The SE49 from Nektar is a simple plug-and-play MIDI keyboard that covers all the basics. It features a stylish red accent on the bottom panel - subtle and tasteful - reflecting the boldness of my music visually without being a distraction.

This is a minimalist keyboard when it comes to controls, sporting only 4 buttons (Octave Up/Down, Transpose Up/Down) and a 30 mm volume fader. This is a bit of a letdown for me where other options give you more. But at this price, you can't expect too much.

On a higher note, the included modulation wheel and fader are MIDI assignable. It even comes with a pedal input jack that can take a sustain pedal or switch that's also MIDI assignable.

Where this keyboard lacks in control options, it makes up for it with its smooth synth-action velocity sensitive keys. It has full-sized keys, a pleasant surprise at this price point.

Also with its 4 options of velocity curves (and 3 fixed ones), it didn't take too long to cozy up to one that suited my playstyle.

The SE49 is all about simplicity. Great feeling keys at a great price. I see this working well for beginning producers and keyboardists that want to focus on their keyboard playing or for someone who already has another MIDI controller that can be relegated to DAW operation.

So if you simply want a quality 49-key keyboard you can hook up to your laptop without breaking the bank, this is the one I recommend.

Tech Specs

• Keys: 49 Full-size, Synth action with 4 x Velocity Curves, 3 x Fixed
• Pads: No
• Arpeggiator: No
• Motorized Controls: No
• Bundled Software: Bitwig Studio 8-track
• Power: USB powered.
• Connectivity: USB and TRS input for sustain pedal.
• Control Hardware Directly: No
• Compatibility: OS X 10.8.5 or later + Windows 7 SP1 or later
• Dimensions: 31.69" x 7.75" x 2.71"
• Weight 4.85 lbs.

Despite its fully decked-out offerings of drum pads, faders, buttons, and knobs, the Arturia Keylab Essential 49 is actually Arturia's simpler 49-key MIDI controller! Calling this keyboard "essential" is quite a modest humblebrag considering its feature set as surely its bells and whistles are above and beyond what anyone would call merely essential.

Where it does lose to its higher-priced, higher-tier cousin, the Keylab 49 Mark 2, is its slightly more delicate build, and fewer inputs, outputs, pads and control options. It also doesn't have aftertouch in the keys. This is not to say at all that the Essential is a flawed instrument - just a more affordable (almost half the price), lighter, and less road-worthy option from Arturia that doesn't sacrifice too much when it comes to features.

The velocity and pressure-sensitive pads feel soft in a pleasing way, mushier than my MPC Studio (which has a very rigid feel) but still very playable, inspiring and responsive. Finger drummer approved!

As expected from Arturia, the Keylab Essential 49 works flawlessly with their hardware and software instruments. It even has a dedicated mode to control Arturia's included Analog Lab software. DAW integration is very good as well also sporting an entire mode dedicated to DAW control. This notably includes good integration with Ableton - no easy feat due to Ableton's unique characteristics as a DAW.

The Arturia Keylab Essential 49 also comes with a standard 5-pin MIDI output - quite essential (no pun intended) for control over hardware synths or standalone MIDI sound modules.

On a more critical note, the lightweight nature and less than tank-like body of the Essential 49 lends itself to some serious compromises when it comes to stage performance use. In live settings, the Essential 49 is susceptible to knocks and bumps activating wrong notes and other errors much akin to the cross-talk issues that plague many lower-quality MIDI pad controllers.

As impressive as the Essential 49 is with its feature set, I do find the keys to be extremely soft-action, to the point that playing with any kind of dynamics is a challenging affair for me. If you're classically trained and more used to a typical acoustic piano action, you might find yourself having to change your technique entirely for this keyboard. A young and very talented keyboardist I collaborate with often, Ezra Jehu Bañez plays with the 61 key version of the Essential, he likes the key feel very much but he's been a keyboardist all his life so soft-action keys are pretty much his jam. Just keep this in mind if you're considering the Arturia Keylab Essential 49. The Arturia Keystep Pro is another noteworthy option from the same brand.

So if you want a lightweight, fully-featured keyboard for control, composition, beat-making, and production, the Arturia Keylab Essential 49 is a formidable contender you should definitely pay attention to.

Tech Specs

• Keys: 49 Velocity-sensitive. Synth Action
• Pads: 8 x back-lit, pressure-sensitive performance pads
• Arpeggiator: No.
• Motorized Controls: No.
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live 9 Lite, UVI Grand Piano Model D, Analog Lab V
• Power: 9V DC power supply (sold separately) / USB bus powered
• Connectivity: USB, 5-pin MIDI out, 1 x TRS input for expression pedal, and footswitch or sustain pedal input.
• Control Hardware Directly: Yes
• Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.6 or later + Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista.
• Dimensions: 30.9" " x 9.7" " x 2.9"
• Weight 6.6 lbs.

The Keylab 49 Mark II takes what's great with the Keylab Essential 49 but adds more, more, more.

More tanky aluminum build, and premium keybed with aftertouch based on the top-of-the-line Arturia MatrixBrute. There are also lots more inputs and outputs, 4 extra pads, longer throw faders, additional chord banks, and more savable presets and controls.

But if you want the upgrades the Keylab 49 Mark II offers over the Keylab Essential you'll also have to pay more - over 2 times more. It also weighs over twice as much.

That's not to say this 49-key isn't worth it. Sporting more features across the board, those with a larger budget would be wise to look towards the Keylab 49 mark 2. One thing to consider though is the Essential is lighter and has a slightly more compact form factor. I can see some players prioritizing portability and compactness over better build quality and the added features that the Keylab possesses.

Like the Essential, the shining star of the included software is the latest version of Analog Lab, which has over 6,500 presets of pianos, organs, and of course - synths. This makes playing virtual instruments a breeze.

Additionally, it has a MIDI In apart from the MIDI Out, one CV input, and 4 CV outputs – pitch, gate, and two mod outputs which allow the Keylab 49 MkII to be a bridge between your hardware and computer forming the centerpiece of your hybrid studio setup.

It allows for pitch bend and other expressive note manipulation techniques.

If you want a premium 49-key MIDI keyboard controller that has all the niceties and works great with Arturia MIDI music software and hardware - get the Keylab 49 Mark 2. If you still want to be in the expansive universe of Arturia but want something more transportable, have a smaller budget, and don't mind taking a small hit in features and build quality - take a peek at the Essential 49.

Tech Specs

• Keys: 49 semi weighted keys, velocity sensitive with aftertouch.
• Pads: 16 x Back-lit RGB Performance Pads
• Arpeggiator: No.
• Motorized Controls: No
• Bundled Software: Arturia Analog Lab V Ableton Live Lite, Piano V 2, Arturia MIDI Control Center
• Power: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
• Connectivity: USB, 1 x 1/4" (sustain), 1 x 1/4" (expression), 3 x 1/4" (aux), MIDI In/Out/USB, 1 x 1/8" (CV in), 4 x 1/8" (CV out, Gate out, Mod 1, Mod 2)
• Control Hardware Directly: Yes
• Compatibility: OS X 10.10 or later + Windows 7 SP1 or later
• Dimensions: 31.2" " x 11.7" " x 2.1"
• Weight 13.8 lbs.