Which 61 key controller in $200 range best for VB3 or Blue3

[dsteinschneider]

I have a Roland XP-80 and a Korg NanoKontrol2 and am pretty happy with how they are working for VB3 and Blue3. I want to buy a 61 key controller with 9 faders in the $200 to $300 range. I want a lighter unit I can bring to open mic nights. It will be used for organ VSTs and a bit of synth.

I'm looking at:
Novation Launchkey 61 MK2
Nektar Impact LX61+
M-Audio Oxygen 61 MKIV

If anyone has any experience with these it would be very helpful to me.

Thanks,

[Silken Path]

I have a Nektar Imapct GX-61 that I bought to try with Hauptwerk, and it is laughably awful. The feel is best described as novacaine numb, and the keys rebound and quiver if released too rapidly and are noisy. I didn't even bother to download the free software (Bitwig). I don't know if the LX uses the same key-bed, but it's only about $50 more and looks like it has many of the same features. Did I mention that the keys on the GX have a pebbly texture?

[dsteinschneider]

Thanks for heads up on the Nektar Impact - I think I'll steer clear of that one. The XP-80 actually plays nicely - maybe I should just lug it's 30 lbs to open mic night. I got it for free because it's keys were all glued together because the red glue Roland used for the weights eventually "melts". I took it apart and soaked the keys in LA's Awesome cleaner, managed to clean the key assembly chassis and felt also.

[dsteinschneider]

Looking at the Novation Impulse 61 also - although twice as expensive has semi-weighted keys. Assuming the keyboard is overall nicer:

[Momboc]

It may be a bit beyond your indicated price point but also have a look at a Roland A800 Pro.
It has a good feel and has a good complement of assignable controllers.

Although it is discontinued, the Edirol (a Roland brand) PCR800 is also a good choice. You should be able to pick up one on ebay etc

[dsteinschneider]

It may be a bit beyond your indicated price point but also have a look at a Roland A800 Pro.
It has a good feel and has a good complement of assignable controllers.

Although it is discontinued, the Edirol (a Roland brand) PCR800 is also a good choice. You should be able to pick up one on ebay etc

A member of the Cantabile forum also recommended the Roland A800 Pro. It looks to me like the best choice if you aren't going to go the dedicated clonewheel route. I did a lot of reading in various forums since I originally posted. Many people who use VB3 use it with products like the StudioLogic Numa Organ 2 which has built in sounds they bypass.

I ended up buying a used Akai MPK61 on ebay. It arrives in 2 days.