Ableton Forum

Hey everyone,

So I am looking to buy my girlfriend a keyboard with weighted keys, preferably 40+ keys, to play live spacey electronic and ambient music with. Any suggestions? I used to have a rhodes electric piano but that's not the exact sound we're going for, and it was really big and heavy. What would you suggest?

Personally I like Novation stuff the best. Semi-Weighted keys, but I like the way Novation's stuff feels over all the competitors. Just my opinion though. Many others prefer M-Audio.

As far as keyboard action(synth), Novation is my favorite too.

Thanks. I was looking at Novation, but they only have one semi-weighted keyboard, but the ultranova does look pretty cool. If I was the one playing it, I would probably get that.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

The style we are playing can be something like witchhouse/drag music.

I thought the ReMOTE keyboards were semi weighted? Maybe the info I got was wrong. However the keys do feel nice. Again the next best key action in my opinion on a controller keyboard would be M-Audio. Most others beyond Novation and M-Audio feel stiff or cheap to me.

I personally like the SL37 or SL61. I like the faders and knobs better on those. I once had a Nocturn and a couple of knobs were glitchy, so I dont really trust buying anything used "nocturn style." If it were new and under warranty I would simply return it. That said, I have bought a few SL models used via ebay and craigs list, both were great prices and in mint condition, worked perfectly. Even the ReMOTE classic stuff is still a solid keyboard if you can find one in good shape. They are the older silver ones.

I probably should have been more specific. She isn't going to be using a computer, so we need keyboards instead of controllers.

Well shit, that opens the door to a huge variety of stuff. You live in Austin, I recommend going to Switched On, and seeing what they have to play with, try some things out, ask questions, those guys are experts.

Good idea, I used to go there for Ableton clinics. I could just bring her there. Those people were awesome in helping me figure out my headphone problem.