I'm in search of a 61-key MIDI controller. I prefer to have a non-synth controller for desktop modules and plugins. Currently I'm using a Novation 61 SL MkII that is now 8 years old. It gets the job done, and I have to say it has held up very well, I cannot complain about overall quality, however there are a number of things I don't like about it. The main problem is it's just noisy when striking keys... it always was, but its not getting any better with age. The clank of the keys hitting the bed is enough to be musically uninspiring. All of my Sequential synths with keyboards (P10, P6, OB6, Rev2) do not exhibit this problem.
What I'd really like to find is a controller that "feels" like my Prophet 10. I don't want to use the P10 as a master controller, both for physical placement reasons and the whole local mode on/off thing, but I love the feel and sound of the keys (and of course knobs).
Other features I would like is enough empty space for a small module (such as my Toraiz AS-1) to rest on the keyboard. I'm able to do this with my Remote SL MKII and would miss it greatly if I could not with my next keyboard. Desk real estate is a real concern.
Of course I've already looked into the most obvious possibilities. I was starting to think the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 was the one, but I've seen many videos indicating the key action is quite noisy, and the overall quality seems to be questionable:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnEZ1z1yGi8 ... The feature set is tempting, the displays and DAW integration look really nice, but at the end of the day if its klacky, I'll be disappointed. They say it is a Fatar keybed, but apparently not a Fatar TP/9S like (I think) Sequential uses.
The Roland A-800 Pro is a contender. One concern there is that supposedly the keys are slightly slimmer than standard. I guess if this keybed is good enough for Depeche Mode to take on tour with them, it should be good enough for me, but I'm weird about even slight size changes when it comes to keys and I'm not sure I would be happy with it. Roland tends to make very durable gear though, and the price is something like half of the NI KK S61.
I'm not completely opposed to trying another Novation, but the noisiness of my current unit forces me to look elsewhere.
So does anyone have a 61 key controller they really like? Is there a controller that offers that Sequential feel/quality/quietness?