Studiologic VMK-188 Plus 88-Key Master Controller 

Comments about Studiologic VMK-188 Plus 88-Key Master Controller:

I fell in love with the idea of owning this unit more than actually owning it. I originally purchased it in 2007, and since then, the following thing have failed:

- pitch/mod wheel spring no longer springs back properly to neutral position after use
- 5 keys make very audible spring sqeaks
- the onboard channel management firmware no long operates and screen remains blank
- the velocity gradient is not consistent throughout all keys, which can be very noticeable when using certain sample libraries

It's important to understand that all these occurred AFTER I had already replaced the unit once, which makes me question the general craftsmanship of the VMK-188 plus. Thankfully none of these issues actually prevented me using the keyboard 5 years later, though it certainly makes me regret my choice.

The feel of the and drop of the weighed keys is quite nice, and was the major factor in choosing this keyboard. However, this feel doesn't transfer as expected when triggering samples. The controller aspect of this unit is pretty uninspiring in my opinion - very generic knobs and sliders.

This unit is deceptive and to be avoided in my opinion. Perhaps the Numa as better construction.

Comments about Studiologic VMK-188 Plus 88-Key Master Controller:

As a disclaimer, I went through TWO Studiologic VMK-188 Plus keyboards, thinking the first one was a bad unit, and both of them functioned identically. In a sentence, you might as well just get a decent digital piano: the keys are the only feature that actually works. The pitch-bend and modulation stick is, I assume, included for looks only -- first of all, half the time the spring doesn't even pull it back to neutral position, so if you're bending downward, and you let go of the bend, the note will hang slightly flat. And the pitch bend and modulation stick sends MIDI updates in absurdly large increments, so unless you're doing really quick little flicks of the joystick, you hear an obnoxious stair-stepping effect.The knobs and sliders send consecutive MIDI CC values, but sometimes they'll stop at 126 instead of 127, or conversely, they'll bottom out at 1 instead of 0.My second keyboard even started sending a bunch of nonexistent MIDI sustain pedal "up" signals.

Comments about Studiologic VMK-188 Plus 88-Key Master Controller:

I'd spent almost a year trying to hunt down the right midi controller for me. I'd initially been drawn to M-audio, Yamaha, Novation, Kurzweil and other brands. I had seen Fatar's Studio Logic series and ignored them because of their logo which looked a bit cheesy when compared with the other brands. Eventually I was desperate to find what I was looking for so I went and checked out every brand one last time before I made my decision. I realized from researching and comparing specs and other user reviews on forums and retail stores that the Studio Logic series, in particular the VMK 188 Master Controller, may very well be the midi controller for me. I wasn't able to try the controller before I bought it (I live in Canada and there is a lack of availability for midi controllers in my area) but I decided to order it and planned on returning it if it wasn't as good as it was supposed to be. I got it in about a week, and frankly, it was amazingAs far as it feeling like an authentic grand piano, the action on this thing is as good, if not better than any Kurzweil or Yamaha I've tried that's in the same price range. My friends have a Roland RD-700GX and frankly I find the action on the VMK-188 to be slightly superior.Fatar's GHA (graded hammer action) makes a fair difference in the action as well.The 8 programmable knobs, sliders and buttons work nicely and the ability to customize 30 different midi presets can be very useful.As far as the quality goes, the keyboards shell is made of metal. I haven't yet taken it to a gig yet, but it certainly feels like it can take somewhat of a beating. The keys, knobs, sliders, buttons and mod/pitch joystick are decent, but not the best of the best. That being said, they function quite nicely.This company does not advertise themselves very well in North America from what I can tell, or at least not in Canada. You have to search specifically to even find.I think also the value for this product is quite good, even considering the import charge I had to fork out for shipment of it Canada. You can pay allot more for a Kurzweil product that, in my opinion, doesn't feel as good as the SL VMK188 does. You can pay $3000 - $4000 for a digital stage piano that feels as nice, but has less buttons and has all the samples that you probably already have in your computer if you're looking for a midi controller specifically.Overall, this controller is definitely worth taking a look at If you want a keyboard with lots of versatility and that has amazing action and midi control options.One other note: don't judge the quality of a music product from their logo... Studio Logic doesn't win you over with it's choice logo design, they win you over with their amazing products.

Comments about Studiologic VMK-188 Plus 88-Key Master Controller:

From all the keyboards I have owned before (9) this is my fifth keyboard-controller. (previously - Studiologic, CME-UF8, M-Audio.)Regarding the ?touch?/weight and the action of the keys - (and this is exactly what I was looking for) - this is most definitely the best keyboard-controller so far. Because its velocity sensors are marvelously balanced (positioned?), this keyboard works exceptionally well with sounds of non-fixed velocity (e.g. strings or piano); however, the keyboard doesn?t seems ?heavy? after switching sounds into instrument of fixed velocity (e.g. organ). Because of the keys? ?touch?/weight I would recommend this keyboard to all students learning to play piano, who cannot afford a real piano (upright or a ?grand?). As for the controls - I don?t have too much of experience in this matter and I?m finding them somewhat confusing. The user manual is a very basic one and doesn?t help much, e.g. I still haven?t found out if I can split the keyboard. If anybody knows how to do it - please let me know....As for the quality - this is yet to be seen. So far, after two month, I?m very happy. I?m using this keyboard at work (live performances - solo and with a band, including production shows) and at home (recording and playing). Sound modules: Kurzweil Micro Ensemble (GREAT pianos!) and Roland VK-8M.Please forgive me my English; I?m doing my best but English is not my first language....- Eugene(pianist/organist; 40 years in music -[classical and all ?other kinds/styles?]- professionally)

Comments about Studiologic VMK-188 Plus 88-Key Master Controller:

If you are sick of all the cheap chinese actions this is the answer. It feels great. I got it because I read the keyboard mag review and they were right, "best finger to music connection". I wish you could upload presets by usb, and I wish the velocity curve was adjustable, but it was easy to get the transport working with DP and I couldn't live without the feel.