MIDIキーボードはどれを買うべきか。悩む必要は無かったかもしれない

f:id:arityk:20161205163414j:plain

本格的に音楽を作ろうと思い、MIDIキーボードを購入しようと色々と調べました。

実は以前 CODE61 を購入したのですが、初期不良で返品してしまいました。それからMIDIキーボードがありません。

MIDIキーボードの購入に当たってネットで結構調べました。ネットだけです。田舎にはMIDIキーボードがおいてある店が近くにないのです。一般的にはマニアックな商品ですしね。

MIDIキーボードを購入しようと思っている人の参考になるように調べたことを書いてみます。

MIDIキーボードは選ぶのが難しいのですが、たぶんこれを読めば悩む時間が要らなくなります。何時間もの時間の節約になるはずです。

まずはMIDIキーボードをいくつかピックアップ

海外のサイトも見て、まずは良さげなキーボードを調べてみました。49鍵以上のものをピックアップします。

Roland ローランド MIDIキーボードコントローラー A-500PRO-R 49鍵

Roland ローランド MIDIキーボードコントローラー A-800PRO-R 61鍵

Novation MIDIコントローラー Impulse 49

Novation MIDIコントローラー Impulse 61

Arturia KEYLAB 49

ARTURIA KeyLab 61 ハイブリッドシンセサイザー Analog Lab 同梱

Nektar Technology IMPACT LX49+ USB MIDIキーボードコントローラー【国内正規品】

Nektar Technology IMPACT LX61+ USB MIDIキーボードコントローラー【国内正規品】

Roland MIDI Keyboard Controller ホワイト A-49-WH

M-Audio USB MIDIキーボード 61鍵 8パッド・8ノブ・9フェーダー Oxygen61

Novation MIDIキーボード / コントローラ Launchkey 61 MK2

価格は3万円ぐらいが狙うところでしょうか。

そりゃ価格は安くて質が良い方が良いに決まっていますが、この価格よりも安いものは鍵盤の質が悪かったり、フェーダーやエンコーダーの質が悪かったりします。

上の中では Oxygen61 がその安かろう悪かろうに入るようです。一応のピックアップしましたが、購入候補から外します。安くて61鍵ではあるので、とにかく安い方が良いならこういうものを買う手もあります。

Keystation も安くて日本ではよく売れているようです。

3万円より上のものとなると、価格がかなり高くなってしまいます。その中間の価格のMIDIキーボードがありません。

以前購入した M-Audio CODE61 は製品の出来が悪かったので、今回は M-Audio の製品を避けます。

絞り込む

ピックアップした中からあまり評価の良くないものを除いて絞り込みます。

Novation Launchkey 61 MK2、Nektar Technology IMPACT LX61+ は新しめの製品です。Roland A-500PRO-R や Novation Impulse 49 は発売が数年以上前。

MIDIキーボードも新しい方がいいのかなぁと思ってしまいます。

でもMIDIキーボードはそんなに新しい製品が出るものではなく、Roland も A-500PRO-R の後にコンパクトな「Roland A-49」を出しただけ。これも数年以上前。大丈夫なのか…。

Novation Launchkey 61 MK2、Nektar Technology IMPACT LX61+ はそんなに良い評価がありません。鍵盤がふにゃふにゃとか、つまみがどうも…とか。

ある程度評価が高いもので下に絞り込みました。

Roland ローランド MIDIキーボードコントローラー A-500PRO-R 49鍵

Roland ローランド MIDIキーボードコントローラー A-800PRO-R 61鍵

Novation MIDIコントローラー Impulse 49

Novation MIDIコントローラー Impulse 61

Arturia KEYLAB 49

「A-500PRO-R」の気になるところは左下の「ベンダー・レバー」。私は「Impulse 49」のようなタイプの方が使いやすいです。

絞り込んだ中で比較レビューを検索してみると、すごく良かったのは下の情報。載せておきます。はやくこれを読んでいたら絞り込んでいた時間が必要なかったのに。

「どのMIDIキーボードを買ったらいいかな？」という質問への回答です。

Suggestions for a budget MIDI keyboard : FL_Studio

https:// www. reddit.com/r/FL_Studio/comments/18ihut/suggestions_for_a_budget_midi_keyboard/

Ok listen up man. I have been searching for THE perfect masterkeyboard for quite some time and the end result is that it just doesn't exist. You will always have to make compromises and you have to understand ans accept this first and decide what you really want to do with your keyboard.

Many companies claim to have crafted the ultimate midi keyboard which does everything and it's partially true but sadly not a single model does everything right. For example the pricey Akai MAX49 has really great build quality, nice knobs and fader and even usable pads but the keys are horrible and that's not what you want on your KEYboard.

The Novation Impulse has really nice keys and decent pads but the knobs and faders are plastic crap and act flimsy. The Novation SL Remote has a super nice keybed made by Fatar but it feels very plasticy and the build quality is not what youd expect for the price yet Novations Automap software is far better than M-Audios Hyper Control pendant. Still both also get really bad reviews by some users. Some love it, some hate it. You don't have to use it tho but it's nice for assigning controllers to your plugins.

Also personally I wouldn't spend too much money on M-Audio's new hardware. The white finish and the style is aimed at ppl who don't know their stuff and stick to what looks fresh and the high price suggests you get quality for your hard earned cash but let's be honest only careful research will show if you spend your buck on the right thing. Many producers only got the M-Audio Axio Pro because it's white, has a Pro in it's name and costs a shitload of money for a midi keyboard. It somehow gives me the beats by dre headphones syndrome impression.

M-Audio Oxygen 49. Not bad for the money I guess but they keys are not even semi weighted or have aftertouch. Read up on the keys, they are not great but for the money who cares if you get a bunch of additional controls with it. If you only care for nice keys stay away from it.

Then we have the Alesis Q and QX series which offer a great value for the money. Not so great build quality but hey they are cheap but still worth what you pay for them and if you dont need the extra knobs and faders buy the Q series and save some money. Think about if you really need any controls or if they would just be a nice extra.

M-Audio Keystation 61es would also be an option. Stripped down to the basics. Cheap. 61 keys. Build quality? Not so sure. I've read better things about the Alesis ones but I don't think it's terible either.

Now the best midi keyboard I have found and plan on buying when I have the spare cash: Roland A-500 PRO (yes I know it has a pro in it's name but it deserves to have it). Seriously I say save up and get something worth your money. Buy a Roland. They make absolutely fantastic keyboards, the keys feel really good and the build quality is top notch. No special software, no fancy lighting or piano finish colours. Just good old fashioned quality and everything you need at a price that's not too high for a quality product like this. I didn't find much about it when I was looking for reviews and opinions but what I did find was really good. And I trust in the Roland brand. They make quality stuff.

I found something else by Novation for a neat price but it's not released yet. The Novation Launchkey series.

So here is my breakdown:

If you really want to spend onyl a few bucks because you can't wait get a keyboard get either the Alesis Q49 if you want extra controls or need more keys get the Alesis QX49 (also with 61 keys if you like) or M-Audio Keystation 61es. I'd get the Alesis Q however since it's cheaper and you won't be loosing much money if it turns out to be a shitty purchase. You an still return it or use warrenty I guess. If you are a knob-fiddler and think you'd benefit from mapping software get the Novation Impulse 49 but you would be trading the extra software for the better build quality of the Roland A-500 PRO which currently costs exactly the same here in Germany. And screw the Akai MAX49 and M-Audio Axio Pro 49 because they are just too expensive and lack quality. A keyboard has to feel nice when you play it. No discussion. Also no Novation Remote SL for me because (you might have guessed it) the nice keybed alone can't save this expensive toy.

Final thoughts? Wait for the first reviews of the Launchkey keyboards and compare for yourself if you get the chance. They COULD be great for the price and you could end up getting a fairly cheap and solidly equipped keyboard (it sit's between the Alesis QX49 and the Roland A-500 PRO and Novation Impulse 49). Or stay on the save side and buy the Roland. Also check gearslutz.com before you buy and do deep and I mean deep rersearch. You are buying a tool and you need to work with it on a daily basis I assume. If you drop money on something that's likely to break in a year or you can't work with for whatever reason you will waste alot of money for a quick ride and feel bad for yourself in the end. Always buy tools you can still use in a couple of years. I chose to focus on my keyboard needs and get a Roland with nice extra controls and use a Akai MPD with fat pads by mpcstuff.com for my drums. I already bought the pads because they were on sale but maybe I sell them again and get a NI Maschine Micro instead. Not sure yet.

Hope that helped ya out. Peace.