Nektar Impact GXP88

After trying all the 4 major 88-key semi weighted contenders in this price range (M-Audio Keystation 88 mk3, Arturia KeyLab Essential 88, Nektar LX88+, Nektar GXP88) I can easily say that the GXP88 finally nails the semi-weighted key feel. LX88+ was a good second but the infamous black key issue just didn't make the cut (they just had really weird feel to them which made it really hard to play anything soft, you get no sound at all or too high velocity).

So I got my hands on the GXP88 and I was like YES finally! It took all the good things about the LX88+ keybed and just made it even more solid and the black keys finally feel balanced in terms of weight and velocity. I've been using Kurzweil PC3 for over a decade as my main board and I love the semi-weighted feel of it, so I was looking for something similar feel for my studio and I can safely say that the GXP88 is the closest one you get in terms of that. The keys have very natural feeling weight and doesn't feel springy, yet is still able to keep it really responsive and easy to play fast passages. Also having aftertouch (as the Kurzweil PC3) it has this similar feel of the keys when you press them down, they stop nicely but still has that extra "cushioning" that lets you dig in and trigger aftertouch, I personally love that feel even if it wouldn't even have aftertouch.

What comes to the M-Audio Keystation 88 mk3 and Arturia KeyLab Essential 88, if you wan't solid semi-weighted feel don't bother. The Arturia one had okay feel but it really is just springy synth action with piano looking keys, also the keys feel like they dig too deep which made fast playing feel awkward and clunky. And the M-Audio one just honestly felt like a cheap toy (sorry M-Audio), I wouldn't recommend it for anything, the keys have awful super stiff spring feel (think of a hand gripper but made for a finger), I would rather take decent normal synth action than the one the M-Audio Keystation 88 mk3 had.

Hopefully this helps someone who is struggling with the choice like I was.

TL;DR: Get the GXP88, you won't be disappointed. Best semi-weighted action at this price range.

After reading various reviews online, I chose GXP88 to build my home studio. The controller is nice at this price range, as a pianist I like the semi-weight keys and they allow me to create balanced velocity among black and white keys. I agree it is a bit light but the finishing is accurate and responsive. Features like aftertouch is good here too. Noticed that each key is smaller in size than a piano if it is a concern. The only thing I hope to have is faders built with the keyboard, but frankly speaking I would prefer buying fader and knobs control externally if having them means scarifying the natural weight and spongy touching.

I purchased this keyboard together with K&M 18953 Digital Piano Stand. With the stand set at the lowest height, the stand and the keyboard fit perfectly under a 73cm-high desk (measured from the bottom of the surface board). Hope it helps those who are looking for a home studio set up. Highly recommended for those looking for a cheaper option in full-range midi controllers.

Coming from playing on a Yamaha fully weighted hammer action electric piano the keys do feel very light. But this was not a surprise and I am still quite impressed for what you get for your money. Velocity and aftertouch work well and It integrates extremely good with my DAW of choice (Presonus Studio One 6). It also supports all the other major DAW's on the market. Setup was a breeze and was playing on it minutes after unboxing. It is large length wise, but what do you expect for a full 88 keys. After registration on the nektar website you have a selection of software you can download, but I only wanted it to use with my current DAW so did not bother looking at any of it yet. At this price entry point I don't see anything I can really fault with it.

Den guten Bewertungen hier folgend, habe ich mir das GXP88 bestellt, aber leider ist das nix. Gut schaut es ja aus, und das Gewicht ist auch beeindruckend. Nette Beleuchtung an den Knöppen. Das war es dann aber auch schon. Optisch im ersten Moment ansprechend, ist bei genauem Hinsehen aber klar, dass ein so preiswertes (billiges?) Gerät ernsthafte Schwächen hat: Die Tasten sind horizontal wackelig, die Abstände der einzelnen Tasten zueinander haben unterschiedliche Spaltmaße und die gesamte Länge der Tasten ist kürzer, als bei einem normalen Piano.
Liegt vielleicht daran, dass ich von den gewichteten Tasten, die ich bisher gespielt habe, verwöhnt bin, aber die sehr leichten Tasten hier streben mit zunehmendem Tastendruck gewaltig nach oben und ruhen nicht in gedrückter Lage. Dadurch habe ich immer einen permanenten Gegendruck, der mich nervt.
Für reine Synthiespieler ist das GXP88 als Drittgerät ok, es hat ja auch ein paar echte Vorteile, wie bspw. Aftertouch oder auch die Nektarine Software, die wirklich gelungen ist. Dennoch, über knappe (!) 3 Sterne schafft es das Teil bei mir nicht.