

In a sea of all-black controllers, the Keylab stands out with its all-white color scheme. The first thing you'll notice is the color. Light, portable, yet solid, this is the quintessential mid-range MIDI controller: good enough for advanced players, yet cheap enough for beginners. The Arturia Keylab Essential essentially condenses all of Arturia's learning into an affordable, well-built package. So many of the design cues and features we now take as standard emerged from Arturia's early experimentation.
#Alesis q49 playing 2 notes full#
These were among the first controllers to realize the full potential of a hardware controller + software synth/DAW. Long before there was Akai's dominance in the controller market, there was Arturia with its Factory and Experience controllers. Analog Lab sample library turns it into a synth.
#Alesis q49 playing 2 notes professional#
Overall, if you’re looking for the best 49-key MIDI controller that will last you for years, you can’t go wrong with the Akai Professional MPK249. This newer professional model, which was refreshed in 2015, is also slimmer than its earlier counterpart. The overall build quality is exceptional. “polyphonic pressure”) which makes playing much more dynamic.

The semi-weighted keys also have aftertouch (i.e. They’re somewhere right in the middle between “authentic” and “easy”. Nor are they as heavy and cumbersome as conventional fully-weighted keys. They’re not as light and springy as cheap synth-action keys. The pads are borrowed from Akai’s legendary MPC drum machine. While a lot of MIDI controllers boast similar features, where the Akai MPK249 stands out is in the quality and finesse of each feature. WIth USB-MIDI, you can start using the MPK249 immediately after plugging in. The faders and knobs have 3 banks, so you can actually assign 24 functions to them.Īdditional features include a refreshed LCD screen that shows some vital information from your DAW. The pads are RGB backlit which is useful for identifying sounds. You get the full range of controller options – 8 faders, 8 knobs, 8 switches and 16 pads. They’re also lighter than fully-weighted keys, making them easier to play for longer hours and by inexperienced musicians. Boasting a full-size keyboard with semi-weighted keys, the MPK249 feels much better to play than cheaper synth-action keys. The Akai Professional MPK249 is the company’s flagship 49-key MIDI controller. From their MPCs to the tiny LPK25, Akai outsells and out-innovates nearly every other MIDI equipment manufacturer. You’ll find an Akai in every serious producer’s gear rack somewhere. When it comes to MIDI controllers, Akai rules the roost.
