The Best MIDI Keyboards
If you've ever used a musical instrument in the new millennium, there's a high likelihood you've seen the acronym MIDI somewhere in your travels. MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a software protocol developed in the 1980s, allowing musical hardware to communicate with computers. Of all the MIDI instruments available, the MIDI keyboard is hands-down the most user-friendly, variable, and affordable piece of hardware around. By programming individual keys to specific instruments, tones, or samples, one person can wield the power of an entire band with a little expertise. Below we've assembled the best of the best in MIDI keyboards available today. Whether you're trying to add extra effects to some homemade jams or partying like it's the turn of the millennium, these nifty gadgets are essential to the modern music-making marketplace.
AKAI Professional MPK Mini
A Full Band All On One Board
A drawback many Midi keyboards face is being limited to keys when production requires a more dynamic range of control. The AKAI Professional MPK Mini does not have such drawbacks. This musical editing machine boasts a wide variety of knobs, drum pads, and joysticks for you to command a symphony of instruments. In addition to hardware, the MPK Mini is compatible with all major software, including Garageband, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools. And if that’s not enough, the keyboard even includes 2 GB of preloaded content, allowing you to instantly immerse yourself in the studio.
Pros:
- Velocity-sensitive keys and drum pads
- Includes the proprietary music editing software MPC Beats
- LCD screen for visual feedback
- Keys are slightly curved for a more natural feel.
Cons:
- No built-in speaker or headphone jack
M Audio Keystation Mini
The Key To Success Is Mini
Our runner up is a sturdily-built mini keyboard that packs an oversized punch. M Audio’s Keystation is a 32-key MIDI that’s a perfect addition to any musician’s toolkit. While it may not have all-encompassing hardware, the octave button is conveniently placed to allow for the full range of sound on a traditional piano, and both modulation and pitch-bending functions make composition easier than ever. For Apple users, the M Audio Keystation is the epitome of ‘plug-n-play,’ requiring no additional software and offering seamless functionality with big-name audio workstations. Whether you need to do some studio work or DJ an exclusive event, M Audio will make it happen.
Pros:
- 2500 Preloaded tracks and ProTools included
- PC and Mac compatibility
- Fantastic value for the price
- Features a sustain button for a more rich sound
Cons:
- The lightweight build is somewhat delicate
Alesis V25 USB MIDI Keyboard
A Suite of Sound
The Alesis V25 Midi is a mighty machine capable of musical miracles. This miniature MIDI’s hardware is vast, but the most sought-after feature is the full-size, velocity-sensitive 25 key keyboard, giving you the feel of a real piano without all that weight. Full-sized keys are complemented by an enormous breadth of programs, including organ and piano plugins, as well as a multitimbral workstation and recording workflow. On the other hand, if you’re planning on using your own DAW or digital audio workstation with the Alesis V25, you shouldn’t run into any problems. Still, the drum pads’ velocity and keys will certainly require some fine-tuning whichever path you take.
Pros:
- Xpand 2 software offers four separate editable sound slots
- Hardware includes two wheels, four programmable buttons, and four 360 degree knobs
- Eight backlit drum pads
- Rigidly-constructed steel case
Cons:
- The drum pads could be more responsive
midiplus, 32-Key Midi Controller
MIDI For The Masses
Learning the keys for the first time? Not interested in arranging multiple instruments? There are plenty of reasons to want a midi keyboard dedicated to keys and keys alone, including reasons which involve your bank account. That’s not to say that the Midiplus Keyboard is just keys, string, and plastic. Actually, this 32-key controller has all the essentials, like octave, pitch, modulation, and sustain control buttons. Best of all, the 32 keys of the Midiplus Controller are mid-sized, unlike most mini keyboards, which have an unnaturally light response. When you’re just beginning your journey through audio engineering, Midiplus will start you down the right path.
Pros:
- USB out cord included
- No driver installation necessary
- Only one and a half pounds
- Responsive customer service
Cons:
- Key recoil is rigid
Alesis Recital Beginner Digital Piano
Powerful Piano Package
The appeal of most midi keyboards on the market today is their compact build, a feature that’s crucial tight studios. But what if you have a little elbow room to spare and want the full spectrum of keys? The Alesis Recital is on the complete opposite side of the midi spectrum, including 88 keys, a sheet music stand, and input for auxiliary foot petals. You can enjoy the Alesis Recital with headphones, external RCA-compatible speakers, or with built-in speakers of its own. This keyboard does have midi compatibility for audio workstations, but you won’t have trouble playing in front of small crowds either. Battery operation, chorus, and reverb effects come built-in. Having the ability to cut tracks at your fingertips is fantastic, but when you want an instrument that can edit and entertain all in one package, you’ve got to go with Alesis.
Pros:
- Includes acoustic piano, electric piano, bass, synth, and organ presets
- Full-size keys can adjust velocity and response.
- Lesson mode divides the board into two sections with identical pitch, keys, and tone.
- Three months of premium piano lessons included with purchase
Cons:
- The music stand is poorly constructed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the history behind the MIDI standard?
MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a communications protocol by which instruments relay information in a digital format to computers. The origins of the technology can be found in the American synthesizer company known as Sequential, which was founded in the mid-seventies. In the early eighties David Smith, the legendary engineer who developed the first polyphonic synthesizer and founded Sequential, proposed a standard by which different companies’ instruments could communicate. A few years later MIDI premiered at a trades show for musical equipment, and since then has evolved significantly. What started as a language for linking manufacturers now permits up to 16 instruments to link with a computer simultaneously.
Where do I start if I’m completely new to digital audio workstations?
Digital auto workstations are a technological wonder. Modern DAWs allow you to use virtual plugins or physical instruments (via MIDI) to construct tracks, piece by piece. For example, if you create a simple rock n’ roll song, a good place to start would be by looping drums or a bass line. To start, you would either set your DAW to record a take from your MIDI-connected instrument or find the appropriate virtual equivalent. Once recorded, the audio data can be manipulated in various ways, including position within the song, via an audio mixer, and even altering the waveform. We can then apply up to 15 additional instruments, voices, and effects to this audio file, developing a vibrant track. In the end, the best way to learn how a DAW works is to try it out for yourself, and our picks will have you set up and experimenting in no-time.
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