MIDI Keyboards serve as practical hands-on extensions of your digital audio workstation. Instead of using the piano roll, you can physically play your notation in, perfect for those that come from a traditional music background. If you wish to automate parameters within a synth or effects plugin, assign it to a knob or fader on your controller. MIDI Keyboards are versatile, responsive, and great for sharpening your music theory skills.
We have selected a few of our favourite MIDI Keyboards from some of our leading manufacturers including Native Instruments, Novation, M-Audio and Korg. These have been selected for a variety of reasons such as ease-of-use, advanced features, and price.
M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
The M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 keyboard controller features 49-velocity sensitive semi-weighted keys, 16 RGB Backlit velocity-sensitive assignable pads with Note Repeat, an in-built arpeggiator, nine assignable faders and eight assignable knobs and buttons.
The layout of the keyboard is intuitive and features an OLED screen for quick edits. It can be used with a range of popular DAWs including MPX Beats, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Cubase and Logic to name a few. There is an auto-mapping features which makes the mapping of the DAW effortless.
The Oxygen Pro 49 includes some advance technology in the form of Smart Chord and Smart Scale, along with a keybed Aftertouch feature allowing users to add expression and further control after the key has been initially pressed. The MIDI Keyboard comes ready to use thanks to the inclusion of a Premium Software Suite. Overall, professional quality at your fingertips.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S-49Mk2
Native Instruments have come up with an incredible keyboard that comes with one of a kind functionality. The S49 Mk2 has been created to give you hands-on control over every parameter within Native Instruments equally brilliant software plugins. The two hi-res 7inch screens mean you also get advance visual information at a responsive rate. Also, many software manufacturers are developing their VSTs the NKS-standard which gives you the same advance hands-on control as NI’s own software.
Regarding build quality, the S49Mk2 comes with pitch and mod wheels as standard as well as a modulation strip for even more responsive control. The semi-weighted fatar keys will feel smooth and comfortable to play to anyone from a classical music background.
Finally, the smart play function comes with over 120 selectable modes and scales. You pick your root note, then your scale and you the keyboard’s LEDs show the notes that a most compatible in that scale. Set it to chord mode, and you can play chords with one key – intervals, triads, devils intervals, 7ths, 9ths – the choice is yours.
This function is incredible for producers that struggle with music theory and serves as an excellent method to fine tune those skills and add complex melodic and harmonic structure to your compositions.
Novation Launchkey 25/49/61 MK3
The Novation Launchkey Mk3 series is known for its fantastic build quality, portability, and feature list. This easy-to-use keyboard is perfect for studio use as well as the touring electronic music performer. The 16RGB performance pads enable you to play drum patterns into your DAW with ease, ideal for use in conjunction with a software sampler.
The 8 rotary knobs along the top section are great for assigning parameters to for more in-depth automation control. The keyboard also comes with pitch and modulation wheels that are responsive and feel comfortable to play. The keys are lightweight, yet offer incredible comfort while playing as well as being velocity sensitive so when recording MIDI information, the keyboard will tell your DAW how hard you play to give a more accurate and authentic playing experience.
The keyboard is designed for simple use and has received praise from many of the world’s top music producers. As if all that wasn’t enough this is one of the most cost-effective MIDI controllers on the market.
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3
For those that want a no bells and whistles, the Keystation 49 MK3 or 61 MK3 is the perfect companion for producers that have a background in playing keyboard or piano. The full-sized keys make for a great playing experience and record every nuance of your playing style, in terms of capturing accurate velocity and low latency between the keyboard and your DAW.
The lightweight and slimline design of the keyboard controller means this can fit into practically any decent sized home or professional sized studio. Responsive pitch and mod wheels along with octave selection controls make this one of the most simplistic and popular MIDI keyboard controllers for music producers around the world.
Korg Taktile 25
The Korg Taktile 25 comes with a few unique features including an X/Y pad which will give you advanced automation control over any parameters in your plugin collection. Even better if you have a plugin with a correlating X/Y parameter which can be instantly MIDI mapped to your keyboard.
The 8 faders on the left of the keyboard can also be assigned to parameters in plugins as well as whole channels in your DAW allowing you to control the volume of the fader. The 8 velocity-sensitive trigger pads also make this a great controller for creating drum patterns. All these features have been cleverly designed by Korg to give you hands-on control over a variety of controls thus making the music making experience more enjoyable.
Along with the Krome derived keybed and keys that will feel comfortable and familiar to play even for more experienced players, you also receive an in-built arpeggiator which when combined with any software instrument can be used to unlock even more creative possibilities within your music production.
Conclusion
These keyboards all provide you with different and unique features. Some are more lucrative than others, however, one thing we can guarantee is that any one of these keyboards will add new hands-on and creative tools to your collection, and give you some new techniques to use within your productions.
Share This Article