Features:

  • MIDI keyboard controller for composing digital music and playing virtual instruments
  • 61 full-sized, square-front, semi-weighted keys and 16 multi-color RGB backlit pads that respond to velocity and pressure
  • 16 knobs and 48 buttons assignable for hands-on control of your digital audio workstation, plug-ins, and instruments
  • Powered by USB connection to computer with optional power adapter for more complex setups
  • Includes AIR Xpand!2 virtual instrument and Ableton Live Lite free downloads. USB MIDI and 5-pin MIDI Out offer flexible MIDI connectivity
I like it. Makes composing easy

I like it. Makes composing easy. Simply connect the usb power cord and the midi cord and you are ready to go. Looks pretty cool too as well as being functional. I am not a pianist so I can't really comment on the keys other than to say they are more weighted than a plastic key on may many synths. In other words... the keys had a nice feel and felt "semi-weighted."

It's not perfect, but it is rad

Holy heck this thing is rad. It's not perfect, but it is rad. Having the VIP software to help interface between the controller and the DAW and your plugins make such a huge difference in workflow. The VIP software isn't perfect. Yet. It crashes sometimes (Usually upon opening, then you just reopen it and it works fine from there on out). But once you get it open and running it's really sweet. It makes working with plugins and their patches so much easier. As for the controller, the quality is pretty good. If you're looking for the kind of keybed you'd find on a $3500 Roland keybed, you won't find it here, but it does, nevertheless, play well if you're okay with semi-weighted keys. I like playing on it just fine. The screen on the controller is nice enough. It's easy to read the text on the screen. The control layout is pretty good I think. Like any new kit, you gotta get used to where everything is to be proficient with it, but it's thought out well enough that it doesn't take long. Using the controller is a breeze and a lot of fun after a little practice. This thing looks great too. I haven't tried the AKAI Advance series out in person, which is this controllers biggest competitor currently, but I think this looks better. I think the layout of most of the buttons makes more sense too. As for the pads, I don't use them much, but they seems to work about as well as the pads on the AKAI MPK225 I had before this. In short, this controller makes making music with VSTs much easier and I dig it.

Excellent quality!!! No problems

If you ask me alesis has the best midi keyboard out there for the price:)

So far so good - A couple tiny quirks

I got this to use with Ableton Live, but I didn't want the "8 track launchers with faders" layout that so many keyboards have right now. The huge bank of 36 buttons really helps with what I need in my setup. So far (after a day of use) everything is great. But I will note a few quirks: 1) Dimensions are listed incorrectly - Description says something like 24" wide. I got this for a travel gig so I was concerned about size. The actual dimensions are 33.75" long, by 10" wide (power switch sticks out by 1/4"), by just under 3" tall including feet and knobs. 2) There was a strip of adhesive plastic across all the keys - A nice feature to protect them in shipping... But I felt I was going to yank all the keys out of alignment unless I took extreme care. Perhaps warming it with a hair dryer would have helped. 3) The free editor software works, BUT, you really have to make sure certain options are selected in order for it to communicate with the keyboard. This took me two hours to figure out. Options -> Device Setup will open a menu for connecting to the device. See attached screenshot. Before you try to Send or Get a preset to/from the connected keyboard, open this and select VI49 EDITOR Out and VI49EDITOR In and click Apply. You might even have to do this every single time, it seems to forget easily. At first I felt like this dialog does nothing at all but it makes all the difference when you get the MIDI Communication error. It did not work for me to just select VI49 Out and VI49 In, it has to be the "EDITOR" option for sending and receiving presets.

by far best keys/pad combo for the price

Wow, by far best keys/pad combo for the price. Easy to use and customize. I'm a casual musician and rarely play piano but this makes playing piano easy and feels light. The drum pads are excellent very responsive but the real nice touch is the corresponding colors to how hard/soft you play. I am very happy, impressed, and encourage you to buy this if you're looking for a new midi controller.

The best 49 MIDI Keyboard fot its price!!

This a OMG product; period. The keys are semiweighted, soft, the overall product looks very high quality, the pads are strong, high quality, same as all buttons and functionality. It comes with software that allows you to start playing and recording almost immediatley.

EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED!!!

The price, quick shipping & the Product itself is excellent! I am happy with my purchase. I plan on using this product on a daily basis, its sturdy, great keys, pretyy look, smooth buttons and easy to use.

A Great Keyboard to Get Started

this is the perfect tool for anyone learning how to play the keyboard and make beats, the keyboard comes with a link to a sight where you can take lesson for making beat and playing the keys, this is a perfect entry for any beginner,

not sure you can do much better. I really like this keyboard

For this price, not sure you can do much better. I really like this keyboard. The semi weighted keys give it a nice feel. Highly recommend.

Full Reviews