Review MIDI keyboard Alesis V49. Where to buy it?

Alesis is a company founded in the United States in 1980 that designs and markets electronic musical instruments, digital audio processors, audio mixers, drum amplifiers, digital audio interface amplifiers, recording equipment, drum machines, professional audio, and electronic percussion products.

I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of this Alesis V49 keyboard. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar keyboards so you can compare.

• 49 full-size keys
• Square front keys
• 8 speed-sensitive backlit pads
• 4 attributable knobs and 4 attributable buttons
• Octave up and down buttons let you access the full keyboard range
• Pitch and modulation wheels
• Visual information through illuminated knobs and buttons
• USB powered and midi USB connectivity for Mac and computer
• Includes USB cable, Ableton Live Lite software (download), and xpand!2 by Air Music Tech software (download)
• Dimensions: 955 x 244 x 114 mm

This MIDI keyboard usually costs around 95.00 euros and has a 4-octave keyboard, reaching 49 full-size sensitive keys, which will serve us to play compositions in this range of notes, and if we want to go to a higher or lower range we can make use of the up/down octave buttons.

Other controls are 8 backlit pads that also have sensitivity and will allow you to create percussion rhythms or make use of other samples in the DAW you are working on.

There are also pitch bend and modulation wheels, to change the pitch of a note in real-time, i.e. while it’s playing. In controls, we also have 4 knobs and 4 buttons assignable to some function inside the DAW to use or to control more precisely any parameter in a plugin.

Finally, we can mention that the Alesis V49 includes the software Ableton Live Lite (download) and the software xpand!2 by Air Music Tech (download) very appreciated mostly by beginners.

Now that we have seen the features of this Alesis V49 keyboard watch these related videos to learn more.

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Alesis V49 vs Alesis VI49

The Alesis V49 MIDI Keyboard is priced at 95 euros while the Alesis VI49 is priced at 185 euros. Since the Alesis Vl49 is a superior model we found a difference of 90 Euro, let’s see its face to face:

• Both offer us 49 keys with sensitivity, but in the Alesis VI49, they are semi-heavy, having better quality when playing the keyboard.
• Both offer speed-sensitive backlit pads (intensity in MIDI language), in the Alesis V49 they are 8, and in the Alesis VI49, they are 16.
• We also have assignable knobs and buttons, in the case of the Alesis V49 it is 4 knobs and 4 buttons, and in the Alesis VI49, it is 36 buttons and 12 knobs.
• Both offer pitch bend and modulation wheels that allow you to change the height of a note while playing.
• Both share visual information through the illuminated knobs and buttons, while the Alesis Vl49 also features an LED display.
• Both can be powered via USB (USB port) and the Alesis VI49 has a 5-pin MIDI output offering flexible MIDI connectivity.
• Both include the Ableton Live Lite software license (download), Xpand! software, and the Alesis VI49 2 software (download).

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

As we can see if there are significant changes in both models, and the price increase is worth it, both for the function of semi-weighted keys, as well as the increase in control devices more that offers us the Alesis VI49, so, if the budget gives you, go for it. For its price, the Alesis V49 is not a bad choice either.

And here’s a video of the Alesis VI49 keyboard:

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Alesis VI49 review.

Alesis V49 vs Alesis Q49 Keyboard Controller

The Alesis V49 MIDI Keyboard has a price of 95 Euro when the Alesis Q49 Keyboard Controller has a price of 75 Euro, but the difference is so small that this can vary. Having such a similar name, as well as its price we expect similar features, let’s move on to the face-to-face:

• Both offer 49 keys with sensitivity, in the Alesis V49 they are square, while in the Alesis Q49 they are similar to a digital keyboard.
• The Alesis V49 offers 8 back-lit velocity-sensitive pads (intensity in MIDI language).
• There are also 4 assignable knobs and 4 buttons on the Alesis V49.
• Both offer pitch bend and modulation wheels that allow you to change the height of a note while playing. And Up/Down Octave buttons.
• The Alesis V49 shares visual information through the illuminated knobs and buttons.
• The Alesis Q49 offers an assignable fader for program changes, very useful in production processes such as mixing.
• Both can be powered via USB (USB port).
• The Alesis V49 includes the Ableton Live Lite software licenses (download), Xpand software! 2 software (download), while the Alesis Q49 includes Ableton Live Lite and Alesis Edition.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

We have a couple of models of the brand Alesis very similar, both for their names, prices, and features, but for the small difference of 20 euros, you can appreciate their improvements. Controls like the 8 pads, 4 knobs, and 4 buttons both assignable if they are usually useful tools in a DAW, so the best option is the Alesis V49.

And here’s a video of the Alesis Q49 Keyboard Controller

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Alesis Q49 Keyboard Controller.

Alesis V49 vs Akai MPK mini MK2

The Alesis V49 MIDI Keyboard is priced at £95 while the Akai MPK mini MK2 is priced at £88, but the difference is so small that this may vary.

• The Alesis offers 49 keys with sensitivity, while the Akai gives 25 mini keys with sensitivity.
• The Alesis offers pitch bend and modulation wheels, up/down octave buttons, and 4 assignable knobs, and 4 assignable buttons. The Akai offers a thumbstick track for pitch bend and modulation control, 8 high-quality MPC (MIDI Production Center) pads with repeat function, 8 assignable knobs very useful in mix or plug-in parameter.
• The Alesis has USB/MIDI connections and traditional MIDI ports for Mac or PC and external MIDI hardware. And the Akai has its USB port and a sustain pedal input jack.
• The Alesis includes Ableton Live Lite and Alesis Edition, while the Akai includes licenses for Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Wobble, and Akai Pro MPC Essentials.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this interesting comparison, we find two different controllers, on the one hand, the Alesis V49 with 49 keys on its keyboard, 8 sensitive pads, 4 knobs, and 4 buttons both assignable. And on the other hand, the Akai MPK Mini MKII has 25 mini keys, 8 sensitive pads, and 8 assignable knobs. If you want a keyboard more than anything else to use its keyboard and you may not move it as much, but it is still very portable, your option will be the Alesis V49. And if you want a very portable keyboard or your space is very compact, and you do not need so many keys the Akai MPK Mini MKII will be your best choice, and it should be noted that it is very popular.

And here is a video of the Akai MPK mini MK2

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Akai MPK Mini MK2 review.

Alesis V49 vs Alesis V61

The Alesis V49 MIDI Keyboard has a price of 95 euros while the Alesis V61 has a price of 143 euros, reaching a difference of nearly 50 euros. That its only and most relevant difference is that the Alesis V49 has 49 keys and the Alesis V61 has 61 keys, many times pianists or keyboard players do not feel comfortable with 4 octaves, and for this Alesis has the V61 where they offer 1 octave more reaching a total of 61 keys.

Let’s put the characteristics of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

And here’s a video of the Alesis V61 keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Alesis V61 review.

Alesis V49 vs Nektar Impact LX49+

As a last comparison, we have the Alesis V49 MIDI Keyboard with a known price of 95 euro while the Nektar Impact LX49+ has a price of 134 euros, reaching a difference of nearly 40 euro. Let’s move on to the face-to-face:

• The Alesis offers 49 keys with sensitivity, while the Nektar has 25 full-size keys that are equally sensitive to speed.
• The Alesis offers pitch bend and modulation wheels, octave up/down buttons, and 4 assignable knobs, and 4 assignable buttons. The Nektar offers 8 Pads with 4 color lights, also has 8 assignable knobs and pitch bend and modulation wheels, and 1 assignable Fader (very helpful for mixing a track in any DAW), 6 transport buttons (stop, rec, forward, reverse, etc), and 9 assignable buttons.
• Both have arpeggiator function, input jack for sustain pedal, USB port, and USB power.
• The Alesis includes Ableton Live Lite and Alesis Edition when the Nektar includes the Bitwig 8-Track.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this last comparison, we have two good MIDI controllers, the already analyzed Alesis V49, which is good for what it offers, but in terms of general functions for production, we can say that the winner is the Nektar Impact LX25+ since for its price (only 40 euros more) it offers features that are very useful when using a specific DAW: the fader functions (excellent for mixing), transport buttons to move around in the audio clips, and the Plug and Play is also highly valued since it allows a direct connection to the computer.

And here’s a video of the Nektar Impact LX49+ keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Nektar Impact LX49+ review.

Which is the best of these MIDI keyboards if I am a beginner on a low budget?

While the answer to this question lies mostly in what specific need you have, for example, if you want to have a keyboard with the widest possible note range, or if you want to have as many control functions as possible, or perhaps a mix between the two, that is without leaving behind the different connections and software licenses that most MIDI controllers offer, we will give an objective opinion according to our experience in music production and thus also with the price that the controllers demand, a kind of value for money.

If what you want is a MIDI controller that offers the most control functions for a fair price, the best option we have here is the Nektar Impact LX49+ which offers among other functions: pads, faders, encoders, buttons, all of them assignable, as well as functions such as transport buttons, and great compatibility with most DAWs on the market. It really is a great controller for a fair price.

Where to buy the Alesis V49 keyboard?

Amazon

• Free Shipping and the possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
• Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
• Sometimes a better price.
• He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

Thomann

• Free Shipping.
• Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
• 100% reliable payment.
• A leader in trouble-free shipping.
• Usually the Best price.
• Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalog and information.

Also, look at these models with a similar price and features:

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• Akai MPK mini Mk2
• Akai MPK miniplay
• Roli Lightpad Block M Studio Ed.
• Arturia MiniLab MKII
• Roli Beatmaker Kit
• Novation Impulse 25
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• Alesis V25
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• Novation Launchkey 25 MK2
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