A MIDI keyboard is an essential tool for any musician. It is a keyboard-style controller that transmits MIDI data to create the sound of an instrument or sound module. Its portability and convenience make it the go-to choice for any musician, from novice to professional. When choosing a MIDI keyboard, it is important to consider your budget, the number of keys, and the features that come with the keyboard. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. Fortunately, weve compiled a list of the best MIDI keyboards to help you make the right choice for your needs.
Best Midi Keyboards
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Akai MPK Mini MKII
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Akai LPK25
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Alesis V49
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Akai Professional MPK261
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Alesis Q88
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Korg Microkey 25
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Nektar LX49+
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Roland A-800 Pro
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
M-Audio 88
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Nektar Impakt LX88+
|
7. 2
|
1. Akai MPK Mini MKII
I recently purchased the Akai MPK Mini MKII and I am so pleased with the product. Its small size makes it easy to transport and use in any situation. The keys are velocity sensitive, making it easy to control the dynamics of your playing. The eight responsive MPC drum pads allow for more control of your music and the built-in arpeggiator and note repeat functions make it easy to create vibrant and exciting patterns. The four assignable knobs and four assignable buttons are perfect for sound design and customizing the feel of your playing. The MPK Mini MKII also has a new feature that lets you control software parameters directly, which is great. Overall, I am really happy with the Akai MPK Mini MKII, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great portable MIDI controller.
- 25-key velocity-sensitive mini-keyboard for playing virtual instruments, creating melodies and triggering samples
- 8 backlit velocity-sensitive pads for beat production and clip launching
- 8 control knobs for manipulating virtual instruments and plugins
- 4-way joystick for manipulating pitch and modulation parameters
- USB-powered and plug-and-play controller with included software
- Compatible with most major digital audio workstations
2. Akai LPK25
The Akai LPK25 is a great buy for anyone looking for a quality and affordable midi keyboard. This 25-key controller is the perfect size for a laptop setup, and its velocity sensitive keys make it great for both live and studio use. The MIDI controller also comes with 16 velocity-sensitive backlit drum pads that can be used to assign midi notes, making it an incredibly versatile and powerful tool. The built-in arpeggiator, with its adjustable tempo, is also incredibly useful and adds a great level of depth and creativity to any project. The Akai LPK25 is a great choice for anyone looking for a midi keyboard for their home studio or for performing onstage.
- Mini USB powered keyboard with 25 velocity-sensitive synth-action keys
- Built-in arpeggiator with adjustable resolution, range, and modes
- 4 programmable memory banks for quick and easy recall of settings
- MIDI-out port for controlling external hardware and software instruments
- Compatible with Mac and PC and includes Ableton Live Lite Akai Edition software
3. Alesis V49
I recently purchased the Alesis V49 and for the price, it is an amazing value! It has a great feel and it’s easy to use. It has 49 full-sized velocity-sensitive keys, so it’s perfect for any type of playing. It also has eight velocity-sensitive pads, which makes it great for creating drum beats. It also comes with Ableton Live Lite, so you can start making music right out of the box. Overall, this is a great mid-priced keyboard that is ideal for anyone who wants to start producing music. Highly recommended!
- 49 velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch
- 8 velocity-sensitive backlit drum pads
- Dedicated octave, sustain, and pitch bend buttons
- 4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons
- USB-MIDI and 5-Pin MIDI Out for connection to any hardware or software
- Includes Pro Tools | First Alesis Edition, MPC Beats, and presets for Ableton Live Lite
- Compatible with a wide range of music software and virtual instruments
- Class-compliant with both Mac and PC; no driver required
4. Akai Professional MPK261
I recently purchased an Akai Professional MPK261, and I must say that I am very impressed by it. The amount of features and options available to me allows for a great degree of creativity and control when it comes to my music production. The keyboard is exceptionally well-built and feels great to play, and the pads are incredibly responsive. I also find that the knobs and faders are incredibly intuitive, allowing me to quickly adjust settings with ease. The overall package is great value for money, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality, feature-rich MIDI controller.
format
- 61 semi-weighted full-size keys with aftertouch
- 16 RGB-illuminated MPC-style pads with 4 banks each
- 24 assignable Q-Link controllers
- Sensitive and intuitive 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control
- 8 assignable faders and 8 assignable buttons
- MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, and arpeggiator
- USB-MIDI with 5-pin MIDI input and output
- Comprehensive software package included
- Compact design for easy portability
5. Alesis Q88
I recently purchased the Alesis Q88 and I’m so glad I did! It’s a great 88-key midi controller that is perfect for both beginner and advanced musicians alike. It has an incredibly responsive and expressive keyboard that can be used to make any kind of music. The software bundle is incredible too and includes a ton of great VSTs, sample packs, and loops. The Alesis Q88 is an awesome piece of equipment that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an affordable, quality midi controller.
- 88-key velocity-sensitive keyboard
- USB-MIDI and 5-pin MIDI output for use with virtually any MIDI software or hardware device
- Sustain pedal input
- Power adapter input
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels for added expression
6. Korg Microkey 25
I recently purchased a Korg Microkey 25 and I am very pleased with it. The keys are low-profile and lightweight, making it very easy to transport and use. The 25 keys are enough to cover most of the notes in a keyboard setup, while still maintaining a smaller, more portable size. The MIDI connectivity is also great – it’s compatible with any MIDI device and is easy to setup and use. The software bundle that comes with it is also very useful, with lots of great sounds and presets. Overall, this is a great, lightweight, and useful midi keyboard for anyone looking to expand their setup without breaking the bank.
:
- 25-note velocity-sensitive mini keyboard
- Compact and lightweight design
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels
- Octave Shift and Transpose functions
- USB powered
- Compatible with Mac, PC and iOS
7. Nektar LX49+
I couldn’t be more pleased with my purchase of the Nektar LX49+. I needed a midi controller that was versatile and easy to use, and this one definitely fits the bill. With 49 full-sized keys, it is perfect for playing live or in the studio. It also has eight assignable knobs, sliders, and buttons, which are great for controlling your favorite plugins and synths. The Nektar LX49+ is also highly portable, so I can take it on the go with me whenever I need to. It has a great price tag, too. I highly recommend the Nektar LX49+ for anyone looking for a reliable, affordable midi controller.
- 49-key velocity and pressure-sensitive USB MIDI keyboard
- 4 assignable control knobs, buttons, and sliders
- Integrated plugin control and DAW integration
- Full transport control and LED feedback
- Compatible with Mac, Windows, and iOS
- USB-powered and plug-and-play setup
- Includes Nektar DAW Integration softwares
8. Roland A-800 Pro
I recently purchased the Roland A-800 Pro MIDI controller and I absolutely love it! It is extremely versatile and allows you to control not only the sound but also the parameters of your software instruments. It has 8 knobs, 9 sliders, and 16 assignable pads, all of which are assignable to whatever you want them to control. The pads also feature velocity response and aftertouch, which adds an extra level of control. The A-800 Pro also has a ton of assignable buttons and switches that can be used to control various functions. Plus, it has a great build quality and feels solid in your hands.
The A-800 Pro also has a great array of outputs, including USB, MIDI, and S/PDIF. Additionally, it has a number of different footswitch connections and can be powered by USB or a 9V AC adapter. This makes it incredibly versatile and easy to integrate into your existing setup.
Overall, I’m really pleased with the Roland A-800 Pro MIDI controller. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a controller with plenty of features and flexibility. Highly recommended!
- 61-note, velocity-sensitive keyboard
- Eight assignable knobs and eight assignable sliders for a total of 16 real-time controllers
- Twelve velocity-sensitive pads for hand-on control
- Large LCD display for easy operation and parameter feedback
- Rugged and reliable construction
- USB-MIDI and Sustain Pedal connection
- Compatible with all Roland V-Link enabled products
- Mac, PC, and iOS compatible
9. M-Audio 88
I recently bought the M-Audio 88 and I am extremely pleased with it! This 88-key controller keyboard is a great value with many features. First of all, it has a full-sized, semi-weighted keyboard which makes it great for playing a variety of musical styles. The keys are also velocity sensitive so you can get the most out of your playing. It also has built-in pitch and modulation wheels, as well as a great selection of knobs and buttons for controlling your sound. Another great feature is that it can be used with both Mac and PC systems. The M-Audio 88 is very easy to set up and use, making it a great value for anyone looking for a quality keyboard controller. Highly recommended!
- 88 hammer-action, velocity-sensitive keys
- 128-note maximum polyphony
- 16 velocity-curve presets
- USB-MIDI and MIDI out
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels
- Octave shift buttons
- Transpose buttons
- Advanced Function button
- Sustain-pedal input
- Class-compliant with Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X
10. Nektar Impakt LX88+
I recently purchased the Nektar Impakt LX88+ and I am absolutely thrilled with it. It’s an incredibly powerful and versatile MIDI controller that I have been using for recording, producing and performing with ease. The 88 full sized, velocity and aftertouch-sensitive keys provide a great feel and the rubberized pitch and mod wheels are a great addition. The eight trigger pads with aftertouch and eight assignable knobs make it easy to control multiple parameters with the push of a button. The included DAW integration software is compatible with most major DAWs, making setup a breeze. The Nektar Impakt LX88+ is an incredible piece of gear that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an intuitive and professional-grade MIDI controller.
- 88-key semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch
- 8 velocity curves and 7 fixed velocity settings
- 3 assignable switches and 3 assignable pedal inputs
- 4 assignable zones for split and layer playing
- 4 MIDI-assignable 360 degree knobs
- Compatible with major DAWs for recording and performance
- 128-voice polyphony and up to 4 parts in a single patch
- 20 programs, 10 user programs and 4 bank locations
- High-quality sound engine optimized for expressive performance
- USB-MIDI and standard 5-pin MIDI connections
