Which MIDI keyboard controller helped you get your start in the studio? If you’re buying one for the first time, then which controller has your attention? Sound off in the comments below, and don’t forget to drop by Sweetwater to shop and learn more about these MIDI keyboard controllers 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/Best_MIDI_Keyboard_Controllers
In 03, I didn't have a midi controller at all and just made beats with FL Studios sequencer. Around 07, I started making beats with a Kurtzwell K2000 Synthesizer and a Yamah Motif 6 synthesizer. When I started college, I began using Garageband and Logic. Additionally, and in freshman year, my older brother bought me a M-Audio Keystation 49 Midi Controller.
As a budding musician, I think your comments on how your equipment should inspire you is spot on and really important. Thank you for you excellent review.
That Launchkey 37 will fit inside the backpack for the Launchkey 25. I had to try it! I had to do it! I don’t play that well so I can’t stand mini keys. Novation had the nerve to give us 37 full size keys! I love it!!!
I did not know that NAtive Instruments makes some midid keyboards. Looking to get my first one, and I'm familiar with some of Native Instruments' plugins (which sound amazing); so I think I am going to go with one of their kayboards. They all look great! thanks for the video!
I see ya'll forgot the Korg KeyStage 49....VERY portable, STANDALONE or USB MIDI 2.0. Chording, strumming, Arp with Per key Ratcheting, Poly AT with OLED screens that display the key pressed. For those of us with MPCX or smaller we want to go standalone too! GOODBYE NI KK 49!
Hello, great question! While you can realistically produce that sort of music on any MIDI controller, the Arturia KeyLab Essential series would be my recommendation. They are available in a few different sizes and also include an awesome software package. For example: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KeyLabEss883Bk--arturia-keylab-essential-mk3-88-key-keyboard-controller-black Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
So, my son is has never played piano before, but wants to learn for the purposes of creating a digital soundtrack for a computer game he's creating. What would be the best keyboard/midi option for both learning & being productive towards this goal?
Hey man, im gonna be honest, if its a low latency, portable with both drum pads and piano keys then the first akai is probably best. Wish i had a dad that invested in me like that. Im sure anything you choose under these parameters, he'll enjoy it, hope it helps 🤙💪💪💪
I like the polyphonic aspect with the CME Xkey. But does it have enough features on those side buttons to make it useful for a complete beginner? I really like the idea of being able to actively control the sensitivity while I play. Maybe a larger keyboard with the polyphonic feature would be better?
I bought an Arturia Keystep 37 from Sweetwater and after weeks still can't get a sound out of it. Going back and forth with Arturia support, which is email only and terrible. Trying every setting in the included Analog Lab and Ableton, so many settings, still nothing. I wonder if I should return it and if there is a simpler one.
Thanks for the video my man. Seen a number of your joints, you're good at it! Its appreciated. Im new to all of this but Im interested in learning and would like to make make beats. Dont know where to start as far as what to purchase. Should I get the MPK MINI with the MPC ONE or just one piece of equipment in the MPC Key 37? Thanks in advance for help and or advice.
Hey my friend, I'm not an associate from Sweetwater and I've just owned a Maschine Midi Controller, M-Audio Keystation 49 Controller, and currently an Alesis 49 Key Controller. I know a big channel like this may take a while to get to individual comments. I'm not an expert when it comes to AKAI MPKs or MPCs, but I've been making music since 03 and I've owned those MIDI Controllers mentioned starting around 08/09. In my opinion, I would say that it depends on your goal and budget. Do you play piano, want to continue to improve at piano, or prefer to mainly play software instruments with piano keys? If you prefer playing piano, creating from scratch, and want an affordable option, that MPK MINI is your best bet. I've seen that's $99 or more. You have simple drum pads, a pitch/mod knob, some keys, and a few more features or so. Or, do you mainly want to make more sample based music? If you're mainly interested in sample based beats or just tapping drum pads to play software instruments, maybe the MPC One is for you (seen that goes for around $699). Do you want both a drum pad and an MPC type of machine plus keys? Then, the MPC Key 37 would be for you ($899 plus). If you're looking for more specifics, I might contact a salesman, but does that sound helpful?
Hi DavidLarew, thanks for the question! MIDI controllers are, for the most part, just controllers. They have no built in sounds. They are designed to control instruments in a DAW or on another keyboard/sound module. There are a ton of great keyboards with sounds out there, we will just need to look at our portable keyboard selection instead! Give me a ring if you would like to discuss some options! Drake Sobehrad, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800)-222-4700 ext. 3271, drake_sobehrad@sweetwater.com
I have a 7 year old son whos shown interest in playing keys , he also enjoys beatboxing . i want a midi controller that will transition him into hiphop beatmaking . minilab 3 or akai mini plus ? Which is better suited for a beginner with ease of use ?
Hey, Thank you for commenting! I think the Akai mini Plus would be a great option for someone who is just starting out and it is really easy to use. Most Music producers I know that produce hip-hop have owned some version of the Akai midi keyboard in the past. I personally own the Akai Mini Plus and I utilize it with my MPC Live II to make beats. Again thank you for commenting!
Nice video. Thanks! I'm a Newbie and recently bought the M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini but Cubase 12 doesn't seem to have a script for it so trying to take advantage of transport controls or any of the knobs requires a complex mapping process that is outside my skill set. What would you recommend for easy integration with Cubase?
Hey, Rex! Thanks for your interest. I would recommend checking out some of the Nektar controllers. Some of the models from the Impact series might be a good starting place for you if you don’t want to overcomplicate it, and they have pre-mapped configurations for Cubase, so setup should be relatively straightforward! Feel free to give us a call if you are looking for specific features or options and we can help narrow it down, too. Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1793, connor_smith@sweetwater.com
The akai mini is cheap price but cheap feeling..I think they offer the different colors just to help sales.. but in my opinion the mini is not that good.
Hello, great question! The best choice for you really depends on your preferences when it comes to number of keys, pads, and other control elements, as well as size and budget. Not to mention included software that’s bundled with the keyboard. I’m personally a fan of the Native Instruments controller in this video, but you won’t go wrong with any of them. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
Anything less than 40 keys (3.5 octaves) is too small for music with harmony, mini keys or not, even if portability is a primary concern. 37 keys is too few for playing harmony. 4 octaves is necessary. Now make the length the absolute minimum by removing all extraneous plastic bezel or controls from the left or right side. Make the keys mini and fully weighted. That is the keyboard which is necessary for playing both harmony and melody. Wonder why mainstream music is so simplistic and monotonous? Probably one reason is the limitations of these 25 key mini instruments which sacrifice musicality in the name of portability. In my backpack I still lug around a Casio SA76, 44-minikey keyboard, because there is yet no suitable modern replacement.
As a pianist I'll never use less than 61 keys for any performance to your point. Music has become so simple and monotonous because a lot of producers are not true musicians. They're basically just programmers who use DAWs.
@@jcline I've gigged for years as a keyboardist so a 61 key lightweight board is suitable for me. Of course, that's one piece of all the other equipment I have to bring so one backpack wouldn't cut it for me on any situation.
What about someone like me who's taking piano lessons but also is getting into producing and needs something small and portable that will only fit in a book bag because I walk everywhere. Can't you just record certain octaves, adjust the record a lower or higher octave if that makes sense?
@@michealbrown9363 that is exactly my situation, carrying around a keyboard in a backpack, but even for beginner/intermediate piano there needs to be two hands playing, not one, for playing chords in both hands, and for all those piano exercises which are arpeggios or scales with 3.5 octaves (both hands, played hand over hand).. that type of playing is necessary and these small keyboards will not work, even if they have an Octave transpose button. The only useful mini keyboard right now is the casio sa76 (or they have a similar newer model) which is 44 keys, so it is playable BUT it is not midi. It has percussion pads but again it is not midi so it is only the builtin sounds. The bezels are much too large so it is also longer than it needs to be, although it is indestructable plastic and the batteries last forever. These MPK keyboards and such with fewer keys, are just not enough keys, it needs 44 or 49 minikeys would be ideal, yet short enough to lug in the backpack... it is possible so whyyyyyy doesnt anyone make one..? For production and not 'real playing' then yes it is possible to shift the keyboard up or down an octave... either after recording the midi or within the keyboard itself..but... this is not real playing especially with two hands.. And in music theory classes..the 44 keys is necessary for chord voicing homework and such.. real music writing.. so these 37 key keyboards are just not enough.. they are somewhat ok but too limited.. and the 25 key keyboards, that is only good for 1 hand, to me seems useless.. but as the only option, the 37 key with pads is the only midi option now, which is luggable which sucks.
Which MIDI keyboard controller helped you get your start in the studio? If you’re buying one for the first time, then which controller has your attention? Sound off in the comments below, and don’t forget to drop by Sweetwater to shop and learn more about these MIDI keyboard controllers 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/Best_MIDI_Keyboard_Controllers
MPK Mini Play with 49 keys, absolutely minimized length and minimized depth, is the right keyboard for me, IF they would make it.
i bought the Roland A-500Pro on the used market ... and am a total beginner ... I think Roland is awesome
In 03, I didn't have a midi controller at all and just made beats with FL Studios sequencer. Around 07, I started making beats with a Kurtzwell K2000 Synthesizer and a Yamah Motif 6 synthesizer. When I started college, I began using Garageband and Logic. Additionally, and in freshman year, my older brother bought me a M-Audio Keystation 49 Midi Controller.
You'll get that creative vibe simply by how it looks.
As a budding musician, I think your comments on how your equipment should inspire you is spot on and really important. Thank you for you excellent review.
This is super helpful! Thanks so much!
Midi controllers and monitors all should be low-zero latency wireless. This is 2024!!! Add MPE to more controllers, also!
1 ms is acceptable
That Launchkey 37 will fit inside the backpack for the Launchkey 25. I had to try it! I had to do it! I don’t play that well so I can’t stand mini keys. Novation had the nerve to give us 37 full size keys! I love it!!!
Hope to see a wireless midi keyboard with drum pads, next, please and thank you!
Fantastic video. Thank you
I did not know that NAtive Instruments makes some midid keyboards. Looking to get my first one, and I'm familiar with some of Native Instruments' plugins (which sound amazing); so I think I am going to go with one of their kayboards. They all look great! thanks for the video!
Epic comparison. Thank you
Great video with lots of great insights. Thank you!
I see ya'll forgot the Korg KeyStage 49....VERY portable, STANDALONE or USB MIDI 2.0. Chording, strumming, Arp with Per key Ratcheting, Poly AT with OLED screens that display the key pressed. For those of us with MPCX or smaller we want to go standalone too! GOODBYE NI KK 49!
Hey brother what budget midi would you recommend for someone whom want to produce jazz /and r&b music.
Hello, great question! While you can realistically produce that sort of music on any MIDI controller, the Arturia KeyLab Essential series would be my recommendation. They are available in a few different sizes and also include an awesome software package. For example:
www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KeyLabEss883Bk--arturia-keylab-essential-mk3-88-key-keyboard-controller-black
Thanks!
Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
So, my son is has never played piano before, but wants to learn for the purposes of creating a digital soundtrack for a computer game he's creating. What would be the best keyboard/midi option for both learning & being productive towards this goal?
Hey man, im gonna be honest, if its a low latency, portable with both drum pads and piano keys then the first akai is probably best. Wish i had a dad that invested in me like that. Im sure anything you choose under these parameters, he'll enjoy it, hope it helps 🤙💪💪💪
Great video
I like the polyphonic aspect with the CME Xkey. But does it have enough features on those side buttons to make it useful for a complete beginner? I really like the idea of being able to actively control the sensitivity while I play. Maybe a larger keyboard with the polyphonic feature would be better?
oh shi might have to go with that s49
I bought an Arturia Keystep 37 from Sweetwater and after weeks still can't get a sound out of it. Going back and forth with Arturia support, which is email only and terrible. Trying every setting in the included Analog Lab and Ableton, so many settings, still nothing. I wonder if I should return it and if there is a simpler one.
Do any of these support usb c because I use a chrome
Thanks for the video my man. Seen a number of your joints, you're good at it! Its appreciated. Im new to all of this but Im interested in learning and would like to make make beats. Dont know where to start as far as what to purchase. Should I get the MPK MINI with the MPC ONE or just one piece of equipment in the MPC Key 37? Thanks in advance for help and or advice.
Hey my friend, I'm not an associate from Sweetwater and I've just owned a Maschine Midi Controller, M-Audio Keystation 49 Controller, and currently an Alesis 49 Key Controller. I know a big channel like this may take a while to get to individual comments.
I'm not an expert when it comes to AKAI MPKs or MPCs, but I've been making music since 03 and I've owned those MIDI Controllers mentioned starting around 08/09. In my opinion, I would say that it depends on your goal and budget. Do you play piano, want to continue to improve at piano, or prefer to mainly play software instruments with piano keys? If you prefer playing piano, creating from scratch, and want an affordable option, that MPK MINI is your best bet. I've seen that's $99 or more. You have simple drum pads, a pitch/mod knob, some keys, and a few more features or so.
Or, do you mainly want to make more sample based music? If you're mainly interested in sample based beats or just tapping drum pads to play software instruments, maybe the MPC One is for you (seen that goes for around $699).
Do you want both a drum pad and an MPC type of machine plus keys? Then, the MPC Key 37 would be for you ($899 plus).
If you're looking for more specifics, I might contact a salesman, but does that sound helpful?
@@AaronRaglandTV This was a great response, I couldn't have said it better myself! Thank you
Complete beginner keyboard players should choose a regular piano or these MIDI keyboards?
Do I have to use a DAW or can I line out to an amp? Which has best voices? Tia, for a friend who is not DAW capable.
Hi DavidLarew, thanks for the question! MIDI controllers are, for the most part, just controllers. They have no built in sounds. They are designed to control instruments in a DAW or on another keyboard/sound module. There are a ton of great keyboards with sounds out there, we will just need to look at our portable keyboard selection instead!
Give me a ring if you would like to discuss some options!
Drake Sobehrad, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800)-222-4700 ext. 3271, drake_sobehrad@sweetwater.com
I have a 7 year old son whos shown interest in playing keys , he also enjoys beatboxing . i want a midi controller that will transition him into hiphop beatmaking . minilab 3 or akai mini plus ? Which is better suited for a beginner with ease of use ?
Hey, Thank you for commenting! I think the Akai mini Plus would be a great option for someone who is just starting out and it is really easy to use. Most Music producers I know that produce hip-hop have owned some version of the Akai midi keyboard in the past. I personally own the Akai Mini Plus and I utilize it with my MPC Live II to make beats. Again thank you for commenting!
Ni s 49 rules
Nice video. Thanks! I'm a Newbie and recently bought the M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini but Cubase 12 doesn't seem to have a script for it so trying to take advantage of transport controls or any of the knobs requires a complex mapping process that is outside my skill set. What would you recommend for easy integration with Cubase?
Hey, Rex! Thanks for your interest. I would recommend checking out some of the Nektar controllers. Some of the models from the Impact series might be a good starting place for you if you don’t want to overcomplicate it, and they have pre-mapped configurations for Cubase, so setup should be relatively straightforward!
Feel free to give us a call if you are looking for specific features or options and we can help narrow it down, too.
Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1793, connor_smith@sweetwater.com
@@sweetwater Thanks, much for reply. I ended up buying a Novation Launchkey 37 from Sweetwater. So far, so good! And great support
NAMM 2024 two weeks away, so...
The akai mini is cheap price but cheap feeling..I think they offer the different colors just to help sales.. but in my opinion the mini is not that good.
Are there any creators out there that teach kids how to use these?
why does this vid has so less views
I use Logic Pro on my MacBook. As a beginner which one is best for me?
Hello, great question! The best choice for you really depends on your preferences when it comes to number of keys, pads, and other control elements, as well as size and budget. Not to mention included software that’s bundled with the keyboard. I’m personally a fan of the Native Instruments controller in this video, but you won’t go wrong with any of them.
Thanks!
Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
Anything less than 40 keys (3.5 octaves) is too small for music with harmony, mini keys or not, even if portability is a primary concern. 37 keys is too few for playing harmony. 4 octaves is necessary. Now make the length the absolute minimum by removing all extraneous plastic bezel or controls from the left or right side. Make the keys mini and fully weighted. That is the keyboard which is necessary for playing both harmony and melody. Wonder why mainstream music is so simplistic and monotonous? Probably one reason is the limitations of these 25 key mini instruments which sacrifice musicality in the name of portability.
In my backpack I still lug around a Casio SA76, 44-minikey keyboard, because there is yet no suitable modern replacement.
As a pianist I'll never use less than 61 keys for any performance to your point. Music has become so simple and monotonous because a lot of producers are not true musicians. They're basically just programmers who use DAWs.
@@jcline I've gigged for years as a keyboardist so a 61 key lightweight board is suitable for me. Of course, that's one piece of all the other equipment I have to bring so one backpack wouldn't cut it for me on any situation.
What about someone like me who's taking piano lessons but also is getting into producing and needs something small and portable that will only fit in a book bag because I walk everywhere. Can't you just record certain octaves, adjust the record a lower or higher octave if that makes sense?
@@michealbrown9363 that is exactly my situation, carrying around a keyboard in a backpack, but even for beginner/intermediate piano there needs to be two hands playing, not one, for playing chords in both hands, and for all those piano exercises which are arpeggios or scales with 3.5 octaves (both hands, played hand over hand).. that type of playing is necessary and these small keyboards will not work, even if they have an Octave transpose button. The only useful mini keyboard right now is the casio sa76 (or they have a similar newer model) which is 44 keys, so it is playable BUT it is not midi. It has percussion pads but again it is not midi so it is only the builtin sounds. The bezels are much too large so it is also longer than it needs to be, although it is indestructable plastic and the batteries last forever. These MPK keyboards and such with fewer keys, are just not enough keys, it needs 44 or 49 minikeys would be ideal, yet short enough to lug in the backpack... it is possible so whyyyyyy doesnt anyone make one..?
For production and not 'real playing' then yes it is possible to shift the keyboard up or down an octave... either after recording the midi or within the keyboard itself..but... this is not real playing especially with two hands..
And in music theory classes..the 44 keys is necessary for chord voicing homework and such.. real music writing.. so these 37 key keyboards are just not enough.. they are somewhat ok but too limited.. and the 25 key keyboards, that is only good for 1 hand, to me seems useless.. but as the only option, the 37 key with pads is the only midi option now, which is luggable which sucks.
I need bluetooth , faders , knobs and a screen .....controllers in 2005 had that minus the bluetooth , terrible choices