I’m looking for a midi controller with 49 keys, but I can’t decide which one to get. The only thing I care about is that the controller has the best weighted keys, and easily works with ableton, (and is as cheap as possible, but I’m willing to spend more if necessary).

I know they all come with a lot of bells and whistles, little drum pads and sliders and pitch wheels, etc... I don’t care about any of that, it’s a nice add-on, but I only care about the key weight.

From the research I’ve done, it sounds like you can’t get a fully weighted controller with 49 keys, but I guess I want the one that’s the closest, that’s at least semi-weighted and has the most sensitive touch control. The closest to playing like a real piano (knowing that it can’t replace a piano but is the closest)

Some of the models I’ve seen are

Arturia keylab essential 49 Novation launch key 49 M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 Komplete Kontrol A49/S49

But let me know if you know of a better one

Thanks!

I have a roland fp 30 that I absolutely love to play on, but being that it's a digital piano and not a "producer oriented" midi controller, it can be stifling to not have the pitch bend and mod wheel. I also have a little launch key mini, but I hate playing on it and I basically only use it if I have to. Today I went to guitar center and played with their 49 key keyboards and really didn't love the experience of most of them -- I pulled up serum to look at their velocity ranges and consistency and wasn't very impressed there. So I ask: is there a way I can get the best of both worlds with fully weighted full size keys, but also with all the nifty knobs, pads etc.? Been researching for a while and can't find anything. Thanks!

There seems to be a few options out there. Are there any that are mapped to Ableton out the box or do they require a lot of custom mapping?

Would appreciate recommendations from users instead of the articles online that feel a bit sales-y.

Thanks in advance