Is KL essential 49 easy to press?

Lab KeyLab Essential
#1

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a MIDI keyboard that’s easy on my fingers. My last two fingers (pinky and ring) aren’t very strong or stable, they don’t keep their position when I press keys using them so I need:

  1. Light, easy-to-press keys (low resistance, short travel).

  2. Great velocity sensitivity for subtle dynamic control.

What I’m Using It For:

  • EDM production as a hobby: I made tracks 10 years ago and want to dive back in.

  • Evening jams: Playing Analog Lab synths in Logic Pro, just for fun, need a good velicity control.

  • Improving hand positioning: Learning better technique to improve improvisation.

Keyboards I’m Considering:

Native Instruments S49 Mk2 250$ used

Arturia KeyLab Mk3/Mk2 (non-essential)

Keystep 32/37

Novation Launchkey Mk4 (not Mini)

Minilab

I currently have the Native Instruments M32, which is easy to press but feels a bit spongy.

I also bought the KeyLab Essential, but reviews say it’s hard to press, so I’m thinking of returning it. Can you please confirm that?

Unfortunately, I can’t try any keyboards in my city, so I’d love feedback from those who’ve used these models.

Thanks in advance!

#2

HI @gustav and welcome to The Sound Explorers Forum!

Hmm, it’s a tricky one as these things are completely subjective, your hand/finger size are something to consider too.

If you are ok with smaller keys, then a Keystep might be suitable for you, i have a couple here and they’re actually great little controllers.
If you’re looking at something with full sized keys then realistically it would be worth you seeing if there are any people locally that might have different keyboards you could try out, order a bunch from somewhere like Amazon if they have a good returns policy etc.

I notice you mention that you 'd like to improve your hand position and technique, in all honesty, by far the best way to do this would be to buy something with a weighted or semi weighted action and combine this with posture and strength training, it takes time but it’s well worth the effort.

The only realistic way of finding the keybed that’s right for you is to try a bunch of different ones and decide how much time and effort you want to put into it.

HTH!

Ps,
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#3

I would agree with Mat. It’s not something any one of us can make a call on.
It’s one of the very valid reasons we used to go to music stores to actually try out gear in person.
Now such stores are few and hard to find, having been killed off by the internet.

1 Like
#4

Can’t you set the key sensitivity in the Arturia Midi Control Center? I was able to do that with my KeyStep37. I use that primarily for step note-entry into notation software so I set things to always send a velocity of 127 when a key is pressed, so it takes almost no effort to get the data into the software.
I’ve just ordered the KeyLab Essentials 88 mk3 to use for playing/recording so I don’t have it yet and can’t confirm if the sensitivity can be set for it. But it’s worth checking out for the OP to try to get better results with less force from his fingers.