Is this the greatest hidden gem find of all time... or is it too good to be true?
Something interesting caught my eye while shopping for popular keyboards to try...
it was an odd looking find deep in the Amazon search listings...
advertising a 'fully-weighted 88 key Midi controller'
for only $250....
from a brand I'd never heard of.
Was this the greatest hidden gem find of all time...
or was it too good to be true?
Well, we ordered one to find out in this review of the Cheapest Fully-Weighted Keyboard on Amazon.
The results were... interesting to say the least.
More Keyboard Reviews:
Studiologic SL88 Studio
88-key hammer action TP/100LR keyboard with After touch
3 XY stick controllers
Magnetic rail system for Computer Plate and Magnetic Music Stand
M-Audio Hammer 88
88 fully-weighted, hammer-action velocity-sensitive keys
Plug & Play - Driverless class compliant and USB powered
Responsive Mod Wheel & Pitch Bend
David, you’re awesome as always. Since most digital pianos since the 80’s send midi too have you thought about doing a video on how to use a digital piano as a controller for the Sunday Keys iPad App with a Korg nanoKontrol2. Since the iPad app only uses half the sliders vs the MainStage Template you can map a slider for the missing tone wheel. This then opens up access to the Yamaha and Roland digital piano keyboard beds that are weighted and graded for a similar price of a SL88 or even better somebody in church might have a nice digital piano at home. What are the plusses and minuses for this approach. Bonus, you can connect the digital piano to the board as a backup in case they forget to charge/power the iPad.
Hey David! Loved this review! It’s still impressive how much stuff came with that keyboard considering the price. My favorite keyboard right now is my Casio Privia PX3000. I love the weighted action and the piano that comes with it is good. But an 88-key MIDI controller that’s bus-powered and weighs 25 lbs? Plus the PX1000 is about $700.
Thanks, very informative video, very helpful.
I love your videos so much – they are all very helpful to me as an ageing (62) keyboard player and occasional worship leader in small UK Church who wants to grow my skills.
This was a great review of the SL88 keyboard. The midi controller that I have and love is the Arturia Keylab Mkii. I have a 61 key version and my main problem is placing the Korg nanoKontrol for Sunday Keys, which I place above the pads / DAW commands, which I don’t use. An 88 would give me more space.
I love the feel of the keybed (Fatar also) and overall build quality. I also like the sliders and buttons. I sometimes play using native Omnisphere / Keyscape and midi-attach these controls. Conventional modwheel and pitch bend. Easier transpose, Octave up and down (useful for the 61 key). 32lbs in weight for the 88. Connectivity on the back enough
The DAW transport controls are potentially useful in a band context, though I don’t use that currently.
Keep up the excellent work!