Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH grey

The best controller keyboard out there

I understand Hans Zimmer uses this controller keyboard in his studios. Though is is probably more elegantly built into his furniture.

The keyboard inside is a Fatar and I believe it has three different resistance levels in the low mid and high ranges. I used to have a Nord Piano 88 purely for the way the keybaord responded to touch but I never use the piano sounds. I only wnated it because it felt right under the fingers. Eventually I found out that the Doepfer LMK4+ had nearly the same keybed and so took the plunge.

Really very happy with it replacing my Nord Piano as a controller. The keybed is better because of the three-way split on the keyboard rather than two for the Nord Piano, from what I understand. Also it doesn't have that grindy crunch when pressing down the keys on cheaper controllers. For instance my experience with the M-Audio Keystation was not good. The keys all had a heavy resistance that felt clunky and difficult and not particularly piano-like. Of course the price-difference is a factor, but if using an 88 key controller keyboard day-in-day-out the LMK4+ is an excellent workhorse.

The only one minor flaw is the power supply. It is a European plug, so a converter is needed or a replacement power supply. Also the power input on the back of the unit is non-standard, using an XLR type connector. But once set up and working who cares.