10 Best: MIDI Keyboards. Controller Editor software. All the latest news, reviews and features from Juno Plus straight into your inbox. Get the guaranteed lowest prices, largest selection and free shipping on most Keyboard Workstations at Musician's Friend. Best MIDI Keyboard Controller of 2. Updates for 2. 01. Technology typically moves somewhat slowly in the field of MIDI keyboard controllers. You can generally expect a MIDI keyboard to sense both velocity and pressure, and you can expect it to have plenty of hardware controls for your favorite DAW software. Occasionally, you can even expect a MIDI keyboard to have a usable built- in sound library. The new ROLI Seaboard RISE 4. If you have the patience to learn how to play raised “waves” rather than standard keys, you’ll find new possibilities for expressive playing that weren’t previously available to you. Free Midi Controller SoftwareMIDI Keyboard Controller. Price Point. Best For. Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 2. Key$9. 9 on Amazonor. American Music Supply.
Affordable, portable, and most popular choice – especially for beginners or producers on a budget. Behringer U- Control UMX$1. Amazon. Another very popular choice among the affordable MIDI keyboard controllers. Behringer is also known to have great customer service. Alesis V6. 1 | 6. Key USB MIDI Keyboard & Drum Pad $1. Amazon. 61 Key Insturment that also has a drum pad installed on the machine. Great for multitasking while still having a solid keyboard with nice playing keys. Novation Impulse$2. Amazon. With an affordable price and plenty of physical DAW controls, the Novation Impulse provides lots of value for the money. The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 2. Key is definitely where you are going to get the most bang for your buck. You can get it for only $9. Amazon right now, and it is an excellent MIDI with a lot of value for the price. Features. 4- way thumb stick. MPC- style pads. 8 assignable Q- Link knobs. Comprehensive production software package included. Akai Pro MPC Essentials. SONi. VOX Wobble. Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech$9. Amazon – Best Seller. Akai Professional released its first MPK MIDI keyboard controller series to positive reviews. In the music equipment industry, the model and brand quickly became a favorite among musicians. With the Akai MPK2, the company developed an upgrade. This model offers stability, and its general assignable functions are solid. It also comes with a good- sized software bundle. Apart from Akai Professional’s mini version, all of the key- count models feature. Features. Hybrid 3. Virtual Synth. Sonivox Twist 2. MPC Essentials software. Full- size keys that are semi- weighted with Aftertouch. The company also offers various key- count options and different price ranges. Because of its quality, this unit has a higher price tag than keyboard controllers made by other companies. The Akai MPK2 features. A retail price that ranges from $1. Key- count options like mini 2. Pitch bend and mod wheels. Best Midi Controller For Software Synth Workstations For OfficeOctave controls. An LCD screen with high- resolution. Overview. The Alesis Company is coming into its own in the keyboard control industry. This is on display with the Alesis VI. The company upgraded to the VI series from its original keyboards. If you invest in the new version, you’ll receive elements like semi- weighted full- sized keys that include Aftertouch along with 1. Red, Green and Blue, or RGB, backlit velocity- sensitive pads. Unfortunately, this model does not include a mini keyboard option. However, the 2. 5- key version is a good choice if you need one that’s smaller and more affordable. The Alesis VI comes with standard assignable knobs and buttons, but it does lack faders. Keep in mind that this option is a budget- friendly choice. The device’s main features consist of. Features. A price point that ranges from $1. Key- count options like 2. A USB powering system. Square- front keys. Overview. If you’re on a tight budget, then consider purchasing the M- Audio Keystation. This keyboard controller for pro tools will give you access to the basics at a price that you can afford. It comes with keys, a mod wheel and a pitch along with a few other fundamental functions. The device’s key make is solid while the synth action is slightly more bouncy than semi and full- weighted models. It also come with a good orchestra- type virtual studio technology, or VST, feature, which is in the Soni. Vox Eighty- Eight Ensemble. The keyboard controller’s downsides include its limited software bundle and its lack of faders and knobs. However, most musicians only use these extra options during live performances, so if you need an affordable device for creative purposes, then this is the one for you. The product’s main features include. Features. A retail price point that ranges from $8. Key- count options like 3. Pitch bend and mod wheels. Velocity- sensitive keys. Sustain pedal input. Transport controls. Overview. The Arturia brand is famous for providing quality synths and other types of modern- day analog sounds. Because of the company’s experience in this sound area, Arturia’s keyboard controllers offer a slightly different option. The Key. Lab features the company’s Analog Lab software, which has 5,0. Arturia used a number of its classic synths to give you access to its diverse options. With the Key. Lab, you’ll have the SEM V, Prophet V and the CS- 8. V. If you need stunning synth sounds to create your best music, consider investing in this keyboard controller. The extra synth options make it worth the higher price tag. With the Key. Lab, you’ll receive assignable features like 1. In addition, Arturia’s keys come with Aftertouch and are semi- weighted as well as velocity- sensitive. The unit also includes a few pads, so with the Key. Lab, you’ll receive many of the industry’s technological advancements. The system’s main features consist of. Features. Pricing that ranges from $1. Key- count options like 2. Mod and pitch bend wheels. Six transport switches. Two clickable encoders. A preset editing feature. A preset sorting option. Overview. The Axiom AIR is one of M- Audio’s advanced models. It comes with assignable features like eight knobs, three banks and nine faders. In addition, the keys provide synth- action and include Aftertouch. With this MIDI keyboard, you’ll receive just 1. If you want to kick your style up a notch, you can create personalized velocity curves. A major benefit of this keyboard controller is the addition of Pro Tools Express as well as Ignite by Air. If you already have your digital audio workstation in place, then you may not need the many options that this keyboard provides. However, if you’re considering changing over to Pro Tools, then Axiom AIR will help you get started. The keyboard controller’s main features include. Features. A retail price that varies from $1. Key- count options like 2. Compatibility with your personal computer. Hyper. Control software that offers mapping with your digital audio workstation. Eight encoders. Nine faders. Velocity curves to give you custom styling. Price Point: $1,9. Overview. The ROLI Seaboard RISE 4. The Seaboard doesn’t have keys in the traditional sense. Rather, it has waves that represent the traditional keys of a keyboard. You can play the Seaboard as if it were a standard keyboard, or you can allow your fingers to drift between the waves for greater expressive possibilities. Pros. Glide your fingers above, below or between the waves for pitch changes, volume changes and vibrato. Supports aftertouch. Sends MIDI data across up to 1. Cons. Waves do not move as traditional keys would; some keyboard players may find them difficult to get used to. No built- in synthesizer; requires an external synthesizer — but does include a software- based synthesizer for Windows and Mac. Software synthesizer has steep system requirements. Requires a computer for changing settings. Mostly black; may be difficult to see without bright light. Features. Two playing modes allows you to use touch surfaces for expression or to trigger MIDI events. You can adjust the sensitivity of any touch surface. Records touch according to five parameters: strike, press, glide, slide and lift. Price Point: $4. 49. Overview. M- Audio has long set the standard for affordable MIDI controllers. The CTRL 4. 9 represents the company’s attempt to capture a portion of the high- end controller market. In addition to its keyboard functionality, the CTRL 4. Pros“Setlist” feature allows you to pre- load the effects and patches for quick access during live performances. Works seamlessly with most DAWs. Ample lighting makes controls easy to see in low- light situations. VIP software allows control of any VST instrument. Cons. Some have complained that the software download process can be confusing. Screen is not touch sensitive. Features. Semi- weighted keys for a more natural feel. Best Midi Keyboards | Juno Plus. We list ten of the best MIDI keyboards on the market, from compact, affordable controllers through to high- end options for professional studios. While recent years have seen the analogue synth make something of a comeback, there are still plenty of producers out there quite happily working with soft synths and effects plug- ins. Though it’s quite possible make an entire track using just a mouse, there’s no substitute for a good MIDI keyboard controller, whether used just to write a melody or bassline or get deep into shaping the sounds themselves. MIDI keyboards used to be pretty basic, but the past decade has seen manufacturers offering models with assignable knobs and faders for controlling parameters, LCD screens for displaying values and even velocity- sensitive pads for creating beats. As the title suggests, here we pick ten of the best models currently available, covering everything from compact travel- friendly models through the best options for i. Pad to high- end models that could easily offer an all- in- one solution for all your production needs. Best compact MIDI keyboards. Sometimes space is at such a premium, you don’t have room to carry a keyboard with anything except the keyboard itself. Enter the Akai LPK2. The keys themselves are velocity- sensitive, not bad considering the extremely low price point, though they are in mini keyboard form, which may put some off. However, though the controls only extend to an arpeggiator, sustain, octave up and down and tap tempo, the fact it weighs less than a pound makes it one of the best options for sketching out melodies on the go. It doesn’t have MIDI connections, so it’s no good for controlling hardware, but if you just need to play melodies in a DAW, it’s ideal. More info/Buy. Specifications: Power. USB Bus power. Keyboard. Controls. Arpeggiator, sustain button, octave up and down, and tap tempo controls. Display. N/AConnections. USBSystem Requirements (PC)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. System Requirements (Mac)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. Software/Library. Ableton Live Lite and Xpand! AIR Music Tech. Dimensions (cms)4. Weight (kgs)0. 5. Novation’s experience of building MIDI keyboards puts most other companies to shame; its first controller was released in 1. X- Station controller from 2. The Launchkey Mini packs all that experience into a tiny package, and together with the Akai MPK Mini and the Korg Microkey, Novation’s Launchkey Mini 2. MIDI keyboards aimed at those who need a portable keyboard or who have limited space in the studio. Considering its diminutive size, the Launchkey Mini has an impressive array of controls. As well as a compact 2. It’s also designed to be the perfect partner for an i. Pad, coming with Novation’s Launchkey synth and Launchpad apps. Unlike the i. Rig keyboard featured below, you’ll need a camera connection kit to plug it into your i. Pad, but you do get more controls to play with. More info/Buy. Specifications: Power.USB Bus power. Keyboard.Controls. 16 velocity- sensitive, three- colour launch pads, eight knobs, seven function buttons, and two performance buttons.Display. N/AConnections. there. USBSystem Requirements (PC)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. System Requirements (Mac)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. Software/Library. Ableton Live Lite 9, Novation Launchkey app, Novation Launchpad app and over a gigabyte of samples and loops. Dimensions (cms)3. Weight (kgs)0. 6. Best for i. Devices. While the i. Pad and i. Phone may not have quite taken over from laptops and computers on the stage and in the studio, there’s no denying the quality of the synths available on the App Store is getting ever more impressive. Arturia, Korg and many other big names are making mobile softsynths serious rivals to their computer- based counterparts, but it’s left a real need for compatible keyboards. Though there are more than a few options on the market, IK Multimedia’s is perhaps the best and most straightforward tool for the job, plugging directly into the Lightning port of a new i. Pad or i. Phone without the need for adaptors. Featuring 3. 7 velocity- sensitive mini keys, pitch and modulation wheels, volume knob and octave controls, the i. Rig is a fairly stripped- back keyboard, but with synth apps having touch controls built in, there shouldn’t be much need for additional controls. It comes with a Lightning cable and traditional 3. Devices old and new, and for portability and ease of use, there’s nothing better than the i. Rig for users of Apple- based synth apps. If the keys are a little too small, IK Multimedia also offers a Pro version with full- size keys. More info/Buy. Specifications: Power. USB Bus power. Keyboard. Controls. Modulation and pitch wheels, volume/Data knob (assignable), back- lit, soft- touch buttons to control octave/program up/down. Display. N/AConnections. USB, Core MIDI for i. OS, input for an optional sustain or expression pedal. System Requirements (PC)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. System Requirements (Mac)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. Software/Library. Sample. Tank FREE, i. Grand Piano FREE (download from the App store), Sample. Tank 3 SEDimensions (cms)5. Weight (kgs)0. 6. Best value. M- Audio arguably laid the groundwork for the modern MIDI keyboard controller with the introduction of the Oxygen 8 back in 2. While not the first company to introduce a portable 2. MIDI keyboard, its success helped the company establish a strong foothold in the portable controller keyboard marketplace, and the number of 2. Oxygen 8. The Oxygen keyboard is now on its fourth iteration, and not much has changed since the first. It still has the same eight knobs along with pitch and modulation wheels, but now features eight of the seemingly mandatory velocity- sensitive pads for beatmaking or sample triggering. This Mk. 4 version of the Oxygen is also compatible with the i. Pad via a camera connection kit, making an ideal option for App users wanting a full- size keyboard. The Oxygen might not be the flashiest keyboard on this list, but its enduring legacy makes it easy to recommend to anyone wanting a solid controller at a good price. More info/Buy. Specifications: Power. USB Bus power. Keyboard. Controls. Eight velocity- sensitive trigger pads, eight assignable knobs, assignable fader, transport buttons, pitch and modulation wheels. Display. LCD screen. Connections. USB, sustain pedal input. System Requirements (PC)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. System Requirements (Mac)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. Software/Library. Ableton Live Lite, SONi. VOX Twist, AIR Music Tech Xpand! Dimensions (cms)4. Weight (kgs)1. 8. Instruments like the Maschine and Arturia’s Spark. LE may offer great options for making beats with a computer, but there are times when you want to combine the two, along with the full 1. RGB trigger pads laid out in an MPC style. While there are a number of offerings in this sphere, nobody does it as affordably as the Alesis VI series, which throws in eight assignable knobs and a generous 2. VSTs and effects. What’s more, the minimal black design is reminiscent of classic ’8. LEDs and dreary greys that sometimes make up MIDI keyboards. How To Install Oscam On Dm 800 Se V1 . More info/Buy. Specifications: Power. USB Bus power. Keyboard. Controls. 16 velocity- sensitive trigger pads with illuminated RGB feedback, 2. Display. LED screen. Connections. USB MIDI, 5- pin MIDI Out. System Requirements (PC)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. System Requirements (Mac)Plug- and- play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation. Software/Library. Ableton Live Lite and Xpand! AIR Music Tech. Dimensions (cms)3. Weight (kgs)3. 2. While there are plenty of affordable options here, there’s nothing else on this list that offers quite the value for money of Nektar’s Impact keyboards. For around £1. 00 you can get a 4. The software integration will automatically set up the keyboard with most major DAWs, and the low- profile black design and rubberised fader caps make it look the part too.
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