Alesis VX49 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Discontinued)

86
GEARANK

86 out of 100. Incorporating 40+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$320
Alesis VX49 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

The VX49 features a 4.3" full color high-resolution display screen that allows you to directly manage your DAW and virtual instruments plug-ins. It allows you to load up different synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines like a standalone workstation keyboard.

This MIDI controller also includes Virtual Instrument Player (VIP) software that integrates with your computer and allows you to filter, select, and preview patches of any stored VST plug-ins.

Key features:

  • Keys: 49 velocity and pressure-sensitive keys
  • Pads: 8 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads, multicolor-backlit, 8 assignable button pads, blue-backlit
  • Arpeggiator: Yes
  • Motorized Controls: No
  • Octaves: 10-octave range with Octave Down/Up buttons
  • Bundled Software: Ableton Live Lite, Vacuum Pro, Loom, Hybrid 3, Xpand!2, Velvet, Transfuser, Eighty Eight Ensemble
  • Power: USB or VDC, 500 mA
  • Connectivity: 1 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS expression pedal input, 1 1/4” (6.35 mm) TS sustain pedal input, 1 5-pin MIDI input, 1 5-pin MIDI output, 1 USB port, 1 power adapter input
  • Control Hardware Directly: Yes
  • Compatibility: Ableton Live Lite, Vacuum Pro, Loom, Hybrid 3, Xpand!2, Velvet, Transfuser, Eighty Eight Ensemble
  • Dimensions: 37.6” x 12.4” x 5.5”
  • Weight 9.5 lbs.

The VIP software that comes with the controller exceeded reviewers' expectations once they set it up with their DAW. They found it great for organizing patches, VSTs and other effects. A lot of musicians said its keybed was very responsive and felt natural when played. Most reviewers found the knobs, pads and buttons to be very rigid and responsive even though they are made out of plastic.

This is overall a great investment for serious producers or keyboard players that prefer a controller that also acts as a workstation.

It's an older keyboard which is difficult to find selling new these days, so you might want to look at the alternatives we recommend in our guide to The Best 49 Key MIDI Controller Keyboards.