Finally for 25 keys, albeit full-sized ones, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A25 (opens in new tab) offers a fantastic entry point into the world of NI's amazing software, also for relatively little outlay.įor more and fuller-sized keys on a budget the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 (opens in new tab) is a fantastic buy, being both feature-packed and creative. If you are an Ableton Live user, then the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 (opens in new tab) is an excellent choice at this end of the scale. The Akai MPK Mini Mk3 (opens in new tab) also has lots of features, decent keys and pad controls, all packed into a small-form keyboard you can take anywhere. You get loads of functionality and a highly portable keyboard, and at a low risk price.
Broadly speaking, though, there are just two types to choose from: more portable devices with 25 keys, and the larger, desk-based options with 49 or more keys.įor the former category, perhaps the smallest and cheapest of our offerings, the Nektar SE25 (opens in new tab) offers a great way into music production for beginners. Best MIDI keyboard for beginners: MusicRadar’s ChoiceĪs you can see, the beginner's MIDI keyboard market is a crowded one, with many models vying for your cash. Spending more might get you a more solid and rugged keyboard something to consider if you want to take it on the road. You can get a perfectly decent affordable MIDI keyboard for way less than $/£100 if you shop around, but up your spend ever so slightly and you'll get your hands on a higher quality model with more features, more (and bigger) keys and higher specs. While these tend to be more expensive and aimed at 'proper' keyboard players, we still feature a couple of great options in our guide.
You can opt for a compact, portable MIDI keyboard that fits comfortably in a laptop bag, or you can go all-in with a full-size 88-note model with weighted hammer-action keys.
MIDI keyboards come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You can then use your keyboard to play your DAW's software instruments and any other VST instrument plugins you might have installed by third-party companies. They also offer a more traditional and familiar playing experience – based on standard piano-type keyboards – when using a computer as the hub of a music production studio.īeginner MIDI keyboards can be plugged directly into your PC, Mac or laptop via USB – or, in some cases, even operate wirelessly over Bluetooth – and integrate seamlessly with your computer DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), usually the central component in your music making set-up. They allow you to play and control the latest PC and Mac music software and hardware. MIDI keyboards are an essential product for the modern music producer.
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