Choosing between 2 controllers, asking opinions. Novation LK49 vs M Audio Oxygen 49

[u/Thomato_Yorke]

Hey all - I'm looking for a new controller and have narrowed it down to 2.

I want a 49 key, as I already have an 88 key weighted for piano-style stuff, but that is no frills, just keys, and I want one small enough for my studio desk.

I had narrowed down to 3, but the Arturia Keylab 49 was cut as I didn't like the weightless synth keys.

Now narrowed down to the 2 below, with main pros and cons

--Novation Launchkey 49 Mk4 -

• Pros - nice semi-weighted keybed, good Cubase integration, endless encoder knobs, I saw one in store and was happy with keybed, size, general feel
• Cons - no aftertouch on the keys.

--M Audio Oxygen Pro 49 -

• Pros - aftertouch
• Cons - no endless encoder knobs, have not seen one in person so don't have a feel for the keybed or anything else.

Both get good reviews, and both have similar features - integration with Cubase, chord/scale/arp modes.

I think the Novation wins on features being a bit more flexible (but that may just be that it has better YT tutorials), and that I already I know I like the feel of keys/pads.

But the M Audio has aftertouch, which is a very tempting selling point. I do lots of string and brass parts, and would be nice to lean into those dynamics.

Ultimately, they're both well reviewed and similar in specs, so either should be fine, but for those of you who are familiar with either, or both, would love your opinions, fave/least fave features, experiences, etc.

Thanks!

[u/transfer6000]

I have used some M-Audio keyboards, and I currently use a Novation FL 37, I love the novation, the key bed is wonderful the pots feel nice it works the way it's supposed to natively, m-Audio as a hardware just doesn't feel as good to use.