Arturia Keylab 88 ESSENTIAL vs MK2

[@banielal]

I am amazed by the detail on your videos and the knowledge on the products you review. Being a proper narrator is not an easy task either. Excellent channel.

[@margaretchristo6859]

What a grand comparison between the Keylab 88 Essential vs MK2. Plenty to think about! All the best at NAMM.

[@SanjayC]

Thanks! :-)

[@darrenewing1900]

I'm getting closer to owning that 88 key price-wise...

[@SanjayC]

This is your year! Get it! :-D Gear keeps getting better and more affordable, right?

[@darrenewing1900]

@@SanjayC .... Yeah but I'm holding out to get lucky in a giveaway! ✌️😁

[@SanjayC]

Haha! Stay tuned! ;-)

[@baonamtran2023]

@@darrenewing1900 cho gkdjru

[@Only1Dharti]

Wow!!!!! Gorgeously captured!!!!! Man! This should be their ad -you shoot so beautifully!

[@SanjayC]

Thanks!

[@winddealer1]

I thought you did all Sanjays videos :)

[@Only1Dharti]

Dan Drew 😂 NO, not all but I will help on certain projects/videos. Like most recently some shots/videos from Namm! But it’s mostly all him!

[@DakasaCS]

Excellent review. Very in depth, great visuals, demonstrations, and editing.

[@SanjayC]

Thank you, Daimon!

[@Uranicmusic]

Yeez, thanks for this video! Think I will buy the Essential one

[@SanjayC]

Woohoo! New keyboard coming to the studio!!

[@Uranicmusic]

Yeah but more like bedroom studio 😅

[@SanjayC]

Me too! Everything happens in my living room :-)

[@olegsmd]

@@SanjayC , and you still live together with your wife?... 🤦‍♂️😂😂🤣 LOLsss

[@jamstheholy]

Great video, very illustrative and helpful! Additionally, your voice and manner are, dare I say, comforting. Well done!

[@SanjayC]

Wow, thank you!

[@VIC-20_Synthwave]

I love my Essential 88. As a synth player/programmer the key action is perfect for me. I also have the Essential 49 key version & the keys feel cheap on those. I've had mine for 3 years now with zero issues.

[@taylorshareen2690]

hi, now they released new update with Mk3 88 keys essential . should I get it or Novation 88keys ?

[@ronricherson6685]

I sent back the Keylab 88 because the keys rebounded so SLOOOOOOWWWWWLY. I reviewed this on Sweetwater's site (maybe they saw this and heard from others about it). I see you playing smooth, soft stuff, so "feel" means nothing if the keys don't rebound FAST. I have an old Kurzweil that I can FLY across the key and bring out every nuance as I go; no waiting for the keys to come back. I wish I could put THAT action into something new. I may get the Keylab Essential so I can get the speed I need; I haven't found anything that satisfies yet. Thoughts?

[@Jpaul038]

Excellent comparison video SanjayC! Thank you!!

[@SanjayC]

Thank you!!

[@edrumsense]

I would love to see this MKII piano on black.

[@TheBudBoss]

this is the video ive been looking for!!! Watching now

[@SweetScaleTV]

I personally think the fact that the Keylab comes with soooooooo much more in terms of VST's.... Analog Lab and Piano V2 alone are worth spending more! Great review!

[@SanjayC]

Thanks. Yeah, both the keyboards come with excellent software

[@TheAudioDabbler]

Man, I wish the essential had the sheet music and the laptop stand options. Great video as always. Very informative. Looking for an 88 key but not sure I can shell out that premium price yet.

[@SanjayC]

Thank you TheAudioDabbler!

[@erkankim2887]

where can i find cracked version of that keyboard??

[@SanjayC]

LOLOL!

[@chaton51]

try torrents... of tears.. lol

[@m3kbeatz]

🤣🤣🤣

[@lambertlambert7076]

Maybe, I have the good response : _Buy the cheapest Key Lab essential with 49 keys around 200€, and pair it with a large 88 keyboard with hammer actions. You may find a second hand device as 88 keyboard to remain under 350€. This may be the ultimate way to have 88 hammer touch keyboard with the nice controls of Key lab controller.

[@Submersed24]

I have it, but you need a 3d printer

[@firstnamelastname061]

I feel like you have a very calming face and voice. Subscribed!

[@SanjayC]

Thanks, Sandesh! Did you just find my channel?

[@IsmaelAngelus]

I have an Arturia Keylab 49 Essential for synth stuff and a Nektar Impact GX61 for that "pianistic feel" when I'm studying. I was thinking in selling one of them, but I can't. Once you got in this "MIDI controller world" it's hard to get out, haha! Amazing video, dear Sanjay. Peace!

[@RevElaineNjerveZack7]

34 minutes late. Getting better. Your laptop computer looks like mine. I have the 2019 MacBook Pro 15.4 inch screen.

[@SanjayC]

Yay! You're here early!

[@realjake5578]

thank u thank u thank u for this! exactly the comparison I was hoping to c. great video as usual

[@SanjayC]

Awesome! Glad I could make this for you. Which one do you think is better for you?

[@esongsore]

Thanks so much for this video. Awesome information.

[@SanjayC]

You're welcome!

[@carloko08]

excellent work, Sanjay, as always 😉

[@jimmyjones5663]

Thanks for the review. Was on the fence. But you convinced me to get the essential

[@SamHernandez27j]

I’m going with the 88 essential because I already have the 66mkii and I can have all the control with my daw, I just need the range of 88

[@SanjayC]

That's cool...I'm a pianist and feel more comfortable with the full range as well.

[@MelissaAtwell]

Thank you for this detailed comparison. It was exactly what I needed!

[@roseculotte4408]

Thanks dude ! Very complete descriptions, not easy to found in others KZbin videos.. thanks again

[@SanjayC]

Glad it helped!

[@chrisbasmati3177]

So excited for the Eseential!

[@SanjayC]

Yeah, price is great for 88 keys, I think

[@drpeks]

Just found out your channel when i was searching for a good midi keyboard to get. I was all satisfied with the 88mk2 for a personal and live midi piano but then i saw the essential and the price was a wow to me and i'm definitely more confused than ever on which to get. I'm a worship leader at my church and basically use Ableton live. arturia with all its functionality and integration with DAW's sold me but I use expression pedals to control filter cut offs of different pads and i'm not so much of mod wheel fan because i need all my hands on my keys during worship. I may be able to streeeeetch my budget for the mk2 but that's gonna be a way big stretch on me financially. i am not a trained classical pianist so the keys arent so much of an issue to me, infact i use the yamaha mx61 at my church and that has been good for me. The laptop stand, expression and different inputs and more pads to trigger sounds makes me say yea to the mk2. While the cheaper price point of the essential is just amazing but its limitation on expression pedal input, no laptop stand and fewer pads becomes limited on my side. What do you advice i do at this point? Please HELP!!!

[@SanjayC]

I think if you get the Keylab Mk2, you won't need to buy another midi keyboard for a long time! And it feels excellent.

[@drpeks]

Sanjay C thank you 🙏🏾

[@DesireeD]

Hey Sanjay, I'm late this time! I really like both! Fantastic video as always🤩

[@SanjayC]

Hi Desiree! Yeah, they're both great depending on budget and needs. Thanks

[@TheBudBoss]

at first i thought i just needed the small one. now i want the big one. good job lol

[@SanjayC]

Yes! Get it!

[@gladysng4314]

I was able to try the the Essential at NAMM today. The keys felt nice to me but I’m not a trained pianist. I wasn’t able to compare it to the 88 key MKII but I liked it better than the Essential 49 key.

[@SanjayC]

Hey I’m at NAMM too. Say hi if you see me here!

[@CMIRickHood]

Thank you for your really excellent reviews. I did a lot of research on keyboards and mainly due to what I found from your reviews I ordered the Arturia KeyLab mkII 49 49-key Keyboard Controller from Sweetwater (I love Sweetwater BTW) ....talked myself up from the Essential 49. It's coming Wednesday, can't wait. I have had a Yamaha P80 keyboard for years and 20 years ago messed around in Cubase. Coming back to this now using Logic. Should be fun! A lot has changed since then. ;-)

[@SanjayC]

Woohoo! Congrats!

[@jordanrazowskymusician8178]

Thanks for the vid

[@dylanthoburn5891]

This is the perfect video ive been searching for

[@SanjayC]

So happy to hear that!

[@gawaa5094]

Have a good trip to NAMM This video was very interesting 🧐 Love your videos :-)

[@SanjayC]

Thanks, Gab! What are you creating this week?

[@Bluesguitartube]

Thank you very much Sanjay - awesome comparison of the two. I have not decided yet which one I'll take, but I hear your reasons for the MKII. Thank. you!

[@SanjayC]

MKII is definitely superior, especially if you're a pianist

[@josvei4052]

I would like to use both, The essential 61 for the pop/rock pianos and percussion, the the mk2 for the classic pianos, it would be great to link both so you can mix drums/electrical pianos and classic piano.

[@bartiz12]

Very thorough comparison! I do agree that the top Keylab line feels much more robust and premium than Essential. Was about to get Keylab Essential but went for used MK1 Keylab 88 - never looked back. This thing is heavy and screams quality. I got almost the same price as for Essential so I am very happy about my purchase - the heavier weighted keys were definitely worth it. Now, gotta figure out how to operate all these buttons :D

[@SanjayC]

Yeah, I actually started liking the heavier keys after a while.

[@Jbomb_Vargas]

Man I sure wish they would just make another Arturia keylab essential 88 key mk3 but with HAMMER ACTION KEYS. Everything about the essential but the key feel of the mk2! That would be A DREAM COME TRUE!

[@lachlanrussell18]

Love it as always Sanjay!

[@SanjayC]

Thanks, Lachlan!

[@Saralizm]

Your videos are amazing quality! Keep it up! Just subscribed :)))

[@user-zb8dg6zv9o]

Love this guy he is very thorough...

[@NevilleHayfield]

Dope video 👏 loving your channel Bro 👊💪🔥🔥🔥. Love from the UK 🙏

[@SanjayC]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@lyskmusic]

Thank you for a great review as I'm looking to replace my MPK249 |(AKAI). This was really helpful.

[@SanjayC]

You're welcome

[@Tigerex966]

Breath control! Was in the first version. Aftertouch?.

[@RotterStudios]

just what I was looking for thanks! I don't know which one. I want to learn how to play but will mainly be using it for composing / scoring for film in Logic Pro X.

[@Scrimtastic]

love you dude

[@peralta229]

I loved komplete kontrol m32 but defect was the drum pads so I would vote keylab 88 essential. But still I love native instruments products.

[@SanjayC]

Yes drum pads on the NI keyboards would be great.

[@reevrob]

Great side by side review. Thanks! I'm about to retire my Korg microKEYAir 61 for the Keylab Essential 88. People say that the hammer action on the Essential is frustrating for pianists. Is this true? I don't need the extra bells and whistles of the MK2 as I use the DAW a lot for playing/editing. Am I better off looking for another 88 controller? Is the Novation Launchkey 88 a better option?

[@cassio-fm]

fantastic review, right to the point and very clear. It just answered all the questions I didn't know I had! Thanks 😊

[@SanjayC]

Thank you cassiofm!

[@cassio-fm]

@@SanjayC You're very welcome. After watching you I got myself a MK II 88! :D The keys ARE really heavy indeed, I was used to the Essential 66. And the keys are not that white, is that normal? But loving the feeling of a "real" piano and the extra octaves :D

[@cripesalmighty4744]

Sanjey C. The most pleasant fella in music land.

[@alanohagan6999]

Hey man, just found your channel - totally love it

[@SanjayC]

😊 Thanks for finding me!!

[@StringsForGlory]

Thanks mate! Pretty useful for my decision which one I will buy.

[@SanjayC]

Glad I could help!

[@NeelleeStenat]

The upfaders should be located on the left side of the unit near pitch wheel and mod wheel, imo

[@mafuentesmusic]

does anybody know if the mark 2 will fit in the output platform desk keyboard tray im thinking it looks too big

[@esaiajob4603]

Hi Sanjay, thank you for all your videos they are really useful for me, I'm just building up my first home studio and your videos made it easier! Now I'm fighting in making a choice about a midi keyboard and I would like to know what would be your advice about the Arturia essential 49, because I'm juste a beginner... is ti good for me or do you have something better in that same range of prices? thank you 🙏🏽

[@THBakker69]

OK, I’ve read all comments and replies 🤪 My question is not answered, which is the following: I recently bought the MiniLab Mk2 and I love it. Reason of buying was to experience a MIDI keyboard and the software to see if I liked it and if my son would like it. He smashed all buttons and knobs and put his arm over the keys and it’s stayed intact. Very well build! My only gripe with it are the two clickable rotary knobs when selecting sounds. They are unreliable and prone to skip one or two sounds, which I find very annoying. So my question is: is that big selection rotary knob on the Essentials and on the NI A-series and the M32 a steprotary knob. I mean does it turn smoothly or does it give some kind of notch feedback that you have stepped on to the next sound? I do hope my question is clear. 😊 Thank you for the pleasant video’s 😊

[@SanjayC]

Hi T Bakker. The rotary knob on both the Arturia and NI are step rotary. You can feel every notch you turn

[@williams3942]

I really want to get my hands on both of these to tell the difference between the weight and “clicky-ness” of the keys… that’s really my deciding factor at this point

[@brickmasterstudio9962]

Hi! Would you recommend the essential 88, or the Studiologic Numa Compact 2X? I'm looking for a new keyboard with these kind of features and I'm stuck between these two. thanks!

[@MO-nd8ud]

Hey Sanjay, I’m really confused between the arturia keylab 61 and the akai mpk 261, what do you think about them? and which is better? Thank you ❤️❤️

[@dandna1855]

Thanks Man - really helpful.

[@SanjayC]

You're most welcome :-)

[@johnmorrell]

Thank you, that was very helpful.

[@Morpholigical]

9:30 when you vote out the impostor

[@rova6203]

Hi Sanjay, I love your reviews on keyboards. Could you review the Studiologic SL88 Grand ? I have read it is better than the Arturia Keylab 88 and Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 by being much closer to a real piano feel. I would love to have your educated opinion on it. Thank you

[@sphinx3563]

Nice video.......thats keys are so soft soundThat keyboard look awesome......Then how are you bro???... Any thing new today.....:)))

[@SanjayC]

NAMM floor opens today! I’ll be posting all the updates from Instagram and a short video here. Make sure you follow my stories on Instagram @SanjayC!

[@sphinx3563]

@@SanjayC sure....I don't have insta...But I promise you bro ...... i download you then follow you.....

[@SanjayC]

Yes...do it! You'll see a lot of cool stuff that I don't post on KZbin! :-)

[@sphinx3563]

@@SanjayC sure i am eager to watch:))))))

[@BrainLeisure]

Very interesting. Subscribed !

[@SanjayC]

Thank you DEBERT Dominique!

[@SandiMardiansyah]

nice review as always, thank you Sanjay

[@SanjayC]

Thank you Sandi!

[@joshhiary7060]

when playing are you able to hear the keys? thinking of buying one ( for the essential)

[@mollylambmusic4006]

Thank you these great reviews! Question for you, does this midi keyboard produce it’s own sounds? Or does it have to be plugged in and run through a daw in order to produce sound?

[@starfishandroid]

Excellent review

[@FrancescaBettiMusic]

The mk2 is what I am looking for my dream keyboard *_* saving now

[@SanjayC]

Yes, save up. Its worth it!

[@playnamz78]

Love these in-depth comparisons videos man! I need midi synth to aid my ableton live workflow + get beat making / sequencing so was thinking push 2 but everyone tells me to learn live first. So need a midi controller and now I’m torn between just 49key mkii, 61 key mkii or 88 essential. 88 mkii got me drooling though. Being piano player I naturally use wide range but trying to learn the limited range midi keys playing for recording. Background: NS3 88 for ocasional gigging tho main stage/midi kb gig isn’t improbable in future. But all are mainly for recording. 1) what would you suggest? 2) have you found 49 or 61 keys to be limiting your studio workflow? (If you’ve ever used those as main controller before) Thanks in advance!

[@SanjayC]

I don't find that 49/61 keys are limiting. I can use them just fine to input my ideas and play pretty much anything I want. But if you're a pianist, you're really going to love to have hammer actions keys. If you are going to use this keyboard controller as your main keyboard, then get hammer action

[@karthikeyareddy7040]

SANJAY SIR HAVE A SOUND AND SAFE JOURNEY TO NAMM

[@SanjayC]

Thanks so much! 🙏🏼

[@Shady_R]

Hey Sanjay! I really like your quality videos, very much helpful in choosing the right product, but still I got a question to ask, should I buy Komplete Kontrol S88 or Arturia Keylab 88 MK2, for music production? please guide me to choose one!!

[@SanjayC]

Thanks, Zayne. I think, for most people, the Keylab is a great all round keyboard. If you pair that with a Native Instruments M32, you'll have the best of both worlds!

[@75hilmar]

It has always been like this: They lure you into buying the cheap one but you will soon notice it is utter trash and then buy the expensive one anyways. So buy the expensive one right away!

[@BaptisteThorel]

So I'm now asking myself if I should buy a hammer keyboard or a shynth... Really hard choice (for my purse)

[@Ernestasish]

If you don't play the piano and don't need a very big dynamic range I wouldn't recommend spending money on the hammer action version.

[@Asterra2]

Is aftertouch ever mentioned? Because let's just say I'm glad I did my damn research and figured out that the "Essential" doesn't have this bog-standard feature even though a ton of much cheaper and much *older* controllers do have it.

[@kevinjackson7539]

MK2 won't fit under my Output desk and it's so close

[@schroederchan8804]

hello sanjay. this is the first time I leave a message in your channel. but I've learnt a lot to setup my studio. thank you. recently I am thinking of upgrading my midi device. should I buy the essential, or the keylab 88 ( not the mk II )? it the midi control much better in essential ?

[@masy7894]

Yo notification squad 😍 . How are you sanjay. Have a safe trip to NAMM!!!

[@SanjayC]

Hi Maslin! Thanks. What should I check out at NAMM?

[@masy7894]

@@SanjayC Imma fan of yamaha arranger keyboards from small age. Check if they are releasing any new arranger keyboards in psr- series. Already they had psr- s970 as the top model around 1200$ . I hope that they are releasing something new this year.

[@SanjayC]

Will do! I'm excited to see the new Roland keyboard with MIDI 2.0 too

[@masy7894]

@@SanjayC looking forward for the vlog sanjay 😇 . Appreciate it so much

[@loonaya]

Great video. I watched the M Audio Oxygen Pro video as well. How would you (or anyone who tried both) compare the feel and quality of the keys between the Oxygen Pro and Arturia Essential. Or if anyone has some other recommendation in the price range.

[@ritagupta9362]

Hey sanjay Can help me with my problem I am really confused between Arturia Keylab 49 essential and novation 49 launckey mk3.... Which one should I buy Btw I keep watching your videos all day and still don't get tired😌😍

[@devadiponeness]

Very interesting...thanks ! The best is KL 88 MK2 but....if I'd like not wheighted keys with ALL the controls and the DAWs integration of the KL 88 MK2 ? I've to downsize to KL 61 MK2 ?

[@anonagain]

Thanks for the video Sanjay! Q: Do the Essential keys and pads have aftertouch (pressure sensitivity) like the MK2?

[@SanjayC]

They are pressure sensitive, but the Essential doesn't have aftertouch.

[@anonagain]

@@SanjayC OK, now I'm really confused :) Aftertouch and pressure sensitivity are the same thing, or they were when MIDI was invented. Unfortunately different manufacturers used different words for the feature. On the Essentials page, the photo of the keyboard has a note (#7) where a popup says the keyboard has aftertouch, but the description of the keyboard just says velocity sensitive with no mention of aftertouch or pressure sensitive. The note (#1) on the pads doesn't mention either, but the descption says 8 touch and pressure-sensitive pads. Are they using 'touch' to mean something different than aftertouch (pressure) the way it's been used since MIDI was invented? They don't mention velocity in either place for the pads. Thanks!

[@nikolayiliev-trumpettrombo1666]

Is it possible (and desirable) to use midi controllers such as Arturias above for life performances in conjuction with sound module such as Digitech Piano box? I am now to all the DAW and midi controlers thing, but I have the pianobox that bought years ago to ease a latency issue on Sibelius 7. So If I get any of the above would it be convenient enough to use the combo ocassionaly for live performances?

[@braveheartconqueror1768]

So much Excellent friend. New subscriber here. I want to have any of the two midi's. But just have some question, is it compatible with my android phone to be plug-in with usb? ❤️❤️❤️

[@OneStepToday]

You should do the price comparison too. The S series of Komplete Kontrol is very expensive compared to the essential. Just bec of its screen. I guess the MK2 also has after touch.

[@SanjayC]

The S Series is more comparable to the Keylab MK2 (not the essential). So those two are more similar in price. I do a similar comparison in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/boHUkpKbrdmMm5o

[@mikeshannonerickson6343]

how well does the essential work in mainstage? the controls, daw, instruments.. etc..? i mainly use mainstage and garageband

[@kellenholt6655]

Sanjay, love your channel! I've been shopping for a new 49 key controller for a while and I'm stuck between the Keylab Essential 49 and the Kontrol A49. What are your thoughts as to the key bed quality and feel between these two? I'm an Ableton user and the added DAW controls on the Essential are a nice bonus compared to the A49, but I've read that the key beds on the essential are a little spongy while the A49 keys seem to get great reviews even though they're only semi-weighted/synth action.

[@SanjayC]

The keybeds on the Essential keyboards are a little light and spongy in my opinion. I prefer the A49 keys

[@calebwesley3711]

Wow nice video, can you please post a tutorial how to connect 2 to 3 midi board or workstation like korg and playing in one keyboard to trigger the arpeggios in other connected keys?? Thanks in advance

[@SanjayC]

Nice idea. I’ve never tried that but I should

[@calebwesley3711]

Sanjay C thanks for the reply. I have korg D1, korg pa 600 and korg m50. Now i have arranged a combi in my korg m50 and when i play chords in either D1 or pa600 it should trigger the particular midi channel (1-16). Is this possible???

[@r.a.5672]

Nice review, thank you! What about the key size on the Essential? Are they full standard size? Often in the semi-weigthed keyboards they tend to use sligthly smaller keys (both black and white ones and in both sizes X-Y).... That's crazy cause even just 0.5 mm each key... means 3 mm of difference in an octave!

[@SanjayC]

I don't have them open right now so I can't measure, but if I remember correctly, they are pretty much the exact same size

[@r.a.5672]

@@SanjayC Thank you for your answer. In the meantime I found on Sound on Sound website that the span (horizontal size of the keys) should be standard (good thing!), as you said, whilst the lenght is about 1 cm less than usual piano-size keys: about 14 cm vs 15 cm. I ordered the keyboard today and I look forward to try it :) Have a great day.

[@eylab1541]

Nice comparison! How does the keybed on the essential compare to the one on the Nektar impact lx ?

[@TheRsmith0118]

Hey Sanjay, do you know if there is a way to turn ON the backlights on the Essential 88?

[@djba]

Hi Sanjay. Thanks for all of the helpful videos. Do you know of a software package that brings the features of an Arranger Keyboard to a midi controller? These features would include voices, rhythms, the ability to save presets (registrations), and a recording function. Thanks

[@madhatter5361]

Hi, great comparison, exactly what I was looking for, I was wondering however if I can choose the sounds I want from the keylab essential display when the keyboard is connected to a sound module, in particular the V3 grand piano xxl that doesn't have an interface on the hardware itself, or can I only control the analog lab and daw sounds from the display?

[@SanjayC]

i don't think you can get the V3 to display info on the Keylab. But it will play it of course

[@madhatter5361]

@@SanjayC ah, so I'd have to connect one more controller or get a tablet for the app then, that's unfortunate, thanks for getting back to me

[@rohitRraina]

Mk2 looks a bit heftier than essential . . Both are amazing. . For me personally, I may not need those extra controls that are associated with mk2. Hence, If I'll have to buy one of these I will always go for 88 essentials.

[@SanjayC]

Yes if you don’t need the extra features and key feel then Essential is the way to go. Do you have an Arturia keyboard?

[@rohitRraina]

@@SanjayC no, but I have had my hand on keylab 49 . .it felt great . . . ❤️❤️❤️

[@carlosramme9455]

Hi...could you tell me the difference between the Arturia 88 Keylab Mk1 generation an Mk2 generation I have the Mk1 88 ..and I don't know I a change to the new generation now

[@anthonystahl]

Great videos, Sanjay. I want the 88mk2, but i've heard the keys are noisy due to the metal underneath the keybed. Can you confirm or deny this? I have no way to test them out

[@kydcali]

I'm torn between which one to get. I have a Novation Launchkey 49, and the Arturia MiniLab MKII. I want to learn everything I would with a piano so I'm looking to buy an 88 key. Although I don't necessarily want it for playing "piano", more to learn more and play melodies to produce beats. Which would you recommend? I can't decide!

[@SirtubalotTX]

I've been thinking about an 88 key that wasn't hammer action and I think I found what I want. Great review but one thing that wasn't mentioned: It appears that the keys are shorter on the Essential vs the MK2. (5 inches vs 6?) Of course, this is to be expected on a keyboard that is semi-weighted/synth action. I might just have to order me one of these....

[@cesarvegamty]

I think the difference in since is no more than 1/8"

[@EmilSam]

Can you please tell us how to make a mashup

[@SanjayC]

Mashups are kinda like remixes - getting the keys to match and tempos to match. Have you tried to do any yet?