Alternative to Novation SL 25 Mk II with decent keys?

[merges]

Hi all. I recently had a key fail on my Novation SL 25 Mk II. I opened it up to investigate and perhaps glue the mechanism back together, only to discover that most of the key mounts are showing fractures that will imminently break like the other one. I have been pretty darn gentle with this thing over the past two years, so I'm quite bummed about it breaking.

I picked up an Akai MPK 25 to try as a replacement. But the keys on the Novation are taller and much nicer feel. The MPK feels toy-like while the Novation seems more like a musical instrument.

Does anyone have any tips/ideas/opinions for a 25-key controller with a decent (full-size keys, let's say) keyboard? It must also have knobs or faders, though I'm not so particular about the type or number. Thanks!

[rikhyray]

Novation uses Fatar keys - www.fatar.com. It is not difficult to replace the entire keybed.

[merges]

I have another Fatar keyboard (a StudioLogic) which I love, so I'm a big fan of Fatar keys due to their feel. However, I'm concerned about the durability of the model used in the Novation SL 25 Mk II.

That said, do you have any idea where to buy a replacement keybed and what that might cost?

[rikhyray]

I got wonderful 3 octaves from Doepfer, still looking for someone to make me a chassis. You have to find out distributor in your country. In case you try calling Fatar better have someone who speaks Italian (my experience doing any biz communication with Italians). I dont remember exactly, around 70-100$, 2 octaves should be 50-80.

[scpjrprius]

I purchased a Novation Impulse 61,about a month ago.The keys feel great to me and i'm very pleased.I also own a Axiom pro 49 and a Akai mpk 25.The keys on the Novation Impulse fit nice in the middle of the Axiom Pro and Akai mpk.They aren't too piano like as they are on the Axiom pro,nor too stiff like on the Akai mpk.They are just right.I hear the keys on the Impulse,are alittle watered down compared to the keys on the SL25 though.I now play on my impulse more.It works great with Ableton Live.The Impulse was created soley for Ableton Live,and the SL25 was created soley for Logic.But,both keyboards can work in other daws.Oh yeah,I almost forgot,the Akai Mpk 25 is far from being toy like.The Akai Mpk is as close as a Korg synth as your going to get.The Akai Mpk is the best built midi control you can buy period.Other midi keyboards try hard to emulate a piano.The Akai Mpk series,hands down,is trying to emualate the keys of a synth not a piano.Do you need a piano,or do you need a synth style keyboard for your beats?It's best to have both,a piano feel and a synth feel.I use the Akai Mpk,Apc20,and Maschine to build the foundation of my track,and then I use the Axiom Pro and Impulse to finish things off.It's good to have a couple of keyboards in your arsenal,if you have space.But,if you want an all in one,IMHO the Novation Impulse is slap dead in the middle.

[alexl_novation]

Hi Merges,

I'm sorry to hear of the problems you are having with the key mechanism of your Sl MkII.

Please contact Novation technical support about this as we might be able to help. At the very least we should be able to provide you with a replacement for the key which is currently broken.

Here's a link to the Novation contact form:

http://www.novationmusic.com/answerbase/en/contact.php

Best regards,

Alex // Novation Technical Support
www.novationmusic.com

[dburns]

Wow Novation. That's pretty good customer support!

[ninox_rufa]

Fixed:

Wow Novation. That's pretty good PR damage control!

[dburns]

Fixed:

Wow Novation. That's pretty good PR damage control!

Really fixed:

ninox_rufa wrote:

Wow! I really am a jerk!

[ninox_rufa]

Ha I knew that years ago. I was just wonderin was what so gooood about their customer support. Please do excuse the sarcastic way in which I went about it.

[dburns]

Hi,

I was upset that you altered my post, but I'm over it now. No problem.

I just thought it was nice that someone from Novation was reading the forums and offered to help. You don't see that a lot.

Anyway, I can now better appreciate your twisted humor. I think we may be a lot alike.