Help: 88 key weighted + Arp

The Lounge General Discussion
1

Hello all,

I wonder if anyone can help… I’m looking for experience and thoughts on a new 88 key midi keyboard.

My battered old Yamaha MOX8 is not in good shape. The key action is spectacularly ‘clacky’ and loose, so it has become unbearable in the studio. And several of the knobs don’t really work any more either.

It currently functions as my main studio midi keyboard and I want to replace it. I use it for live stuff too, only about 10 times a year (for one specific act) and it’s still ok to be used for those (at least, for now, until it fully dies).

Whilst I hate the workflow and system of my MOX8, it has one thing that I love and possibly can’t live without… The arpeggiator. Because of all the internal sounds, it has thousands of arps and patterns that drive all the cheesy presets – and thus they have all manner of built in velocity / details which when applied to hardware synths or software instruments, give quick and really effective results that are an integral part of my workflow.

So, how to replace it?! I definitely need 88 keys, a decent weighted action (I’m a pianist, so this is important), and an arpeggiator solution that gets me near the MOX stuff. Hardware I need to control: Peak and two Boomstars. Software I need to control / work with: Kontakt, Spitfire and Logic Pro X. I have a Korg Nanokontrol2 for some usb midi sliders and knobs, so they aren’t a huge issue.

Options:

Studiologic SL88 Studio – keen on this because it’s cheap enough to buy now, but I’d need a software solution that covers similar arps ground

Arturia Keylab 88 mk2 o// Roland FA08 mk2 // NI Kontrol S88 mk2 – anyone have experience of the arp functions? Are they really worth the extra cash?

Yamaha MX88 - seems to have many of the same arps, could also do live stuff, but is the keybed improved at all over the one used in my MOX? And I’d have to continue suffering what is likely a similarly gross UI / design…

Wildcard – Roland Juno DS88 weighted. From what I’ve read, it could potentially cover a lot of ground like the MX88. I have a Jupiter 50 and find the workflow relatively easy, plus I love the design and build quality - but the arp in that is awful. I think it’s different in the DS88?

Final option – replace and upgrade the keybed in my MOX8. Not sure if this is possible, but strikes me it could be cheaper to buy parts and replace them if it is possible?!

I’m very open to second hand stuff too.

Any advice much appreciated! I’m lost!

2

Not sure there is much out there that can match the Yamaha arpeggiators. I have owned a Roland FA06 and there is no comparison.
Supposedly the MOXFs have better keyboards than the MODXs and second hand MOXFs can normally be had for a good price (I have a MOXF6 but have never played a MODX).
I presume for the best Yamaha keyboard you would need to look at the Montage.

1 Like
3

Thanks for your thoughts on the Roland comparison, that’s useful to know.

I’ve read conflicting info on whether they updated the design of keybed between MOX and MOXF (I think ModX is totally different) – some say the newer feels better, others say it’s the exact same spec :man_shrugging:t3: And I don’t want to buy something that’ll end up as loose and shoddy as my current MOX (although I did buy it heavily used for 500 quid 6 years ago!).

If it is a better keybed, I could go for MOXF8 second hand… Still about £850 though which is high and it might not last. So it might be better buying a new MX88 or attempting to replace the parts in my current MOX

4

I have owned an MX49 and would say that the MOXF keyboard is better. Though on neither model have I checked the 88 weighted key version. For that I have my CVP, which is as good as new even after 16 years, but it is in a different price bracket and it does not have an arpeggiator.

1 Like
5

I went with a Studiologic SL88 Studio due to it’s price. It’s uses the same keybed as the NI Kontrol S88 mk2 and IMHO it’s worth every penny. Of course it has no built-in arp, but then the NI Kontrol S88 doesn’t have one either and relies on software or the synth you are controlling.

I decided against the NI Kontrol S88 especially because it relies so heavily on its software running on a computer and the functionality of the screens is more “meh” than “wow” (quite gimmicky).

For me it wasn’t worth more than twice the price of the Studiologic one (€400.- vs €960.-).

1 Like
6

Yeah! I read about how the NI relies on computer for all the functionality and it really kinda annoyed me… To be honest, I’m new to Kontakt - I got it because I want to start building some unique sample instruments and improve some of my film composition workflow - but I find it really clunky and hateful. It all puts me off investing anything more in NI stuff!

I’m glad you like the Studiologic. I really love how minimal it looks – but I’d need to find a decent software vibe to replace all those awesome Yamaha arps and I haven’t managed to find one yet

7

That was also one of my major complains about it. As standalone device it provides almost nothing and I use the 88 keys alot in standalone setups.

Additionally the Studiologic has 2 DIN MIDI outs and 4 pedal connectors (vs. 1 MIDI out and 2 pedal connectors) which was also a large “+” in my book.

Yeah, I know. When you are used to such nice things it’s hard to change and find a fitting replacement.

1 Like
8

Also had the studiologic, keys felt good, intuitive menu, good I/O. I found the joysticks not really useable, the aftertouch was horrible. If you don’t use that it’s pretty good for it’s price.

1 Like
9

The 2 midi outs and pedals connectors could be really useful, for aure

10

Good to know! I don’t currently use aftertouch at all (my MOX doesn’t have it) and the joysticks do look pretty useless…

11

I’m waiting to hear back re. some replacement parts for my MOX too, just in case I can cheaply fix that up to survive a while longer…

12

Of course they are bad for pitch bending, but having 3 mini joysticks for other modulations available isn’t that bad at all. I like them.

13

The software that closely resembles the Yamaha arpeggiator is Steinberg’s Halion Sonic.
Not cheap but sounds great and has a lot of features as well as the arpeggiator.

Personally I prefer it to Kontakt because it is sort of like a combination of Kontakt and Reaktor in that it handles both sample and virtual based synths, though it is not quite as deep as the NI software.

1 Like
14

Thanks, I was hoping for this kind of tip! I’ll look into it :raised_hands:

15

Reviving this old thread to give some insight…

My SL88 had two keys that are rattling… C2 and C3… Its going back to Sweetwater to be sent to Mississipi to be serviced…

Still a great keyboard, and after this, should be perfect.

looks like Im going to have a spot front and center to put the Prophet

16

I’d forgotten about this thread, haven’t logged into elektronauts in a very long time.

Funnily enough, I did get hold of some replacement octaves for my very battered, very old Yamaha mox, along with some silicon lubricant stuff… The supplies were pretty cheap. I took the entire board apart, replaced some broken and very worn keys, cleaned out all the old silicon stuff - and I actually made improvements using felt between various parts of the keys and keybed to remove a lot of lateral movement, add some extra damping etc… after putting it back together, I think it was actually better than new. It felt vastly improved and is still currently going strong… Other things are starting to slowly fail now though: some buttons not working, the casing not holding together all that well. So I might replace it soon, giving up on retaining the functionality and focusing on the best keybed possible. Maybe I’ll go for a Doepfer LMK, or a Kawai VPC1, or maybe I’ll borrow another Yamaha for a bit.

2 Likes
17

…always a good option to invest in some repair solutions than to look out for total new replacements…

1 Like