A quality MIDI keyboard is one of the must-have items to complete your home studio. A MIDI keyboard/controller allows you to play and record virtual instruments including pianos, synthesizers, drum kits, and more directly into your DAW. In this guide, I reviewed the best MIDI keyboard controllers currently on the market.
MIDI keyboards come in various sizes and numbers of keys, but this list will focus on keyboards ranging from 25 keys to 49 keys, as this size controller will fit easily on your home studio desk and also allows for easy transportation if you're producing on-the-go.
What is the Best MIDI Keyboard Controller?
There are many different brands out there, from AKAI, Nektar, M-Audio, and more, that offer high-quality MIDI keyboards. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it's important to consider your unique needs when deciding which keyboard to purchase.
That said, all of them essentially serve the same purpose, so it really comes down to personal preference and what budget you're willing to spend. So, let's get into our list of the best MIDI keyboards for your home studio.
25 Keys
Cost: $119.00
Likely the most popular MIDI keyboard currently on the market, the AKAI MPK Mini certainly lives up to its reputation. With 25 keys it fits easily on any desk and has some of the best velocity-sensitive drum pads of any keyboard on this list. The build quality is solid and the arpeggiator and note repeat functions are nice features to have.
All-in-all, there's not too many downsides of the AKAI MPK Mini and it's a great option for beginner-to-intermediate producers looking to get their first MIDI keyboard.
49 Keys
Cost: $84.99
The Nektar SE49 is my favorite affordable 49 key controller at under $100. While it doesn't boast any fancy features, it has all the essential ones like buttons for octave switching and transposing, a fader, and pitch bend and modulation wheels. It also doesn't have any drum pads, but you can still easily finger drum using the piano keys.
This option will get the job done, especially for producers who are just starting out, making it a great value for the price.
25 Keys
Cost: $199.00
The M-Audio Oxygen Pro is a slightly more expensive option, but you'll understand why when you see the sturdy build quality and numerous unique features. This keyboard contains pitch bend and modulation wheels, 16 drum pads, a fader, and record, play, and stop buttons that allow you to control those functions directly from the controller. It also features a MIDI out jack which lets you access more complex MIDI features, and has the best key feel on this list.
Without many downsides, the M-Audio Oxygen Pro is a great option for those who are willing to spend a bit more to get a higher quality keyboard.
32 Keys
Cost: $139.00
The Komplete Kontrol M32 is a unique keyboard on this list considering the number of keys (32), making it bigger than the AKAI MPK Mini, M-Audio Oxygen Pro, and Arturia MINILAB, but smaller than the Nektar SE49. This intermediate size could be a good option if the 25 keys just won't cut it for your needs and the 49 keys are a bit too big for your setup. Like other gear from Native Instruments, the build quality is fantastic and the simple design is very aesthetically pleasing.
While there are many positives, the biggest downside of this keyboard is that there are no drum pads. However, as I mentioned when discussing the Nektar SE49, it's pretty easy to play drum sounds using the keys.
25 Keys
Cost: $99.00
The Arturia MINILAB, coming in at less than $100, is another fantastic value at this price point. It features extremely high quality keys that even experienced piano players would be impressed with along with 8 drum pads and octave shift buttons. It also comes with Arturia Analog Lab software which features a bunch of virtual instruments and unique sounds to play with.
That said, it's missing record, play, and stop buttons and an arpeggiator feature, but those functions can be pretty easily executed within your DAW. All-in-all, the MINILAB is a great option for the money and won't disappoint.
I hope this guide helps you decide on which MIDI keyboards are best for you and your personal needs! Enjoyed this guide? Make sure to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials Guide or some of our other reviews/buyer's guides.
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