Owning one of the best MIDI keyboards will take your music production to another level. They successfully bridge the gap between the tactile experience of traditional instruments and the limitless possibilities of digital music production. If you are looking for the perfect keyboard for your DAW, then look no further. We’ve compiled a short list of the best MIDI keyboards for beginners and pros on the market right now for your home studio. So let’s dive into it!
What is a MIDI Keyboard?
The most important thing that you need to understand about a MIDI keyboard is that it generates no sound on its own. If you buy one expecting it to perform like a regular musical keyboard or synth, you’ll be greatly disappointed.
A MIDI keyboard or keyboard controller is an electronic device used to send messages to external hardware. This external hardware could be a computer or virtual instruments in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). A MIDI controller lets you produce your favorite sequences by adding more creativity, complexity, and personality to your tracks.
If DJing is also an interest, we have a list of the best DJ controllers here.
Features of the best MIDI Keyboard controllers
Many MIDI keyboards come with exciting features like assignable knobs, sliders, or drum sample pads that can be used for finger drumming. Choosing the right keyboard controller depends on your requirements and preferences. There are many questions you should first ask yourself. What kind of plugin do I need? How many keys should it have? What software does it come with? The list goes on.
To that end, I compiled a list of some of the best MIDI keyboard controllers out there with differing features, so you can determine the right fit for you.
*Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below and as an Amazon associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. However, these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified and/or personally used.
AKAI MPK MINI
We’re starting off the list with the one I personally use. It’s portable and affordable! It comes with a 25-key velocity-sensitive keyboard for dynamic musical expression, eight pads, four assignable knobs, and a pitch bend/modulation joystick.
One of the great features is the drum pads that are on this unit. With great sensitivity and stiffness, it makes for a great finger drumming experience.
The MPK mini’s keyboard is ideal for quickly capturing your musical ideas on the go. It’s small enough to be thrown in a backpack, yet contains enough useful features and functions to make it a highly useful addition to any studio.
It works plug-and-play with Mac and PC and requires no software driver installation or wall power for operation. It has four memory banks for programming and recalling settings appropriate to your favorite software programs.
This USB-powered equipment also comes with a comprehensive production software package including MPC Beats, Hybrid 3 and more. The price is extremely competitive, so it’s the perfect MIDI keyboard for those on a budget.
Specs Recap:
Compatibility: Mac/PC/iOS
Number of Keys: 25 mini keys
Controls: eight assignable encoders, eight MPC pads, full transport controls, 4-way joystick
Connectivity: USB
Power: Bus-powered
Software: MPC Beats, Bassline, Tubesynth, Electric, Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet
Overall Rating: 8/10
Alesis V25
Alesis is a popular brand when it comes to keyboard controllers, as well as other musical equipment. It is packed with features that are perfect for both beginners and professionals.
The Alesis V25 MIDI keyboard controller features 25 velocity-sensitive synth-action keys, 8 trigger pads, 4 assignable knobs, and 4 assignable buttons.
Being lightweight and portable makes it perfect for on-the-go creativity. The Alesis is also USB-powered, so you won’t need an external power adapter.
V25 comes bundled with Ableton Live Lite 9 and Xpand! 2 by AIR Music Tech. Ableton Live Lite 9 is a fluid audio/MIDI environment that enables you to spontaneously record, remix, improvise, and edit musical ideas on the fly.
Furthermore, Alesis offers a limited-time offer with Melodics which is a desktop app that teaches midi keyboard and drum pad techniques. Thus making this keyboard a must-have for beginners trying to get the most for their money.
Specs Recap:
Compatibility: Mac/PC
Number of Keys: 25 full-sized keys
Controls: eight trigger pads, four assignable knobs, and four assignable buttons.
Connectivity: USB
Power: Bus-powered
Software: Ableton Live Lite, Xpand 2 virtual instrument software by Air Music Tech and MPC Beats
Overall Rating: 8/10
Nektar Impact LX88
Nektar Impact LX88 is one of the best USB MIDI controllers that can hook up to any DAW. Due to its intelligent range of performance, sturdy structure, and extensive controls, the LX88 is popular among musicians and home studio setups.
LX88 features three fixed velocity pitch bends and modulation wheels for precise control. It boasts 9 control faders, 8 control knobs, performance pads, and an encoder to give you ample control abilities for your DAW session. It really has everything!
While the LX88 offers a wide range of 25, 49, 61, and 88 keys, the prime impact of music-making can be best felt by the full-featured LX88.
The 8 velocity-sensitive pads allow you to finger-drum in the MPC style, though each pad can be assigned any MIDI note number or MIDI CC message for use as MIDI-trigger or toggle buttons. The keyboard includes the Bitwig 8-Track DAW for music creation and allows for optional connection with iOS devices.
DAW integration currently supports Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar, and Studio One. Buttons and controls are labeled so you don’t have to remember how they are assigned.
Specs Recap:
Compatibility: Mac/PC/iOS
Number of Keys: 88 full-size
Controls: 8 potentiometers, 9 faders, 9 assignable buttons, 6 transport buttons, 8 velocity-sensitive pads
Connectivity: USB, MIDI Out port, 1/4-inch TS jack footswitch input
Power: USB or main
Overall Rating: 9/10
Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3
Novation Launchkey is a mini MIDI controller portable enough to fit right in your backpack. It is ideal for the producer on the go.
This MIDI controller boasts 25 keys, a powerful arpeggiator, a Fixed Chord mode, and 16 super-sensitive pads for creating melodies and rhythms.
Novation Launchkey also features eight rotary controls, pitch bend, mod touch strips, and sustain input. Transport, device, and mixer controls allow more hands-on control over your music.
You can easily control features such as track select, record, capture MIDI, stop/mute/solo, volume, pans, and sends.
Its integration with Ableton Live Lite makes writing, recording, and performing music easy. It comes with a bundle of instruments, sounds, and effects. In addition, this MIDI controller has excellent integration with MIDI-equipped instruments.
Specs Recap:
Compatibility: Mac/PC/iOS
Number of Keys: 25 mini keys
Controls: Octave shift, Transpose, pitch, and modulation strips, 16 velocity-sensitive backlit RGB launch pads, 8 rotary encoders, 10 function buttons
Connectivity: USB B port, 3.5mm TRS Type A MIDI out, Sustain Pedal input
Power: USB
Software: Ableton Live Lite, two months of Splice Sounds, AAS Session Bundle, Softube Time & Tone, Spitfire Audio LABS Expressive Strings, Klevgrand DAW Cassette and R0Verb, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, membership of Novation Sound Collective
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A25
Native Instruments offers another great MIDI keyboard controller.
The Komplete Kontrol A25 is a responsive, intuitive, and semi-weighted MIDI keyboard that comes with a complete set of virtual instruments and effects that are pre-mapped.
This keyboard has an informative OLED display for intuitive navigation and features 25 semi-weighted keys and eight touch-sensitive control knobs.
Complete with ergonomic pitch and mod wheels, four premium instruments plus MASCHINE Essentials that give you that live-in concert performance feel.
It also includes Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) plug-ins, and a Quad-directional push encoder to navigate one-handedly.
Integration with MASCHINE, Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Ableton Live, Cubase, and Nuendo gives you complete control over your DAW. Smart Control allows you to play over 100 scales, modes, chord progressions, and arpeggios with single keys. You can also map any scale to white keys only.
The only negative with this product is that it doesn’t come with a slider.
Specs Recap:
Compatibility: Mac/PC
Number of Keys: 25 full-size keys
Controls: Pitch and modulation wheels, transport buttons, 4-directional push encoder, eight touch-sensitive knobs
Connectivity: USB
Power: USB
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
In Conclusion
MIDI Keyboards empower musicians and producers with expressive capabilities, an expansive array of sounds, and customization options. They foster creativity and unleash musical innovation.
Whether you’re looking for the best midi keyboards for beginners or are a seasoned veteran, there is a MIDI keyboard controller out there with your name on it!
