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
8
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
2 of 12
6
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
sweetwater.com › store › search
midi keyboard weighted keys - Sweetwater
View all results for midi keyboard weighted keys at Sweetwater — the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer!
Videos
13:12
My Top 5 Favorite Midi Keyboards - YouTube
05:10
Best MIDI Keyboards For EVERY Budget (Complete Guide) - YouTube
11:23
This $20 TRICK for your MIDI keyboard will actually surprise you ...
28:22
BEST Midi Keyboard under $1000 fully weighted!? Studiologic SL88 ...
09:16
Stop Wasting Money On MIDI Controllers (Complete Guide) - YouTube
14:22
The Best MIDI Controllers with Weighted Keys for Music Production ...
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 ...
Sound On Sound
soundonsound.com › forum
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 ...
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.
Long & McQuade
long-mcquade.com › departments › 574 › Keyboards › MIDI_Controllers_Drum_Machines › Midi_Controllers_-_88_Note.htm
88-Key MIDI Controllers - Long & McQuade
Departments > Keyboards > MIDI Controllers & Interfaces > MIDI Controllers - 88 Note Relevant Print Music ... 88-key MIDI controllers give you weighted or hammer-action keybeds for realistic touch, plus aftertouch on select models. With MIDI controllers you can set up zones and splits, map ...
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
Amazon
amazon.com › Midi-Keyboard-88-Weighted-Keys › s
Amazon.com: Midi Keyboard 88 Weighted Keys
Amazon.com: Midi Keyboard 88 Weighted Keys
Tom Lee Music
tomleemusic.ca › home-keyboards › midi-keyboard-controllers › midi-controllers-88-key
MIDI Controllers; 88 Key MIDI Controllers | Tom Lee Music
0% STUDIOLOGIC SL-88-GT-MK2 | 88-key Midi Keyboard Controller W/ Acoustic Weighted Keys (sku: 239784)
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...
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
Digital Piano Review Guide
digitalpianoreviewguide.com › home › midi and synths › what’s the best midi controller with weighted keys?
What’s the Best MIDI Controller with Weighted Keys?
March 7, 2025 - And the piano sound is so good that it’s almost better than a lot of the lower-end plugins like Addictive Keys anyway. Plus the P-125 has inputs for pedals, a USB cable input for MIDI, and it just feels great to play. It’s also cheaper than a lot of the other MIDI keyboards on this list, and the other ones can’t play sounds on their own. I don’t have much negative to say about this weighted MIDI keyboard (and digital piano), except that I feel like it’s a little narrow and slides around if you put it on a metal X stand.
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...
Charles Cleyn
charlescleyn.com › blog › 4-midi-controllers-with-weighted-keys
4 MIDI Controllers With Weighted Keys You Don't Want To Miss
Overall, the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 Mk3 is one of the best MIDIs on the market that features weighted keys. You can find one on Amazon for $1,299. If you’re a pianist looking for a MIDI keyboard that resembles your instrument the most, the Studiologic SL88 Grand is one of the best options for you on the market.
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.
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.
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.
Consordini
consordini.com › home › the 10 best weighted midi keyboard controllers 2026
The 10 Best Fully & Semi-Weighted MIDI Keyboard Controllers
February 10, 2023 - Although, being number one on our list is purely based on how it feels because the Hammer 88 offers very little in the way of features. The keybed on the Hammer 88 is the best we have played on any weighted MIDI keyboard.
MOTUnation
motunation.com › board index › motunation main forums › general recording
Fully weighted good MIDI keyboard? - MOTUnation.com
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.