Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Drums Week 25
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Guitar Amps
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Artist news
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Santana on Beck
  • Friday, I'm in Love
  • Knopfler's 4-note secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Recommended reading
nektar
Tech "The MIDI keyboard that goes beyond MIDI": Nektar introduces Mk3 versions of its Impact LX range of MIDI controller keyboards
Alesis Strata Prime electronic drum set in a blue room
Electronic Drums Best Alesis electronic drum sets 2025: My pick of Alesis electronic drums for beginners to pros
Arturia AstroLab
Synths Arturia’s new 88 key AstroLab finally realises the full potential of the ‘avant-garde’ stage keyboard
Zildjan Alchem-e Kit
Drums Zildjian Alchem-e Kits at Drums Week 2025: The feel of real drums meets limitless electronic expression – redefine your sound
Alesis Strata Club
Electronic Drums “There is no question that there’s enough quality audio here to cater for every musical taste and presents a massive amount of editing options”: Alesis Strata Club review
Arturia MicroLab Mk3
Midi Controllers “A quality, backpack-friendly controller that's under £50”: Arturia MicroLab Mk3 review
Novation Launch Control XL 3
Midi Controllers “New look, features and MIDI out – this is a big update we truly rate”: Novation Launch Control XL 3 review
  1. Tech
  2. Midi Controllers

Alesis releases new V and VI keyboard controllers

News
By Will Groves ( Future Music, Computer Music ) published 6 November 2014

All the models in both ranges also feature trigger pads

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Alesis VI25

Alesis VI25

Alesis has released its V and VI keyboard controllers, all of which also feature trigger pads. Announced at NAMM 2014, these are available as of now.

The V series keyboards offer velocity-sensitive keys with 8 drum/trigger pads, while the VI range adds semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and 16 multi-colour illuminated pads.

Each of the V and VI series keyboards also ships with Ableton Live Lite, Xpand!2 from Air Music Tech and an accompanying software editor.

You can find out more about each of the new keyboards in our gallery, starting with the Alesis VI25 (pictured above).

Alesis V and VI press release

The performance-oriented V Series offers expressive hands-on control for the software musician. The step-up VI Series provides increased control for the keyboard performer. Both series include a Software Preset/Parameter utility that makes setup a snap.

The new Alesis V Series (V61, V49, V25) combine velocity-sensitive keys with eightdrum/trigger pads, allowing virtual instruments to be played with dynamic expression. Cool blue LEDs illuminate the pads—as well as the four assignable knobs and buttons—for positive visibility. Assignments may be made quickly via the MIDI Learn feature. Octave shift keys provide access to the entire note range. A single USB cable provides both a power and data connection to nearly any computer.

The VI Series (VI61, VI49, VI25) add semi-weighted keys and aftertouch. The pad count hasbeen increased to 16, with multi-color illumination. This layout provides intensivecommand over the clip trigger workflow of top DAW and compositional software. The internal clock offers drum roll, tempo, and sync capabilities. An optional power supply and a standard MIDI output allow for stand-alone use.

Alesis V Series Highlights:

  • Full size, flat-front keys (25, 49, or 61)
  • Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels
  • 8 Pads with blue LED illumination
  • 4 Assignable knobs and buttons
  • Sustain pedal input
  • USB MIDI

Alesis VI Series Highlights:

  • Full size, flat-front keys (25, 49, or 61)
  • Semi-weighted keys with Aftertouch
  • Pitch Bend & Modulation Wheels
  • 16 Pads with Multi-color LED illumination
  • VI25: 8 knobs, 24 buttons
  • VI49: 12 knobs, 36 buttons
  • VI61: 16 knobs, 48 buttons
  • Transport and Present up/down buttons:
  • Sustain pedal input
  • USD MIDI, MIDI Out

Alesis VI25 Specs

  • 25 full-sized, square-front, semi-weighted keys with aftertouch
  • 16 multi-color RGB backlit pads respond to both velocity and pressure
  • Designed for hands-on control of your DAW as well as plug-ins and instruments
  • 8 assignable knobs; 24 assignable buttons
  • Pitch & Mod wheels deliver expressive, creative control
  • Seamless visual feedback; LCD screen and illuminated buttons/knobs
  • Single USB cable provides both power and MIDI data
  • Includes Ableton™ Live Lite Alesis Edition & MIDI editor software
Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Alesis VI49

Alesis VI49

  • 49 full-sized, square-front, semi-weighted keys with aftertouch
  • 16 multi-color RGB backlit pads respond to both velocity and pressure
  • Designed for hands-on control of your DAW as well as plug-ins and instruments
  • 12 assignable knobs, 36 assignable buttons
  • Pitch & Mod wheels deliver expressive, creative control
  • Seamless visual feedback; LCD screen and illuminated buttons/knobs
  • Single USB cable provides both power and MIDI data
  • Includes Ableton™ Live Lite Alesis Edition & MIDI editor software
Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Alesis VI61

Alesis VI61

  • 61 full-sized, square-front, semi-weighted keys with aftertouch
  • 16 multi-color RGB backlit pads respond to both velocity and pressure
  • Designed for hands-on control of your DAW as well as plug-ins and instruments
  • 16 assignable knobs, 48 assignable buttons
  • Pitch & Mod wheels deliver expressive, creative control
  • Seamless visual feedback; LCD screen and illuminated buttons/knobs
  • Single USB cable provides both power and MIDI data
  • Includes Ableton™ Live Lite Alesis Edition & MIDI editor software
Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Alesis V25

Alesis V25

  • 25 full-sized, square-front keys
  • 8 LED backlit pads respond to both velocity and pressure
  • Perfect for controlling plug-ins and virtual instruments
  • 4 assignable knobs; 4 assignable buttons
  • Pitch & Mod wheels deliver expressive, creative control
  • Seamless visual feedback via illuminated buttons/knobs
  • Single USB cable provides both power and MIDI data
  • Includes Ableton™ Live Lite Alesis Edition & MIDI editor software
Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Alesis V49

Alesis V49

  • 49 full-sized, square-front keys
  • 8 LED backlit pads respond to both velocity and pressure
  • Perfect for controlling plug-ins and virtual instruments
  • 4 assignable knobs; 4 assignable buttons
  • Pitch & Mod wheels deliver expressive, creative control
  • Seamless visual feedback via illuminated buttons/knobs
  • Single USB cable provides both power and MIDI data
  • Includes Ableton™ Live Lite Alesis Edition & MIDI editor software
Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Alesis V61

Alesis V61

  • 61 full-sized, square-front keys
  • 8 LED backlit pads respond to both velocity and pressure
  • Perfect for controlling plug-ins and virtual instruments
  • 4 assignable knobs; 4 assignable buttons
  • Pitch & Mod wheels deliver expressive, creative control
  • Seamless visual feedback via illuminated buttons/knobs
  • Single USB cable provides both power and MIDI data
  • Includes Ableton™ Live Lite Alesis Edition & MIDI editor software
Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Will Groves
Will Groves
Social Links Navigation
Editor-in-chief

I'm lucky enough to be MusicRadar's Editor-in-chief while being, by some considerable distance, the least proficient musician on the editorial team. An undeniably ropey but occasionally enthusiastic drummer, I've worked on the world's greatest music making website in one capacity or another since its launch in 2007. I hope you enjoy the site - we do.

All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. image
All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more.
Get the latest issue now!
More Info
Read more
nektar
"The MIDI keyboard that goes beyond MIDI": Nektar introduces Mk3 versions of its Impact LX range of MIDI controller keyboards
Alesis Strata Prime electronic drum set in a blue room
Best Alesis electronic drum sets 2025: My pick of Alesis electronic drums for beginners to pros
Zildjan Alchem-e Kit
Zildjian Alchem-e Kits at Drums Week 2025: The feel of real drums meets limitless electronic expression – redefine your sound
Arturia AstroLab
Arturia’s new 88 key AstroLab finally realises the full potential of the ‘avant-garde’ stage keyboard
Alesis Strata Club
“There is no question that there’s enough quality audio here to cater for every musical taste and presents a massive amount of editing options”: Alesis Strata Club review
Arturia MicroLab Mk3
“A quality, backpack-friendly controller that's under £50”: Arturia MicroLab Mk3 review
Latest in Midi Controllers
Novation Launch Control XL 3
“New look, features and MIDI out – this is a big update we truly rate”: Novation Launch Control XL 3 review
Arturia MicroLab Mk3
“A quality, backpack-friendly controller that's under £50”: Arturia MicroLab Mk3 review
nektar
"The MIDI keyboard that goes beyond MIDI": Nektar introduces Mk3 versions of its Impact LX range of MIDI controller keyboards
microlab mk3
Arturia upgrades its MicroLab MIDI keyboard with new keybed, sustain input and USB-C - and slashes the price
Superbooth 2025
12 new instruments and effects you need to know about from Superbooth 2025
Bitwig Connect 4/12
"If you've been unsure of making the jump to Bitwig Studio, then Connect might just be the sweetener to seal the deal": Bitwig Connect 4/12 review
Latest in News
Josh Homme
What’s on Josh Homme’s to-do list when Queens Of The Stone Age play Sheffield next week?
Pino Palladino and Miley Cyrus
How Pino Palladino turned the demo bassline in Miley Cyrus’s End of the World into something "so much better"
Paul Mccartney Smoking A Cigarette At London In England On June 19Th 1967
“We decided that our audiences would come along with us”: Paul McCartney on how the avant garde influenced the Beatles
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who perform at Parco Della Musica on July 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy
The Who are forced to postpone Philly date on final US tour due to “illness”
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Dave Navarro (L) and Perry Farrell (R) of Jane's Addiction perform at Trinity College Park on June 28, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland
“Back At It”: Are the rump Jane’s Addiction recording an album without Perry Farrell?

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...