Keybed question for those that have the MK3 (and previously owned an MK2 or MK1).

Navi

I’m unable to go to any music stores due to illness, which unfortunately means that I have to rely a lot on reviews and user accounts when I’m buying new hardware rather than being able to try things out myself before I buy.

My question would be for those of you who are receiving their MK3 keyboards but who have previously owned the MK1 or MK2 - how do you find the feel of the keybed? Does it feel a lot different? I’ve seen a few people say it feels more expressive, while others say it feels a bit heavier/stiffer to play….I’m someone who plays with a very light touch and can’t always get a comfortable feel to the velocity setting (that works for me) on the MK1, but I’ve found a workaround using “Soft 3” and midi modifiers in Cubase when needed for certain instruments. 

Still, I’d love to hear your feedback! 

Edited to clarify: I’m asking for the S49/S61 keybed since my MK1 61 key is my current go to, but I’m interested to hear how the S88 fares too! 

mattse

Hey @Navi, is this for the 88 key model (ie. weighted keys) or the other models (ie. semi-weighted)?

nightjar

I have owned S61Mk1, S49MK2, S88MK2... just got a S61MK3 yesterday.

Not enough time for any deep commentary... but I would be confident saying that my immediate impression is that it feels very smooth and responsive. I am confident that it will exceed the satisfaction I had with previous S49 & S61 offerings.

I was only medium-happy with the feel of my S88MK2... a bit heavier than my preference.

Tomboman

--> nightjar:

Sounds like you are not a piano player and prefer the smaller keyboards with the half weighted keys

Navi

@mattse Gah! I forgot to specify that! Thank you - I’ll edit my post to say that, for me personally, I’m asking for the S49/S61 keybed, but I’m interested to hear how the S88 fares too! 

@nightjar This is helpful to hear, thank you! 

nightjar

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/101309#Comment_101309

No... I own other weighted 88-key keyboards that I prefer for their keybed feel.

jaysunice

I was classically trained. I’ve played a lot of weighted boards but not the MK1 or MK2. I recently took delivery of a MK3. In the house, I currently have a Roland A-88 Mk2, Yamaha p-515, and Yamaha p-115.

The action and feel on the S88 MK3 is great. Not amazing and not the best, but certainly good enough for even a primary board. It’s definitely a bit stiff but not as much as say the Arturia. I’d be happy composing on it, arranging, producing, etc. That said, if I’m ranking all the 88 key boards I have in my house, I’d put the S88 last or tied with the P-115. While the P-115 feels somewhat cheaper and lighter, it’s also a bit easier to play. Something about the squishy nature of the S88 doesn’t feel natural, but I’ve grown accustomed to that on controller keyboards, and I would say the S88 is one the best for that specific niche.

HOWEVER, less than an hour into playing my S88, I already have a noisy and rattling key — apparently this was a thing with the Mk2, so I’m returning it.

frankspappa

I’ve had a S61 MK1 andI I like the keybed on my S49 MK3 a lot. Great quality feel, and very fast, which is nice for beat-making.

DunedinDragon

From the beginning I was not very happy with the keyboard action on my S49 MK2. It's nice to hear they improved that on the MK3 versions. But I now have the S88 MK3, so a little late for me....

Mark Oxley

I don't own a s61 MK3 but I did play one for around an hour at my local music store. The action felt pretty similar to my S61 mk2.