Are you a musician looking for the best keyboard or MIDI to buy in 2023? Look no further! This guide will show you the 10 best keyboards and MIDI of musical instruments to buy this year.
Table of Contents
Akai MPK261 MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Akai MPK261 is one of the best MIDI keyboard controllers on the market. It has a great design and is very user-friendly. The keys are velocity-sensitive and have aftertouch, which is great for expressive playing. The pads are also velocity-sensitive and are great for drumming. The faders and buttons are all robust and feel great. This keyboard also comes with a built-in arpeggiator, which is a great feature. The only downside of this keyboard is that it doesn’t come with a sustain pedal, but you can easily buy one separately. Overall, the Akai MPK261 is a great MIDI keyboard controller that is perfect for both beginners and professionals alike.
M-Audio Keystation 88 II | 88-Key USB MIDI Controller
The M-Audio Keystation 88 II is a full-size, semi-weighted USB MIDI controller with pitch and modulation wheels. It’s perfect for use with any DAW or virtual instrument, and its simple plug-and-play connectivity means you’ll be up and running in no time. The Keystation 88 II also comes with a free copy of Ignite music creation software, so you can start making music right away.
The Keystation 88 II has velocity-sensitive keys that are perfect for playing both soft and loud passages. The pitch and modulation wheels give you expressive control over your sound, and the octave up/down buttons let you extend the range of the keyboard. The sustain pedal input gives you even more control over your playing, and the USB connectivity means you can plug the Keystation 88 II into your computer and use it with any compatible software.
The Keystation 88 II is a great choice for any musician who wants a quality USB MIDI controller that is easy to use and sounds great. If you’re looking for a controller that can do it all, the Keystation 88 II is the one for you.
Alesis V25 | 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Alesis V25 is a 25-key USB MIDI keyboard controller that gives you hands-on control of your virtual instruments, plugins, and DAW. It features 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads for triggering drums, samples, or melodies; 4 assignable knobs for tweaking plugin parameters; and 4 assignable buttons for transport control, navigation, or launching macros. The V25 also provides pitch and modulation wheels, octave up and down buttons, and an ergonomic design that’s perfect for the studio or stage.
In the box
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– Alesis V25 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
– USB Cable
– User Manual
Features
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– 25 full-size keys with velocity and aftertouch
– 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads for triggering drums, samples, or melodies
– 4 assignable knobs for tweaking plugin parameters
– 4 assignable buttons for transport control, navigation, or launching macros
– Pitch and modulation wheels
– Octave up and down buttons
– Ergonomic design
– USB connectivity
– Compatible with Mac and PC
Nektar Panorama P4 | 61-Key USB MIDI Controller
Nektar Panorama P4 | 61-Key USB MIDI Controller:
The Nektar Panorama P4 is a 61-key USB MIDI controller that gives you unprecedented control over your virtual instruments and DAW. It features an assignable x/y pad that can be used for performance or production, 16 fully assignable pads, 9 faders, and 8 rotary encoders. The Panorama P4 also includes a pitch bend/modulation wheel, sustain pedal input, and expression pedal input. It is compatible with all major DAWs and virtual instruments, and comes with Bitwig 8-Track DAW software.
The Nektar Panorama P4 is the perfect controller for both live and studio use. Its assignable pads are great for triggering samples or playing drum parts, while the faders and rotary encoders can be used to control mixer functions or virtual instrument parameters. The x/y pad is perfect for adding Expression to your performances, and the pitch bend/modulation wheel is essential for any keyboard player. The Nektar Panorama P4 also comes with Bitwig 8-Track DAW software, which gives you everything you need to get started making music right away.
If you’re looking for a versatile and powerful MIDI controller, the Nektar Panorama P4 is the perfect choice. It’s perfect for both live and studio use, and its wide range of controls makes it a must-have for any serious musician.
M-Audio Oxygen 49 IV | 49-Key USB MIDI Controller
The M-Audio Oxygen 49 IV is a great USB MIDI controller for those who want a simple, yet effective way to control their music software. The Oxygen 49 IV has 49 keys, 8 pads, 8 knobs, and 4 faders, which give you plenty of control over your software. The pads are velocity-sensitive, which makes them great for drumming or other percussive playing. The knobs and faders are also assignable, so you can control whatever parameters you want in your software. The Oxygen 49 IV also comes with a software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, AIR Music Tech Xpand!2, and SONiVOX Wobble. This is a great starter pack for anyone who is new to music production and wants to get started right away. The Oxygen 49 IV is a great choice for anyone looking for a simple, yet effective USB MIDI controller.
Arturia MiniLab mkII | 25-Key USB MIDI Controller
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, yet capable MIDI controller, the Arturia Minilab MKII is a great option. It’s well-built, has a good selection of controls, and comes with some nice bundled software. The only downside is that it doesn’t have pitch or mod wheels, but those can be added via the included software if you really need them.
The Minilab MKII is a small, yet sturdy MIDI controller that’s perfect for travel or for use in a cramped studio space. It has 25 velocity-sensitive keys, 8 pads, 2 knobs, and 4 buttons. The pads are pressure-sensitive and can be used for drumming or launching clips in Ableton Live (included). The knobs can be assigned to control anything in your DAW or plugin parameters. There are also octave up/down buttons and a sustain pedal input.
The Minilab MKII comes with Arturia’s Analog Lab 3 software, which gives you access to over 500 classic synth sounds. There’s also a voucher for UVI’s Grand Piano Model D virtual instrument. Both of these are great additions and add a lot of value to the overall package.
The Minilab MKII is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable, yet capable MIDI controller. It’s well-built, has a good selection of controls, and comes with some nice bundled software. The only downside is that it doesn’t have pitch or mod wheels, but those can be added via the included software if you really need them.
Novation Impulse 49 | 49-Key USB MIDI Controller
The Novation Impulse 49 is a USB MIDI controller that gives you complete control over your music production software. It features 49 full-size keys, a 4-octave pitch bend and modulation wheel, 8 backlit velocity-sensitive trigger pads, and a 6-segment LED display. The Impulse 49 also comes with a free copy of Ableton Live Lite 9 and 1GB of Loopmasters samples.
The keys are velocity-sensitive and have aftertouch, which allows you to add expressive nuances to your playing. The 4-octave pitch bend and modulation wheel give you even more control over your sound. The 8 backlit velocity-sensitive trigger pads are perfect for triggering samples or drums, and the 6-segment LED display makes it easy to see what you’re doing.
The Impulse 49 also comes with a free copy of Ableton Live Lite 9 and 1GB of Loopmasters samples. This is a great package for anyone who wants to get into music production. The Impulse 49 is a great investment for any serious musician.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2
The Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 is one of the best MIDI controllers on the market. It has a great build quality, massive amount of features, and a very user-friendly interface. The keys feel fantastic and are velocity-sensitive, and the pads are also very responsive. The faders and buttons are all high-quality and feel great to use. There are endless possibilities for customization, and the software integration is seamless. Overall, this is an excellent MIDI controller that is perfect for anyone who wants a lot of control over their music production.
Roland A-49 | 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
Roland A-49 | 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller is one of the best MIDI keyboard controllers in the market. It’s extremely durable and its keys have a great feel to them. The Roland A-49 also has aftertouch, which is a great feature for pianists and other keyboard players. The Roland A-49 is also very affordable, making it a great choice for beginner and intermediate keyboardists alike.
The Roland A-49 is a great MIDI keyboard controller for a number of reasons. First, its keys have a great feel to them, and they’re also very durable. The Roland A-49 also has aftertouch, which is a great feature for pianists and other keyboard players. The Roland A-49 is also very affordable, making it a great choice for beginner and intermediate keyboardists alike.
One of the best things about the Roland A-49 is its portability. It’s small enough to fit in a backpack or carry-on luggage, but it’s still large enough to be comfortable to play. The Roland A-49 is also USB powered, so you can use it with your laptop or desktop computer without having to worry about batteries.
If you’re looking for a great MIDI keyboard controller, the Roland A-49 is a great option. It’s durable, portable, affordable, and has aftertouch.
Yamaha MX49 | 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Yamaha MX49 is a 49-key USB MIDI keyboard controller that offers a wide range of features for both studio and stage use. The keyboard has a velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action that is comfortable to play, and the keys are backlit for easy visibility in low-light conditions. The MX49 also features pitch and mod wheels, as well as a comprehensive control panel that gives you access to a variety of functions.
The MX49 comes with a free copy of Steinberg’s Cubase AI DAW software, and is compatible with all major DAWs. The keyboard also has a built-in USB audio interface, making it easy to record your performances directly to your computer.
Overall, the Yamaha MX49 is a great option for both beginner and experienced producers alike. The keyboard is extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. If you’re looking for a high-quality MIDI keyboard controller, the MX49 is definitely worth considering.