Keylab 88 sent back b/c of muddy action

[jotff]

for years now, i've been using an alesis qs8.2 in live performance, purely as a keyboard controller for my virtual instruments in ableton, while using an akai MPD32 for triggering and sending controller data.   to me, the light and snappy action of the alesis beats anything i've played.

i recently went into a local guitar center looking at getting an 88key controller with pads, sliders and knobs like the MPD32 but with better keyboard action than the stiff and heavy MPK88 i keep in my studio.

the in-store floor model of the keylab88 was perfect, it had all the controller ability i wanted and the key action had great spring-back and a surprisingly really light feel compared to all the other muddy USB 88key controllers i tried.  but rather than pay the full price in the store, i went home and ordered online from a retailer i frequently buy from (which was $200 less, no sales tax, and free shipping). 

but sure enough, the unit that arrived feels completely different - the "weighted" action feels stiff, slow, and spongy; very much like what i was not looking for in a 88 key controller, very much like all the other muddy controllers.  i even let other members of the band play the unit and they all agreed that the action was really slow.

so to all the keylab 88 owners out there, my question is, which action is the anomaly?  whats the keyboard action like on your unit, because i dont know which one represents the REAL keylab88.

as it stands, i've sent this unit back and havent decided whether to try ordering another one.  waiting to hear what current owners have to say.

[hpunyon]

I am very interested in this thread.  I also purchased the Keylab 88 online from a trusted vendor back in June 2015.  I had never played it in a store and went with the "Fatar" name, reduced weight (like you, I've used an Alesis, but mine is the original QS-8), and others' reviews at the time.

My experience with the Keylab 88 is very similar to yours, except that I decided to not return the unit, instead taking the approach that by playing it, I would build up endurance and strength, which has happened.  But, in all honesty, the action is _very_ dense feeling, and (my guess is that) the aftertouch sensor may have a lot to do with it.  I can "feel" that I am pressing into, and bouncing back from, something at the bottom of the key travel, and I believe the sensor (must be some sort of "strip") is the core - wish it could be removed, if so.

When I first played the action I was concerned about whether I could endure through a set of music, or even execute certain parts with the action.

Now I can, but I think I'd buy another 88 key controller in a minute if I found one that felt better, all bells, whistles, pads, buttons, etc. aside.

I do have to wonder about the demo unit you played - and why that unit felt so much better - a shame they all don't.

[pax-eterna]

You guys really should be playing around with the velocity tool in the Midi Control Centre. You can dial in almost exactly the feel you want to get your perfect hand to ear setup. It's tiring reading complaints from people who simply do not investigate operations fully.

[hpunyon]

@pax-eterna:  I had tried all the previous fixed curves in the past and had settled on "4", personally.  After the upgrade to 1.2.0.6, I now like 6 (not sure if the fixed curves changed at all.)

But, thanks for the suggestion; I updated KL88 firmware only a few of days ago, so was not aware of the User Velocity curve capability.  The User Velocity Curve looks interesting, and maybe was created as Arturia's response to people who complained about the touch -- so not all complaints are tiresome to all people.

And get some sleep, if you're tired.  =)

@ARTURIA:  Are the details of the 10 fixed velocity curves in the KL88 documented anywhere?  It would be great if they were, so users could branch off and make adjustments, starting with a User Curve modeled after their most favorite curve, and tweaking from that starting point.

In other words, how would I program a User Curve to be the same as built-in curve "6" or "4" ?

[Tausendberg]

They recently update the user manual for the keylab 88 with details about the user curves.

[shep]

Hi I bought 2 KL88's one for home one for the road. Both actions are the same...excellent