What MIDI Keyboard should I buy? | Ultimate Guide

There are many factors to consider before buying a MIDI controller keyboard. Being unaware of these will lead to you having to either sell it and buy a new one or make due and settle for a keyboard that will limit your creativity and capability.

Knowing what you need from a MIDI keyboard heavily depends on what you plan to do with it. If the music you intend to make features drums, pads become a necessity. Your keyboard should also work well with your DAW of choice, whether that’s Logic or Ableton or lesser-known DAWs like Zynewave Podium or Orion Studio, as some keyboards may be less compatible with certain DAWs.

Most important of all are the number and type of keys. Do you need 88 full-size keys, or is a compact 25-key MIDI keyboard sufficient? Do you need the keys to be weighted or touch-sensitive?

These factors are only some of the things you need to consider. In this article, I'll delve deep into everything you need to consider before buying a MIDI keyboard.

The Keys

One of the first and most important things you must decide on before purchasing a MIDI keyboard is the number of keys; other than how much it'll limit or expand your capabilities, the number of keys also dictates the keyboard's size.

The most popular number of keys for MIDI keyboards is 25, 49, 61, and 88. You can also find 32, 37, 73, and 76-key ones; however, they are pretty niche, and most well-known brands don’t manufacture them. 

If you want a compact, portable keyboard, 25-key (mini keys) and some 49-key MIDI controllers are the best options. More keys translate into much bigger, full-size keys and overall bigger keyboards, as 61- and 88-key controllers aren't made for small studios and are better suited to musicians who want to do keyboard splits and range mapping. 

Additionally, there's the matter of octaves as 25, 49, 61, and 88-key keyboards cover two, four, five, and seven octaves, respectively. With more keys and octaves, you have a broader range in terms of notes and creativity, negating the need to switch octaves constantly. 

If you can't decide on how many keys you need, you can never go wrong with 49-key MIDI controller keyboards. They offer the best of both worlds: plenty of keys to work with and several compact and portable models. For some insight, check out my list of the best 49-key MIDI controller keyboards.

Another thing to consider is the type of keys you want regarding action and feel. Generally, there are three types of MIDI controller keys: weighted, semi-weighted, and synth-action. 

Weighted keys are as close as you can get to the feel and action of real piano keys; they are heavier and more expensive than the two other types; semi-weighted keys are touch/velocity-sensitive, meaning how hard or soft you hit the key translates into how loud the note will sound, and lastly, synth-action keys, as the name suggests, operate like synth keyboard keys in that they are spring-loaded, giving the same feel for all keys and jumping back into their resting position quickly, making them the perfect keys for fast “accelerando” phrases.

Controls: Pads, Knobs, Faders, etc.

Except for some budget models, most MIDI controller keyboards come with certain bits and bobs, like knobs, buttons, faders, etc., that control parameters like channel levels, pitch, modulation and so on.

As mentioned before, pads are a must if you want to do drum work. Typically, they are velocity-sensitive pads that you can assign to drums and trigger samples. Note that some MIDI controllers do not feature pads at all.

As for knobs and faders, they can be assigned to pretty much anything from the obvious, like volume control to modulation speed or bit crusher amount. Knobs are great for controlling low-pass/high-pass filters and controlling panning. You can use faders for volume ducking and creating crescendos/decrescendos. However, as I said, you can assign them for anything, so if you have various parameters that you have to modify, then you should opt for MIDI keyboards that feature plenty of knobs and faders.

Touch strips operate the same as faders and knobs and only differ in how they are manipulated physically to modify parameters. Typically, touch strips are assigned to pitch, modulation, and effects.

Other modules and controls include sequencers that program notes and percussion, arpeggiators that write melodies with broken chords, and the basic play, stop, and octave up/down buttons.

The Inputs and Outputs

Depending on your use, how your MIDI keyboard connects to your device and how many inputs and outputs it has are crucial. Generally, MIDI controllers are connected to your computer through USB-MIDI cables. 

Some MIDI controllers also offer five-pin DIN MIDI In, Out, and Thru ports, which allow you to control two or more DIN MIDI-compatible devices like synths and breath controller guitars.

CV and Gate outputs are also available in some keyboards that control and modulate analog synth gear.

Lastly, instead of sustain buttons, some MIDI keyboards (mostly 49-key and above) offer sustain pedal input. With this, you can sustain notes by pressing down on a pedal with your foot, so you don't have to use your hand and can concentrate on your playing. 

Bundled Software

Some MIDI controller keyboards, more than others, come with bundled software that sweetens the deal and, if you’re a beginner buying your first MIDI keyboard, introduces you to various lite and full versions of popular music software, such as DAWs and virtual instruments and sounds.

Typically, most MIDI keyboards include Ableton Live Lite 10 and a set of virtual instruments and sounds by the manufacturer. AKAI keyboards usually include MPC Beat, Native Instruments keyboards offer Komplete Select, and Arturia keyboards come with Analog Lab V, etc. 

So, check out the included software bundle and what each bundle offers before purchasing.

The Brand

Knowing which brands are the top manufacturers of a certain product is always crucial. While lesser-known brands may have underrated products that offer plenty, in the case MIDI controller keyboards it's always good to opt for the more popular brands.

You can typically find the Arturia brand at the top of any ranked list when it comes to music production equipment, especially their Keylab series. 

AKAI offer MIDI controllers that offer some of the best pads and a complete set of handy free software. 

Novation controllers are the best for Ableton Live users as their Launchkey series is designed to be used with Ableton. 

If Logic is your preferred DAW, you can't go wrong with Nektar’s Impact LX series. 

Last but not least, M-Audio offers plenty of budget options and is known for its durability and build quality.

These are some of the best and most popular MIDI controller brands; however, if a keyboard from another brand has caught your eye, feel free to do your own research and make a decision based on the reviews and articles.