The M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3 is a MIDI/USB master keyboard with a lightweight, velocity-sensitive 88-key keyboard. All controls, including handwheels, volume fader, transport buttons and control pad, are located on the left side of the Mk3 for improved ease of use. In addition, the Advanced mode for other MIDI commands has been moved to the left side of the keyboard. Besides cosmetic changes, version 3 delights with an improved keyboard. On the connection side, there is an input for a sustain pedal, and MIDI Out, powered via USB or separately available power supply.
Free Software (as download)
DAWS:
Pro Tools First – M-Audio Edition
MPC Beats
Ableton Live Lite
Virtual instruments:
Velvet - Vintage Electric Piano
Mini Grand - Acoustic Concert Grand Piano
Vacuum - Polyphonic tube synthesizer
Boom - Vintage drum machine
DB-33 - Tonewheel Organ
Sound Expansion Packs:
MPC Beats Producer Kits - Beat
F9 Instruments Beats Edition
Laniakea Sounds
MSX Audio
ADSR
Learning Software:
Melodics - 40 free lessons to get you started!
Skoove - Interactive piano lessons incl. 3-month trial subscription.
I am using this to learn piano starting from a fairly basic level and the weighting, achieved with springs, feels quite realistic. With Pianoteq software I can see the velocity information delivered over MIDI; it is not the full range 0 to 128 but that is quite easy to compensate within Pianoteq 7. I have not found any rogue keys, not is the clicking too distracting. Considering a fully weighted alternative is 2-3 times more expensive this seems very good value for money.
For a semi-weighted keyboard this is excellent. It's my second Keystation 88 - the other I bought 15 years ago and the modulation wheel and some of the sharps/flats had only just recently let go, so didn't hesitate to get the MK3. I think it looks slicker and the controls seem more robust than before. Would definitely recommend.
Exactly what you’d want. However, the DV247 mentions that this comes with ProTools First software. Avid no longer support this and therefore, the software is unavailable. Not a bother to me, but be aware.
Studiologic SL-88 Studio 88-Note Keyboard Controller (Black)
Nektar Impact LX88+