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July 17, 2024
Buying Guide: Keyboard MIDI Controllers
Are you recording with DAW software? Do you have virtual instrument plug-ins? The key to getting the most out of your software is a MIDI keyboard controller! Connect one of these versatile keyboards to your computer, and tap into a limitless library of sounds.
Scroll down for Questions to Ask Before Buying a MIDI Controller Keyboard »
In this buying guide, you'll find our favorite controllers in the most popular keyboard sizes. For producers that like to play one-handed leads and bass lines, we've got controllers with 25-37 keys. Next up, you'll find 49-key controllers that are perfect for the versatile organist or keyboardist. For the pro pianist, controllers with 61 to 88 keys give you the widest range.
For each size of keyboard, we've picked inexpensive MIDI controllers that are "Best for Beginners," as well as high-end models with all the bells and whistles that are "Best for Pros." Follow this buying guide to find the right MIDI controller for your rig!
Scroll down for Questions to Ask Before Buying a MIDI Controller Keyboard »
In this buying guide, you'll find our favorite controllers in the most popular keyboard sizes. For producers that like to play one-handed leads and bass lines, we've got controllers with 25-37 keys. Next up, you'll find 49-key controllers that are perfect for the versatile organist or keyboardist. For the pro pianist, controllers with 61 to 88 keys give you the widest range.
For each size of keyboard, we've picked inexpensive MIDI controllers that are "Best for Beginners," as well as high-end models with all the bells and whistles that are "Best for Pros." Follow this buying guide to find the right MIDI controller for your rig!
Compact Controllers for Beginners
Best for Beginners: Need an affordable 25-key MIDI controller with full-size keys? The M-Audio Oxygen 25 MKV is an excellent value. If you're looking for a mini-keys MIDI controller small enough to fit in your laptop bag, check out the Novation LaunchKey Mini MK3 or the Akai MPK mini MK3 -- they're both under 13" wide and USB bus-powered, with velocity-sensitive drum pads and assignable knobs that map to your software.
25-Key and 37-Key MIDI Boards for Beginners:
M-Audio Oxygen 25 MKV USB MIDI Controller, 25-Key
$129.00
- No Credit Check6 x$21.50
- No Credit Check4 x$32.25
Korg nanoKEY Studio MIDI Controller with Bluetooth
$159.99
- No Credit Check6 x$26.66
- No Credit Check4 x$40.00
Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
$109.99
- No Credit Check6 x$18.33
- No Credit Check4 x$27.50
Akai MPK Mini MK3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, 25-Key
$99.00
- No Credit Check6 x$16.50
- No Credit Check4 x$24.75
Compact Controllers for Pros
Best for Pros: A high-end 25-key to 37-key MIDI controller can give you tons of hands-on control without the hassle of lugging around a bulky board. If you use KOMPLETE software instruments, check out the NI Komplete Kontrol M32. Want to launch clips with pads? Get your hands on the Alesis V49 MKII controller.
25-Key to 37-Key MIDI Boards for Pros:
Novation FLkey 37 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for FL Studio, 37-Key
$199.99
- No Credit Check6 x$33.33
- No Credit Check4 x$50.00
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 USB MIDI Keyboard
$139.00
- No Credit Check6 x$23.17
- No Credit Check4 x$34.75
Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board-C Smart Sensor USB-C MIDI Keyboard Controller
$119.00
- No Credit Check6 x$19.83
- No Credit Check4 x$29.75
Alesis V49 MKII USB MIDI Controller Keyboard, 49-Key
$149.00
- No Credit Check6 x$24.83
- No Credit Check4 x$37.25
49-Key Controllers for Beginners
Best for Beginners: 49-key controllers are the most popular size -- they're big enough to play with both hands, but small enough to fit on your studio desk. One affordable entry-level choice is Arturia's MiniLab 3, which comes bundled with a great suite of virtual instruments. For those who want to go all in, score the IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O, a MIDI keyboard with a built-in audio interface. The Alesis V49 MKII controller adds MPC-style drum pads for triggering samples. When it comes to bang-for-buck, it's hard to beat the Nektar Impact LX49+ -- it's got those assignable knobs and buttons usually found on higher-end controllers.
49 Keys for Beginners:
Arturia MiniLab 3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
$109.00
- No Credit Check6 x$18.17
- No Credit Check4 x$27.25
IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 49 Keyboard Controller
$329.99
- 8 x$41.25
- No Credit Check6 x$55.00
- No Credit Check4 x$82.50
Alesis V49 MKII USB MIDI Controller Keyboard, 49-Key
$149.00
- No Credit Check6 x$24.83
- No Credit Check4 x$37.25
49-Key Controllers for Pros
Best for Pros: The Akai MPK 249 gives you MPC-style pads with a large color display and Akai's suite of software -- perfect for keyboardists that use lots of VSTs. If Reason or Bitwig is your DAW, the Native Instruments Kontrol S49 Mk3 is the ideal controller, with a color display for deep visual feedback. With tons of drum pads, knobs, sliders and transport buttons, these full-featured 49-key controllers are designed to deeply integrate with your DAWs and software instruments.
49 Keys for Pros:
Akai MPK249 Performance Keyboard Controller, 49-Key
$469.00
- 8 x$58.63
- No Credit Check6 x$78.17
- No Credit Check4 x$117.25
Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, 49-Key
$749.00
- 12 x$62.42
- 8 x$93.63
- No Credit Check6 x$124.83
- No Credit Check4 x$187.25
Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board Pro 4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
$599.00
- 12 x$49.92
- 8 x$74.88
- No Credit Check6 x$99.83
- No Credit Check4 x$149.75
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A49 USB MIDI Keyboard
$219.00
- No Credit Check6 x$36.50
- No Credit Check4 x$54.75
61-Key Controllers for Beginners
Best for Beginners: Affordable 61-key MIDI controllers like the Nektar SE61 and M-Audio Keystation 61 give you 5 octaves -- enough space to play most two-hands piano arrangements without having to hit that octave button. For the most affordable 88-key controller out there, try the M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3.
Another great value is the Novation Launchkey 61, which includes 16 velocity-sensitive pads for laying down beats and triggering samples, sliders that map to your virtual instruments' organ drawbars, knobs to control filter cutoffs, and dedicated transport buttons (play, pause, record) for controlling your DAW.
61+ Keys for Beginners:
Another great value is the Novation Launchkey 61, which includes 16 velocity-sensitive pads for laying down beats and triggering samples, sliders that map to your virtual instruments' organ drawbars, knobs to control filter cutoffs, and dedicated transport buttons (play, pause, record) for controlling your DAW.
M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 USB MIDI Controller, 61-Key
$199.00
- No Credit Check6 x$33.17
- No Credit Check4 x$49.75
Novation Launchkey 61 MK3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
$279.99
- No Credit Check6 x$46.66
- No Credit Check4 x$70.00
M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3 USB MIDI Controller, 88-Key
$249.00
- No Credit Check6 x$41.50
- No Credit Check4 x$62.25
61-Key and 88-Key Controllers for Pros
Best for Pros: With these high-end MIDI controllers, deep DAW integration is the name of the game. For Reason and Bitwig users, we recommend the Nektar Panorama P6. If you want to rock a huge collection of software instruments, check out the Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 controller -- it comes with NI's Komplete Select software to help you navigate and sort your VSTs and switch instruments right from the keyboard's large color screen. For classical pianists, there's the Kawai VPC1. With 88 wooden keys and a 3-pedal unit included, it's about as close to an acoustic piano as a MIDI controller can get.
61+ Keys for Pros:
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, 61-Key
$849.00
- 12 x$70.75
- 8 x$106.13
- No Credit Check6 x$141.50
- No Credit Check4 x$212.25
Studiologic SL88 Studio USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, 88-Key
$499.95
- 8 x$62.49
- No Credit Check6 x$83.32
- No Credit Check4 x$124.99