Review MIDI keyboard Swissonic ControlKey 88. Where to buy it?
I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of the Swissonic ControlKey 88 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.
- 88 Semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keys with Aftertouch
- pitch bend (Functionality that changes the sound wave of what you play and then returns to its original state) and modulation wheel
- 16 Velocity painful and sensitive trigger pads
- 9 Faders
- 9 Rotary control knob
- 9 Mute and Solo buttons
- Backlit LCD display
- Transport controls: Rewind, fast ahead, stop, play, record
- Octave transpose switch
- Menu buttons: Menu, scene, bank, track, patch, channel, web page, value, enter, exit
- Assignable features for trigger pads: Bank, velocity curve, 8 amounts, complete degree, hold, roll, Aftertouch and mode
- 30 Scene memory slots
- 6.3 mm Jack input for sustain or expression pedal (The most important pedal of a piano or keyboard is the sustain pedal and is used to keep the note playing even if you stop pressing the key.)
- 5-Pin midi (MIDI allows you to do such wonderful things as connect the keyboard to the computer, record a soundtrack and with certain programs pass with a click what you have played to musical notes in a score. MIDI tracks store information from musical notes) output
- USB port for transferring MIDI to computer
- Power supply via USB or optional power adaptor 9V 500 mA
- USB cable included
- Compatible with PC and Mac
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 1283 x 320 x 87 mm
- Including Thomann Studio Starter Kit LE (software program with DAW software, pc software synthesisers and effect plugins)
Now that we’ve seen the features of this keyboard Swissonic ControlKey 88 watch these related videos to learn more.
Post you may be interested in
- Ranking with the best midi keyboards
- My selection of cheap midi keyboards.
- Best MIDI Software to work with.
- MIDI Basic Guide.
- Midi Keyboards by Brand.
Some comments from people who come to the forum about this model:
Comment:
The first Swissonic ControlKey 88 that came in my studio from Thomann ended up being problem.
No aftertouch with all the keybooard except pads.
No option to assign MIDI cc manually utilizing the master fader (The 9th one)
Thomann replace immediatly the problem unit with another.
Great ! Keys Aftertouch works now.
But I can find in any manner to program my own midi cc to the master fader (S09)
It works with pre-programmed DAW setups (Cubase, ProTools, Logic) but if wish to duplicate among those pre-programmed setups to a person bank or program manually a unique cc to this fader. It is not working. Bug ? (firmware of my product is v1.17)Pros:- Robust, solid ans stable structure. The keyboard shall maybe not move on your desktop.
– Good semi-weighted key touch impression. Key sensitivity is high but tweakable.
– pads are solid and velocity/polypressure sensitive and painful
– Those blue led lignts give a pretty look and are also helpful with rotative pots whre a a led explains come in the middle of the course (pan pot)
– you can alter parameters of each and every pads (note, channel?) choose a few velocity/polypressure modes. Hold and roll modes.
– DAW pre-programmed setups appear working up to now. The« was tested by me personally; Cubase Scene » with Mackie Control device setup packed into Cubase computer software. The Swissonic can send and receive DAW midi messages on an additional virtual midi port and then reflect some DAW states (play, rec, ?)
– the USB power of the computer (iMac her) ended up being enough for the keyboard. No need of outside Power Adapter.
Cons:
– Toggle switches aren’t super easy to try out with. In the event that you click just a long time time (half an extra or more) about it, the value increment/decrement of 2 or even more?
– the modwheel rubs a bit that is little metal framework of the keyboard. The modification of pieces are a little bit approx.
– The rotattive faders are a little that is small to? turn. They’ve been unusable at that time that is same play (as cutoff parameter for instance). These are more DAW control oriented.
– the manual is quite incomplete. there are lots of things undocumented.
– it seems impossible to copy DAW presets into user banking institutions without loose some parameters.
– no way to plan master fader (S09)
Comment:
I use this keyboard with Fruity Loops and many plug ins. At first glance it absolutely was heavy, a significant load of binding knobs/buttons, exploring and learning. My previous keyboard had only keys and nothing else, it is update that is groundbreaking me. Midi and energy cable just isn’t included but it is powered by usb port. I would not give this to your 10 year old child, unless she is super intelligent genius, however it is versatile tool that require some time to install it to your needs.
+ Bargain price.
+ Keys feel fine to acoustic piano player, I ended up being expecting a great deal even worse.
+ Pitch and modulation knob are excellent quality.
– Drumpads need some serious punching, light touch doesn’t register. My cheap akai lpd8 does better job than this.
– the rest of the knobs/buttons are cheap synthetic and they have actually ugly snap noise when pushed. E1-E8 knobs have specially experiencing that is awful. This system will be better without those knobs…
– Quality isn’t constant. My B key feels embarrassingly different than other people. Not much, but it is here.
If you plan getting this, do not worry, my review appears even worse than it’s. This may be your absolute best shot for spending plan house studio.
Swissonic ControlKey 88 vs Novation Impulse 61
What will you find in this post?
The keyboard Swissonic ControlKey 88is usually 84 € cheaper than Novation Impulse 61.
And then a video of the keyboard
Swissonic ControlKey 88 | Novation Impulse 61 |
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And then a video of the keyboardNovation Impulse 61
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Novation Impulse 61 review
Swissonic ControlKey 88 vs M-Audio Keystation 88 MkII
The keyboard Swissonic ControlKey 88 is usually 100 € more expensive than M-Audio Keystation 88 MkII.
And then a video of the keyboard
Swissonic ControlKey 88 | M-Audio Keystation 88 MkII |
|---|---|
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And then a video of the keyboardM-Audio Keystation 88 MkII
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the M-Audio Keystation 88 MkII review
Swissonic ControlKey 88 vs Novation Impulse 49
The keyboard Swissonic ControlKey 88 is usually 27 € more expensive than Novation Impulse 49, but the difference is so small that this can vary..
And then a video of the keyboard
Swissonic ControlKey 88 | Novation Impulse 49 |
|---|---|
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And then a video of the keyboardNovation Impulse 49
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Novation Impulse 49 review
Swissonic ControlKey 88 vs Novation Launchkey 49 Mk2
The keyboard Swissonic ControlKey 88 is usually 54 € more expensive than Novation Launchkey 49 Mk2.
And then a video of the keyboard
Swissonic ControlKey 88 | Novation Launchkey 49 Mk2 |
|---|---|
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And then a video of the keyboardNovation Launchkey 49 Mk2
If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Novation Launchkey 49 Mk2 review
Where to buy the keyboard Swissonic ControlKey 88
Thomann
- Free Shipping.
- Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
- 100% reliable payment.
- Leader in trouble-free shipping.
- Usually Best price.
- Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.
Amazon
- Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
- Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
- Sometimes better price.
- He’s got worse stock than Thomann.
Also look at these models with a similar price and features:
- Novation Launchkey Mini MK3
- Akai MPK mini Mk2
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