Ableton Controller reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 224 Reddit reviews across 10 subreddits and 38 posts to rank the best Ableton Controller brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/ableton, r/synthesizers, r/abletonlive, r/edmproduction, r/ipadmusic. Top-rated brands include Ableton (4.6/5), Novation (4.3/5), Akai (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews224
Subreddits10
Posts38
Brands30
Products92
224 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Ableton
4.6
(66)
"Personally I think the tight integration outweighs the lack of faders - because in that regard, nothing comes close to Push 2/3."
"Push 2"
"Try to look for a used push2. Basically will be all you need."
"I finally got to play a push 3. a friend of mine had a nice strings vst and holy cow thats the closest a midi instrument has ever come to nailing the slide and vibrato between notes."
"The Push 2 to me is a seriously rare kind of piece of gear. It really transforms the Ableton experience into a thing that I don’t think you can really find elsewhere without a a ton of gear - very intuitive to me and designed well functionally and aesthetically."
"Really, a Push is the best choice for you. i look at my computer monitor probably 75% less since learning the Push and i can do most things on it with buttons and knobs."
"Definitely the Push. Closest alternative is the Novation Launchkey but even then it's not really close."
"Push. There is no better answer."
"I bought a Push 2 recently and love it, I only use the knobs there for automation, mixing etc."
"The “best” controller for ableton would have to be the Ableton Push 3, because it’s designed specifically to integrate with ableton."
#2
Novation
4.3
(66)
"The X is better because it has velocity sensitivity and after touch. I love my X"
"If you got the money, I got the 49SL MK3. Its their high end keyboard but its worth it so far."
"It was down to Push 3 or Novation SL 49 MK3 , I decided on Novation for half the price and I am glad I did."
"Very good controller without any roles than being a good midi keyboard. Can’t go wrong on this path."
"I use both the Novation Launchkey 37 and 49. I am so pleased with them that I will probably upgrade the 49 to the 61 SL if they release a mk4 at all."
"The best are the NI Komplete Kontrol Mk2, Novation SL Mk3, and Arturia Keylab big version"
"Launchpad X is your answer my friend."
"I owned the launchpad x, i would never recommend any other budget one, it also has got this keystroke feature that allows you to add your Ableton shortcuts into the launchpad, its sick brother."
"I really like novation’s controllers. I have the launchkey 37 which is a great all around controller since it has full size piano keys, pitch/mod wheels, knobs and drum pads."
"I personally use a Novation 61SL MkIII, which has Ableton Live integration."
#3
Akai
4.3
(26)
"Does it all, plus it's built like a tank."
"Love my Akai MPK Mini MK3. I've used it on Ableton, Reaper and now Logic without any issue."
"I am very happy with my Akai APC40 mk2. I really love to have faders and the whole thing is built to work flawlessly with the Ableton Session View."
"The built in “InControl” mode takes over Live and maps everything to the buttons, faders, knobs, and pads."
"APC40 MK2 is an ideal controller for live performances and controlling Ableton."
"I personally think akai mpk is going to be your most versatile option."
"The APC40 is a great option for that."
"I landed on the AKAI MPK261. It has the best action/key bed IMO."
"The akai mpk mini is amazing. Been using it these past few years and cant complain"
"I had good luck with the three Akai controllers I have owned (the old MPD16, the APC40 mk1, and the Ableton Push 1)"
#4
Arturia
4.3
(22)
"If you need keys then I loved my arturia keylab mk2 61 (not the essential) for years before I upgraded. Such a great controller."
"I use a Arturia keylab61 mk2 with Ableton and it works perfectly."
"Arturia KeyLab Mk2 edges out a bit because it comes with a license for the Analog Lab Lite software."
"Arturia Keylab mk2 has 9 faders, 9 rotaries and 9 buttons, was made to control v collection and has a highly customisable user mode."
"It’s good for pretty much everything not just finger drumming."
"The regular Keystep is a great purchase."
"Can't go wrong with Arturia love my keystep"
"For midi keyboards in this price range, the arturia ones have the best keybed by far imo."
"I have a launchkey mini and the buttons feel really bad. I now have an arturia keystep and I'm a lot happier with it."
"The arturia minilab mkii is the best option in my opinion, i've bought the apc and the akai mpk mini myself and none of those bring you any real utility."
#5
Native Instruments
3.7
(10)
"The best are the NI Komplete Kontrol Mk2, Novation SL Mk3, and Arturia Keylab big version"
"I really like my native instruments komplete kontrol s61."
"I like the ni mk2 but I like Kontakt. But I also use a push 2."
"If you are already in the Maschine environment, i would be eying Jam REALLY hard, they work like a push, but switch back and forth between ableton control and maschine control."
"I like NI, and the keyboard is one of the best I've ever used."
"I really like my komplete mk2 keyboard. Has some basic navigation around ableton and has channel volumes on the screen."
"Like Maschine, they can switch back and forth between Komplete Kontrol mode and Ableton control surface mode."
"I have a komplete kontrol 61 MK2, and it is very heavily tied to komplete kontrol software."
"KK M32 by Native Instruments"
"After having a Maschine mk2 and a Studio, I wouldn't suggest them."
#6
SSL
4.7
(3)
"SSL uf8 user with ableton. I love the functionality and the 360 mixer bypasses a lot of issues with Mack control, but you certainly pay a premium for it"
"I'm loving the ssl uf8. Being able to map those extra buttons to macros is super helpful."
"I've been pretty happy using the melbourne roto-control for mixing. ... The SSL UF8 seems like it could be " "
#7
Presonus
4.3
(3)
"Im still using the faderport 8 by presonus on a daily basis, recording musical automations and im really happy with it."
"How about 2 devices - launch key mini 25 and presonus faderport."
"Faderport 8 or 16 is what you are looking for. Motorized faders and works fine with Ableton."
#8
M-Audio
4.0
(3)
"I picked up an M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 this year and I got it specifically because it has aftertouch, as well, plus an accoutrement of sliders/rotary/pads to map to VST functions. So far, it's been wonderful and rather intuitive to use daily."
"49 keys the best is M-Audio Keystation 49"
"If you want to go really cheap the m-audio trigger finger has all those things and would get the job done."
#9
Touchable
4.5
(2)
"Touchable is the way. Hands down."
"Try Touchable. I used for a bit to understand if I really wanted Push 2, which I did and subsequently got."
#10
Korg
4.0
(2)
"I'd look for a used Korg Nanokontrol Studio and used Akai MPD218."
"I personally cant stand too many controls in my keyboard controller, so something like the Korg Keystage is ideal for me."
#11
TASCAM
3.0
(2)
"The model 12 integrates with ableton I believe and can be used as a controller or a traditional mixer."
"Check out TASCAM Model 12 maybe? Sounds like you want a mixing console to me."
#12
Midi Fighter
5.0
(1)
"Midi Fighter Twister, it’s got 16 endless push encoders and four virtual banks that you can customize a LOT."
#13
ASM Hydrasynth
5.0
(1)
"Honestly, my hydrasynth is my favorite midi controller ( and favorite synth)."
#14
Midi Designer Pro 2
5.0
(1)
"I recommend Midi Designer Pro 2. I've been using it for many years and it's become an indispensable part of my setup."
#15
Doepfer
5.0
(1)
"Doepfer PG-88 without any doubt"
#16
Behringer
5.0
(1)
"I bought a BCF2000 like 20 years ago ... It's a tank. 20 years later I've dropped it 200 times it still works as well as day 1. I love it."
#17
Ableton, Native Instruments, Novation, Elektron
5.0
(1)
"PUSH, MASCHINE, Keystep Pro, Beatstep Pro, Launchpad, Elektron Sequencer or whatever works for you."
#18
Ableton, Novation
5.0
(1)
"If you want to work away from computer/mouse as much as possible, nothing compares to Push."
#19
Ableton, Arturia
5.0
(1)
"Push + keystep, trust."
#20
Ableton, Akai
5.0
(1)
"I personally use a push 2 with a apc40 mk2 and it’s everything."
#21
Arturia, Novation
5.0
(1)
"I'm loving the KeyLab mk2, and had an earlier Novation before."
#22
LK
4.0
(1)
"Lk works great both wired and wireless"
#23
KMI
4.0
(1)
"Qunexus Red KMI hands down the craziest smallest keyboard"
#24
One Control Plus
4.0
(1)
"The plus version seems to be the one to get. It emulates Mackie Control and a Launchpad X."
#25
Vestax
4.0
(1)
"Vestax vcm-600: thing is a beast if you can find one in good condition"
#26
Evolution
4.0
(1)
"Go second hand. Get a UC-33 and a padKontrol."
#27
Midifighter
4.0
(1)
"Midifighter Twister. I have both a Twister and Push 2, but I hate being limited to 8 knobs on the Push."
#28
Roland
4.0
(1)
"Roland S-1 !"
#29
Qcon
4.0
(1)
"I was using Qcon Icon Pro. But just recently went Slate Raven touchscreen. I had the Qcon with 2 extenders which gave me 24 faders plus a master. It was cool."
#30
Mackie
4.0
(1)
"The Mackie control devices work beautifully too. Like faderport, x,touch etc"
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