Features:

  • Perfect building block for music producer needing to control plug-ins and virtual instruments
  • 49 full-sized, square-front keys with adjustable sensitivity
  • 8 LED-backlit drum trigger pads respond to both velocity and pressure
  • 4 assignable knobs, 4 assignable buttons, and Pitch & Mod wheels
  • USB-powered with sustain-pedal input
Looks great and sturdy build

I ordered the Alesis on a Friday and received it on a Sunday. I was surprised initially by the build quality very quality made, the keys feel very nice and they are grand piano sized. The led lights built within the keyboard give it a very professional look which is a bonus! The drum pads aren’t 100% perfect but when you tweak the latency settings as well as the velocity it can do the job. Overall great purchase was very satisfied. Would recommend. This is the best bang for buck MIDI keyboard for the price in my opinion.

Great controller

This is a fantastic desktop controller keyboard. It looks nice, has semi-weighted keys and programable inputs. The price is perfect as well. The only problem i had with mine was that one of the feet on the underside was smaller, damaged, or missing and that made the keyboard rock as it was played. I put it on a foam pad to solve the problem.

I make silly songs all the time with this bad boy(or girl whatever u like

Literally use this all the damn time. No problems at all, keys are slightly weighted (winner winner chicken dinner!!!) definitely worth it! I make silly songs all the time with this bad boy(or girl whatever u like.) great for a beginner like meeeee! :)

Use the Alesis V61 Editor and ignore other customers' complaints

Apparently everyone complaining about velocities can't be bothered to Google the problem. http://www.noterepeat.com/products/alesis/keyboards/v-series/519-alesis-v-series-adjusting-the-velocity-curve-of-the-keys-using-the-v-series-editor Go there and follow the instructions. I recommend setting the velocity curve to #2. Updating the firmware (on Alesis' site) is a good idea, as well. I used this keyboard at practice for the first time yesterday and I love it. The action is a little stiff compared to what I'm used to, but that took all of about 20 seconds to get used to. For the price and functionality, you are going to have a hard time finding a better deal than this keyboard. I love the editor, too. Being able to change the pads from note to CC, change the pad behavior to momentary or latch, and change the CC & on/off velocities for the pads and buttons is absolutely fantastic. I wish all keyboards had such an easy way to reroute and rework the internal commands. Should Alesis have shipped this with velocity #4 as the default? No. Is it difficult to fix? Possibly: if you are blind, paralyzed from the neck down, or just straight up have no arms or legs. I am NOT an Alesis shill, I just think it's ridiculous that this keyboard is getting bashed by people who obviously don't know what they're talking about.

for the price I say buy it.

Really fun midi controller, looks great and works great I love it. Comes with ableton live 9 lite key and other software from alesis. the unit measure 21 inches long and 8 inches wide. (25 key model). Other reviews here say that the drum pads double hit sometimes and I did notice it does do that but its not something that would bother unless you plan on using the pads for fast drumming. Also I did not see the lag delay that other buys say it has so I think that a computer issue and not the controller. The big keys feel great not like mini keyboards. Im giving it 4 stars not five but only because I did notice the pads double hit a few times but I think when it breaks in with use it would go away. In closing I say buy it if your looking for a low price nice looking controller that plays good but don't buy it if your planning on using it as a pro drum pad controller cause you might be disappointed. Update: figured out the problem with the pads double hitting, you have to use two finger press and they wont hit twice. Also a new firmware update corrected the problem and now one finger taps work great.

Awesome starter midi

This keyboard has great full sized keys. The drum pads are mediocre, but i play around with them more than putting them to practical use. All the other controls work great.

MIDI keyboard with great features

As one reviewer stated, the settings that some seem to have a problem with can be adjusted with the official Alesis software for these keyboards. Adjusting the key settings was very easy and intuitive once you actually download and open the software from the Alesis website. The keyboard feels very solid, I have been using it for awhile now and really like it. True, the keys are not fully weighted but I like it for practicing as it strengthens my fingers by having a bit more resistance. I do notice a double hit from the drum pads once in awhile though. It's not often but enough that it is annoying. Overall, great MIDI keyboard with a solid feel.

which is great. Super

Wow -- huge huge step up from my old Oxygen. Weighting feels more aggressive to me than most other users are reporting, which is great. Super, super sleek look - fits perfectly on my desk, between keyboard and below monitor. Substantial enough for travel on the keys but doesn't take up too much space in general. Haven't really given the pads a workout yet, but they look great. For the price, I am EXTREMELY happy with the controller. Hoping it will hold up well.

Neat!

This thing is cool. I bought it mostly just to mess around with, so if you're looking for something more serious, this might not be for you. The double entry tap mentioned in other reviews is accurate, though if you just tap fairly firmly, it goes away. Comes with a fee cool programs that are easy to use as well.

Great Feel & Simple Setup

As a guitarist investing in a small portable midi piano for tracking down random ideas that pop into my head.. This thing is awesome. The keys feel nice and smooth, They are semi-weighted so it gives you a MUCH better tactile feel than the tiny keys on, say, the AKAI 25 Key, The pads are decent, I've tracked some solid drum beats on them. All the parameters of the keyboard are adjustable to your preferences and it's just overall, worth the $$$. Disclaimer - it would have been nice to have two octaves, but the 49 key is just too big for my portability. But you certainly notice not having two octaves..

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