are fatar �Fast Touch" keys any good?

[offnote]

I need portable weighted controller and considering akai mpk49 and Novation Nocturn 49. I could play the akai but no chance to try Nocturn 49. Does it have also semi weighted keys like mpk?

Any advice which one is better?

thanks

[Dana.]

Neither of these controllers have weighted keys. I find the Akai keys unplayable on account of very stiff springs. So, I would go with the Nocturn. FYI, the keys are the same as on the Ultranova.

[offnote]

Neither of these controllers have weighted keys.

 

I meant semi-weghted of course, sorry.

I'd like it to be as semi-weighted as possible to be able to play piano sounds from my laptop on the go.

[Sven Golly]

Given that these terms ("semi-weighted", "unweighted", etc) mean different things to different people, it would be helpful if you could let us know what "semi-weighted" keyboards you have played that you feel would fit the bill.

 

The Nocturn, which I own, is a very fast, lightweight, but comfortable action, but I'd never think of playing piano on it.

 

[Dana.]

I wouldn't choose either of them for that purpose.

[AnotherScott]

I'd like it to be as semi-weighted as possible to be able to play piano sounds from my laptop on the go.

If the issue is one of weight more than size, the 61-key Yamaha NP11 is under 10 lbs. It obviously doesn't feel as good as a weighted action, but If it uses the same kind of action as the NP30, it is surprisingly playable for piano. Even though it's unweighted, I found the action more conducive for piano playing than some "semi-weighted" actions. It also has its own self-contained sound and speakers, which could come in handy. But you could just connect it to your laptop via MIDI and trigger whatever piano sound you want.

[offnote]

Given that these terms ("semi-weighted", "unweighted", etc) mean different things to different people, it would be helpful if you could let us know what "semi-weighted" keyboards you have played that you feel would fit the bill.

 

The Nocturn, which I own, is a very fast, lightweight, but comfortable action, but I'd never think of playing piano on it.

 

from 61 keys keyboards with semi/weighted keybed I have played and I liked: motif XS/XF, kronos, M3, fantom X

 

What I played and disliked the action: CME U-Key, M-Audio midi controllers, roland juno keyboards.

 

So nocturn is not weighted at all? just a plastic with weak spring?

 

 

I guess there is some confusion with terminology.

Semi-weighted I consider just a key with stronger spring

but weighted the key with actual added weight under the key

like in motif XS. Fully weighted would be a hammer action

which comes in few flavors also.

 

 

[Dana.]

from 61 keys keyboards with semi/weighted keybed I have played and I liked: motif XS/XF, kronos, M3, fantom X

I think of these as having "synth action." You're also not going to find a MIDI controller that has an action on par with these boards. AnotherScott's suggestion is a good one.

[offnote]

thanks, but 61 keys are too long to fit in my luggage plus I don't need speakers or build in sounds. Besides NP11 looks like a toy.

[Dana.]

Besides NP11 looks like a toy.

If it's anything like the NP30, I can assure you that it's less toy-like than most of the compact controllers on the market. Regardless, I don't have any other suggestions. You're going to have to make some sort of compromise. Good luck.

[JeffLearman]

"semi-weighted" usually means there is a weight attached to the key, as with Nord Electros. "Fully weighted" usually means there's a flyweight which imitates a piano hammer action.

 

If it's just a stronger spring, that's just ... a stronger spring.

 

I find I can play piano with a semi-weighted keyboard like NE (far from ideal, but I get by) whereas I had a real hard time using my Roland JX-10 synth-action keyboard (which was fine for synth parts).