Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers to buy in 2023

At the present time, all you need to make music is a computer and a digital audio workstation (DAW). However, there are times when pressing keys on your computer keyboard feel like a barrier to your creativity and workflow. That’s why using a MIDI keyboard controller to make music can have many benefits, such as:

• It can save you a lot of time by speeding up the process to produce music. Without a MIDI keyboard, you would have to use the digital audio workstation’s built-in tools to create beats and instrumentals, which can be tedious and limiting.
• It can give you more control and expression over your music. You can play notes with different velocities, duration, pitches, and modulations, as well as use pedals, knobs, faders, and other controls to tweak your sounds.
• It can expand your musical possibilities and creativity. You can use a MIDI keyboard to trigger various virtual instruments and effects, such as pianos, synths, drums, guitars, strings, etc. You can also experiment with different genres, styles, and sounds.
• It can improve your musical skills and knowledge. You can use a MIDI keyboard to practice playing chords, scales, melodies, and rhythms. You can also learn some music theory and notation by using MIDI editors and software.

These are just some of the reasons why it is better to use a MIDI keyboard to make music. Of course, you can still make music without one, but a MIDI keyboard can enhance your music production experience and results as well as improve your workflow and time management.

If you are interested in getting a MIDI keyboard, we did the research for you and checked everything that is available in 2023. Below, we want to share with you our selection of the best MIDI keyboard controllers to buy in 2023.

 

Here’s a list of the best MIDI Keyboards you can get in 2023

There are many MIDI keyboards available on the market today, so you’ll need to consider some factors before buying one, such as:

• • The number and size of keys. MIDI keyboards come in different sizes, from 25 keys to 88 keys. The more keys you have, the more range and expression you can play, but also the more space and money you’ll need. The size of the keys can also vary, from mini to full-size. Full-size keys are more comfortable and realistic for piano players, but mini keys are more portable and compact.
  • The type and quality of keys. MIDI keyboards can have different types of keys, such as synth-action, semi-weighted, or fully-weighted. Synth-action keys are light and springy, suitable for fast playing and synth sounds. Semi-weighted keys are a bit heavier and more responsive, suitable for dynamic playing and piano sounds. Fully-weighted keys are the heaviest and most realistic, mimicking the feel of an acoustic piano. The quality of the keys can also affect the durability and playability of the keyboard.
  • The additional features and controls. MIDI keyboards can have various features and controls that enhance your music production, such as knobs, faders, pads, buttons, wheels, displays, arpeggiators, sequencers, etc. These can help you tweak your sounds, trigger samples, launch clips, record automation, and more. However, not all features and controls are compatible with all software and hardware, so you’ll need to check the compatibility and integration of the keyboard with your setup.
  • The connectivity and power options. MIDI keyboards can connect to your computer or other devices via USB or MIDI ports. Some MIDI keyboards can also connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You’ll need to make sure that your keyboard has the right ports and cables for your devices. Some MIDI keyboards can be powered by USB or batteries, while others need an external power supply.

Based on these factors, here are some of the best MIDI keyboards in 2023 that we found from our research:

Best overall: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2

Available at:
Amazon US Amazon

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is a premium 88-key MIDI keyboard that offers many features and benefits for music producers, performers and experienced users. It is a full-size, weighted, hammer-action keyboard that has a realistic and expressive playing feel. Two high-resolution color screens display instrument parameters, presets, and mixer controls, allowing you to navigate and tweak sounds without looking at your computer.

It comes with eight touch-sensitive rotary encoders that automatically map to the most relevant parameters of any NKS-compatible instrument or effect. This is giving you hands-on control of your sound. A light guide system shows key switches, zones, scales, chords, and arpeggios with color-coded LEDs above each key, helping you to play with confidence and creativity.

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Furthermore, there are pitch and mod wheels as well as transport controls. It even has a smart play feature that lets you play chords, scales, and arpeggios with single keys, generate melodies with the arpeggiator, and trigger chord progressions with the chord sets.

The Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is both compatible with PC and MAC and the high-resolution color displays always show your instruments and parameters. It works seamlessly with Native Instruments software and hardware, as well as other popular DAWs and plugins.
A deep integration with popular DAWs such as Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Cubase, and GarageBand, enables you to control transport, track selection, volume, pan, solo, mute, and more with dedicated buttons.

It can also work well with FL Studio, but it requires some additional steps to set up the integration. For example, you can use the MCU (Mackie Control Universal) protocol, which is a standard way of communicating with DAWs. All the features mentioned above make it exclusive and the best overall MIDI Keyboard in 2023. It simply feels amazing to play!

 

Best for beginners: M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3

Available at:
Amazon US Amazon

The Keystation 61 MK3 is a simple and reliable controller that offers a great playing feel and a lot of value for money. It is ideal for beginners who want to learn how to play the keyboard, as well as for experienced musicians who want a portable and versatile controller for their studio or live setup.

This MIDI keyboard has 61 full-size semi-weighted keys with velocity sensitivity and is designed for easy and expressive performance. It also has transport and directional controls, a volume fader, a pitch bend wheel, and a modulation wheel.

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The Keystation 61 MK3 is compatible with Mac and PC, and it works with most popular music software, such as Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, and more. It comes with a software bundle including Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, and other software virtual instruments.

 

Best budget: Akai Pro MPK Mini MK3

Available at:
Amazon US Amazon

There are many reasons why the Akai Pro MPK Mini MK3 is such a good MIDI keyboard controller. It is designed to be compact, versatile, expressive, and easy to use. It’s suitable for beginners and experienced users alike and will enhance your music production or performance workflow. Furthermore, you can easily carry this compact 25-key MIDI keyboard without requiring any external power source making it perfect for travelers.

It has new and improved mini synth-action keys with a new keybed technology that improves accuracy and response compared to previous models. The keys are velocity-sensitive and have a smooth travel, allowing for more nuanced and dynamic performances. The Akai Pro MPK Mini has eight MPC-Style backlit pads that are also velocity and pressure sensitive, with aftertouch. These pads are great if you want to play drums, trigger samples, or control parameters. They are also very tactile and responsive, similar to the ones found in the MPC series hardware.

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It has eight continuous rotary knobs that you can assign to any MIDI parameter, such as volume, filter, pan, etc.. These have absolute and relative modes to avoid sudden jumps in values when switching between plugins or presets. A four-way joystick thumb stick combines pitch bend and modulation functions in one control. The thumb stick can be customized to different ranges and directions, depending on the user’s preference.

It has a built-in OLED display that provides real-time feedback on various settings and data, a sustain pedal input, and a built-in arpeggiator. To round things up and make this MIDI keyboard a steal given its price, it comes with a generous software bundle that includes MPC Beats, Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, Vacuum, Boom, and more. These are powerful and versatile tools that will help you create professional sounding music in various genres and styles.

Best allrounder: Novation Launchkey 49 MK3

Available at:
Amazon US Amazon

The Novation Launchkey 49 MK3 is our choice for the best all-round MIDI keyboard for several reasons. It has 49 full-size keys that are velocity-sensitive and have a smooth and expressive feel. The keys also have three different velocity curves and an off/mode to suit different playing styles.

It has 16 RGB pads that are velocity and pressure sensitive, with aftertouch. These pads can be used to play drums, trigger clips, control parameters, and more. They have different modes, such as Session, Custom, Scale, Chord, and Arpeggiator.

The built-in arpeggiator can generate complex patterns and rhythms from simple chords or notes. It has different modes, resolutions, octaves, and swing settings that can be adjusted on the fly. Eight rotary knobs can be assigned to any MIDI parameter, such as volume, filter, pan, etc. The knobs have both absolute and relative modes, which means they can avoid sudden jumps in values when switching between plugins or presets.

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The Novation Launchkey 49 MK3 has nine faders that you can use to control the levels of different tracks or channels. The faders accompanied by RGB buttons can mute, solo, arm, or select tracks. It has a pitch bend and modulation wheel that you can use to add expression and modulation to your playing. Additionally, the wheels are rubberized and have a smooth feel. A thumb stick combines pitch bend and modulation functions in one control which can be customized to different ranges and directions.

An OLED display provides real-time feedback on various settings and data, such as MIDI channels, arpeggiator modes and controller values. This makes navigation and adjustments easier without looking at the computer screen. Furthermore, it’s designed to integrate seamlessly with Ableton Live, but it also works with other DAWs. Features like chord memory, scale mode, and fixed chord mode will enhance your creativity and performance.

To make it beginner-friendly, it also comes with a generous software bundle including Ableton Live Lite, Novation Bass Station II, Novation V-Station, AAS Session Bundle, Spitfire Audio LABS Expressive Strings, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Klevgrand R0Verb and DAW Cassette, Softube Time and Tone bundle, Sound Collective, and access to the Novation Sound Collective!

 

Best weighted keyboard: M-Audio Hammer 88

Available at:
Amazon US Amazon

The M-Audio Hammer 88 is a highly rated MIDI keyboard. It has a simple but high quality design with fully-weighted hammer-action keys. These keys give you a realistic and expressive playing feel that simulate a grand piano. It has a solid and well-built construction that makes it very durable and reliable.

The minimalist and elegant design focuses on the essentials and avoids unnecessary distractions. It has minimal controls including a volume fader, pitch bend and modulation wheels, octave buttons, and a power switch. A flexible and customizable configuration allows you to adjust the velocity response curve, assign MIDI functions to the fader, buttons, wheels and pedals, and create zones and layers with the preset editor app.

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The M-Audio Hammer 88 has USB-MIDI and 5-pin MIDI outputs for connecting to your computer or other devices. The integration with popular DAWs such as Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Cubase, and GarageBand works seamlessly, enabling you to control transport, track selection, volume, pan, solo, mute, and more with dedicated buttons. It also includes a software bundle featuring Komplete 13 Select, a collection of over 50 instruments and effects from Native Instruments and further developers.

There’s also a Pro Version available. It comes with additional 16 pads, several more faders that you can use to control the levels of different tracks and eight rotary knobs that can be assigned to any MIDI parameter.

Best small keyboard: Arturia KeyStep Pro

Available at:
Amazon US Amazon

The Arturia KeyStep Pro offers many features and benefits for music producers and performers, making it widely considered as the best small MIDI keyboard. It’s a versatile 37-key MIDI keyboard that also functions as a powerful sequencer for controlling multiple devices. The slim synth-action keys are velocity-sensitive with aftertouch and give it a comfortable and expressive playing feel.

Four powerful and flexible independent polyphonic sequencer tracks can control up to four tracks of MIDI or CV instruments. It can do up to 64 steps per pattern, polyphony, probability, randomness, and real-time recording. An advanced arpeggiator can generate complex and creative patterns with different modes, octaves, rates, and swing settings. The user-friendly interface features two high-resolution OLED displays. Furthermore, there are 16 backlit step buttons, five touch-sensitive encoders for adjusting parameters, dedicated transport and track selection buttons.

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Its wide range of connectivity options include USB, MIDI in/out, sync in/out/reset out, four CV/gate/mod outputs, eight drum gate outputs, and a sustain pedal input. A generous software bundle including Ableton Live Lite, Arturia Analog Lab Lite, and various instrument and effect plugins from Arturia and further brands complete this great offering.

We hope this guide will help you to find a good MIDI keyboard for your music production needs. If you have any questions or feedback about our recommendations or anything else related to music production leave a comment and let us know!

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