Let Me Tell You The Truth...|M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3 After 6-Months|

[@Johnmike]

If you decide to purchase this use our affiliate link to support this channel: amzn.to/3uchWte

[@williamfullam3412]

I just ordered this to help myself learn musical theory (I've hope too it'll work well with a good DAW). Down the road I might upgrade, but this meets my needs now, and your videos helped me make the decision, thank you!

[@deadknuckles6346]

It’s going alright so far it definitely feels on the cheap side but I only know cheap so it doesn’t matter to me it feels really nice for a cheap midi controller

[@Shadowcorporation]

My MK3 is coming in this week, super stoked! because I haven't had 88 keys ever. Thank you for the informative and helpful reviews on this John! liked & subbed.

[@josephwright5921]

What is the difference between the 2 and the 3?

[@Harpeia]

Thank you John! I was super scared that it's cheap for a very good reason but... I'm gonna buy it. I'm in no way a professional pianist and am suffering from arthritis so after your review, I'm certain that it's the right fit while the price seems to be a bonus convenience.

[@Lumios_UA]

Love these 6-months reviews, bro! Keep up the good work!

[@towjam2359]

Thanks for the John Mike! I wish more reviewers would do long term review like this. As an example, the Hammer 88 Pro is getting very good first reviews - but I've already seen issues with it popping up in discussion threads - things that you wouldn't likely catch until you'd spent some real time with it. Keep up the good work - your channel is DOPE!

[@Johnmike]

Thanks so much!

[@caddood]

I’ve got a Korg Kronos 88 & I live in a condo 2 flights up stairs. The Kronos is just too heavy to be lugged up & down. Since I use a Yamaha MODX7 as my main gigging keyboard, I just need another ‘occasional’ keyboard at times. For that purpose, it works for me. But as mentioned, you get what you pay for! Don’t expect bells and whistles. More like AM radio quality. 😊

[@OsbornIOW]

The most objective, straight forward reviewer I have seen so far. Good work sir 🙂

[@trsfworld460]

Would love to see the alesis q88 comparison to mk3.

[@Johnmike]

It’s the EXACT same board...they are made by the same company

[@SamDiazProducer]

Just did a review myself on the Alesis and it’s great to know that they are the same board because initially I was having a hard time trying to decide between them.

[@nathanreid2974]

@@Johnmike it would be nice if you did the alesis VI series

[@georgecarlin5047]

I bought one. It has no adjustment for the velocity curves and I found that it seemed to "play loud" no matter how softly I hit the keys. I was playing it into a MOXF6. For a piano player the keybed is about a 3/10 for touch. I find the Roland PHA-4 keybed much more playable for piano. John- Thanks for the review !!

[@Yhuntermusic]

Great assessment rev!!! Killing the game!

[@Johnmike]

Thanks rev!

[@Yhuntermusic]

@@Johnmike Yessir!!

[@YokoDiAn]

Thank you for your honest review. It is always finding the best between portability and the feel of the keys. Kind regards Dirk

[@darrenellis8525]

John How do I use the key station 88 On a live Gig? Do I need a special cord to plug into a speaker?

[@ambientharmonics2662]

Always love your honesty, as a mainly piano player I wouldn't like this. But, just like you said, the price point is great for a full 88 keys for someone who just needs a decent controller.

[@AllanGildea]

Great video John, thank you. Above all I'm wanting those cushions!

[@essentialdang]

03:00 I feel personally attacked 😅 great video, thanks John!

[@sethkg9596]

Bro I am so glad you are actually speaking the truth on the touch of the Keystation 88's. I've had the MK2 for about 4 years, have used it for a while as a controller for synths and drums and its OK, but when you try to play piano or ep/rhodes it really just totally misses the mark. I hope more people (pianists!) find this video -- skip on this, invest in something better. Trust us!

[@delphisignal]

Did the black keys ever quiet down a little after using it for a while? I just bought one and man, especially the black ones around middle c. Click! Clack! Squeak!

[@Johnmike]

Nope lol

[@jameslabs1]

Thanks for the review. Do you have a recommendation for a step up from this keyboard?

[@SuperNbest]

Please tell me, why my m-audio keystation 88 keeps going out of key when I’m playing? 😅I’m using it with my Protools 11.

[@Nothermainacc]

Exactly the type of knowledge and experience that I’ve been looking for. Thank you so much for your videos! I want to get back to playing the piano after 10 years break (nothing professional, just as a hobby), but I also want to get started with making beats. Would this keyboard be a good choice? I would really love to pick Nektar Impact GXP88, but sadly I don’t make the living in dollars and can’t afford that.

[@fujins.motion.studio]

For piano playing you should get an acoustic piano man... for beats this thing is perfect

[@samuellolango9720]

@@fujins.motion.studio acoustic piano? are you serious lol.. no you dont NEED an acoustic piano to play piano, midi keyboards work just fine

[@zendy4558]

Hi, have you ever experienced or notice diff velocity response between white and black keys, i heard there is a difference between the two?

[@macbowne9438]

Thanks for the great info! I was gonna buy one and now I will definitely buy it. The price is unbeatable. I am actually that guitar player type guy who needs a controller for writing in the bedroom studio.

[@yasamanole380]

Hi John, thanks alot for your videos they're really useful for me.just a question:for beginner producers which one of these two you recommend?keystation 88 or native komplete kontrol a61?

[@user-wk2gi5cp9y]

hi. how does this compare to keystation 88 mk2? is it a big upgrade? thanks

[@thewillage]

Thanks for the info on this keyboard. I am a piano player and I'm looking for a 49 key controller but I want it to have a good piano like feel. You siad this on does not feel great for a piano feel. What would you recommend?

[@Johnmike]

No problem! It’s going to be hard to find a controller with a real piano feel around this price range…but if you are looking for a good feeling 49-key board I would go with either the m-audio Oxygen 49 or the keystation 49

[@optimysticraps]

appreciate what you do! I have older m-audio silver keystation 88es and I like the semi-weighted action. could you shed any light on how my old 88es will compared to a new akai mpk261? I like the 261 but I want to make sure I get the same or better semi weighted feel on my new board. I want that more realistic weighted feel. 💯 appreciate your perspective🙏

[@Johnmike]

If you are looking for a weighted feel then you’ll need to check out something like the SL88

[@optimysticraps]

@@Johnmike thank you for the recommendation

[@NemraV1.1]

I really don't know what to buy between this and the nektar lx88+, what do you recommend between this two ? thanks

[@Johnmike]

Definitely a hard choice…between them I would go with the Nektar

[@jaydavee]

does Keystation 88 and 61 MK3 have the same semi-weighted keys that the Nektar Panoramas and GXPs have?

[@Johnmike]

Nope 2 different keybeds

[@gnostie]

In your opinion as a pianist, which is better in terms of piano key action, this one or Alesis Q49 MKII? I don't care for 88 keys, as I mostly play Bach and use piano/grand piano and organ settings only.

[@Johnmike]

Actually both of those have the same Keybed

[@eds280]

Bro thanks for all your videos, really helpful information. I apreciate a lot that you make this kind fo videos after using the controller a while, that's the only way to know how it really performs. Have you ever had experience using any of the M-Audio Axiom series? I have one of those, axiom 61 the first version, and I looking for info to know if the keys are the same. Thanks!

[@JesseQuinn]

Very reasonable review! Thank You -JQ

[@landonmatthew]

Thanks for the good review. You've helped me to decide this is not the keyboard for me. I am a pianist who desires to play dynamically. Do you have a reccomendation?

[@Johnmike]

No prob…Studiologic SL88

[@landonmatthew]

@@Johnmike Do u got a link for that one?

[@Johnmike]

@@landonmatthew amzn.to/3AazhK2

[@landonmatthew]

@@Johnmike THANKS!!! Again - very helpful content.

[@rogerfelez7478]

Hello John, as always the best keystation reviews on KZbin can only be found on your channel. I have a question, I've been a 88 MK2 user for about 2 years and I'd like to get another controller so the MK2 would go as a secondary keyboard. If I get the 88 MK3 as a main keyboard would I feel a significant difference to using the MK2 as such. Thanks!

[@Johnmike]

It’s a significant difference...but you probably wouldn’t hate it

[@bartmuz]

SO! which semi-weighted keys are the best on the market? (U always say: it 's not the best on the market, when U test semi-weighted)

[@Johnmike]

Native instruments S61 is my favorite feel

[@olegloza]

Hi John! Just in case some of your fans might be interested in how this keyboard performs as a classical piano, I've recordered this classical Tchaikovsky song using Keystation 88 Mk3 and the MiniGrand plugin that comes with it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHraZqSIgZuaesk I've noticed that playing in headphones makes this keyboard feel better because it masks the clicky-clacky sound of the keys and the overall experience becomes more positive. Thanks again for your videos! Take care.

[@jasonhoey5224]

JM...what is the best 61 key board Midi you have played... That is built solid and that beast?

[@caddood]

Arturia to me is the bomb. I have the 61 key lab mk 2 & it is built really solid! Has some weight to it as well. It has bells and whistles but at a $$ price.

[@Trader-Col]

I respect more a review when it's not only talking, I like you playing as well.

[@k3k703]

i wanna learn piano, and produce some EDM music. would this be good option? or is there a better keyboard for these needs. and ty for the video. EDIT: i can go up to 400$ price range. and im thinking about M audio Hammer 88.

[@Johnmike]

Hammer 88 is a better option for piano playing

[@k3k703]

@@Johnmike Thank you!

[@shyfawxproductions]

wheres the links to you on stage with the mk 2

[@Amoreenaofficial]

@@shyfawxproductions yeah!

[@kaan9793]

Thanks for the great review. I am a guitarist as you say. I want to "really" learn to play piano but -you know- it's really expensive. And in my country that keyboard is really expensive too (equals to one month of mininum wage). So, i just want to ask you that, is it worth it? It's the most affordable keyboard i can find but can i learn to play piano? I'm thinking to upgrade it to good one but maybe years later.

[@Johnmike]

It is worth it for what you are getting it for

[@DubbPP]

Yeah mine went out in less than a year, barely used it kept it clean and keys still went out

[@TheMusicAddictZ_Official]

i really wanna get a midi keyboard i can use in my studio as a writing tool for orchestral and piano parts and maaaybe some synth every now and then and im looking at this one and the studiologic SL88 for me the weighted keys is where im going for cause i feel i can get a better expression compared to the semi weighted on the M-Audio so im kinda stuk in a loop here so what would you recommend??

[@Johnmike]

If this vs the SL88…I’m going with the SL88 all day

[@TheMusicAddictZ_Official]

@@Johnmike well then its going to be in my mail in the next 3 weeks then thanks for the help

[@FrozenGenius10]

Is it good for playing piano pieces?

[@God-yb2cg]

Nice, a decent review, first video I watched was just an ad playing as a review.

[@wisdumtoof]

super helpful , my brother🤟🏾

[@felixohnesorge7021]

What do you think is the best MIDI Controller at this price range with the best "piano like" Keys?

[@Johnmike]

You’re not gonna get piano like keys at this price range

[@iasyama1999]

@@Johnmike then what's your "the most affordable piano like 88 midi keyboard?"

[@paulengelking]

@@iasyama1999 the Hammer88 from mAudio might suit your needs.

[@mrmaison4924]

Thanks for your reviews! I only got this keyboard because I needed a cheap option for an 88 so I can get to the full range of my Kontakt Player instruments (Can't get to those key switches etc. with my Akai MPK249). But over time I'm finding I don't like the plastic shakiness of the black keys being spoiled by my solid Akai feel. I like to play expressively. In hindsight, I wish I waited and saved some more for a better budget 88 keyboard. Looking to replace it now.

[@endaiz4314]

Awesome review, thanks man! Do you think it should do the job if I want to learn keys from scratch? Or I need to buy something with better velocity control?

[@Persun_McPersonson]

What kind of player are you aiming to be? Just making beats, or are you aiming to become a pianist?

[@Johnmike]

For learning the basics you should be fine...if you’re trying to become the next Mozart...you’ll need something’s bit closer to a real piano feel...

[@endaiz4314]

@@Johnmike thx man, appreciate it!

[@jigyasajivanamsathi9635]

Great 🎥Video. Thanks

[@hanovergreen4091]

Greetings John! Best Regards and Wishes!

[@meshmeso]

Is it good for a keyboardist and a producer ?

[@nathanreid2974]

i hope it doesn't conk out and give the "m audio problems" after this review

[@quantumtaint6326]

Is this mk2 or mk3? Title says mk3 but you said mk2 in the intro

[@amjan]

It's mk3. The mk2s had buttons above the keys, so they're easy to tell apart.

[@jameswilson8867]

bought it ....love it!!!!!!!\

[@Astronomater]

sweet console pillow!

[@Johnmike]

yes sirrrr

[@Ardolynk]

If you're a bitmaker or a guitar player, you will hardly need 88 keys to play.

[@shyfawxproductions]

and also it dosent mater weather its 49, 61 or 88 there are no good key beds under 200 bucks, foreign brands have almost no reviews, and only the mini boards seem to have decent key beds except there seems to be a common theme with those as in uneven sensitivity and pressure between the white and black keys.....its almost as if the market has intentional dead zones... and intentional defects to almost force you to buy more than one product....read countless reviews of the sub 150 boards stopping working after six months or so....is it possible for you to do a generalized fair market video basing things of of todays standards vs availability in the budget range....its almost as if they consider budget today to be 250 to 300 dollars and the 100 to 250 range might as well be toys.....as far as the keybed at least

[@robbycoker84]

They may not make them like they used to or something like that. I got my 49-key M-Audio Oxygen49 Keyboard back in 2011, and it was only $150. It's been good overall. 12 years later, it still works as well as it did the day I got it. In 2017, I got another M-Audio 49 Key Keystation, which has also been solid, and it still works today as well as it did then.

[@llllllllllllllIIlIllIIllIIIIll]

Thx

[@EthanolEnthusiast]

Video makes me feel blind. Not in focus