10 Best Digital Audio Workstation Controllers Of Musical Instruments (2023 Guide)

Why settle for a regular keyboard and mouse when you can have a digital audio workstation controller that is specifically designed for musical instruments? In this guide, we will show you the 10 best digital audio workstation controllers of musical instruments in 2023.

Table of Contents

Akai Professional MPK249 | 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with LCD Screen (16 Pads / 4 Knobs / 4 Buttons), VIP Software Included

The Akai Professional MPK249 is a 49-key USB MIDI keyboard controller with an LCD screen, 16 pads, 4 knobs, and 4 buttons. VIP software is included.

The MPK249 is a professional performance keyboard controller with an array of creative features for the modern musician. It features 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, 4 assignable knobs, and 4 assignable buttons. The MPK249 also comes with a full-featured arpeggiator, which can be used to create intricate melodic patterns or simply to add spice to your bass lines and chords.

The MPK249’s pads are velocity-sensitive and RGB backlit, so you can create dynamic drum parts with ease. The pads can also be used for step sequencing. The MPK249 comes with two banks of sounds, each with its own set of 16 pads. You can switch between the two banks via the bank select button.

The MPK249 also features four assignable knobs and four assignable buttons. These can be used to control virtually any parameters in your favorite DAW or virtual instrument. The MPK249 comes with three banks of patches, each with its own set of four knobs and four buttons. You can switch between the three banks via the patch select button.

In addition to being a powerful performance keyboard, the MPK249 is also a great tool for songwriters and producers. The built-in arpeggiator can be used to create complex melodic patterns from simple chord progressions. Thestep sequencer can be used to create drum beats or bass lines. And the Patch Mode allows you to record and playback MIDI sequences in real time.

The Akai Professional MPK249 is a49-key USB MIDI keyboard controller that comes with an LCD screen, 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, 4 assignable knobs, 4 assignable buttons, and VIP software.

Novation Launchpad Pro [MK3] Grid Controller for Ableton Live

The Novation Launchpad Pro [MK3] Grid Controller for Ableton Live is one of the best controllers on the market. It’s extremely well-built and designed, and it’s packed with features that make it perfect for use with Ableton Live. The pads are super responsive and the build quality is excellent. The unit is also very lightweight and portable, making it perfect for taking on the road.

The Launchpad Pro [MK3] comes with a free copy of Ableton Live Lite, which is a great way to get started with the software. The controller also works with other DAWs, but it’s really in its element when used with Ableton Live. The pads are velocity-sensitive and can be used for a variety of different things, including launching clips, playing drums, and triggering effects. There are also a number of button controls that can be used to control various aspects of your live set.

Overall, the Novation Launchpad Pro [MK3] Grid Controller for Ableton Live is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality controller that is packed with features and easy to use. It’s a great investment for anyone serious about their live sets or recording music.

AKAI MPD218 | Ultra-Portable USB MIDI Drum Pad Controller with 16 Velocity-Sensitive Pads, 6 Assignable Knobs & Pitch-Bend/Modulation 4-Way Thumbstick

The Akai MPD218 is a highly portable USB MIDI drum pad controller with 16 velocity-sensitive pads and 6 assignable knobs. The MPD218 is perfect for the traveling musician or the performer who wants to be able to take their music with them without sacrificing quality or functionality. The pads are velocity-sensitive, meaning that they will respond to your touch with different levels of intensity, making your playing more expressive and dynamic. The six assignable knobs can be used to control a variety of parameters in your music software, giving you even more control over your sound. The MPD218 also comes with a free copy of Ableton Live Lite, one of the most popular music production programs available, so you can start making music right out of the box.

Arturia MiniLab mkII 25 Key USB Controller keyboard

The Arturia MiniLab mkII 25 Key USB Controller keyboard is one of the best MIDI controllers on the market. It’s small, portable, and has a ton of features that make it perfect for both studio and live use. The build quality is excellent, and the keys feel great. The only downside is that the pads are a bit small, but other than that, this is an amazing keyboard.

Nektar Panorama P4 61 Key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard

Nektar Panorama P4 61 Key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard is one of the best selling MIDI controllers on Amazon. It gets a lot of positive reviews from customers and has a high rating.

This Nektar controller has 61 keys and is velocity sensitive. It also has octave up/down buttons which are great for expanding the range of notes that you can play. There are also pitch bend and modulation wheels on this controller which give you more control over the sound of your music.

The Nektar Panorama P4 also has a 4-way thumbstick for pitch and modulations, as well as 8 assignable LED pads for triggering sounds or samples. There are also 4 assignable faders and buttons, allowing you to control your DAW or plugins directly from the keyboard.

One of the best features of this Nektar controller is the included software. The Nektar DAW Integration software makes it easy to control your favorite DAW with this keyboard. You can also use the Bitwig 8-Track DAW software that comes with this controller to create and record music right out of the box.

Overall, the Nektar Panorama P4 is a great61-key MIDI controller that gives you a ton of control over your music. It’s easy to use and comes with some great software to get you started making music right away. If you’re looking for a MIDI controller to help you make music, the Nektar Panorama P4 should be at the top of your list.

M-Audio Axiom AIR 61 | 61-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Hypercontrol Technology

The M-Audio Axiom AIR 61 | 61-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Hypercontrol Technology is one of the best MIDI keyboard controllers on the market. It has 61 keys, a backlit LCD display, velocity-sensitive pads, and pitch and mod wheels. It also has a sustain pedal input and a USB port for connectivity. The keyboard is very easy to use and has a lot of features. The only downside is that it is a bit expensive. Overall, the M-Audio Axiom AIR 61 | 61-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Hypercontrol Technology is a great product and is worth the price.

Alesis V49 | 49 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Backlit Pads, 4 Assignable Knobs and Buttons, Plus a Professional Software Suite with ProTools | First Included

The Alesis V49 is a powerful, intuitive MIDI controller that lets you take command of your music software with a series of pads, knobs, and buttons. With 49 full-size keys and octave up/down buttons, you can play the full range of notes with ease. The V49 also features 8 backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads that can be used to trigger sounds and samples, as well as to control virtual drum machines, loopers, and DAWs. 4 assignable rotary knobs and 4 assignable buttons provide complete control over your virtual instruments and effects. The V49 comes with a free download of ProTools | First – Alesis Edition, an industry-leading recording software. Additionally, the V49 is compatible with all major recording software via USB MIDI.

The Alesis V49 is an extremely versatile MIDI controller that is perfect for both the studio and the stage. The 49 full-size keys give you plenty of room to play, while the 8 velocity-sensitive pads are great for triggering sounds and samples. The 4 assignable rotary knobs and 4 assignable buttons provide complete control over your virtual instruments and effects. The V49 comes with a free download of ProTools | First – Alesis Edition, an industry-leading recording software. Additionally, the V49 is compatible with all major recording software via USB MIDI.

The Alesis V49 is a great choice for both beginner and experienced producers alike. The included ProTools | First – Alesis Edition software is easy to use and provides a great way to get started with music production. The V49 is also compatible with all major recording software via USB MIDI, so you can use it with your favorite DAW. If you’re looking for a powerful, intuitive MIDI controller that won’t break the bank, the Alesis V49 is the perfect choice for you.

Korg nanoKONTROL2 Slim-Line USB MIDI Control Surface

The Korg nanoKONTROL2 Slim-Line USB MIDI Control Surface is a great addition to any home studio or live setup. It’s a well-built, reliable control surface that is very easy to use and configure. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth it for the quality and features you get.

The Korg nanoKONTROL2 is a slim-line USB MIDI control surface with eight faders, eight assignable knobs, and 24 assignable buttons. It also has a transport section with play, stop, record, and rewind buttons, as well as a jog wheel for controlling scrubbing and shuttle playback. The unit is powered by USB and can be used with any compatible DAW or music software. It’s also compatible with the Korg Kontrol Editor software for even greater flexibility and customization.

The build quality of the Korg nanoKONTROL2 is excellent. It’s made of metal and plastic, and feels very solid and durable. The faders and knobs are all high-quality and have a nice, smooth feel to them. The buttons are also well-made and have a good, positive click to them. Overall, the unit feels very well-built and substantial.

The Korg nanoKONTROL2 is very easy to use and configure. The included software is simple and straightforward, and allows you to quickly map the controls to your DAW or music software. The unit is also plug-and-play compatible with most DAWs, so you won’t need to do any complicated setup procedures.

The only downside to the Korg nanoKONTROL2 is that it’s a bit pricey. It retails for around $200, which is on the high end for a control surface of this type. However, the quality and feature set are both excellent, so it’s still a great value overall.

Overall, the Korg nanoKONTROL2 Slim-Line USB MIDI Control Surface is an excellent addition to any home studio or live setup. It’s well-built, easy to use, and very versatile. The only downside is the price tag, but it’s still a great value considering the quality and features you get.

Native Instruments Maschine MK3 Groove Production Studio

The Maschine MK3 was released in September 2018 as the latest version of Native Instruments’ all-in-one groove production studio. The most significant change from the previous Maschine models is the addition of a built-in 24-bit/96kHz audio interface, which allows for standalone operation without the need for a computer. The Maschine MK3 also features two high-resolution color displays, 16 velocity-sensitive multi-color pads, an expanded sound library, and improved hardware integration with Komplete instruments and effects.

In terms of sounds, the Maschine MK3 comes with over 6GB of content, including drums, basses, synths, chords, and one-shots. The included drum kits are particularly impressive, with a wide variety of both acoustic and electronic kits to choose from. The overall sound quality is excellent, and the instrument can easily be used to create professional-sounding tracks.

The workflow on the Maschine MK3 is extremely intuitive and easy to learn. The two color displays make it easy to navigate the various menus and parameters, and the 16 velocity-sensitive pads provide a great way to input drums and other percussion. The pads can also be used to trigger samples and loops, making it easy to create complex layered rhythms. In terms of sequencing, the Maschine MK3 offers both real-time and step-based options, making it suitable for both live performance and studio recording.

Overall, the Maschine MK3 is an excellent groove production studio that offers a wealth of sounds and features in a compact and user-friendly package. The built-in audio interface is a welcome addition, and the improved hardware integration makes it an even more attractive option for those who already own Komplete instruments and effects. Highly recommended for both beginners and experienced producers alike.

Akai Advance 61 MIDI Keyboard Controller

Akai Advance 61 MIDI Keyboard Controller is a great product. It has61 keys and is velocity-sensitive with aftertouch. It also has pitch and modulation wheels, as well as octave up and down buttons. The keyboard is USB powered and comes with a USB cable. It also has a built-in arpeggiator with 100 presets. There are 3 banks of sounds, each with its own MIDI channel. The keyboard also has a sustain pedal input. Overall, this is a great keyboard for the price.

The Akai Advance 61 MIDI Keyboard Controller is a great keyboard for the price. It has 61 keys and is velocity-sensitive with aftertouch. It also has pitch and modulation wheels, as well as octave up and down buttons. The keyboard is USB powered and comes with a USB cable. It also has a built-in arpeggiator with 100 presets. There are 3 banks of sounds, each with its own MIDI channel. The keyboard also has a sustain pedal input.

The keys are semi-weighted and feel good to the touch. The pitch and mod wheels are responsive and add expressive possibilities to your playing. The octave up and down buttons are handy for quickly changing the pitch of the keyboard. The built-in arpeggiator is a great feature, allowing you to create complex patterns with ease. The three banks of sounds offer a wide range of sonic possibilities. The keyboard also comes with a software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, and SONiVOX Twist 2.0.

Overall, the Akai Advance 61 MIDI Keyboard Controller is a great keyboard for the price. It offers a good selection of features and comes with a software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, and SONiVOX Twist 2.0.