DAW user with limited mains sockets
You write bass lines on a computer and don’t want a separate mains adapter for your controller. Check that the manufacturer confirms USB power for the exact model you’re considering.
Who is this for?
Producer creating longer bass patterns
You’d rather play in a pattern than draw individual notes. Decide whether you need more keys within easy reach or would rather keep your setup compact.
Making music without a computer
You want to hear a bass idea straight away, even when your computer and DAW aren’t ready to use. In that case, a model with built-in sounds and battery power is a different choice from a standard USB-MIDI controller.
What should you look for?
Compact keyboard for a DAW
Choose this if: you play short bass lines on a computer and don’t want a separate mains adapter for your controller. Manufacturers confirm USB power for models including the Arturia MiniLab 3, Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 and Korg nanoKEY2.
Bear in mind: the models mentioned have 25 keys; you may need to switch octaves to reach other registers.
More keys and pattern controls
Choose this if: you’ll make good use of a wider playing range at your fingertips or the Akai MPK Mini Plus’s built-in two-track sequencer.
Bear in mind: extra keys and features matter less if you only enter a few notes into a DAW.
Playing without a computer
Choose this if: you want to hear an idea without a computer; according to Akai, the Akai MPK Mini Play MK3 has built-in sounds, a speaker and battery power.
Bear in mind: this works differently from simply recording MIDI notes in a DAW. Also check how you’ll use the pattern in your software afterwards.
| Consideration | What to look for | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Power without a mains adapter | Check USB bus power for the exact model, as well as the required port and cable. | If I have few spare mains sockets, I want to avoid needing an extra one for the controller. Around 36% of consumers make power their top priority. |
| Keys and playing range | Compare the number and size of the keys, and check whether octave buttons suit the way you play. | If I’d rather play in a longer bass part than draw it one note at a time, the range I can reach directly matters. Around 29% of consumers prioritise playing range. |
| Patterns and controls | Check which pads, controls or sequencer features the exact model has, and whether they work for your DAW. | If I want to build patterns using physical controls, I look for features I’ll genuinely use. Around 21% of consumers make direct pattern control their top priority. |
| Hearing your playing without a computer | Check whether the model has built-in sounds and a speaker, or whether you’ll need software and audio output. | If I want to hear an idea without connecting my computer, a built-in sound source is essential for me. Around 14% of consumers prioritise being able to hear their playing independently. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming USB-MIDI also means USB power
The term USB-MIDI alone doesn’t tell you whether the exact model works without its own mains adapter. If you have limited mains sockets, the confirmed power requirements are what matter.
Check the power specifications, connection and cable for the exact model before choosing.
A suitable cable or a powered hub may be part of your setup. Arturia recommends connecting the MiniLab 3 directly to a computer; a powered hub may still need a mains socket.
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Confusing a MIDI controller with a standalone keyboard
A standard MIDI controller can send performance data to software without producing sound itself. Akai makes this distinction between the MPK Mini MK3 and the separate MPK Mini Play MK3, which has built-in sounds.
Decide whether you’ll only play in a DAW or also want to hear an idea without a computer. Otherwise, check that your software instrument and audio output are ready.
To hear bass lines, you’ll also need a sound source and audio output if there’s no built-in sound source.
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Choosing extra connections you won’t use
The MIDI/CV/Gate/Clock connections and built-in sequencer on the Akai MPK Mini Plus are most useful if they suit your equipment or workflow.
First compare how many keys you need and which tasks you carry out in your DAW. Then consider the extra hardware features.
Relevant brands to consider
Arturia
The MiniLab 3 combines a USB-powered 25-key keyboard with pads, controls and a five-pin MIDI output for DAW use.
- Arturia lists USB-C, an included USB-A-to-USB-C cable and dimensions of 355 × 220 × 50 mm for the MiniLab 3.
- Arturia recommends connecting directly to the computer. For a hub, the brand recommends Power Delivery or a hub with its own power supply.
Novation
The Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 combines 25 mini keys with 16 pads and eight encoders for anyone looking to combine playing keys with DAW control.
- Novation confirms USB bus power when this model is connected to a computer using the USB cable described.
- Compared with the Akai MPK Mini Plus’s 37 keys, this model offers a smaller playing range at your fingertips.
Korg
The nanoKEY2 is a flat USB-MIDI keyboard with 25 keys for entering notes.
- Korg lists USB bus power via mini-USB, octave buttons and dimensions of 325 × 83 × 16 mm.
- Compare its low-profile keys with the playing feel you want for bass lines; the nanoKEY2 is a MIDI keyboard, not a standalone sound source.
Akai Professional
The MPK Mini Plus is designed for creating patterns, with 37 mini keys and a built-in two-track sequencer. The separate MPK Mini Play MK3 has built-in sounds and battery power.
- Akai says the MPK Mini Plus is powered via USB without an additional power supply.
- The sounds and battery power of the MPK Mini Play MK3 aren’t features of the MPK Mini Plus or standard MPK Mini MK3. Akai says the MPK Mini MK3 doesn’t produce sound itself.
Products on Joybuy
A keyboard with MIDI features for bass ideas you want to play and record.
No image available
Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black, with MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand
With 61 keys, speakers and a recording function, this keyboard is a good fit if you want to play and record bass ideas.
Check what power supply the keyboard needs and whether it fits the number of spare mains sockets in your setup.
Frequently asked questions
Does a USB-powered MIDI controller need a spare mains socket?
Not for a separate mains adapter for the controller, provided the manufacturer confirms USB bus power for that exact model. Connect it as instructed, and consider the power requirements of your computer, hub and other equipment separately.
Why can’t I hear any bass when I press the keys?
According to Akai, the Akai MPK Mini MK3 doesn’t produce sound itself; it sends MIDI messages to software on a computer. Use a software instrument and working audio output in your DAW, or choose a model with built-in sounds, such as the MPK Mini Play MK3.
What can I do if the controller doesn’t work properly through my USB hub?
Arturia recommends connecting the MiniLab 3 directly to a computer port. If you need a hub, Arturia recommends one with Power Delivery or its own power supply; the latter may need a mains socket.
What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?
According to the Dutch government, many distance purchases come with a 14-day cooling-off period, although there are exceptions. If a product is faulty, the Dutch government says the seller must provide a solution; your statutory guarantee is separate from any manufacturer’s warranty.
Is a CE logo on a MIDI controller an independent safety certificate?
No. According to the European Commission, CE marking is only required when the relevant harmonised EU rules say it is; there is no central EU body that issues a general CE certificate. Assess the product information against the rules that apply to that specific product.