I was looking to purchase my first USB Midi controller. I have only limited experience with 'modern' equipment - my first system many years ago being a very analogue 4 track tape system, with a more 'recent' foray into the digital world with a analogue 12 track Alesis DAW and Reaper, but never had the time to do much with it. Now, several years later I am trying to finaly get a 'studio' together again.
I had decided that the way to go was to get a 49 key controller. I was going to purchase the M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49, when I saw the MK3 version of the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49. This has many of the things that were present in the Oxygen Pro but not in the previous version of this keyboard, as well as things that were much better - like the LCD display. This makes a huge difference, as far as I am concerned. Also the rotatry encoders fully rotate, meaning you don't have to rotate them to 'pick up' the setting you are trying to alter you just start altering.
The software installed easily and the integration with Abelton Lite was automatic and seamless. Beign able to control most, if not all, of what you want to control from the keyboard, with an extremely informative LCD screen, certainly satisfies the analogue part of me as well as making the usage flow much simpler.
I have only given 4 out of 5 (I would have given 4.5 but this is not possible) because I would have prefered semi-weighted keys.
I am certainly very pleased with my purchase, the build and feel for the price is much better than I was expecting. The faders and encoders are positive and have a nice resistance. The main rotary control has a very solid feel. The pads and transport controls all have a good feel too. I got it in the white version as I was trying to avoid too many black boxes - and it does look nice on the desk, which for me was a consideration: if I'm going to be staring at something for many hours it's nice if I enjoy the look too :)
