[43.5 lb] We needed a controller for a classical pianist who switches between an acoustic piano and controller for sessions. The response and feel of the action are well worth the money. The interface is easy to navigate and is generally plug and play with any DAW. Highly recommended.

[43.5 lb] My husband played a real piano & keyboards he was younger but hasn't played for years. He wanted to start again and debated between the KeyLab 88 MKII and a more traditional stand alone piano-type keyboard. He's so happy we went this route.

He uses it with Logic Pro and feels the KeyLab offers the perfect amount of features without adding unnecessary things. He hasn't yet figured it all out, but it's great to sit down and play freely or to record using the software and create a song.

The build is excellent, with a metal body and wood accents. The action of the key bed is excellent and is much closer to a real piano than non-weighted keys. The additional weight of the keys makes playing at different volume levels very easy.

One complain that he had was the lack of documentation on how to set it up and integrate it with different DAWs, but Arturia's tech support is top notch and quickly replied with a long and detailed emailing showing step by step directions on how to set it up with Logic Pro. Plus, their website has a great FAQ section and detailed user manuals that cover how to use most of the keyboard's features.

In addition to a great keyboard, the unit comes with some wonderful software. It includes Ableton Live Lite for those who don't already have a DAW. It also comes with Piano V/V2, which is a piano software add-on worth $249 by itself and Analog Lab, which is a collection of older (from the 80s I think), classic synthesizer sounds worth $199.

So, the keyboard itself is a great item for the price, but when all the additional software is included, the KeyLab 88 MkII is a wonderful item.

[43.5 lb] The Hammer 88 is a no frills MIDI controller with a nice weighted action. Construction seems solid. A pretty good buy for the price.

[43.5 lb] I have to say that it is exactly what I hoped it would be. The feel is excellent, configuration is a breeze, and the computer plate option fits my MBP 15 perfectly. I don't have any sticky keys or any other imperfections that I can identify. I added the SLP3-D Triple Pedal and like the SL88, it is also built like a tank. I was thrilled that Synthogy Ivory II American Concert D was included and it sounds fantastic. If I had to nag on one thing I would wish for a way to dim the LCD. It is very bright and can be a bit distracting at times. Again, no real complaints...

[43.5 lb] I bought this to replace a Studiologic SL-990, which started to have key contact problems after 15 years of use and abuse (contacts wearing out and a huge amount of accumulated dirt and grime in the switch contact areas). So that product amounted to about $50/year cost over the lifetime of the product. The new SL88 Grand has an amazingly authentic piano-touch feel. It also is very flexible in all the configuration parameters. No longer in audio/music production, I do not have need any more for all the different things it is capable of doing as a MIDI controller, so to those who may be contemplating purchasing it for more mundane purposes, I would still highly recommend it. For example, I use the keyboard to drive only the grand piano program on an Alesis Nanopiano (a late 1990's piano module with Bsendorfer samples), connecting that to powered satellite speakers and a powered bass/sub. The default velocity curve was fine, and I was easily able to disable the sticks from affecting anything (by default one caused pitch-bend and one of the non-return-to-center sticks adjusted the reverb amount). Keep in mind that today's electronics and programmable features are not expensive; you are paying the extra cost for the physical construction that affects the mechanical action. Note that the SL88 Studio is $400 less expensive than the SL88 Grand for that reason, though it has the same electronics and associated features.

[43.5 lb] This thing is really sturdy and has very good keyboard feel. There are better-feeling keyoards but nowhere near this price range. The pads are surprisingly good as well. Connectivity is above expectations especially when paired to Analog Lab or the included presets.

[43.5 lb] A huge step up from the semi-weighted and spring-action keyboards I'm used to. Built solid, with a metal top and some sort of heavy-density material on the bottom, very rigid and hefty. Plastic but not hollow-feeling keys. The action is definitely on the heavy side which I like. The keys don't make a clicky racket like the Keystation 88. Wheels and buttons are good quality, slider is just OK. Mine came with a slight dent in the metal top, apparently a manufacturing defect because the packaging was undamaged and there's no sign of impact. Not a deal breaker in my case and virtually invisible. Firmware update is available and installed easily. Preset editor utility is handy and intuitive. As I knew going in, no pedals or AC adapter are included. Didn't try the software because I have my own. Heavy, 38lbs., and given its weight and lack of onboard sounds, it wouldn't be my first choice for a gigging keyboard. It's more like a digital piano, and if I could make a suggestion to M-Audio, I would like a dedicated digital piano-style stand with integrated pedal option.

[43.5 lb] I've been playing piano for over 50 years now. And all types of keyboards over the last half century as they've evolved (Farfisa Compact, Hammond B3, Ensoniq, Fatar, Korg, etc.) But, I've always loved the piano the most. I owned a beautiful 6' Yamaha Grand for 25 years but had to get rid of it 10 years ago due to our downsizing to a smaller place; it took up a LOT of room. Since then, I've bought and subsequently donated a dozen or so other keyboards, which sounded good, but didn't have that true piano feel. Any pianist can close their eyes and tell you if it's a real piano, just by that feel. But, not with this baby! With the right software (True Pianos, Kontakt, Ominsphere, etc.) you can sound as good as ANY piano on this planet, AND you can do it with headphones if you want! But, the feel, the expression, is pure piano! Why is it perfect?; Price, Quality, Weight (it's very heavy!), Appearance (it's beautiful!), Simplicity (it's just a keyboard with no screen, and no internal sounds; my PC monitor and keyboard is in front of it), and most importantly - FEEL. It IS a real piano. Just close your eyes and play....... It's perfect in every way. The last keyboard I will ever need and own!!!

[43.5 lb] I am throughly please with this keyboard midi controller. The action is so much like a regular piano. The build is a good quality, and while it doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles (which can sometimes get in the way), it performs flawlessly. This keyboard is worth twice the price. If you’re thinking of buying it, do it.