Best MIDI Keyboards 2023 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

SaleTop #1
Arturia MiniLab 3, 25 Slim-Key USB-C Midi Controller with 5-Year Warranty, 8 Backlit LED Pads, 8 Knobs, 4 Faders, Midi Out, Built-in Arpeggiator, Chord mode and Music Production Software Bundle
  • HANDS-ON, EASY TO USE- From the best in category velocity-sensitive keyboard, to the 8 pads & 4 faders directly integrated with Analog Lab & your DAW, to the real-time mini display, every aspect of MiniLab 3 is designed to be intuitive, expressive, and a joy to use - for beginners and pros alike.
  • CREATIVE FEATURES- Enjoy a workflow that aids the creative process, with features like a built-in arpeggiator, Chord mode, custom DAW mapping presets, and easy transposition. Making music has never been so accessible.
  • COMPACT, PORTABLE, COMPATIBLE DESIGN - MiniLab 3 will fit seamlessly into any setup, from bedroom to stage, with its compact & lightweight design, deeper DAW integration, and MIDI out & USB-C connectivity.
  • 5 YEARS WARRANTY- MiniLab 3 is built with longevity and sustainability in mind. A rugged road-ready design, 5-year warranty, minimum 50% recycled plastic construction, and 100% recycled packaging means this controller goes the distance.
  • CREATIVE SOFTWARE INCLUDED - On top of a world-class MIDI controller, you’ll get a full package of premium music-making software, from an industry-standard DAW to well over 500 mix-ready synth & keyboard presets. Included Software (Analog Lab Intro, Ableton Live Lite, UVI Model D, Native Instruments The Gentleman, Loopcloud sample packs & subscription, Melodics subscription)
SaleTop #2
Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 MIDI Controller with 49 Velocity-Sensitive keys, 9 Encoders, 9 Sliders, 8 RGB Pads - USB-C, Midi Out, LCD Screen, Bundled Software and DAW Integration - White
  • Precise Control and Versatility: The Arturia Essential 49 Mk3 MIDI keyboard offers precise control and exceptional versatility for musicians and producers. With 49 velocity-sensitive keys and a range of customizable parameters, this MIDI keyboard enables effortless expression and seamless integration with your favorite DAW.
  • Intuitive Integration with DAW Software: Designed to streamline your workflow, the Arturia Essential 49 Mk3 MIDI keyboard seamlessly integrates with popular digital audio workstation (DAW) software such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio. Its intuitive mapping and dedicated DAW controls allow for effortless navigation, making it the ideal companion for both beginners and professionals.
  • Extensive Sound Library: Unlock your creativity with the extensive sound library included with the Arturia Essential 49 Mk3 MIDI keyboard. Featuring over 8,000 high-quality sounds from Arturia's award-winning software instruments, this keyboard provides a vast palette of tones and textures to enhance your music production.
  • Smart Chord and Scale Modes: The Arturia Essential 49 Mk3 MIDI keyboard features smart chord and scale modes, making it easy to create harmonically rich compositions. Whether you're a beginner exploring music theory or an experienced musician looking for creative inspiration, these intelligent modes simplify the process of writing chord progressions and melodies.
  • Compact and Portable Design: With its compact and lightweight design, the Arturia Essential 49 Mk3 MIDI keyboard is perfect for musicians on the go. Whether you're producing music in your home studio or performing live on stage, this keyboard's portability allows you to take your creativity anywhere. Its durable construction ensures reliability, making it an ideal choice for touring musicians and producers.
SaleTop #3
Festnight Worlde EasyControl.9 Portable Mini USB 9 Slim-Line Control MIDI Controller
  • 9 MIDI control groups: 9 knobs + 9 sliders + 9 buttons.
  • 4 programmable memory banks.
  • 6 transport buttons: Rew, Play, FF, Loop, Stop, Rec.
  • Plug and Play USB 2.0 cable, no need of driver installation.
  • Comes with editor software.
SaleTop #4
M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini – 32 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With Beat Pads, MIDI assignable Knobs, Buttons & Faders and Software Suite Included
  • MIDI Keyboard Essentials - 32 velocity-sensitive, semi weighted keys for playing virtual sampler instruments and virtual synthesizer plugins
  • Beat Maker Mainstays - 8 RGB backlit MIDI assignable velocity sensitive drum pads with Note Repeat for beat production, clip launching, soundboard triggering and more
  • Total Command of Your Music Production - 4 assignable knobs, buttons and faders for tactile MIDI control of virtual instruments, effect plugins, DAW controls and more
  • Every Tool You Need – Effortless auto-mapping for DAW controls & plugin parameters; Smart Chord & Smart Scale modes; Arpeggiator; pitch & modulation wheels; sustain pedal input; 1/8-inch (3.5mm) MIDI Output
  • Complete software production package Included - MPC Beats, Ableton Live Lite, virtual instruments from AIR Music Tech and Akai Professional MPC Expansion packs
SaleTop #5
Akai Professional MPK mini MK3 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Backlit Drum Pads, 8 Knobs and Music Production Software included, red&black MPKMINIMKIII
  • Music Production and Beat Maker Essential – USB powered MIDI controller with 25 mini MIDI keyboard velocity-sensitive keys for studio production, virtual synthesiser control and beat production
  • Total Control of your Production - Innovative 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control, plus a built-in arpeggiator with adjustable resolution, range and modes
  • The MPC Experience - 8 backlit velocity-sensitive MPC-style MIDI beat pads with Note Repeat & Full Level for programming drums, triggering samples and controlling virtual synth / DAW controls
  • Complete Command of your Virtual Instruments and FX - 8 360-degree knobs assign to all your music studio plugins for mixing, tweaking synth controls and more
  • 1500+ Sounds and Everything You Need for Pro Production – Complete Music Production Starter Kit including MPC Beats, 6 Virtual Instruments and 2GB of sound content
SaleTop #7
Nektar SE61 61-Key Full-Size Velocity-Sensitive USB Midi Keyboard Controller with Nektar DAW Integration and Free Professional Recording Software
  • PLAY – THE ACTION: 61 velocity-sensitive full-size keys with a synth action keybed that is has firm feel. And as everyone has their own playing style and preferences, we have included a choice of 4 different velocity curves (plus 3 fixed ones) so you can adjust the keyboard response to your needs.
  • PERFORM – THE PERFORMANCE CONTROLS: No matter if you want to play a complex solo in the style of Herbie Hancock or are just trying to make an EDM wobble bass more lively by adding modulation: the SE61’s large Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels will get you there. They have a tight grip and offer just the right resistance. For piano-style sustain effects, you can connect a switch or pedal to the foot switch socket on the back of the SE61.
  • BUTTON UP – THE CONTROLS: Four buttons and one MIDI-assignable fader to the left of the keys make the SE61 even more flexible: Shift the keyboard up or down -3/+4 octaves with multi-colored LED indicators showing the exact status. Or transpose the keys +/- 12 semitones with the transpose buttons right below.
  • NEKTAR DAW INTEGRATION: Give your trackpad or mouse a break and control DAW transport functions and track selection directly from the SE61: Use the Transpose buttons for track or patch change, always have the currently selected track’s volume assigned to the fader and turn the Octave and Transpose buttons into Play, Stop, Record and Rewind buttons.
  • BITWIG 8-TRACK INCLUDED: Bitwig 8-Track DAW includes over 50 software instruments and effects for use on up to 8 audio or MIDI project tracks, and you can use any 3rd party VST plug-ins you might own, too. The ‘Bitwig Essentials Package’ comes as part of this package as well, featuring a highly versatile handpicked selection of loops, clips and samples, to make it even easier to get you started.
SaleTop #8
Akai Professional MIDIMix |Portable, Fully-Assignable MIDI Mixing Desk & DAW Controller Featuring 1 to 1 Mapping With Ableton Live
  • Lightweight, compact and robust ultra-portable MIDI mixer / DAW controller seamlessly maps all mixer settings to your DAW with a single push of a button
  • Eight individual line faders and one master fader for controlling track volume, virtual instrument parameters, effect settings and more
  • 24 knobs, arranged three per channel for controlling EQ, bus sends, virtual instrument parameters, effect settings and more
  • 16 buttons arranged in two banks provide mute, solo and record arm functionality per channel
  • Effortless Ableton Live integration - Instant 1 to 1 mapping with Ableton Live (Ableton Live Lite included)
SaleTop #9
Nektar Impact GX Mini 25 Velocity-sensitive Mini Keys Portable USB Midi Controller
  • 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys. 3 velocity curves (standard, soft, hard). Joystick for pitch bend and 2 modulation controls (MIDI assignable).
  • 1/8″ inch jack for footswitch (adapter included). Octave up/down buttons with LED indicators. Part 2 LED buttons (assignable to real-time keyboard shift up/down, layering MIDI notes (intervals and MIDI channels)
  • 7 transport buttons for DAW integration or MIDI assignable. Shift button activates secondary level for a total of 14 accessible button functions.
  • Nektar DAW Integration for Impact GX Mini currently supports: Ableton Live, Bitwig, Cakewalk, Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, Garageband, Logic, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Studio One. Includes template setup for Pro Tools.
  • USB class compliant (no driver needed) works with any DAW or MIDI music software for OS X, Windows and iOS (iOS requires optional Apple Camera Kit)
SaleTop #10
Nektar SE49 49-Key Full-Size Velocity-Sensitive USB Midi Keyboard Controller with Nektar DAW Integration and Free Professional Recording Software
  • PLAY – THE ACTION: 49 velocity-sensitive full-size keys with a synth action keybed that is has firm feel. And as everyone has their own playing style and preferences, we have included a choice of 4 different velocity curves (plus 3 fixed ones) so you can adjust the keyboard response to your needs.
  • PERFORM – THE PERFORMANCE CONTROLS: No matter if you want to play a complex solo in the style of Herbie Hancock or are just trying to make an EDM wobble bass more lively by adding modulation: the SE49’s large Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels will get you there. They have a tight grip and offer just the right resistance. For piano-style sustain effects, you can connect a switch or pedal to the foot switch socket on the back of the SE49.
  • BUTTON UP – THE CONTROLS: Four buttons and one MIDI-assignable fader to the left of the keys make the SE49 even more flexible: Shift the keyboard up or down -3/+4 octaves with multi-colored LED indicators showing the exact status. Or transpose the keys +/- 12 semitones with the transpose buttons right below.
  • NEKTAR DAW INTEGRATION: Give your trackpad or mouse a break and control DAW transport functions and track selection directly from the SE49: Use the Transpose buttons for track or patch change, always have the currently selected track’s volume assigned to the fader and turn the Octave and Transpose buttons into Play, Stop, Record and Rewind buttons.
  • BITWIG 8-TRACK INCLUDED: Bitwig 8-Track DAW includes over 50 software instruments and effects for use on up to 8 audio or MIDI project tracks, and you can use any 3rd party VST plug-ins you might own, too. The ‘Bitwig Essentials Package’ comes as part of this package as well, featuring a highly versatile handpicked selection of loops, clips and samples, to make it even easier to get you started.

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