I bumped up 2 velocity layers from the Default MED-2 to LOUD-2. (With Loud 1 as the highest). Mainly, I was trying to match the M-Audio for being able to play softly and loudly, with similar playing styles (which is a challenge as the keyboards are so completely different in feel). But, the 2nd loudest on the unweighted Novation seems to pair with the 2nd softest on the weighted M-Audio 88. Go figure.
For semi-weighted keyboards in general, I've been pretty happy over the years with the SL mkii. Of a dozen or more keybeds I've tried over a couple decades, I'd place it 3rd: just behind the NI S-Mk 2 keybeds and (both) quite a bit behind the Kurzweil PC3 (which has 1/2" longer keys, so they balance so much better than shorter keys). But the Novation SL mkii and NI S Mk2 keys are a good 1/4" longer than most short keyboards, making them superior to most. The short key lengths are simply a very real problem -- particularly for black notes.
I'm still having significant portamento issues on the Novation. Mind you, I'm new to the Joshua Bell library. I can imagine I will need to learn to play it like a real instrument and learn how to coax the keys to get what I'm wanting. But, it's definitely easier for me to get standard legato transitions (instead of portamento on nearly every non-fast note) on the weighted keyboard. I have 2 other keyboards I will try it on. It's usually not an issue. This library has such sensitivity and responsiveness that it seems to be highlighting the limits of my keyboards and the rust in my playing technique.
I'd still love to hear from anyone who feels like their keyboard keybed is working well for this particular library.
At the moment, I'm staying with Essential.