished resistance after the escapement of the jack is complete."
Wikipedia says,
"Some confuse pressure-sensitive with velocity-sensitive. To avoid this confusion, pressure sensitivity is often called aftertouch."
In our world...aftertouch is the pressure sensitivity of the keys that allow us to do modulation by just pressing in harder on the keys
FYI...You had said the y both work in all Daws, I can tell you from experience the Keylab does not work in Cakewalk by Band lab
I think I will spend 30€ more and go for the studiologic sl88 studio, instead. Considering that I already have a launchkey mini mk3 that provides me enough DAW controls, I suppose it is a wise choice to get a fully weighted keybed... Also because I want to start learning piano. Only regret is that I won't get all that arturia software :(
Studio logic sl88 also has smaller keys than real piano full size keys. Best value for realism is korg d1 piano
I think a better comparison would have been the Arturia Keylab 88 Essential against the Nektar Impact lx88 and not the gxp88. Since both have similar controller functions, I’m debating between the two.
What did you decide and how did it work out? I'm making the same decision right now.
@@YAOG well I ended up keeping my Roland A-88. I was looking at these two because I wanted to replace my Roland for something lighter and easier to carry. But I’m the end I decided that I didn’t want to sacrifice the feeling and response of the A-88 hammer action keys. But to answer your question, I think the Arturia is better.
I've not tried this Arturia, but when I received the Nektar Gxp 88, I returned it without setting it up. The keys are not as good as the Nektar Lx88 which I used to have.. I'ld still love to try my hands on the Arturia Essential.
@David-hz8pf Have you ever compared lx88 with keylab essential 88, keylab mk2 61, lx61, gsp61, oxygen61pro? At least something. An interesting assessment of the feel of the keys, where they are more like weighted ones like those of a piano?
I want 61 keys, but the feel of the keys is no worse than the nectar lx88. Thank you.
@@e0236 I prefer an 88 keys and I'm very picky with the feel of a keyboard, so I eventually settled for the Studio logic Numa compact 2x. It has everything I want and I've not regretted making that choice. It's a stand alone keyboard and can also be used as a midi controller. It's light weight and still under a $1000 bucks.
I'm confused as to why you made no mention of the location of the pitch & mod wheels on each keyboard.The Arturia has the wheels on the top on the keyboard(which is very awkward & inhibits performance.....whereas the Nektar has the wheels on the side,where they should be.) Some of these companies focus too hard on devising ways to make keyboards more compact(& consequently sacrificing playability in the process.)
Out of all those semi weighted 88 keyboards which one is best for playing piano??
The Arturia has a problem. There is some kind of glitch in the velocity firmware. Arturia has put out a firmware patch/update... but (in my case) it didn't fix the problem. Basically, when you play, the velocities are all over the place. Some keystrokes are softer than you played them, and some are way too loud. I returned it and ordered the Nektar. Hopefully I'll have better luck with that.
How was the Nektar? I'm currently between the two, wondering what to buy. Would highly appreciate your input!
I ended up with the LaunchKey 88. I LOVE IT. It feels great and I've had no problems getting it to 'play nice' with my other gear.
Have you tried the Keylab (not essential) mkiii? that one has aftertouch. curious if you prefer it to the nektar
Hey John Mike! I have a quick question. You may have covered this in a past video and I may have missed it. But I will ask anyway… Is there are 88 midi controller out there with built-in sounds? I’m currently in the market for one. I know there’s plenty of keyboards that also have the midi control functions. But what about reverse? Is there a midi controller, that has some keyboard sounds built in? Just in case my laptop or iPad fails... I hope my question was clear enough. Have a blessed day!!!
Yes it does...there aren’t really any directly on the market that address that...the closest to that would be the Yamaha MX88...
You can grab a midi sound module to pair your midi controller and voilà
I think the Roland A80, and A90, they have weighted keys, but the downsides are that they are super heavy and don't have usb midi
Nice video! For the nectar do you have to use the software? I want to use my iPad if possible.
You can definitely use you iPad with this
@@Johnmike ok thanks!
What the best midi controller for a MC707 without any software etc? Just need something update and flexible, have a laptop, but not into the music software. Thanks a bunch.
Hayyy...
I'm Muhammad Junawir Rannuki from Indonesia 😊🙏
Can somebody help me.
I recently bought Yamaha digital piano (Clavinova cvp 805). And im looking to use it with my older 49 keys MIDI keyboard (Evolution ) . So then i can able to play synth tones in cvp 805 through midi keyboard. But i got an issue here. When i hit and hold the single note in midi keyboard the cvp 805 note will not stays. Its cut. Sometimes its skip.
I’m looking for a piano for under 300$. I want it to be one of those pianos that can sound like other instruments like guitar bass electric piano or like strings and idk if this is a thing electric guitar. I need one that can really last a while and not sound horrible. Please I’m trying to find a good piano that’s worth it. Thankyou. I just want to have a good time making loud get me moving type of piano
Under $300 and decent sounds, I'd say you're looking at used. Look for one of the Casio Privias. We've had a PX310 for years now, and while my daughter's not a huge fan of the weighted action compared to a grand piano, it's better than most others at that low a price point, and the sound is pretty good.
Does the Nektar Impact GXP88 support FL Studio completely or do i have to program every button?
any difference in the keys in Nektar GXP VS LX?
ive found arturia extremely complicated to set up and customer support is horrible. I bought Nektar L49 and it works amazingly!!! I would never buy arturia
Dear John, thank you for your informative videos. Which one I should buy, nektar impact lx88+ or arturia keylab essential 88? And which one has quality keys than the other? Thank you.
I would go with the arturia between those two
@@Johnmike thank you. Your suggestion is very valuable for me. I have bought arturia keylab essential 88 :)
@@mustafasert88 So how do you like it? I'm stuck making the same decision right now.
You are unimpressed with the Arturia Keylab 88 key action, but in another video you stated that you were impressed with the feel of the Komplete Kontrol 88 key action which shares its Fartar keybed with the Arturia Keylab 88. How do you explain this discrepancy?
The keylab essential 88 and the regular keylab are two different keybeds…the regular keylab is weighted piano type keys…the essential has semi weighted keys…komplete Kontrol 88 has the same keys as the regular weighted keylab…
So I am unimpressed with the keylab essential…and totally impressed by the regular weighted piano action style keylab
which is your favourite semi weighted 88 keybed?
Right now would probably be the Keylab
@@Johnmike thank you 😄
can u review px-s6000bk as midi?
Send me one of the Midi keyboard pls i see you have a lot of them and i have none also can't afford it :')
Power supplies don’t come with either device. And arturia have been known to short out unless you buy proper power supply for it
usb powered
@@farlesthan1479 not when using and iPad as a sound source that doesn’t have enough power to power it, also not when using a legacy outboard synth that only has 5pin din midi connections. Usb has its limits.
@@wilkopiano you shouldn't use Mobile devices with that. Get a PC
@@farlesthan1479 you missed the point, that’s like telling moog or Dave Smith to put a USB port on all their synths. If you want more keys you have to use legacy 5pin midi which then means dc power adapter to the arturia , it’s going to take a long time for all classic modules and outboard synths to all have usb.
Come on you'll need a PC for music production cuz its much easier than anything else. It's 2020 we're not in 1998
if you compare keylab essential and nektar impact lx+, which one would you choose?
Keylab
Which one has zones? I wanna use Jamals bass iPad app on the left and pure platinum synth app in the right
You can zone either one of them using software
Hi John ! Some users of the Nectar Impact GXP 88 say that black keys sound louder than white keys. Have you figured out such a trouble with this keyboard ?
These aren’t as bad as some other boards…the Arturia keys are louder than the Nektar in my opinion
@@Johnmike thanks for your return. So I don't know if I will purchase it. Do you know about a keyboard with NO difference of loudness between white and black keys, considering that I'm looking for a semi-weighted 88 keys keyboard ?
the best keybed in 88 keys budget keyboard, m confused which one to buy, between this nektar impact gx88 or m audio keystation 88, or any better 88 keyboard in that price range?
Nektar has the best in that price range
I just ordered my Arturia Keylab 61, I sure hope I can use it to learn piano.
interested as well, let me know how that goes dude
@@lpsc_zzz Well I got it and I love it. BUT, apparently I'm very DAW stupid. Not sure where to begin but I think my focus should be on learning music versus understanding all about the DAW at this point.
is it true that there is a little difference between touching black and white keys on Nectar??
Yes there is
@@Johnmike hmmm...not good :-/
could you use the essential 88 to trigger sounds from a motif?
Yes through traditional 5-PIN MIDI.
I would get Arturia Keylab just for the Analog lab, but it doesn't look like the controller to get.
I wonder if they'll ever be a MIDI keyboard with Roland's pitch/mod wheels with traditional pitch and modulation wheels.
Would be a dream for me!
Roland a88 mkii - is good with less daw volume sliders but some level of daw control. Problem with Roland a88 mkii is it’s too expensive. Oddly it’s much better value for money to get a Roland juno ds88 which has same pha4 Keybed as Roland a88 mkii. Or for more daw control fa08 makes for a great purchase
@@wilkopiano Yeah but they both have the traditional Roland joystick of which is not bad, I just like what Roland did with the Fantom, two traditional pitch wheels and their Roland joystick, imagine that on a MIDI keyboard.
@@tonylancer7367 Roland pitch joystick is a bit like marmite with the modulation being a momentary latch you have to hold rather than traditional persistent modulation with wheels, leaving your left hand free to play. I find that persistent modulation doesn’t put as much breath and character into phrases and for that I use the knobs or an expression pedal anyway. I personally like the Roland joystick and the and korgXY joysticks. Everyone to their own I suppose.
@@wilkopiano Definitely, to each his own, I was thinking that I might play organ sometimes and I then it's a little ridiculous to hold the modulation up until I don't need it. I know I can MIDI map it to buttons (SLOW and FAST), but I was trying to be as organic as possible.
Too bad Yamaha don't have joysticks, like you say, they are more expressive.
Will the arturia be good to play as a regular piano
Decent but not my favorite pick
Any recomendación?
keyboard give away
nektar impact is garbage. the software section is not updated in a while,if you know what i mean.