BEST AND MOST AFFORDABLE MIDI KEYBOARD

[@Jonsine]

Just to let you know the Keyboard was picked up 30 min ago. Good luck next time :)

[@Person-hb3dv]

damn that was fast!! 😂

[@erickarambula3494]

Don't lose the opportunities 💯

[@brinsa6921]

Bro I need that table . 😭

[@MattVorn]

Personally I prefer semi-weighted. Why? Because while being a music producer and pianist requires weighted keys, it's also nice to not have too much weight when you need to play around with synthesisers. This is because most synthesisers have like no-weight keys. Like the Korg MS-20, you're either on or off, there's no in-between velocity. So have some weight but not too much may be perfect for most producers. Well, if you play a lot of piano weighted is by far better!

[@distortimus7631]

Which midi keyboard would you recommend?

[@SHVideografie]

And when you use strings, violins and cello? Would you recommend weighted keys as well?

[@MattVorn]

@@SHVideografie weighted keys enables you to have more control over velocity. Keys that are too light typically and notoriously are difficult to control. At the very least semi-weighted is ideal. Particularly if you’re like me and don’t just play piano VSTs but also use synths, string emulations etc… I’d particularly advise to seek a controller with after touch or go for a ROLI seaboard if you’re that involved with strings

[@harolddasynth795]

Totally agree,semi weighted is the way to go.

[@isaacsloan5896]

What semi-weighted would you recommend then

[@maxheadrom3088]

Real pianos have 3 pedals: sustain, una corda (or pianissimo on wall pianos) and the concert pedal. The concert pedal holds the dampers that were lifted, when its pressed, up. Why? I know of a Brahms piano piece that has a note two octaves below the second lowest left hand note - and the note is supposed to be on a very long sustain. What Brahms wanted is for the damper to be kept lifted all that time and the string keeps playing by sympathy resonance from the 2 oct. higher D that's being played several times. Una corda is a pedal that move the hammers so they hit a single sting on the double and triple strings. On wall pianos the hammers are moved closer to the strings. This pedal is used for low volume parts. I'm not sure if you knew that but I decided to add the info here. Seeing those pedals working on a fully mechanical piano is amazing!!!

[@SupraSmart68]

Thanks for the review Jon and I just ordered my Studio 88 an hour ago, though I'll be getting a Yamaha P-S500 soon for practice as it has a fantastic App and training mode with sequential LED's that highlight each note to play like the Tetris type Flow Keys but built into the panel directly above the keybed. It even pauses if you hit the wrong note and waits for you to hit the correct one before continuing with the accompaniment. I'll be using that feature a lot! Just a word of caution for anyone building their own desk or shelving unit; To avoid the inevitable sagging over time due to day/night cycling, moisture absorption and the top surface always drying out more than the underside of any horizontal panel, bowing even under its own weight, if possible, never use L, M or even HDF, (Low, Medium or High Density Fibreboard), for spanning any significant distance between uprights or supports, even with additional re-enforcement such as narrow strips or braces underneath at ninety degrees, as particle boards, being made of dust, have no inherent/coherent grain structure or tensile strength like solid wood or blockboard, which is a type of plywood made with solid wooden battens glued and sandwiched side by side between veneer or thin plywood outer surface sheets which will sag far less than MDF or even plywood, particularly under load.

[@theonlyfowler]

I got that MIDI since 2013 and still satisfied 😁

[@eiffe]

LED strip between absorbers looks good but probably overkill. It takes away from the ceiling and floor light effect

[@shadowminer9439]

When it comes with the pedal that not everyone uses but it didn't come with the usb that everyone needs 😂

[@sojimani7616]

The same thing I taught 😂

[@user-pg6hi5zm8m]

Hey are you gonna do a open studio day after the corona? 😋🤩

[@Lando_Cruz]

I used to watch your videos 6 or 8 years ago. Now subscribing.

[@georgegeecalderon6901]

Does it have built-in speakers or can you plug an Amp to it ??

[@MartinFellerMusic]

Weighted keys are absolutely not a must. As a real keyboard player I prefer semi-weighted as you can play faster. It takes a lot more practise to be dymamic with semi weighted keys and that is why producers love fully weighted keys this much: because playing dynamic is easier with fully weighted. (Just my opinion 🙃)

[@Remkodelandmeter]

Thanks for the great review! I see you are building a wonderful desk for all the equipment. Do you also have a link where to buy such a desk? thanks!

[@AnalogSound-bs1wk]

I like idea of light between the blocks. Definitely more epic. You can install some type of frosted plexi-glass between each block if you don’t want to see the gap.

[@abrahamrodriguezpineda1848]

I have the Arturia keyboard and I love it, I can go through presets on the actual keyboard because it has a display too and when I use Arturia plugins they automatically connect to my keyboard and makes it easy to mess with the VST

[@vatolegato]

The 88 key mk2? If so, do you know how to program the controls to go through presets of non-Arturia vst's?

[@abrahamrodriguezpineda1848]

@@vatolegato it has to be part of Arturia

[@TheLibraryOfEmotions]

Hi Jon can you only plug the keyboard to the laptop without using external power source? Is it possible to bring the keyboard to the beach or the the park and just compose music with the laptop?

[@AlexisGitarre]

I have the grand, got it used for 350€ mint condition and it's insane. Cool thing with your version Jon: loosen the screws on the back and sidepanels and you can lift the top up. so there you can connect just a few cables and build in perfectly permanently in a desk, like the desk with the Döpfer keys because the lower part is super stable and won't bend, the top is basically just to close things up. I deinstalled the controlls and put it in the desk so I can access them if I need them.

[@doyrayburn2668]

its the size of my Ensoniq MR76 lol. But dang the key bed on that thing is smooth as butter and works great as a controller.

[@RonaldAFeliz]

hi @Jonsine, can you share the measurements for the desk ?

[@arieaars]

I bought the SL 88 becouse of your older video a year ago! And I totally agree it’s a very good keyboard and still very happy. I got also usb cable with it. Thanks Jon

[@giacomocagnetti2529]

Is it possible to attach two expression pedals? One for expression and one assigned to modulation? (as a modulation wheel)

[@themorphingorb]

Very nice review! To the point: no BS! I like it! I Recently had my Komplete (Failure) Kontrol S61 Mk2 from Native Instruments just suddenly die on me for no apparent reason at all! It just started a bootloop and later failed to start up entirely. Not even 1 year old!!! Piece of plastic garbage. This is the next midi controller I'm getting! Thanks

[@joaquinperalba1624]

Can you please give info about the working desk?

[@Table-Top]

Wow, I have a 990XP here in my home studio. Its been a solid keyboard, 9yrs old. I prefer wheels for pitch and mod though.

[@donmakowski71]

Thanks for the video Jon. I have a Yamaha Motif ES8 that I am finding is way too much for me. I want a simple, basic keyboard controller without all the knobs, functions, sequencer, transport bull. I like the Studiologic and am convinced that it is the keyboard for me. I actually want to buy an old SL-990! Appreciate the review!

[@jma7379]

Hey! Whats your desk?

[@mariamorang7297]

Hello!! I just bought a Studiologic SL88 and I agree is a great find!! But I am struggling to make it play thorugh the USB output! How did you connect it for it to sound? Did u use SL Editor? I have a windows laptop BTW. Thanks a loooot!!

[@ikstephan]

How could you have settled for those semi-weighted keys after owning a weighted keybed? That’s a serious step down. I’m sure you should have gotten the grand version.

[@specialdaidai]

I have a question. I directly connect my sl88 and PC with a USB cable. There's the sound, but the joysticks didn't work. How could I solve it? My DAW is studio one 5.

[@RyanHyltonMusic]

Hi. i am really struggling here. how did you connect with the USB because my MAC does not pick it up

[@tonylee4138]

You still got the controller mate ? Thinking of trekking from Australia. I rekon I could even surf it back, before me Sheila finds out and have some shrimps on the barbie.

[@djdahous]

Nice idea to have the LED's in between the columns. As long as the light doesn't shine directly to your work desk monitor, it would be awesome to create a very cozy ambience.

[@shedroids]

Jon... so if someone had to choose between the SL-880 and SL-881... which one is the better weighted keys one?

[@sickmessiah]

The Akia mpk 88 is weighted and has more encoders .

[@sojimani7616]

Are the keys graded ?

[@dwaynelarsen7312]

The keyboard you linked isn't the one you bought? I can't find one that looks like the one you received that isn't the full wooden keys version which is expensive.

[@Jonsine]

Studio Logic SL 880 should be around 380$

[@mikebullock8196]

HI JON HOW ARE U MAN LISTEN I'm A BIG FAN OF YOURS MAN DIG YOUR INFORMATION VIDEOS ON KEYBOARDS, IM THINKING OF BUYING A KEYBOARD CONTROLLER FOR MY DAW LOGIC PRO Im A RNB SINGER WHO PLAYS KEYBOARDS BUT FOR WRITING MUSIC ONLY BUT IF I RECORD A KEYBOARD PART I WANT IT TO SOUND REALISTIC IN THE RECORDING, PLEASE CAN U TELL ME WHICH KEYBOARD CONTROLLER HAS THE BETTER FEEL PLAYING WISE,IS IT THE SL 88 STUDIO LOGIC KEYBOARD CONTROLLER OR THE ARTURIA KEYLAB 88MK2 KEYBOARD CONTROLLER ??? THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY ALL THE BEST FOR U BRO FOR 2021 MIKE

[@Noneoftheabove]

Fantastic my friend,love your setup,all the very best to you.

[@uhoh007]

My own SL-880, that I bought new, still feels.....like a piano. OK my Young Chang upright has a tad lighter action than the Fatar. As to the feels of the new one.....did you ever adjust the multiple parameters on your 990? My 880 plays hard till you tweak it properly. It has a bunch of parameters for that you don't see anymore.

[@michaelhonormusic]

Great video, thank you :-) I have decided to buy the SL88 Grand version, I have heard so much good reviews from users.

[@coversongsonkeyboards]

Wow so much information in just few minutes this is cool , i like it

[@castlemusicthescriptures]

Hello Jon. Thank you for your reviews, they are helpful! Please do you have some keyboard that you don’t use anymore and you are will to give it out? I AM INTERESTED. I will really appreciate that honor that. Thank you a lot!

[@yony_music]

I would really like to pick up the keyboard, but I live too far away😢

[@michalcross9013]

If I had a car, I'd be over this week... :'( I do love the idea you tested with the lights between the blocks!

[@raymondfranklynDJ]

I agree Michal the led lights look great between the blocks. Anybody know where to get them lights they are just what am looking for. Thanks in advance.

[@alexandersorbas1881]

Really Dope this time Mr.Sine !!

[@jeremycatches9766]

are they both velocity sensitive?

[@officerpd]

Ohhhhh heftig des neue Keyboard!🙌🏼 Würd super gern vorbeikommen!! Aber brauch 5 Stunden leider, geht nur am Wochenende :( viel spaß dir noch✌🏼😌

[@harshyadav8205]

LEDs will look great there ngl .. !!! 🔥🔥

[@idelsonmafra]

Tenho um deste exemplar antigo é maravilhoso, mas nunca consegui controlar a sensibilidade das teclas, você sabe se isso é possível?

[@shadowminer9439]

The led looks cool but you have to check if it affects the sound

[@brawlerz1299]

Congrats with 100K subs!!!

[@injra9929]

Have you ever played the grand? If you think that one feels good... oh man the grand is luxurious, and the “ivory feel” keys not the plastic is really nice.

[@Daubentonia88]

Thanks, is there a 61 keyboard version?

[@gabrielemariotti5780]

there is a 73 version I believe

[@jackthemurray]

Jon, are you no longer using this keyboard? I haven't seen it in the recent vids. If not, why? I'm thinking of ordering it today. Thanks!

[@Jonsine]

it's still in the b studio. it's to heavy and tall for my new table otherwise I would still use it it's really good if you need a full size weighted keys keyboard

[@jackthemurray]

Awesome, thanks for the reply!

[@FLH3official]

My dream master keyboard would be: 88 keys with polyphonic aftertouch and NO weighted keys, just regular light synth keys. But such a keyboard doesn't exist as far as I know. (I play synths, with their super light keys sometime, since 35 years and as I'm not a "real pianist" I'm not comfortable with weighted keys and it gives me muscle fatigue after 2 or 3 hours)

[@CarlAnthonyTV]

Find an old (GEM) Generalmusic Equinox 88 that still works, it has all those features you said you want.

[@FLH3official]

@@CarlAnthonyTV In my memories the Equinox 88 had weighted keys and channel aftertouch.

[@cristinasanchezcairo6755]

Oh... Got so excited that I could be the winner of that keyboard (was willing to pay the shipment) I'm from Peru, and the SL brand does ship here. My options were arturia mkii and Komplete Kontrol mkii... But I really really liked the simplicity (and price) of the SL

[@abrakadabra7999]

Nice video loved it

[@JanSchultink]

I think weighted keys are not necessarily better (or worse), they are just different. Yes, weighted piano keys to play well, piano. But lighter keys for super fast synth solos, or 1980s pads, etc. Also, the keys of a Fender Rhodes electrical piano feel different in their own unique way. A Minimoog with weighted keys but be really weird for example.

[@squidbeach]

With tax this midi controller is over $1000 in Canada. It is one of the more expensive midi controllers. I would say it is better to pay a little more and go with the native instruments keyboards.

[@VintageGearFreak]

Fatar is like the VW of weighted keys. But I’m a snob and ocd about that sort of thing

[@brancoserra5509]

Is it wrong to release music if im just starting into music production? I thought i could release one song per month, so who would like to check my progress would be able to do it

[@TonyThomas10000]

I love my little CME Xkey 25 key...

[@nixda970]

maybe you will combine the already finished parts with new one's?

[@joshjames6397]

Wow, I am acutally going to be driving past Düsseldorf next week hahaha. Maybe I can drive by on the way back from Holland hahaha

[@madvicemusic]

maybe make a meme for your instagram about you buying some high end keyboards and can't even play one.

[@yony_music]

This is so sad😂

[@Bylov6812]

I was able to get this piano for less than 100 dollars and I absolutely love it! But it's rather wasted by me.

[@jaykudjo]

do u know you look like Mark rufalo the guy who played Hulk in Avengers

[@NiharSavala]

Weighted keys aka Hammer Action is overrated. Period. I say this having learnt on the Piano & playing classical pieces. The best option is Studio Logic Numa Compact for non-weighted keys. But I agree too that people who are mostly pianist prefer weighted action, but for programming, waterfall key action is good.

[@hhectorlector]

idk about this being an "affordable midi keyboard" but it seems like you get what you pay for. great vid.

[@abrakadabra7999]

Jon its the wrong link in the description

[@cyberfix1268]

I want to do a project with u man

[@konstantinschroder6180]

Vertical LED Stripes are Epic! Go for it ;-)

[@charls.the.composer]

Nice video, but bad comparison, the real comparison is the SL88 GRAND, is the actual versus with the sl 990 pro

[@charls.the.composer]

and the sl88 grand is very weight

[@Ninja-pc3gd]

I really need a midi keyboard but I'm not from Germany. 😭 I really want that old keyboard, that's the first video I watched on this channel.

[@JasonRblah]

Remember to check for lighting and reflection issues between light type/placement and screen type/placement. I feel like all those cool lights will cause annoying reflections or limit the dynamic range of your displays. I definitely like the vertical light bars as long as they don't interfere with displays. I suppose making a video channel pushes one to upgrade their lighting, and keep it on more often; just keep in mind any trade-offs.

[@tomarew]

It's cheap because the quality assurance is poor. There are a lot of durability issues with that controller and Fatar keyboards generally. Too bad because they are great. Buying a cheap controller every 3-4 years because they keep breaking is unacceptable. The market needs better products at the sub 500€ price range.

[@deemcevoy356]

Hey man , that’s a nice thing to do .. 👍👍👍

[@KenSlager]

Those little rubber/ carbon trigger pads are dodgy. They didn’t last a year for me. 4 stuffed keys already and barely played.

[@21iconthepro]

Please can you give me the old one

[@RainerK.]

Too bad I no longer live in Meerbusch.

[@olafkliemt1145]

yeah, that's the one

[@danklas279]

I did just buy the SL 990 Pro used not two weeks ago. Also have seen your video from 2016. Have been thinking of buying the SL88 Studio before, funny coincidence. But I like the SL990 Pro very much it's a beautiful and very good feeling keyboard, much better feel than Yamaha P45, P125, Kawai ES110 etc. They all feel cheap in comparison.

[@E-BikingAdventures]

If the new one is "a lot less heavy" and has weighted keys, then by logical deduction, the old one is not heavy because of the weighted keys as you stated.

[@manit9226]

It's 400$ but its quality for its competitors but not good for beginners

[@jonos138]

How are you finding the keyboard now? There have been reported problems confirmed by other users here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIjTnXuYnpunZrc Have you experienced this?

[@paullebon323]

My midi controller is a Kawai MP11SE. Soooo, I'm not impressed with yours.

[@theflavourist1985]

Also 380 ist natürlich günstig für das was man bekommt, man bekommt viel und vor allem qualitativ eine Menge, aber 380 seh ich definitiv nicht als affordable budget. Du hast natürlich sehr hohe Ansprüche. Das ist weit entfernt davon, was zb Ich mir leisten könnte. Ich selbst habe das M-Audio Keystation Mini 32, was neu ca 50 kostet. Natürlich hat es keine weighted keys und fühlt sich aufgrund jeder Menge Plastik billig an aber es tut, was es soll und das schon seit langer Zeit, auf einem finanziellen Level, was ich schon viel eher als affordable Budget nenne. In dieser Preisklasse ist es so ziemlich das beste, was man kaufen kann, auch wenn das selbstverständlich nicht im Mindesten an deine Ansprüche herankommt. (was ja grundsätzlich nichts schlechtes ist, solche Ansprüche zu haben).

[@tevschannel8898]

If you don’t want your keyboard let me know I need my first keyboard.

[@kablammy7]

should be $ 380 huh ? it is $ 499 didn't watch the video yet maybe you mean euros ?

[@kalanimoeai584]

"Affordable"

[@LabofmusicRecords]

07:30 ha ha... cool :) show us the winner

[@triplebeam23]

I'm more of a semi weighted type of guy..it still plays very responsive and you don't have that clunky keybed

[@НикитаЛель-г8ы]

👍👍👍

[@21iconthepro]

I want to build a studio but don't have much money

[@gomanfong4077]

Kawai es-110, Yamaha p125, Roland fp30 feels way nicer than this lol... also sounds nicer.

[@Ernestasish]

How can you say that it sounds nicer when this is a midi keyboard? Did you try it out in the store?

[@gomanfong4077]

@@Ernestasish they’re all midi keyboards dumb nob 🙄

[@gomanfong4077]

But again, some voices sound more realistic than others, the ones I named sound far more realistic. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@robnewton3368]

@@gomanfong4077 the sl88 has no internal sounds, it’s just a controller. Those models you mention are digital pianos.

[@henrytito3692]

are you dr.Bruce Banner?

[@arkh1730]

YO Jon make a song without vocals! Xd

[@SuperBratan]

ich wohn 15 min mit der bahn weg

[@yony_music]

viel glück dir! Ich würde es mir auch gerne holen, aber von bayern nach nrw ist nicht gerade der nävhste weg

[@JayfkProductions876]

Studiologic & inexpensive in the same sentence? 🤣 🤣 @700+$ 😂 almost 100k in local currency

[@kamalakelly6208]

All of these cheap plastic midi keyboards are garbage.. i have tried all of those and nothing beats or comes close to older analog keyboards as Ensoniq ts series or Kurzweils or even expensive keyboards as Nords recent kurzweils. They have the best action aftertouch velocity sensitivity,, all you folks will end up garbaging or returning back to be honest

[@tbagmaster9924]

Hey please keep the piano ready! I’m on my way over now I’m from Chicago Illinois! 😂😂😂😂😂😂