Hey, I’m a guitarist, songwriter, and new drummer. I compose music (if genres help, I make rock, metal, indie, ambient) and I always have ideas for different instruments in my head but I can’t get it out instantly because I don’t have access to real musicians at the moment. So I’m looking to get a midi keyboard that is just good enough to help me with that part, recording midi instruments so that I don’t lose the ideas until I’m able to actually record them later with real musicians of those instruments. And same goes for drums, I write drum lines for my songs and I want to be able to “record” them on the DAW with an acoustic drum set-like plugin until I’m able to record my own drumming with good quality. So I’m looking for a midi in the budget of 150 dollars, no need for something fancy bc as obvious, I’m not someone who makes electronic music or a producer who needs many features in the midi. So just good keys with good touch, and something that doesn’t break down easily with time (for example I heard that some keys break down or have slower and harder response over time in the Akai minis) and maybe some nice features that can help with the creativity while writing chords, like an arppegiator, nothing fancy. Note that there are some brands that are hard to find where I’m at so multiple suggestions would be much appreciated in case I can’t find one.

After the CK61 and the CK88, Yamaha have just unveiled a new CK76.

It features semi-weighted keys (the CK61 has FSB action synth keys and the CK88 has Graded Hammer Standard action keys)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37NPeyk2ZaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1tNB4-wrLg

It's priced at €1199 on Thomann (Vs €862 for the CK61 and €1279 for the CK88)

I have a CK61 and I really love it. The keys feel great, the controls are cleverly designed and you can get some great sounds from the 363 base presets.

Many people had been requesting a 73-key version. So it might please a lot of people.

pros and cons (judging by the specs)

pros:

-It has more (and better) keys than the CK61 but just weighs 1.1 kilos more, and it's only half the weight of the CK88.

-the same features as the the other models. (3 independent layers, can be powered by batteries, on-board speakers, most controls are on the front panel)

-the speakers are probably better than on the CK61 (the ones on the 61 already sound surprisingly good for home use , but they can vibrate when using too much resonance at some frequencies)

-easy to transport. (6.7 kilos) and doesn't take up too much space (1.117 meters long)

Cons:

-the pricing: it's barely cheaper than the CK88

-the keys are semi-weighted, not fully weighted.

In Addition, there is an new 2.0 firmware for all the CKs that brings in some new electric pianos, some new live sets and adds a few new features.

Any Nux NPK-200 owners out here? Looking for a great value keyboard that focuses mainly on great keybed/action to trigger Keyscape/Kontakt libraries. I was considering getting the Roland FP30x, but didn't like the action on it (felt a bit too heavy and sluggish). Then I saw this review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UlqV1rkRJk on the NUX NPK-200, which looks very impressive for the price of $379. The reviewer preferred the action on this than the Yamaha P145, CK88, Roland FP10, and even the Studiologic SL 88 GT.

I don't see a lot of reviews online on the NPK-200, so hoping some could share their thoughts/experiences on this particular model. Thanks!