The Best MIDI Keyboards
Since the 1980s, MIDI keyboard controllers have become an increasingly popular tool in the music industry. From musicians to producers, creatives have leveraged the convenient and powerful features they offer to realize their artistic visions. Whether you are an initiate to the world of songwriting, an experienced musician, or even an exacting sound designer, a keyboard controller can enhance and expand your performances and studio work. But since the industry offers many different options, we've collected a list of some of the best keyboard controllers so that you can make your next musical project your greatest yet.
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best midi keyboards are user-friendly, feature-rich, and reasonably priced. One of our favorites was Akai’s Professional MPK Mini MK3. It comes with beat pads and a whopping eight rotary knobs. Plus, the omnidirectional joystick provides you with some pretty awesome pitch and modulation. If you’re on a budget but still want some quality sound, you can’t go wrong with the Midiplus AKM320 32-Key MIDI Controller. This 32-key wonder plugs into your computer and works as a creative conduit, as it’s compatible with most midi software. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks.
Akai Professional MPK Mini MK3
Production powerhouse
This MIDI keyboard controller was designed with the modern music producer in mind. Boasting eight MPC-Style MIDI beat pads and eight mini rotary knobs, this pick places both rhythmic and sonic control in the hands of its user. The keyboard’s Note Repeat and omnidirectional joystick conveniently enable sample triggering and dynamic pitch control. The Mini MK3’s 25 velocity-sensitive keys have synth action and rest in Akai Professional’s Gen 2 enhanced dynamic key bed, guaranteeing responsiveness in any playing style. All of these features, plus the Mini MK3’s Complete Music Production Starter Kit, mean that you’ll have the right tool for whatever you’re making.
Pros:
- MPC-style MIDI beat pads are velocity-sensitive
- The omnidirectional joystick is an innovative control for pitch and modulation
- The robust build makes it durable for traveling
Cons:
- The only connectivity is USB
M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 MK3
Portable package
The Keystation Mini 32 MK3 from M-Audio is constructed from the perspective that the best ideas often happen on the go. Weighing only one pound, this keyboard’s low-profile, ultra-portable footprint means that it’s ready to answer the muse whenever it calls, all without sacrificing expressive range with 32 natural feeling keys. But if 32 keys aren’t enough, the Mini 32 MK3 comes equipped with an octave shift that expands its range by an additional four octaves, either up or down. Some of the keyboard’s other outstanding performance features are its pitch-bend, modulation, and sustain buttons, all of which emphasize its plug-and-play design. And the Mini 32 MK3 really is designed to be your plug-and-play solution as it requires no drivers to function and, with the appropriate adapter, even supports iOS connectivity.
Pro:
- Lightweight and low-profile
- Plug-and-play design
- Supports iOS connectivity and works with iPad
Cons:
- iOS connectivity requires a separate adapter
Midiplus AKM320 32-Key MIDI Controller
Affordable and effective
The AKM320 has been designed by Midiplus to offer the basic features of the MIDI keyboard controller at an affordable price. Its key bed has 32 synth-action keys that are velocity-sensitive and adjustable with pitch and modulation wheels. The AKM320 surprisingly also includes both octave and transpose buttons for when creative expression demands more range. The other notable features of this controller are the inclusion of a sustain pedal input and its USB interface, both of which emphasize a plug-and-play construction. If budget is your primary concern, the AKM320 is a good choice to keep your creative tools simple, intuitive, and cost-effective.
Pros:
- Pitch and modulation wheels
- Octave and transpose buttons
Cons:
- Keyboard action can feel flimsy to stronger users
Arturia Keylab 49 Essential Controller Keyboard
Put on your fancy pants
Arturia’s Keylab 49 Essential Controller Keyboard was designed to combine everything that a creative might need for musical expression and control into one tool. So, while the price of this keyboard might be high, the value it offers the capable user is higher. The Keylab 49 Essential is a keyboard with 49 synth-action keys and various other controls, such as ten encoders, nine sliders, eight pads, a six-button transport section, and four DAW command switches. It’s also a studio that includes Arturia’s Analog Lab presets from 17 award-winning Arturia V Collection instruments. If you’re looking for a MIDI controller that meets and exceeds your needs, look no further.
Pros:
- The keyboard is 49 keys
- Includes Arturia’s presets
- Connectivity includes MIDI Out and USB
- Includes Ableton Live Lite DAW software
Cons:
- Setup isn’t very user-friendly for the inexperienced
Novation Launchkey 37 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller
Ultimate creativity
The Launchkey 37 MK3 is a MIDI controller made to inspire and expand the abilities of creators everywhere. Novation has achieved this by designing this keyboard controller with innovative features such as Scale and Chord modes that allow seamless transposition and triggered arrangements of notes. They’ve also included a powerful arpeggiator for exploring new musical ideas quickly, and a mutate function for reassembling them just as fast. The Launchkey’s control assignments, MIDI routing, and even pad color are programmable and customizable using Novation’s browser-based Components tool. All these features and more give this controller the versatility to draw out your creativity.
Pros:
- Innovative scale and chord modes
- Mutate function is endlessly useful
- Custom modes allow unique controller setups
- Optimized for Ableton Live
Cons:
- Doesn’t include a USB-A to USB-C cable
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is the number of keys in choosing a MIDI keyboard controller?
The importance of the key count can be determined by two considerations. First, how large is your performance space? Second, how portable do you need the keyboard to be? Keyboard controllers generally range from 25 keys to 88 keys. But the size of the keys is also a factor, as many manufacturers will equip smaller controllers with smaller keys, thereby maintaining a certain range without losing portability.
Do all MIDI keyboard controllers have the same keyboard action?
No. There are three fundamental kinds of keyboard action: weighted hammer action, semi-weighted action, and synth action. Keyboard controllers generally have spring-loaded synth-action keys that are capable of responding to a user’s touch very quickly. Controllers with semi-weighted action are less common than those with synth action, while weighted hammer action is usually found on controllers with 88 keys.
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