Midi Controller reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 221 Reddit reviews across 29 subreddits and 64 posts to rank the best Midi Controller brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/synthesizers, r/ableton, r/LogicPro, r/Logic_Studio, r/musicproduction. Top-rated brands include Arturia (4.6/5), Novation (4.5/5), Akai (4.2/5).
Stats
Reviews221
Subreddits29
Posts64
Brands41
Products75
221 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Arturia
4.6
(66)
"I’m using an Arturia 61. Works great"
"Arturia’s controller keyboards are amazing. I use a Keylab Essentials as my main keyboard in a decently big setup and it’s been awesome."
"Just got arturia key lab essential, and it’s soooo great with logic"
"I use the Arturia Minilab and I’m very happy with it."
"I have been really happy with Arturia Keylab mk3"
"The $399 Arturia KeyLab mk3 88-key semi-weighted is next on my list."
"My $99 Minilab 3 is great."
"The $299 Arturia full-size 61-key is pretty sweet."
"I have a both an Arturia MiniLab and Keystep 32 and I prefer the Keystep for its smaller footprint"
"If I was going to get a full size controller it would be the Arturia KeyLab 61 Mk3"
#2
Novation
4.5
(40)
"Novation Launchkey Mk4 is sensational."
"My favorite is the new generation of Novation Launchkeys. The Mark IV's have better integration with logic than anything else"
"Have a LaunchKey 49 mk3 (from a few years ago) that works great with Logic."
"The Novation Launchkey MK 4 is sensational."
"If you have no other controller, the Novation Mk4 series are great. Biggest benefits are having the keys (obviously), the transport controls (play, pause, record, undo, and QUANTIZE), and if you’re not a player like me, the ARP mode and scale mode are great."
"Go for the Launchkey MK4. It's brilliant"
"Novation LK (Launchkey) 49 Mk4 is great. Dom Sigalas does a great video on it with Cubase. I own it and it works really well."
"Novation Launch Control XL!!"
"For sure the LaunchKey 49!"
"I'm enjoying my novation Launchkey 49 MK4."
#3
Akai
4.2
(20)
"AKAI MPK Mini Mk3 last year for orchestral sketching and finger drumming"
"Akai MPK Mini MK3 is excellent for what you need."
"Akai MPK Mini3. Only $79, small and portable so you can take it with you anywhere."
"Akai Professional MPK Mini MK3. Less than 100€."
"Go with the akai mini"
"MPD218 are nice for pads."
"AKAI MPK Mini is cheap and basic but gets the job done for me."
"I use FL and have an Akai Fire and an Alesis V49. Inexpensive and does everything I need."
"Akai MPC is the classic that taught the classics."
"Akai is a solid option yeah. Another option is the donner mpk mini"
#4
Nektar
4.4
(16)
"Nektar controllers work great with Reaper out of the box, in my experience."
"I have the nektar panorama P4, they recently updated it to be compatible with ARM macs and now everythings gets mapped instantly."
"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."
"Nectar lx61+ is pretty good for the price."
"I have a nektar panorama t4 and it seems to check all of your boxes. Not terribly expensive either"
"Nektar impact 25+, it's cheap, has a fair amount of knobs."
"Check out Nektars range of controllers."
#5
Native Instruments
4.8
(8)
"I got the 25 key for quick controls access for my table top along with my dedicated 88 key slab. I have no buyer's remorse whatsoever"
"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."
"I got the Maschine MK3."
"Komplete Kontrol S Series if you use Kontakt a lot."
"I'm a huge fan of the Maschine mkIII."
#6
M-Audio
4.1
(9)
"M-Audio Hammer 88 if you need 88 hammer weighted keys."
"I ended up going with M audio hammer 88"
"The M-Audio 88 key controller looks good. It has usb and midi."
"Check out the M Audio Hammer 88. Straight up keys only, decent hammer keyboard action."
"I chose an m-audio 88 semi weighted as it is budget friendly and feels better than standard keyboard."
"I have an M-Audio Oxygen Pro 61. Fairly cheap, does everything you'd want, is plug and play."
"I would choose an Oxygen Pro over the Launchkey for the better Transport Controls."
"Impressed with M-Audio and Roland."
"I was really happy with my M-Audio Oxygen 49."
#7
Roland
4.5
(8)
"I have been using a Roland Fantom 08 since 2023 and it's incredible."
"My default answer for this is Roland TD17."
"Anything Roland"
"My default answer for this is Roland TD17 but I’m not as familiar with other brands’ lineups."
"The a-80 is a midi controller. No speakers or sounds at all."
"The FP series is a more simple, piano focused series, better built in speakers."
"I personally own a Roland pc 200 mk2 with X support stand for 20 dollars."
"I'm big fan of the Roland A series for controllers."
#8
Korg
4.3
(4)
"Korg MicroKEY. Comes in 25/37/49/61 minikeys."
"The recent korg keystage might be a good fit for you."
"Korg NanoKontrol?"
"Korg nano kontrol or nano pad. But for full potential, maybe you can look for a used touchscreen laptop."
#9
Ableton Push 2
5.0
(3)
"I’m selling my Push2 if you’d be interested in it."
"Push 2"
"Try to look for a used push2. Basically will be all you need."
#10
Ableton
4.7
(3)
"Dude, just get a Push 2/3. You’ll be getting this and so, so much more."
"Can’t see past a push. There is nothing better for this task."
"2nd hand push!"
#11
Behringer
4.3
(3)
"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."
#12
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."
#13
TouchOSC
5.0
(2)
"Touch OSC all the way."
"I recommend TouchOSC for parameter control."
#14
Oxi One
5.0
(2)
"I would get an Oxi One"
"Oxi One if you want to be programmatically entering in patterns."
#15
Arturia KeyStep 37
4.5
(2)
"I went with a Keystep 37 and I’m realizing it’s a fairly comprehensive solution for both."
"Have you considered a Keystep 37?"
#16
StudioLogic
4.5
(2)
"Look at the Studiologic SL88. Fully weighted Fatar keybed and it’s pretty affordable."
"For a basic well made controller either StudioLogic’s SL 88 ($499) or SL Grand ($999)."
#17
Novation Launch Control XL
4.5
(2)
"Love my Launch Control XL"
"I also use a novation launch control xl."
#18
Casio
3.0
(3)
"I got a Casio for a few hundred new. It’s clunky but it’s weighted."
"A Casio piano has very high latency compared others (mostly arturia)."
"Casio DH100"
#19
Akai APC Mini
4.0
(2)
"Apc mini mark 2 should work nicely."
"We have a AKAI APCmini in our kit that works pretty good."
#20
Yamaha
4.0
(2)
"The best mini keys would probably be those of a Yamaha Reface."
"Maybe grab a Yamaha reface of your choice. They sound amazing, use batteries, and have the best mini keys ever."
#21
Arturia Keystep
5.0
(1)
"The reigning king of controllers for hardware is still the Arturia Keystep."
#22
Akai APC 40 MK2
5.0
(1)
"I use and recommend APC 40 Mk 2."
#23
Alesis
4.0
(1)
"I also have an alesis vi25 midi controller, and I prefer koala"
#24
mvave
4.0
(1)
"Budget - mvave 25 is actually quite good"
#25
Akai APC 40
4.0
(1)
"Get a used APC 40. Those go pretty cheap."
#26
Novation Launch Control
4.0
(1)
"Novation Launch Control"
#27
Presonus Atom
4.0
(1)
"I think you'll need 2 devices, along the lines of a Presonus Atom and a Korg NanoKontrol2."
#28
Korg NanoKontrol2
4.0
(1)
"I think you'll need 2 devices, along the lines of a Presonus Atom and a Korg NanoKontrol2."
#29
Novation Launchkey Mini 25
4.0
(1)
"Launch key mini 25 and presonus faderport."
#30
Presonus Faderport
4.0
(1)
"Launch key mini 25 and presonus faderport."
#31
Akai APC 64
4.0
(1)
"I use an Akai apc 64, some people don’t like the touch faders but I like them."
#32
Akai MIDI Mix
4.0
(1)
"Akai midi mix 8 faders but you can bank left and right."
#33
Akai MPD232
4.0
(1)
"The MPD226 or MPD232 would work depending on how many knobs and sliders you're after."
#34
Akai MPD226
4.0
(1)
"The MPD226 or MPD232 would work depending on how many knobs and sliders you're after."
#35
Akai MPD218
4.0
(1)
"Why not buy a cheap akai mpd218? that also works pretty good"
#36
Roland SP404 MK2
4.0
(1)
"The roland sp404 mk2 works with koala"
#37
Maschine
4.0
(1)
"Maschine Jam could be affordable option as well."
#38
Faderfox
4.0
(1)
"Faderfox pc12 plus faderfox mx12."
#39
Samson
4.0
(1)
"Honestly the Samson graphite 49 was pretty great."
#40
Doepfer
4.0
(1)
"I know of exactly one - the Doepfer D3m waterfall controller."
#41
Nord
4.0
(1)
"You'd probably need to look into a few stage boards like Nord Electro, Roland VR730, Yamaha YC."
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