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MIDI keyboards are a must-have in the modern audio studio. There are no limits to the creative possibilities that MIDI Keyboards give you as a composer. When you’re hunting for one of these smart controllers, it can be a jungle to navigate, as there are many different models to choose from. But don’t worry! We’ll give you a helping hand to take a step in the right direction - read on here! 🎹
In this test, we take a look at a range of different MIDI keyboards from different brands and with individual features. Here we have selected 5 of our popular models:
1. Akai LPK25
Akai LPK25 is a fantastic MIDI Keyboards for beginners for those of us looking for a set of keys and who don’t want to spend a lot of money. This lightweight and portable MIDI controller is great for the producer on the go, as well as for live performance with the built-in arpeggiator function. Plug-and-play connection also makes setup particularly easy.
I have personally owned and used the LPK25 to produce music for a few years now without any issues with stability, which does seem to be a concern for others who have bought this MIDI instrument. The biggest issue people experience with the LPK25 is the USB plug.
I most often use my Akai LPK25 when I’m travelling, which is only a couple of times a year, so it doesn’t take as much “beating”. A good tip (applies to all equipment with USB) is to ALWAYS unplug the USB plug during transport - that way it’s not affected nearly as much as if it’s left plugged in, as I’ve seen many people do.
Akai LPK25 is absolutely fantastic to have with you on the go, but that said, I would classify it as a MIDI Keyboards for beginners. For more experienced or professional musicians, I would definitely recommend spending a bit more money on a slightly larger model with weighted or semi-weighted keys - maybe even a digital piano. We also cover this type further down in this test.
Specs:
- Number of keys: 25 pcs. (velocity-sensitive)
- Features: Arpeggiator, sustain button, octave adjustment, tap tempo
- Compatible with Mac & PC
Pros:
- Super practical to take with you
- 25 velocity-sensitive keys
- Arpeggiator, Sustain button, Octave Up and Down and Tap Tempo buttons
- Plug-and-play USB connection to Mac or PC that does not require external software installation
- 4 programmable memory banks
Cons:
- Risk of the plug being damaged during frequent transport
2. Arturia Minilab MKII
The aesthetics of this MIDI Keyboards are very appealing. It has a very “clean” design compared to so many others. One of the advantages of this keyboard is that it’s built with narrow keys. The reason Arturia did this was to improve the key action. Personally, I think it works really well.
Arturia managed to launch a mini controller that is extremely affordable and easy to play. How does this compare with the rest of the competition?
Personally, I think it works well together. If you’re looking for durability, you’ll always go with Arturia products. Trust me, they’re built like tanks. The downside of this is that they’re a bit heavier. The whole point of the smaller types of MIDI controllers is to be portable, and having a product that’s slightly heavier can be a drawback in situations where you need to carry it around. That said, you could say that Arturia Minilab MKII is a really great tool in the smaller studio, where space is often tight.
Note: MiniLab MKII weighs just under 1.5 kg. This is still an extremely lightweight product, so don’t see this as a deal-breaker in any way.
Specs:
- 3 x music software included
- USB/MIDI Keyboards & Controller
- 25 velocity-sensitive slim keys
- 2 banks of 8 high-quality velocity-sensitive, pressure-sensitive pads with RGB lights
- 16 knobs, 2 pressure sensors for pitch bend and modulation wheel
- 8 user presets
- Octave up and down
- Sustain pedal jack output (sold separately)
- USB bus power
- Mac and PC compatible
- Weight: 1.5 kg.
Pros:
- DurabilityHigh-quality keys
- Good for the price
Cons:
- Weighs more than most in the same class
- Not as much software is included in the package as with other MIDI Keyboards
3. Novation Launchkey Mini MK3
Like its predecessors, Launchkey Mini MK3 is a combined Keys and pad unit, primarily designed for plug-and-play use with Ableton Live. The size is manageable and the design is very tidy. All in all, it’s roughly the width of an average laptop, and its lightweight build lets you toss it in a bag and barely notice it. Despite the Launchkey Mini’s size, it feels quite sturdy, and the layout never feels too cramped. Novation has updated the 25-note mini keyboard with one of the nicest sets of keys I’ve played so far when we’re talking about a controller of this size. The pitch and mod wheels are positioned at the top left of the unit. Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 gives you plenty of opportunity to play the 16 built-in drumpads, which are placed across the unit, which feels really great and intuitive. At the same time, it’s also a cool feature that they’re all sensitive to how hard you press them, i.e. they control the velocity parameter in the DAW you’re using.
The only part of the hardware that feels cramped is the set of knobs placed along the top edge – they are a bit awkward to use, but certainly not impossible.
Launchkey Mini is built with Ableton Live users in mind and offers plug-and-play control over a wide range of DAWs functions. You can play drums using the pads, turn the knobs to adjust parameters, launch samples and scenes, and adjust the mixer's parameters in the software. The integration with other DAWs is also impressive. It also works well with Reason and Logic, while Novation's browser-based Components system makes it easy to configure the unit's MIDI signals.
Specs:
- Optimised for Ableton Live
- Compatible with all common DAWs
- 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, 8 knobs
- Buttons for play, stop, solo, mute and octave shift
- 8 rotary controllers
- Touch-sensitive pads for pitch and modulation
- Arpeggiator, sustain pedal input
- Fixed Chord Mode - One Finger Chord Automatic
- Weight: 689 g.
Pros:
- Perfectly designed MIDI controller
- Works brilliantly with or without Ableton Live
Cons:
- Space can be tight in the knob section
4. Arturia Keylab Essential 61
When I tested the KeyLab Essential 61, I was particularly impressed by the design of this fantastic MIDI Keyboards. In a world where many MIDI controllers can seem as if they are made from cheap materials, Arturia definitely did not cut corners on the build quality of these Keyboards. Although the unit is extremely light and weighs just over 3 kilos, the controller feels solid and well suited for use both on stage and in the studio.
The back of the controller has a 9V DC adapter socket, USB/MIDI output and a sustain pedal input. Although I would prefer an additional input for an expression pedal, this is definitely not something that would stop me from going with this model. The KeyLab Essential series is geared towards efficiency, and the omission of this feature would only affect the most dedicated MIDI pianists on stage.
The Essential 61's design is structured in a refreshingly intuitive way. You get an informative LED display as well as a 360º selector for presets, embedded in the centre. On the left, MIDI transposition, drum pads and transport controls are laid out. In addition, the drum pads can also function as software shortcuts, which is really smart! On the right, the controller has 9 endless encoder knobs and 9 faders, which you can also use to control your DAWs.
Arguably the most user-friendly feature of the KeyLab Essential 61 is its integration with the included software. Ableton Live 9 Lite and Arturia’s Analog Lab 2 are included with the controller, and its controls are automatically configured for both programs. The Analog Lab software makes use of Arturia’s fantastic software instruments, including their acclaimed recreations of classic vintage analogue synths.
Specs:
- 9 knobs, 9 faders, 13 buttons
- LCD display
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels
- Chord Play mode
- USB, MIDI output, sustain pedal input
- Power via USB
- Software included: Arturia Analog Lab 3, Ableton Live Lite license and UVI Grand Piano license
- Weight: 3.3 kg
Pros:
- Solid, rugged build in a lightweight package.
- Intuitive layout and controller, including 360º MIDI knobs and full DAW integration.
- State-of-the-art included software for music production and sound design.
Cons:
- Missing input for a MIDI expression pedal
- The MIDI faders could be a bit more robust.
5. Kurzweil KM88
At the end of this test, we’re looking at one of the real heavyweights among MIDI Keyboards. KM88 is Kurzweil’s first dedicated MIDI controller. I’ll briefly help you get a bit clearer on what you can expect from this MIDI flagship, and how it fits into your studio environment as a master keyboard.
Kurzweil has truly made a name for itself in the field of synthesizers and stage pianos. The expertise Kurzweil has built up in this area over the years can also be found in the new MIDI controller. The instruments mentioned above already had excellent master-keyboard functions built in. A logical step to bring a pure controller keyboard without sound generation to market — and here it is: Kurzweil KM88.
Particularly interesting is the fully weighted hammer-action keyboard with 88 keys (Real Piano Hammer-Action keyboard; abbreviated RPHA), which can be set to seven different sensitivities. The keyboard can also be split into four zones with individual assignment for each.
In addition to the well-thought-out keybed, the keys, buttons and controllers also offer a wide range of possibilities through individual assignments. If that’s not enough for you, you can expand the controllers virtually. The simple editing function and the preset memory complete the feature set. Overall, the Kurzweil KM88 presents a package that should fit perfectly into any professional studio setup.
Specs:
- 88 keys RPHA hammer action
- 4 zones
- MMC – MIDI Machine Control
- Chord trigger
- Software for Windows and macOS
- MIDI Out and USB
- Weight: 18 kg
Pros:
- Real Piano Hammer-Action keyboard
- 120 multi-user setups with instant recall via front-panel switches
Cons:
- There aren’t really any drawbacks, apart from the price potentially seeming high compared to many others
