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.
Sweetwater
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midi keyboard weighted keys - Sweetwater
View all results for midi keyboard weighted keys at Sweetwater — the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer!
Slim 88-key (weighted) MIDI Keyboard? - SOS FORUM
Sign Up TO SOS Newsletters · All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2026. All rights reserved. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden ... More on soundonsound.com
Composer-Producers: Do you prefer a fully-weighted MIDI controller or semi-weighted?
When you're used to playing piano, fully weighted feels more familiar. Personally I like the feel better. And of I play lighter keys I tend to hit all the notes at velocity >100. Or in other words: playing with full dynamics is easier for me on a full weighted kb. But it's so personal. If you also perform with it, be prepared for some exercise though. Mine weighs a ton. More on reddit.com
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November 10, 2022Does anyone use a fully weighted (88 key) MIDI keyboard as your modular controller? - MOD WIGGLER
I'm looking for something that will reasonably simulate a real piano keyboard (I'm open to suggestions, btw). I was wondering whether I could combine the two, and get a good 88-key weighted MIDI keyboard with DIN out and connect that to my modular as a controller (using the Hermod as MIDI-to-CV ... More on modwiggler.com
Fully weighted good MIDI keyboard? - MOTUnation.com
Before my main question (what is a good affordable 88 fully weighted keys) can someone explain to me this: I have my M-audio keyboard connected through USB to my mac pro, and the 88keys keyboard connected through MIDI OUT to the M-audio MIDI IN port (and to the power outlet). More on motunation.com
Videos
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Piano Dreamers
pianodreamers.com › best-midi-keyboards
Best MIDI Keyboards: An In-Depth Look at the Market (2025)
May 17, 2025 - We’ve already introduced Arturia, so you know their pedigree as one of the top names in computer music. The KeyLab series is split into the mainline series (KeyLab 49, 61, and 88 which is weighted) and the Essential series (KeyLab Essential ...
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. But I've always been curious about the Studio's (more expensive) big brother, the SL88 Grand model. It features an improved keybed, a graded hammer action, wooden keys, and an Ivory touch finish, But...
Amazon
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Amazon.com: Midi Keyboard 88 Weighted Keys
Amazon.com: Midi Keyboard 88 Weighted Keys
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
Number of Keys 64 Type of Keys ... Damper, 2 x Switch/Expression MIDI I/O Out Height 4.62" Width 43.87" Depth 10.75" Weight 28.2 lbs....
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’s SL88 Studio is an 88-key MIDI controller with a premium TP/100LR Fatar keyboard. 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 responsive to the most nuanced playing.
Sound On Sound
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Slim 88-key (weighted) MIDI Keyboard? - SOS FORUM
Sign Up TO SOS Newsletters · All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2026. All rights reserved. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden ...
Novation
us.novationmusic.com › home › midi controllers › midi keyboards
MIDI Keyboards | Novation
The complete creative controller: 49 semi-weighted keys, Scale and Chord modes and custom controls for any DAW ... MIDI controller keyboard, with 88 velocity-sensitive keys, 16 pads and nine faders with pickup, provide expressive control
Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-best-small-MIDI-controller-with-weighted-keys
What is the best small MIDI controller with weighted keys? - Quora
Answer (1 of 7): I'd go with Maurizio De Cecco, the smallest midi controller with weighted keys is the Roland RD64. Roland RD-64 64 Ivory Feel keyboard, a pretty nice key touch. If I had to choose a very small non weighted keyboard I would go for Arturia Keylab 25, has a nice touch and it's v...
Sound Gear Nerd
soundgearnerd.com › home › best midi keyboards with weighted keys – 7 worthy controllers!
Best MIDI Keyboards with Weighted Keys – 7 Worthy Controllers!
October 29, 2024 - Studiologic’s SL88 Studio is a fairly straightforward MIDI keyboard, with some unique tricks up its sleeve. It is a well-built, fully-weighted 88 key keyboard, great for both studio work and live performances.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/wearethemusicmakers › composer-producers: do you prefer a fully-weighted midi controller or semi-weighted?
Composer-Producers: Do you prefer a fully-weighted MIDI controller or semi-weighted? : r/WeAreTheMusicMakers
November 10, 2022 - It is nice to have the added resistance in the semi weighted keybed, but it's always giving more resistance as you push down. Real hammer action has a heavy initial resistance but decreases in resistance as you push down. Sort of like a nice computer keyboard. If you have the permanent space for an 88 key quality controller that has hammer action keys and also whatever sort of midi control you need, I would go for it.
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
MOD WIGGLER
modwiggler.com › home › board index › modular synths › 1u & 3u eurorack modules
Does anyone use a fully weighted (88 key) MIDI keyboard as your modular controller? - MOD WIGGLER
Don't get me wrong, I love the Keystep, but it just can't compare to a full-size weighted keyboard and real-deal keybed. Even if you aren't using velocity, your playing will be completely different. ... lowkeyluce wrote: Fri Aug 19, 2022 5:48 pm There's no reason it won't work from a technical perspective, you'll be able to convert it's MIDI to CV just like any other keyboard and most oscillators can handle more than 7 octaves, which is about what you get with an 88 key.
Digital Piano Kraze
digitalpianokraze.com › best-88-key-midi-keyboard-controllers
Best 88 Key MIDI Controllers 2026: I Tested All Options
2 weeks ago - The Arturia Keylab 88 MKIII is currently the best option on the market, providing the most realistic feel from a MIDI controller and ultimate durability. View Price At Sweetwater · We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. A lot of the controllers that have 88 keys surprisingly don’t have weighted keys. This is mainly because controllers aren’t really meant to be played as just a piano. They are meant for the musician to access a bunch of different sounds of their liking. I will mention the keyboards with weighted keys, but just keep in mind that a lot of MIDI keyboards won’t have them.
K-brothers
k-brothers.com
88 key weighted keyboard with pedals discount
The casket alone will not withstand the weight of the earth’s load or heavy cemetery digging equipment driving over the grave. Without the support of a burial vault, the casket and its contents may be crushed.
MOTUnation
motunation.com › board index › motunation main forums › general recording
Fully weighted good MIDI keyboard? - MOTUnation.com
November 5, 2021 - Some keyboards give you quite a few options including multiple break points on the curve, as well as a value offset (e.g., add 10 to all velocities). I suspect the 88 key just has a different range & curve so your playing requires more elbow grease to compensate. You might try using a different curve. As for recommended models, if you TRULY want a fully-weighted keyboard-- and your goal is to replicate the experience of a real piano, then a graded hammer action is pretty essential.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
THE BEST MIDI KEYBOARD!?!? | What To Consider - YouTube
My recommendations for how to pick the best MIDI keyboard for making beats (and live performances)Subscribe: http://bit.ly/sub2memoIG: http://www.instagram.c...
Published July 20, 2023
Long & McQuade
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NYTimes
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No Wardrobe Is Complete Without a Little Black Dress. Here Are 8 Favorites.
October 2, 2025 - It’s well suited for different bodies. Testers with a variety of body shapes and sizes felt beautiful in this dress. “It’s incredibly sexy and sophisticated,” raved one (5-foot-6, size 18). “The midi length looked great on me, and the size 18 felt like a true 2X.”