Best midi controller on Reddit
157 reviews from r/synthesizers, r/Logic_Studio, r/musicproduction and 26 more subreddits
157 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Arturia
4.4
(41)
"I love my Arturia Keystep 37."
"Arturia KeyStep Pro. 49 keys, plenty of MIDI options."
"I’ve got a MiniLab 3 that I love."
"Keystep pro."
"Keystep pro."
"I really like my Arturia mini lab 3."
"Go for an Arturia Keylab Essential 49. Well built, decent keyboard feel."
"I bought the Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 61-key Keyboard Controller. It’s certainly not the cheapest, but it has a superior keybed."
"The 61 is probably the best controller you can get right now for the price"
"You really can't go wrong with the Arturia Keylab."
#2
Novation
4.4
(23)
"Novation Launch Control XL!!"
"For sure the LaunchKey 49!"
"If you're looking at Abelton, cast your eye over the new Novation Launchkey Mk 4 - various keybed lengths. Tight integration."
"I have the launchkey and it's great! And not too expensive. Highly recommend it."
"I just got the Novation Launchkey MK4 61 and it’s perfect."
"The Novation Launchkey MK4 series has rotary encoders which makes it a huge upgrade over MK3."
"I love how nicely the SL MK3 is integrated into Bitwig via the drivenbymoss Script."
"Novation Launchkey 49 mk3."
"Launchkey 49 + Launchpad X!"
"Launchcontrol xl is a good place to start, but i prefer midi fighter twister."
#3
Nektar
4.5
(14)
"I have an Nektar LX88, and love it."
"I've had a 49 key one for some time and it's amazing."
"If you want the best possible integration for Studio One, including but not limited to controlling plugins and getting proper feedback for every parameter on the controller screen, Nektar is the way to go."
"I have a t4 and it’s solid."
"Nektar is the only choice that makes sense."
"Awesome controller for Reason, great price."
"I just got the nektar gxp61 and it’s got a great price with aftertouch and some nice integrations with logic."
"Check out Nektars range of controllers."
"Check out Nektar controllers. I've heard they work well with Reaper."
"Another Reason user here that uses Nektar. No one else comes so closely configured to work with Reason out of the box."
#4
Akai
3.9
(14)
"9 sliders, 24 knobs, 16 buttons for 89€"
"Akai mpk mini plus."
"I've owned a Akai MPK mini with 25 keys and 8 pads for about 10 years."
"Akai APC-25 or maybe a Novation Launch station."
"For Ableton the APC40 MKii not the new one will give pads to launch clips, faders, knobs and more."
"With the same money you can get a used Akai MPD218, which they say has the best pads."
"I just got the akai mpk mini plus(37keys) to replace my older NI S25 mk1."
"I have the M audio mini because its super small and I have no use for pads. Though if you'd like pads the Akai is a classic choice."
"If you’re looking for a midi controller."
"Akai midimix or novation launch control."
#5
Native Instruments
4.9
(7)
"Komplete Kontrol S61."
"I've loved my Native S61. Been using it for ages now."
"Komplete Kontrol is great."
"My Komplete Kontrol board does everything I want and more."
"Felt like I had to buy it when I upgraded to komplete 14 collectors edt."
"My favorite is the Native Instruments Kontrol s61 mk3."
"The A series is in your budget with a very decent keybed too."
#6
Behringer
4.2
(5)
"Very sturdy feature packed midi keyboards."
"Behringer Swing would be a good start."
"It's a got great features as a midi controller - options I couldn't find on much more expensive controllers."
"I love the motorized faders."
"Behringer bcf2000 and bcr2000"
#7
Korg
4.0
(5)
"Korg NanoKontrol?"
"The smallest midi controller i know of would be a korg nanokey."
"Korg nano kontrol or nano pad. But for full potential, maybe you can look for a used touchscreen laptop."
"Korg NanoStudio."
"Would the Korg SQ-64 be a good recommendation?"
#8
Roland
4.8
(4)
"Here is an idea: Roland S1: super small synth can be used as a midi keyboard, and you can also sample its sounds into the tracker!"
"Anything Roland"
"My default answer for this is Roland TD17 but I’m not as familiar with other brands’ lineups."
"I'm using my roland s-1 as keyboard - it got internal battery and i connect it via jack midi."
#9
M-Audio
4.8
(4)
"I’ve been using the M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini for a few years now and honestly, I love it."
"I’ve got the m-audio mini keys and can’t be happier."
"M-Audio Hammer 88 if you need 88 hammer weighted keys."
"M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 is a good solid basic controller."
#10
Midi Fighter
4.3
(3)
"For general control of values I use a midifighter twister, it is great and super customisable."
"I prefer midi fighter twister."
"I've got a Midifighter Twister all mapped how I like it."
#11
Oxi One
5.0
(2)
"I would get an Oxi One"
"Oxi One if you want to be programmatically entering in patterns."
#12
Icon
4.5
(2)
"UF8 + UC1 or Icon V1-M are AMAZING choices!"
"You can’t go wrong with Icon Platform M+"
#13
AKAI
5.0
(1)
"I’ve had the AKAI MPK 249 for a while and am very satisfied."
#14
Intuitive Instruments
5.0
(1)
"I have the intuitive instruments exquis, sounds like exactly what you are looking for."
#15
Novation Impulse 49
5.0
(1)
"You should look the Novation Impulse 49 or the Samson Graphite 49."
#16
Samson Graphite 49
5.0
(1)
"You should look the Novation Impulse 49 or the Samson Graphite 49."
#17
Studiologic
5.0
(1)
"I don't think you could go wrong with the Studiologic SL88 Studio 88-key Keyboard Controller"
#18
Yamaha
5.0
(1)
"Used Yamaha P-series is a good place to start if you need a built-in sound engine"
#19
Elektron
5.0
(1)
"I recommend an Elektron box, the Digitone, Digitakt, or Syntakt are all excellent options."
#20
DigDugDIY
5.0
(1)
"Check out 'Scales' from DigDugDIY, his store is on Etsy. Small size, self powered, can be used in multiple modes and very good quality."
#21
Complete Control
5.0
(1)
"The king complete control keyboards work brilliantly with cubase."
#22
Akai MPK3 Plus
5.0
(1)
"Get the mpk3 plus as it has midi out pretty sure thing thong just has usb midi c /power"
#23
Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3
5.0
(1)
"Personally, I really like my Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3."
#24
Arturia KeyStep 37
5.0
(1)
"I went with a Keystep 37 and I’m realizing it’s a fairly comprehensive solution for both."
#25
FaderFox
4.0
(1)
"FaderFox UC4"
#26
Electra
4.0
(1)
"Maybe this midi controller as it has a lua scripting engine: [https://www.electra.one/]"
#27
Arturia Keylab Essential 49
4.0
(1)
"What about the Arturia Keylab Essential 49 or the Arturia MiniLab 3?"
#28
Arturia MiniLab 3
4.0
(1)
"What about the Arturia Keylab Essential 49 or the Arturia MiniLab 3?"
#29
CP
4.0
(1)
"It really is the best mini key experience you can have in terms of feel"
#30
ROLI
4.0
(1)
"Thing is tiny, battery powered, changes between 5x5 for notes and 4x4 for drums."
#31
Monoprice
4.0
(1)
"I’ve never felt the need to upgrade from my midi controller from monoprice."
#32
Circuit
4.0
(1)
"I use the Circuit Tracks."
#33
Axiom
4.0
(1)
"I’d probably go with an Axiom."
#34
IK Multimedia
4.0
(1)
"I got the IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2 Mini which is the smallest keyboard with MIDI out."
#35
Squarp
4.0
(1)
"Squarp Pyramid: Similar to Deluge without built-in sounds."
#36
Ableton
4.0
(1)
"2nd hand push!"
#37
PreSonus
4.0
(1)
"I just got an presonus atom controller and impact xt."
#38
Akai LPD-8
4.0
(1)
"You know there's a wireless version of the Akai LPD-8?"
#39
Akai APC Mini
4.0
(1)
"We have a AKAI APCmini in our kit that works pretty good."
#40
Behringer X-Touch Compact
4.0
(1)
"Berhinger x-touch compact is probably the closest thing you can buy that is a midi controller that acts like a fader wing."
#41
Arturia Beatstep
4.0
(1)
"My friend uses an arturia beatstep👌"
#42
KSP
4.0
(1)
"I recently got the KSP and use it with my volcas. It’s a blast."
#43
Morningstar MC3
4.0
(1)
"Reddit loves Morningstar for midi controllers. Their MC3 is compact and does everything you want and more."
#44
Arturia MiniLab
4.0
(1)
"I have used the mini lab with my microfreak."
#45
Panorama
3.0
(1)
"I have the Panorama P6 (the keyboard). While the integration with bitwig is perfect"
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