If you’re looking for the best MIDI controllers to take your music making to the next level, look no further. In this guide, we’ll show you the 10 best MIDI controllers of musical instruments that will help you create incredible music.
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Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Drum Pads, 4 Knobs and Music Production Software included (Black)
Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Drum Pads, 4 Knobs and Music Production Software included (Black) is a great keyboard controller for those who want to get into music production. The keys are velocity-sensitive and feel great to play, and the pads are also velocity-sensitive and have a great response. The build quality is excellent, and it comes with a good software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, AIR Hybrid 3, and SONiVOX Wobble. It’s also very affordable, making it a great option for those on a budget. Overall, the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII is a great keyboard controller for those looking to get into music production.
Alesis V25 | 25 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 V25 is a USB MIDI keyboard controller with 8 backlit pads, 4 assignable knobs and buttons, plus a professional software suite with ProTools | First included. It’s perfect for producers, musicians and DJs who want a versatile and easy-to-use MIDI controller. The V25 has a 25-key velocity-sensitive keyboard that is perfect for playing melodies, basslines and chords. The 8 backlit pads are great for triggering drums, samples and loops. The 4 assignable knobs can be used to control parameters in your favorite music software. The V25 also comes with a professional software suite that includes ProTools | First, Ableton Live Lite 9 and Eleven Lite. The Alesis V25 is the perfect MIDI controller for anyone who wants an all-in-one solution for their music production needs.
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 | 49-Key USB MIDI Controller With Pitch And Mod Wheels
The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is a 49-key USB MIDI controller with pitch and mod wheels. It is compatible with Mac and PC and offers plug-and-play connectivity. The Keystation 49 MK3 has an assignable slide control for pitch bend or modulation, and an octave up/down button for expanding the keyboard range. It also has transport controls for controlling your DAW, as well as volume, pan, and mute buttons for controlling playback. The Keystation 49 MK3 is powered by USB and includes a USB cable.
Novation Launchkey 49 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
Novation Launchkey 49 is an amazing MIDI controller keyboard that is perfect for any music producer or musician. It has 49 keys, which is the standard size for most MIDI controllers, and it also has a USB port so you can connect it to your computer. The keyboard is very easy to use and it comes with a software called Ableton Live Lite, which is a great DAW (digital audio workstation) for beginners. The keyboard also has 16 pads, which are velocity-sensitive and can be used to trigger drums, samples, or anything else you can think of. Overall, the Novation Launchkey 49 is an excellent MIDI controller keyboard that is perfect for any music producer or musician.
Arturia MiniLab MkII 25 Slim-Key USB MIDI Controller
The Arturia MiniLab MkII 25 Slim-Key USB MIDI Controller is a great little controller for the price. It has 25 keys, which are velocity-sensitive and have aftertouch. There are also 8 pads, which are also velocity-sensitive. The pads can be used for drumming or for playing melodic parts. There are also 2 banks of 4 knobs, which can be assigned to various parameters. There is a pitch bend wheel and a modulation wheel.
The unit is powered via USB and also has MIDI in/out ports. It comes with the Arturia Analog Lab Lite software, which gives you access to 500 sounds. The software works as a plugin within your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or as a standalone application. The unit is very well built and has a solid feel to it. The keys have a good response and the pads are very sensitive.
Overall, the Arturia MiniLab MkII 25 Slim-Key USB MIDI Controller is a great little controller for the price. It’s well built, has a good selection of controls, and comes with some great software. If you’re looking for a portable MIDI controller, this is a great option.
Korg microKEY2 37 Slim-line USB MIDI Controller
The Korg microKEY2 is a 37-slimline USB MIDI controller that is perfect for the traveling musician or the musician with a limited amount of space. The keys are velocity-sensitive and have a natural feel, making it easy to play your favorite tunes. The microKEY2 also comes with a pitch bend wheel and a modulation wheel, giving you more control over your sound. The Korg microKEY2 is also powered by USB, so you won’t need an external power source. The Korg microKEY2 is a great choice for the musician on the go.
Nektar Impact GX49+ USB MIDI Controller
The Nektar Impact GX49 USB MIDI Controller is one of the most popular and affordable MIDI controllers on the market. It’s simple to use and has a variety of features that make it a great choice for both beginner and experienced musicians. The GX49 is very well-built and has a solid feel to it. The keys are velocity-sensitive and have a nice, responsive feel. The pads are also velocity-sensitive and are great for playing drums or triggering samples. The knobs and buttons are all clearly labeled and easy to use. The GX49 comes with a software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, which is a great DAW for both recording and live performance. Overall, the Nektar Impact GX49 is an excellent MIDI controller that is perfect for both beginners and experienced musicians.
Behringer UM2 U-Phoria 2×2 Audio Interface
The Behringer U-Phoria UM2 2×2 Audio Interface is a great addition to any home studio. It’s easy to use and sounds great. The build quality is good, and it’s very portable. The only downside is that the drivers can be a bit finicky on Windows 10, but overall, this is a great interface for the price.
I’ve been using the UM2 for a few weeks now and I’m very happy with it. The sound quality is excellent and it’s very easy to use. I’m using it with Reaper and it works great. The drivers can be a bit finicky on Windows 10, but overall, this is a great interface for the price.
The build quality is good and it’s very portable. The only downside is that the drivers can be a bit finicky on Windows 10, but overall, this is a great interface for the price.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 Compact Keyboard and Pad Controller
The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 Compact Keyboard and Pad Controller is a great addition to any music producer’s toolkit. The keyboard is extremely easy to use and the pads are very responsive. The built-in sound card is a great feature, as it allows you to record your own sounds directly into your computer. The only downside is that the keyboard is a bit small, but it is still a great product overall.
The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 Compact Keyboard and Pad Controller is an amazing addition to any music producer’s toolkit. The keyboard is extremely easy to use and the pads are very responsive. The built-in sound card is a great feature, as it allows you to record your own sounds directly into your computer. The only downside is that the keyboard is a bit small, but it is still a great product overall.
Roland A-500PRO 61-Key MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Roland A-500PRO is one of the best MIDI keyboard controllers on the market. It has 61 keys, velocity-sensitive keys, and aftertouch. It also has a pitch bend wheel and a modulation wheel. The A-500PRO also has eight assignable knobs, six assignable buttons, and a sustain pedal input. It also has a USB port for connecting to a computer. The A-500PRO is compatible with Windows and MacOS.
The A-500PRO is a great MIDI keyboard controller for a variety of reasons. First, the keys are velocity-sensitive and have aftertouch. This means that the harder you press the keys, the louder the sound will be. Additionally, the keys are semi-weighted, which gives them a realistic feel. The A-500PRO also has a pitch bend wheel and a modulation wheel. These two features give you more control over the sound of your music.
Second, the A-500PRO has eight assignable knobs and six assignable buttons. These knobs and buttons can be assigned to control various parameters of your software instruments. For example, you could assign one of the knobs to control the volume of a synth sound. Or, you could assign one of the buttons to turn on/off a delay effect. The possibilities are endless.
Third, the A-500PRO has a built-in USB port. This port allows you to connect the A-500PRO to your computer. Once connected, you can use the A-500PRO as a MIDI controller for your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or virtual instruments. The A-500PRO is compatible with both Windows and MacOS.
Fourth, the A-500PRO comes with free software called SONAR LE. This software is a stripped-down version of Cakewalk’s SONAR DAW. SONAR LE gives you all of the basic features that you need to get started making music on your computer. Additionally, the A-500PRO comes with over $200 worth of virtual instruments and effects from Cakewalk’s Dimension Pro and Rapture Pro plugins.
Overall, the Roland A-500PRO is an excellent MIDI keyboard controller. It has velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch, pitch bend and modulation wheels, eight assignable knobs, six assignable buttons, and a USB port. It also comes with free software and over $200 worth of virtual instruments and effects. If you’re looking for a great MIDI keyboard controller, the Roland A-500PRO should be at the top of your list.