If you’re a musician, you know that MIDI keyboards and equipment are essential to creating great music. But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which ones are the best. That’s why we’ve put together this guide of the 10 best MIDI keyboards and equipment for musical instruments in 2023.
Table of Contents
Nektar Panorama P6 61-Key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
The Nektar Panorama P6 is a USB MIDI controller keyboard with 61 keys. It has a pitch and mod wheel, transport controls, and a 4-octave keybed. The Nektar Panorama P6 also has 8 assignable pads, 8 assignable faders, and 6 assignable buttons. It is compatible with Windows and MacOS.
The Nektar Panorama P6 is a great MIDI controller keyboard for those who want a lot of control over their music. The 61-key keybed is full-sized and offers a good range for playing melodies and chords. The pitch and mod wheels are located on the left side of the keyboard, which is convenient for those who want to use them while playing. The transport controls are located on the right side of the keyboard, which is also convenient for those who want to use them while playing. The 8 assignable pads are located on the top of the keyboard, which is convenient for those who want to use them for drumming or other purposes. The 8 assignable faders are located below the pads, which is convenient for those who want to use them for controlling volume or other parameters. The 6 assignable buttons are located on the left side of the keyboard, which is convenient for those who want to use them for navigation or other purposes.
The Nektar Panorama P6 is a great MIDI controller keyboard for those who want a lot of control over their music. The 61-key keybed is full-sized and offers a good range for playing melodies and chords. The pitch and mod wheels are located on the left side of the keyboard, which is convenient for those who want to use them while playing. The transport controls are located on the right side of the keyboard, which is also convenient for those who want to use them while playing. The 8 assignable pads are located on the top of the keyboard, which is convenient for those who want to use them for drumming or other purposes. The 8 assignable faders are located below the pads, which is convenient for those who want to use them for controlling volume or other parameters. The 6 assignable buttons are located on the left side of the keyboard, which is convenient for those who want to use them for navigation or other purposes.
The Nektar Panorama P6 is a great MIDI controller keyboard that offers a lot of control over your music. If you’re looking for a controller with a lot of features, the Nektar Panorama P6 should be at the top of your list.
Akai Professional MPK225 25-Key USB MIDI Controller
Akai Professional MPK225 25-Key USB MIDI Controller Review
The Akai Professional MPK225 is a portable USB MIDI controller that features 25 velocity-sensitive keys, a 4-way thumbstick for pitch and modulation control, a built-in arpeggiator, and octave up/down buttons. It also has 8 MPC-style pads with pressure and velocity sensitivity, as well as 4 assignable Q-Link knobs for controlling various parameters in your DAW or virtual instruments. The MPK225 is powered by USB and also includes a free download of Akai’s MPC Essentials software.
The Akai Professional MPK225 is a great option for those looking for a portable USB MIDI controller that doesn’t sacrifice too much functionality. The 25 velocity-sensitive keys are a nice touch, as is the 4-way thumbstick for pitch and modulation control. The 8 MPC-style pads are also a nice addition, as they offer both pressure and velocity sensitivity. And the 4 assignable Q-Link knobs provide even more control over various parameters in your DAW or virtual instruments. The only downside of the MPK225 is that it isn’t battery powered, so you’ll need to be near a USB port in order to use it. But overall, the Akai Professional MPK225 is a great choice for those looking for an affordable and portable USB MIDI controller.
Arturia MiniLab mkII 25 Key USB Controller
Arturia’s MiniLab mkII is a 25-key USB MIDI controller that gives you all the controls you need to create and perform music with your favorite DAW or virtual instrument. The MiniLab mkII features eight assignable pads, two assignable encoders, and four rotary knobs, giving you plenty of options for controlling your software. The pads are velocity-sensitive and can be used for playing drums, triggering samples, or even controlling parameters in your DAW or virtual instrument. The two assignable encoders can be used to control things like volume or panning, or you can assign them to control other parameters in your software. The four rotary knobs can be used to control things like filter cutoff or resonance, or you can assign them to control other parameters in your software. The MiniLab mkII also features a built-in arpeggiator and a pitch bend/modulation joystick, giving you even more options for creating and performing music. The MiniLab mkII is USB powered and comes with Arturia’s Analog Lab Lite software, which gives you access to over 500 sounds from Arturia’s V Collection. If you’re looking for a versatile and affordable MIDI controller, the Arturia MiniLab mkII is a great option.
Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 25 Key USB MIDI Controller
Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 25 Key USB MIDI Controller:
The Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 is a great little MIDI controller. It’s very well made and feels solid and substantial, yet it’s still lightweight and portable. The keys are nicely weighted and have a good feel to them. The pads are also great, with just the right amount of resistance. The build quality is excellent, and it looks good too.
The controller has a good selection of controls, including 16 pads, 8 knobs, 4 faders, and 2 buttons. The pads are velocity-sensitive and can be used for drums or other percussion sounds. The knobs can be assigned to control various parameters in your DAW or virtual instruments. The faders are assignable as well, and the buttons can be used for transport control or to trigger effects. There’s also a pitch bend/modulation joystick for added expressiveness.
The Launchkey Mini MK3 comes with Ableton Live Lite and a bunch of other software goodies. It’s plug-and-play compatible with both Mac and PC, and it works with all the major DAWs. Overall, this is an excellent MIDI controller that’s perfect for both beginners and more advanced users alike.
M-Audio Oxygen 49 IV 49-Key USB MIDI Controller
The M-Audio Oxygen 49 IV is a great USB MIDI controller for anyone who wants a versatile, affordable, and easy-to-use option for their studio or live setup. It has 49 keys, 8 pads, 8 knobs, and 4 buttons, making it perfect for controlling any virtual instrument or DAW. The pads are velocity-sensitive and the keys have aftertouch, making it very expressive. The Oxygen 49 also comes with a software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, SONiVOX Twist, AIR Music Tech Hybrid 3, and Toolroom artist launch packs. Overall, the M-Audio Oxygen 49 IV is a great choice for anyone looking for a versatile and affordable MIDI controller.
Alesis V49 | 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Alesis V49 is a 49-key USB MIDI keyboard controller that gives you all the performance and production control you need to get the most out of your music software. With octave up and down buttons, pitch and modulation wheels, transport controls, and a sustain pedal input, the V49 is a versatile all-in-one controller that’s perfect for any musician or producer.
The V49 also comes with 8 backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads, 4 assignable rotary knobs, and 4 assignable buttons for controlling your music software. The pads are also great for triggering samples and loops, making the V49 a powerful tool for live performers and producers alike.
The V49 is USB powered and plug-and-play compatible with Mac and PC, so you can get started making music right away. It also comes with Ableton Live Lite 9 and a voucher for one free download of Xpand!2 by AIR Music Tech, so you can start producing your own music immediately.
If you’re looking for a versatile and affordable MIDI keyboard controller that gives you all the control you need over your music software, then the Alesis V49 is the perfect choice for you.
Korg microKEY2 37 Key USB MIDI Controller
The Korg microKEY2 is a USB MIDI controller that offers 37 keys, velocity-sensitive keybed, pitch bend and modulation wheels, octave up/down buttons, and sustain pedal input. It’s also one of the slimmest and most portable MIDI controllers on the market.
The microKEY2 is a great choice for anyone who needs a compact and portable MIDI controller. The keybed is velocity-sensitive and offers good feel and response. The pitch bend and modulation wheels are both smooth and responsive. The octave up/down buttons are large and easy to find, and the sustain pedal input is a nice touch.
The only downside of the microKEY2 is that it doesn’t have any built-in sounds or sequencing capabilities. But if you’re just looking for a simple and effective MIDI controller, the microKEY2 is a great option.
Roland A-500PRO 61-Key USB MIDI Controller
The Roland A-500PRO is a great MIDI controller for the price. It has 61 keys, which is plenty of room for two hands to play comfortable. The keys are velocity sensitive and have aftertouch, which is great for expressive playing. The A-500PRO also has pitch and mod wheels, as well as octave up and down buttons. There are also assignable buttons and knobs for even more control over your sound. The A-500PRO is USB powered, so you can just plug it into your computer and start playing. It also comes with Ableton Live Lite, so you can start making music right away. Overall, the A-500PRO is a great value for the money and a great MIDI controller for any level of player.
Casio CTK-2550 61-Key Portable Keyboard
The Casio CTK-2550 is a 61-key portable keyboard that features 400 total onboard Tones, 150 Rhythms, and Reverb plus Chorus Digital Effects. The CTK-2550 also features a Sampling Function that allows you to record your voice or other sounds through the built-in microphone, edit them, and then play them back. A USB port is also included for easy connection to a computer.
The keyboard has a 61-key piano-style touch response keyboard with 48-note polyphony. There are 400 total onboard Tones which include 50 Dance/Electronic, 100 Preset rhythms, and 150 rhythms. You can also create up to 10 User Rhythms. The keyboard has 100 different types of Reverb plus Chorus digital effects. You can also layer two different Tones together or split the keyboard into two Zones so you can play two different Tones at the same time. There is also a Pitch Bend Wheel that gives you real-time control over the pitch of the sound.
The CTK-2550 also has a Sampling Function that allows you to record your voice or other sounds through the built-in microphone, edit them, and then play them back. You can also use the sampling function to create your own drum beats. The keyboard has a USB port that allows you to connect it to a computer so you can transfer data between the keyboard and your computer. The keyboard includes a power adapter, music stand, and sustain pedal.
Yamaha PSR-EW300 SA 76-Key Portable Keyboard
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 SA 76-Key Portable Keyboard is a great keyboard for beginners and experienced players alike. The keyboard has 76 keys, which is the standard size for most pianos and keyboards. The keyboard also has a touch screen display, which makes it easy to navigate the various functions of the keyboard. The keyboard comes with a built-in metronome, which is a great feature for those who want to keep their playing in time. The keyboard also has a USB port, which allows you to connect the keyboard to your computer or other devices. The keyboard comes with a power adapter and a sustain pedal.
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 SA 76-Key Portable Keyboard is a great choice for those who are looking for a portable keyboard that is easy to transport. The keyboard is lightweight and has a carrying case, which makes it easy to take with you on the go. The keyboard has a variety of features that make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced players. The keyboard has a touch screen display, which makes it easy to navigate the various functions of the keyboard. The keyboard also has a USB port, which allows you to connect the keyboard to your computer or other devices. The keyboard comes with a power adapter and a sustain pedal.