How much are you willing to spend? Kawai makes an awesome controller that contains most of a real piano action, but it ain’t cheap: Kawai US Store Answer from Traditional_Nose3120 on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/synthesizers › best midi controller for realistic piano weighted keys?
r/synthesizers on Reddit: Best MIDI Controller for realistic piano weighted keys?
May 16, 2025 -
Hi Everyone!
So, I'm looking to buy a new 88 key midi controller and I want the feel of the keys to be as close as possible to a piano feel.
I had the Arturia Keylab mk2 49 key for my controller and used a Casio Privia PX-350M for my piano feel, but wanted to consolidate into one unit for both.
I've been looking at the Arturia Keylab MK3 88 key, Studiologic SL88 Grand and the Kontrol S88 Mk3 88-key.
I do have a lot of Arturia VSTs from buying the mk2, but not married to their ecosystem. Ideally, I want the most realistic piano feel while still offering some easy DAW integration with the unit.
I've wanted to try them out, but nowhere seems to have them on display. I could buy and return if I don't like it, I suppose, but would prefer to avoid that hassle if possible.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Top answer 1 of 12
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How much are you willing to spend? Kawai makes an awesome controller that contains most of a real piano action, but it ain’t cheap: Kawai US Store
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In my experience - since controller manufacturers all tend to source their boards from Fatar anyway - you'll want to look at digital pianos for different action. Personally I really like the feel of my Roland FP7. Yes, there's a whole digital piano attached to it and it has no knobs/sliders/pads, but - I don't care about the internal piano sounds, and you can always buy a LaunchControl XL or something if you need knobs/sliders/pads. Your DAW will merge everything into one big pile anyway.
Sunday Sounds
sundaysounds.com › blogs › news › best-midi-keyboard-under-1000-fully-weighted-studiologic-sl88-grand-review
BEST MIDI Keyboard under $1000 fully weighted!? Studiologic SL88 Grand – Sunday Sounds
The SL88 Studio has been my go-to midi controller for several years now. I love it, we've made videos about it, and it's what we recommend to most churches looking for a controller.
Videos
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My Top 5 Favorite Midi Keyboards - YouTube
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I Finally Got an 88-Key MIDI Controller… Here’s Why I'm Excited!
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BEST Midi Keyboard under $1000 fully weighted!? Studiologic SL88 ...
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The Best MIDI Controllers with Weighted Keys for Music Production ...
Arturia KeyLab Essential 88: The Best Budget 88 Key Midi ...
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Stop Wasting Money On MIDI Controllers (Complete Guide) - YouTube
PopuMusic Store
partykeys.com › home › news › news
Top 88 Key MIDI Controller Picks for Music Creators and Home Studios
July 21, 2025 - Fully weighted or hammer-action keys mimic the resistance of an acoustic piano ideal for expressive solo performance, dynamic layering, and advanced technique training · Many of the best 88 key MIDI controller options now come with graded hammer-action or hybrid mechanisms, catering to players who want realism without giving up MIDI flexibility.
Piano Dreamers
pianodreamers.com › best-midi-keyboards
Best MIDI Keyboards: An In-Depth Look at the Market (2025)
May 17, 2025 - Again, I recommend you check out our breakdown of all our top piano VST plugins to find one that works best for you. ... While the Akai Road 88 seems enticing due to costing 3/4 of the price, I’d say the M-Audio Hammer or the Studiologic SL88 ...
Gearspace
gearspace.com › home › the forums › electronic music instruments and electronic music production › best midi controller keyboard with 88 weighted keys?
Best MIDI Controller Keyboard with 88 Weighted Keys? - Gearspace
I owned a Roland A-80 for a long time and that's a fantastic weighted controller!, only thing is it's for the studio use only unless you have roadies to carry it for you. The only modern keyboards which can do what they can do are actually the ...
Published September 17, 2017
Higher Hz
higherhertz.com › home › the 4 best 88-key weighted midi keyboard controllers in 2025
The 4 best 88-key weighted MIDI keyboard controllers 2025
May 20, 2025 - Studiologic and Fatar share the same owners, so it’s not surprising that Studiologic keyboards always feel fantastic. The fully-weighted hammer-action keyboard, combined with Studiologic’s triple-switch detection system, makes the SL88 extremely ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/synthesizers › preferred 88 key midi controller
r/synthesizers on Reddit: Preferred 88 key midi controller
March 13, 2023 -
Hi all. I’m interested in hearing everyone’s views on preferred 88 key midi controller and why. It could be a dedicated controller, a workstation, piano keyboard, anything that’s 88 piano weighted keys.
Thanks 👍😊
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A digital piano is probably the best deal for good weighted keys, plus it can be played on its own. The M-Audio Hammer 88 looks like a good deal and includes pitch bend/mod wheels, though I've tried it in the store and the keys don't quite feel as nice as other digital pianos. Other fully-weighted controllers include wheels and other MIDI controls but cost quite a bit more than an entry level DP, but again the ones I've tried don't quite feel as nice as my Roland FP-10.
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M-audio hammer 88 pro, better action than the regular hammer 88 and i prefer it over the fatar hammer action on studio logic boards. Also has pitch and mod wheel, drum pads, faders and daw control/transport. I use it as the center and a smaller keystep for the sequencer.
Sweetwater
sweetwater.com › home › best 88-key weighted & hammer-action keyboards & midi controllers
Best 88-key Weighted & Hammer-action Keyboards & MIDI Controllers... | Sweetwater
July 24, 2025 - It’s only natural that the company would use the same finesse in designing their MIDI controllers — the Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 88-key weighted hammer-action keyboard controller is a masterclass in remote sonic control.
Sweetwater
sweetwater.com › home › keyboards & synthesizers › midi controllers › 88-key midi controllers
88-key MIDI Controllers - Sweetwater
88-key MIDI Keyboard Controller with Acoustic Weighted Keys, 7 Encoders, Numa Player Compatibility, and Onboard Display ... 88-key Controller with Fully Weighted Keys, MIDI 2.0 Compatibility, Polyphonic Aftertouch, 8 Rotary Encoders, 4D Encoder, 8 Soft Switches, Touch Strip, Pitch Wheel, Mod Wheel, and Bundled Software
Reddit
reddit.com › r/composer › best 88-key midi controller with realistic piano feel?
r/composer on Reddit: Best 88-Key MIDI Controller with Realistic Piano Feel?
June 4, 2024 -
Hello everyone,
I'm looking for recommendations on an 88-key MIDI controller that has a realistic piano feel but focuses on the essentials in terms of features. What would you suggest?
Thanks!
Top answer 1 of 11
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Just get a digital piano with usb to host for midi. Check out the Kawai ES-120 or the Casio CPD-s-110... then add any additional midi controllers, if you need faders, pads and whatnot.
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StudioLogic SL88 Grand (NOT Studio). Has mono aftertouch too (a bit stiffy though). It's not in Kawai league, of course, but in terms of piano action it easily beats all the popular ones I tried, like Komplete 88 mk2 or KeyLab 88.
MusicRadar
musicradar.com › tech › midi controllers
The top 88-key MIDI controllers: master keyboards for musicians, composers, performers and producers | MusicRadar
March 14, 2022 - It’s also a boon that the KeyLab 88 comes with two high-end virtual pianos—UVI Acoustic Grand, which is sampled, and Pianoteq 5 Stage, which is physically modelled. MIDI In and Out ports are on hand for external hardware other than your ...
Long & McQuade
long-mcquade.com › departments › 574 › Keyboards › MIDI_Controllers_Drum_Machines › Midi_Controllers_-_88_Note.htm
88-Key MIDI Controllers - Long & McQuade
Shop for 88-key MIDI controllers at Long & McQuade. Explore weighted and hammer-action keys, aftertouch, pedal inputs, USB and 5-pin MIDI, and DAW controls.
Digital Piana Judge
digitalpianojudge.com › home › top 7 best 88-key fully-weighted midi keyboard controllers 2025
Top 7 Best 88-Key Fully-Weighted MIDI Keyboard Controllers [year]
February 1, 2023 - Here are the best weighted 88-key MIDI keyboard controllers 2025: ... If you want an all-round fully weighted 88-key MIDI controller with hammer action, then the Komplete Kontrol S88 is the way to go.
Gearank
gearank.com › home › best 88 key midi controller keyboards for every player
Best 88 Key MIDI Controller Keyboards for Every Player - Gearank - Music Gear Information for Live Performance or Studio
June 27, 2025 - But even with the release of the pro version (at around $300 more), the Hammer 88’s value proposition remains intact. It gives you fully weighted keys at a great price and not much else to distract you from your playing.
MOTUnation
motunation.com › board index › motunation main forums › general recording
Fully weighted good MIDI keyboard? - MOTUnation.com
A Yamaha P121 does the work around here—the 88 key version is the P125. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detai ... iano-white Like many Yamaha pianos and MIDI controllers, this has
Piano World
forum.pianoworld.com › ubbthreads.php › topics › 3518287 › looking-for-88-key-midi-controller-advice.html
Looking for 88 Key MIDI controller - advice? - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums
Hey guys, i want to buy a MIDI controller with 88 keys. Any advice appreciated. What I need: Weighted keybed. Just a reasonable feel. It will be stationed at a friends house, so I don't need the triple A +++ keybed quality. Just a reasonable quality. Any further stuff such as pads, whe...
Cantabile Community
community.cantabilesoftware.com › related
Fully weighted 88 key midi controller suggestions - Page 2 - Related - Cantabile Community
January 16, 2018 - Thanks Torsten, I was actually looking at that article earlier today. I think if I were to purchase a keyboard site unseen, it would probably be the Roland a-88. Lots of good reviews about the keyboard action.
Roland Store London
rolandstorelondon.com › products › a-88mk2
Roland A-88MK2 MIDI Keyboard Controller, 88 Weighted Keys – Roland Store London
Roland A-88MK2 MIDI Keyboard Controller, 88 Weighted Keys
Unmatched playability with Roland's own PHA-4 keyboard
Built to last with wood and premium materials for years of dependable performance
Eight RGB-lit assignable knobs, eight RGB-lit pads, and three pedal inputs
Three customizable zones, onboard arpeggiator, and chord memory
Thin design with shallow depth fits today's studio environments
Control application for deep customization and instant recall
USB-C connectivity and bus power
Support for MIDI 2.0 (A-88MKII Version 2.00 and later)
Price £985.00
Easy Music Center
easymusiccenter.com › products › roland-a-88mk2-88-key-weighted-midi-controller
Roland A-88MK2 88-key Weighted Midi Controller – Easy Music Center
Roland A-88MK2 88-key Weighted Midi Controller
Play. Control. Rejoice.The latest in our long line of professional MIDI controllers, the Roland A-88MKII is supremely playable, with onboard creative tools for today's musicians and producers. Our acclaimed hammer-action keyboard and built-to-last quality combine with modern features like USB-C connectivity, RGB-lit controls, and MIDI 2.0 (coming soon) for the best performance in its class.
When it comes to MIDI controllers, playability often seems like an afterthought. With the A-88MKII, we bring our acclaimed keyboard feel, enjoyed by professional players on stages around the world, to your
Price $1,393.99