Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII 88 Key Weighted USB MIDI Keyboard Controller — Aftertouch, Velocity Sensitive, Hammer-Action, Piano Feel, With 16 Drum Pads, 9 Faders, 9 Knobs and Analog Lab V Software Included

Initially the 3 magnetic DAW overlays were missing. The seller quickly got those to me - so kudos for customer support. I have been playing piano for essentially all of my 76 years of life including 4 bands. I play mostly jazz but was also in an experimental psychedelic jam band for 10 years. My focus is playing live and recording live (instead of teasing songs into commercial works.)A while back I decided to transition from hard synths to VST. What I discovered was that my premium synths just didn't interact correctly with the VSTs and especially my DAW (Reaper, which I adore and highly recommend.) When my Korg Kronos 88 DIED, I decided to get something that really worked. as a premium MIDI controller. I play both weighted keys (bottom) and semi-weighted (upper) keyboards.With almost no training or study, this KeyLab ii 88 came up and impressed me. I quickly loaded up Omnisphere 2/Keyscape, Pianoteq 8, and GG Audio Blue3 organ into Reaper. The KL88 immediately saw them and controls them beautifully. - through Reaper! This is THE way to go. It is everything I dreamed I could do and get. And, speaking of training, the online KL88 manual explains absolutely everything and there are tons of YT vids on using it. If you haven't tricked this mad-dog controller out to your heart's content, it is just from being lazy about it.Keyboard Touch: So, KL88 won't 'flow' the way a waterfall/semi-weighted keyboard will. I play organ on my upper semi-weighted keyboard. I am a bit heavy handed and I find the touch on the KL88 to be perfect. If you aren't used to hammer weighting, it may seem sluggish and require effort. Yup, that's a hammer-weighted keyboard. It 'seems' sluggish - but it is not; It is quick, and it has that continuous feedback as you press a key. I think it is a faithful treatment of a good physical grand. I am completely happy with it. That said, I'm sure there are those who prefer something else. Cool.When this thing first came in, I set it up in my living room. When my Kronos died (as in unrepairable), I moved the KL88 to my studio. Now, I so desperately miss it in the living room, I will probably buy a second one. It isn't that heavy to move, but that is a pain in the a** to do so often. I think it is abolutely worth the price for anyone who wants top-shelf touch and control of everything except US House of Representatives.Build Quality: Well, they haven't made a keyboard like this baby since the Korg Triton. It is solid and tight. The case is metal with nice wood end pieces. I have finally gotten over wishing mine was black. I just can't read the labels or see the controls on the black as well as the white. I guess white is the new black. It <is> gorgeous. All the knobs, buttons and sliders work. Maybe the sliders are ever-so-slightly wobbly, but they are fine. I'd prefer they had a bit more physical resistance, but they are (as I said) fine. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the pads. I'm sure I will think of something fun. Remember, I play live. I sure LOVE that this weighs like half of the big synths I used to haul around and it delivers present and future flexibility - and is exciting to play.So five stars it is. Bravo Arturia and thanks.

There is very little to say negative about this beast of a midi keyboard. It's preprogrammed to work with multiple DAW'S including Reaper which is the DAW I use. I was battling in my head which keyboard to buy between the Arturia and Native instruments Komplete Kontrol. Both are great midi controllers and have their perks and disadvantages. But in the end I chose the Arturia mainly because of its its solid outer shell steel construction where Komplete's is plastic, it's versatility to be able to operate so many DAW'S straight from the keyboard itself, Komplete only integrates with it's own Kontact software, and because it's an absolutely beautiful piano that is stunning to look at. Don't get me wrong Komplete is an amazing keyboard too but it's selling pitch is having that control over their software & while it is true Komplete does have a color display right on the keyboard and you can fully operate their software right on the keyboard itself and no you don't have complete control with the Arturia only some control but with the Komplete that's the only thing it has full control over. You still have to use your laptop to do any mixing and editing or to operate any other software. I do have the Komplete ultimate 13 software and it is amazing but I don't need to fully operate it from my keyboard. I simply choose the instruments I want to use right on my laptop that sits directly above my keyboard. It's much easier to operate on a laptop anyway because you get a very limited view of options on the small color screen on the Komplete than you do on a computer screen and it takes longer to get to the instruments you want and you don't have the ability to manipulate or integrate the sounds like you can on your laptop so you end up having to use the laptop anyways, and the Arturia plays the software perfectly, so I don't find that as a strong selling point. I find it easier to just operate Kontact from a laptop so I'd rather have a midi controller that works with all software and operates multiple DAW'S which Arturia does. Another great feature is all of the things you can connect to this thing just blows me away. You can connect multiple keyboards or other midi instruments directly to it and operate everything as one unit right into your DAW of choice The software itself that comes with the keyboard too is top notch. The piano sounds are dead on. I will say it did have one flaw which was the velocity of the keys was a little stiff meaning if you played soft vs. hard there was not much difference in the volume so it was very difficult to play dynamic music but they sent out a software update that fixed that and now it plays like a dream. Also the weighted keys are a little on the heavier side vs other weighted keyboards and I know some pianists don't like it that heavy but I do and the difference is minimal to me. I really can't find any other flaws with it if you consider these flaws. It's an absolutely wonderful piece of hardware. I don't think there is any other midi controller out there that can out perform this thing. It's just that good!!!

This is a great controller. Great feel, and is compatible with all my software that its intended for. If you are more of a synth player the action might need a little getting used to. It is a little higher in price than other controllers, however all the software that comes with it far out weighs the difference. The music stand and laptop shelf are a great addition. You can customize to your hearts content, and the quick instrument select buttons under the faders are awesome.

This ARTURIA KEY LAB 88 MARKII is Excellent!BUT Beware, the 12 month installment not honored.