Nektar Panorama P4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration - 49-Key Music Production Keyboard for Ableton, Logic Pro & FL Studio - Perfect for Home Studio Recording & Live Performances (White)

I have only good things to say about this controller. However, my use case may be unlike that of many readers, so some background is in order:First off, I'm using the P6 with Ableton Live 9, not Reason. Actually, I think of this as a selling point for Nektar, that the device is perfectly useable in any environment, and can be deeply integrated. The Nektar website provides templates for various DAWs if such integration is desired.Secondly, I'm using the P6 almost exclusively as a MIDI/VST controller, not a DAW controller. So I can't comment on certain functions, particularly the transport controls and motorized fader. This may not be a general sentiment, but I think it's a valid perspective: In my opinion, a 61-key controller is better thought of as a controller rather than a live arrangement or DAW control device, especially with Live+Push or Maschine serving those roles just about perfectly. So I bought this device for keys, wheels, faders, and vel curve/cc mapping and editing and all that fun controller stuff.So although it's billed as a dedicated tool for Reason-based dubstep/trance/dnb creation, I'm using it in another DAW in very different styles, which if anything should simply reassure the reader that this is a versatile, professional product. So, moving on.The Nektar P6 is replacing a 17 year old Roland XP-50 as my main controller, and working alongside a Roland XV-88 which I still turn to for dedicated playing and difficult sequences. A brief pause out of respect for the XP-50, which is still one of the finest controllers available.Overall build quality:The unit feels sturdy and generally well-constructed. Nothing shifts or rattles, nothing flexes, and it is definitely not light or flimsy. The case itself is entirely plastic, but satisfyingly chunky and durable (also quite handsome, in my opinion). I'll cover each interface component individually below, but in general, they mostly feel good, with the exceptions of the fader travel (loose) and the MPC-style pads (definitely not up to par with Maschine).Interface and control:The TFT is extremely bright and clear. Without checking the manual, I was able to get the CC assignments and velocity curve I wanted and save that to a new default profile in a couple minutes without a single problem or complaint. That's not about as intuitive as it gets, that actually is as intuitive as it gets. Full marks and a heartfelt "thank you" to Nektar for the internal interface.Wheels:The P6 has the nicest modwheel I've ever used. It's not the impossible paradise that is the wooden pitchbend control on the Nord Lead 2, but for my purposes, I actually like it better. All of the controls on the P6 have a silky rubberized or textured coating (except the rubber buttons), and that texture in the divot and the overall motion and response of the wheel are an astonishingly high-quality combination. I am doing mostly orchestral work, where the modwheel typically controls dynamics and gets quite a workout on every layer to add realism. It's really a joy to use, every time.Faders:The closest thing to a weak point on the P6 is the faders (the main bank on the left side, not the motorized thing). The caps themselves are allright, but the stems rock around quite a bit and the travel is fairly grainy, nothing like the smooth ride of the modwheel, and nothing like the action on older workstation faders. Neither of these problems are something you'd really notice if you're working in a studio, as there's no way they'd distract you from the music. But, objectively speaking, in the context of controllers, these are not particularly strong faders, and are just about the only reason I can't give the P6 the 5 stars it otherwise deserves.Buttons:All of the buttons are made of a heavy rubber that does not deform much, but is pleasingly tactile. Menu selectors and DAW transport keys are also backlit, which is extremely helpful. Although there is some rocking in the larger buttons (transport, mostly), all buttons get forced into a clean vertical travel when depressed and land solidly if you bottom out. Generally high quality and more than serviceable, very nice.Pads:The pads are "fine". They are dense, and have a nice texture. They feel very tight, and don't wobble or have any obvious issues with pressure on the corners or anything like that. They feel pretty nice. However, it has to be said, they are definitely short of the standard set by Maschine. They don't feel as nice under the fingers (to me), they are definitely less tactile and also less accurate and responsive. I'm sure, however, that a talented player can use them perfectly well. But again, objectively, it's easy to point to better pads. But this isn't a mark against the P6 so much as a reason to consider keeping your Maschine/MPC/whatever that has dedicated pads, as the P6 pads definitely do work on their own.Keys:Now, to me, this is pretty much the centerpiece of a controller. But in the forum discussions I could find about the P6, not a single person mentioned or even asked about keys! I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm especially not sure what to make of it when you consider that the P6 has incredible keys, and is really the only device of its kind I'm aware of in this category.The P6 has semi-weighted, "piano" style (as opposed to "diving board"/traditional synth style) keys. Semi-weighted means different things between manufacturers, with the major differentiator being that the keys don't extend past a pivot as they do in a fully-weighted keyboard or in a real piano. That aside, there have graded action, a soft bottom-out, and a tight, very responsive but not "excited" keyboard.Overall, their quality is exceptional. The materials themselves feel wonderful, particularly the brushed, more tactile approach taken on the matte black keys. The action is glass-smooth and the bottom of travel is not a plastic WHACK, and not quite the WHUMF of a fully-weighted bed, but pretty nice. They are very tight and do allow for good velocity control, in general.The keys look a tiny bit short in the pictures, and they are in fact about 3/4" shorter than the keys on the XV-88. This, coupled with being semi-weighted and possibly having something to do with their unusual and high positioning, results in a more immediate travel, with less fine control in the middle or upper portion of the key. So although they are generally fine and very accurate, soft-dynamic playing of any complexity may result in some weird variation as some notes go down way harder or softer than you'd be used to on a real piano. It does take a little getting used to.For average chords or sequence work, these keys are basically the Cadillac of available options right now, handily blowing past offerings from M-Audio and Novation that I am familiar with, easily competing with affordable workstations. For more detailed, live recording, they are still exceptional, although may require some getting used to. For dedicated piano performance, I would strongly recommend just getting a proper, fully-weighted 88-key controller, definitely including B-stock workstations from Roland/Yamaha/Korg. You wouldn't expect an affordable 61-key controller to compete with a dedicated 88-key behemoth, and well, it doesn't. But it does excel at everything else and does make a truly amazing day-to-day controller.Conclusion:With an extremely intuitive and powerful internal interface, exceptional construction quality, magnificient keys, arguably the greatest modwheel of all time, and inspiring, exotic looks to boot, the P6 seems an easy and somewhat obvious choice for a day-to-day studio controller. For anybody on the fence about this product because there isn't much information on forums about playability or non-Reason usage, I don't think you'll be at all disappointed after taking the plunge.It gets one star dinged for dropping the ball a bit on the faders, perhaps overextending itself as the expense of maintaining its otherwise very high standard of quality across all components. But in practice, it is exceptional. I smile every time I see it and have nothing but positive things to say when it's in use.