In the market for a new controller for your rig? Whether you’re looking for a DAW keyboard for your home setup, or an all-encompassing MIDI workstation for gigging, there’s more on offer than ever before.
In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between different types of MIDI controller, the most popular brands, and the key stuff to look out for. You’ll find what you need in no time!
Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
Square one; MIDI is one of the core elements of modern music production. It allows our instruments, computers and hardware to send and receive digital information.
This could be a note being sent to a synthesiser, a rhythm sent to a drum machine – even a sound change for an amp or pedal. MIDI connections come in several forms, including USB and 3.5mm jack, but the most common one is the 5-pin Din connection.
A single MIDI connection can carry 16 channels of MIDI, and communicate everything from pitch to to patch change – all in one go.
A MIDI controller converts your ideas into MIDI so that it can be used by instruments or software. This could be your new chord pattern, drum beat or repeating sequence. You’ll see MIDI controllers in several forms:
Because MIDI is a digital language, it can be used to control both software and hardware. In the same respect, you can use software to send MIDI information to hardware, and vice versa.
As mentioned earlier, MIDI can be sent and received via USB. Most MIDI controllers are designed to work seamlessly with any DAW (digital audio workstation, like Pro Tools or Ableton). They can send/receive notes, play/stop, add modulation and expression, and sometimes even tweak sounds in real-time.
By hardware, we mean synthesizers, drum machines, guitar amps and so on. If a bit of gear is MIDI-compatible, there’s a likelihood you’ll find 5-pin MIDI Din connections on it. The same goes for many MIDI controllers; this allows you to connect directly and perform without using a computer.
There are plenty of great MIDI controllers on the market these days to suit every budget and requirement. Some manufacturers specialise in software-compatible keyboards (Native Instruments for example), while others make great compact/affordable options to suit any rig (Alesis, Akai). Here’s a selection of some of the most popular…
The selection above is made up of our current bestsellers - what other people have bought. Below, you'll see specific brands and ranges dissected to get an idea of who offers what. Read on...
Best for: affordable hybrid controllers with keys, pads and extra controls
Akai do it all, from sub-£50 laptop controllers to all-encompassing workstations for live performance. Their MPK and MPC ranges have been around for years, while their flagship Force Music Production System comes with everything a modern producer needs.
Best for: easy to use, reliable MIDI keyboards that don’t bust the bank
Alesis’ Q and V series keyboards/controllers are popular for their reliability and no-frills ease of use. Starting around the £50 mark, they’re very accessible options that suit both beginners and studio professionals. The top-end of the V range holds its own against many premium competitors.
Best for: keyboard controllers that play nice with any DAW
In recent years, Nektar have also branched out to offer compact, inexpensive controllers for the beginner market. Their Impact and Panorama ranges have always been popular for their great DAW integration thanks to comprehensive controls.
Best for: compact, surprisingly advanced controllers that work great with hardware
Arturia are a notoriously innovative brand, with a great range of synths and drum machines as well as popular controllers. These deceptively simple-looking controllers conceal hidden features like CV connectivity, built-in sequencers/arpeggiators and dual-function sliders – great for hardware synths.
Best for: reliable MIDI keyboards that don’t take up too much space
Known for paving the way for the modern compact MIDI controller, M-Audio have been doing this for a while. Spanning entry-level to intermediate price points, they remain some of the most popular controllers on the market.
Best for: great features that play nice with your mobile or tablet
IK Multimedia’s iRig line-up has taken the production world by storm, offering slick functionality in a portable context. Nowadays, they offer everything from 25-note keyboards to 49-key controllers with mic input. All of their controllers are Apple iOS-friendly.
Best for: compact keyboards/surfaces to add extra control to your existing MIDI/live setup
Korg are a huge name in the industry, and while they’re better known for their synthesizers and keyboards, their controllers are pretty nifty too. The Nano and Micro ranges are particularly popular thanks to their uber-simple user interfaces.
Best for: accessible, comprehensive control for your performance, both in or out of your DAW
UK brand Novation dominate the affordable MIDI controller market with their Launchpad and Launchkey ranges. These crazy-affordable controllers are great for DAWs, particularly Ableton Live. At the other end of the spectrum, their Remote range offers full-fat control over just about anything; MIDI synths, DAWs, modular, and more.
Best for: unparalleled DAW integration for Native Instruments software users
Native Instruments’ keyboards and controllers do offer basic MIDI, USB and other connectivity – but when paired with NI software, the integration is simply unmatched. From the Maschine drum-orientated controllers to the flagship S88 weighted MIDI keyboard, these are the ultimate tools for composers and producers looking for a seamless workflow.
Some of the most common questions you might face when looking for a MIDI keyboard or controller.
A MIDI keyboard refers specifically to a MIDI device that features a built-in keyboard, complete with black and white keys – familiar territory. A MIDI controller is a slightly broader term that refers to any MIDI device that can control external stuff – hardware, software etc.
The term ‘MIDI controller’ is also commonly used to refer to a MIDI device that doesn’t have a keyboard, but it can mean all of the above, so to speak.
Many MIDI keyboards and controllers can be USB-powered, negating the need for an external power supply. If you aren’t intending to use your MIDI device with a computer, you can power it using a generic USB cable/plug (like your phone or tablet uses). Some controllers also come with a standard 9 or 12V power supply.
Sounds like a stupid question – but remember, there’s no such thing. Some MIDI controllers come equipped with extra bells and whistles that automatically assign themselves to certain controls in your DAW or device. This is called MIDI mapping. You can go into the settings of your DAW or MIDI controller to change the mapping of controls to suit your needs.
MIDI is a pretty universal language – you can use it to control hardware and software of all shapes and sizes. Some controllers come with additional connectivity, like analog sync and CV, but this isn’t essential. These extra connections allow you to send information to hardware that doesn’t have direct MIDI input. This could include Eurorack/modular synths, certain desktop synths and more.
If you'd like to learn more about the gear featured in this article, please don't hesitate to get in touch - we've got a full-time team of friendly, knowledgeable gear nerds who can answer any query you may have!
