Who is this suitable for?

Student with a small desk

Wants to record chord ideas without giving up too much permanent workspace. Novation lists the Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 as measuring 339 × 177 mm.

Player who plays chords with both hands

Wants to play bass notes and chords at the same time, and weighs up extra keys against the space the keyboard takes up. Akai and M-Audio offer models with 37 and 49 keys respectively.

New DAW user

Wants the notes they play to reach their music software correctly and be able to hear them there. So check the connection, how it’s assigned in your DAW and the terms for any bundled software.

What should you consider when choosing?

Compact 25-key keyboard

Best for: a small desk and chord ideas or parts you usually play one after another.

Trade-off: for widely spaced chord shapes or two-handed playing, the limited range may mean switching octaves or recording parts separately.

Mid-sized 37-key keyboard

Best for: anyone who wants to play with both hands more often but can’t fit a 49-key keyboard.

Trade-off: a 37-key model takes up more space than a 25-key model; key size and controls vary by model.

49 full-size keys

Best for: anyone who values key spacing and playing range more than having the smallest possible setup.

Trade-off: needs more desk space; the Keystation 49 MK3’s described controls focus mainly on playing and transport, not built-in chord modes.

First measure the space available on your desk, then decide whether you’ll usually play chord shapes one after another or with both hands at the same time.

What to consider What to look for when buying Who should pay extra attention?
Desk space Measure the available width and depth, then compare them with the exact model’s dimensions. If my keyboard needs to fit alongside my computer and study materials, I focus on its footprint. Around 33% of consumers say desk space is the deciding factor.
Range for two-handed playing Decide whether you play bass notes and chords at the same time; compare the number and size of the keys on each model. If I want to play bass and chord shapes at the same time, I weigh up extra keys against the space available. Around 25% of consumers prioritise range for two-handed playing.
Chord functions Check which chord mode the exact model offers and whether its input suits the way you work in your DAW. If I want to enter chord ideas quickly and edit them afterwards, I check whether the controls suit the way I work. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this chord workflow.
Connecting and hearing the sound Check the connection, compatibility with your computer and DAW, and the terms of any software licences. If I want to record and listen back to MIDI without any fuss, I check how the controller works with my software. Around 17% of consumers prioritise connecting and recording audible sound.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming a MIDI controller is a keyboard that makes its own sound

    MIDI data sends playing instructions; it isn’t audible audio. Akai describes the MPK Mini MK3 as a controller that sends messages to computer software.

    Before buying, check the whole signal chain: from the keys, through MIDI input and a virtual instrument, to the audio output you want to use.

  • Comparing only the number of keys

    A compact keyboard with mini keys and a larger keyboard with full-size keys offer different playing layouts and take up different amounts of space.

    Measure your desk and decide whether you want to play bass and chords at the same time or usually record parts one after another.

  • Confusing features across different MPK Mini generations

    According to Akai, the MPK Mini IV has chord and scale modes that the older MPK Mini MK3 doesn’t have.

    Check the full model name and generation in the product description.

  • Assuming a sustain pedal is included

    A pedal input doesn’t automatically mean there’s a pedal in the box.

    Check what’s included in the specific offer and make sure any pedal you buy is compatible.

    You may need to buy a separate pedal to control sustain with your foot.

Relevant brands for this topic

Novation

The Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 combines a compact keyboard with chord modes and DAW controls.

  • According to Novation, this model has 25 mini keys, 16 velocity-sensitive pads and chord modes.
  • Its limited key range is still a trade-off for two-handed playing; these features aren’t automatically available on every Launchkey.

Arturia

The MiniLab 3 combines a compact keyboard with chord mode, controls and bundled music software.

  • Arturia specifies that this model has 25 slim, velocity-sensitive keys, USB-C and a 5-pin MIDI output.
  • Check that the software terms and DAW support suit the controls you want to use.

Akai Professional

The MPK Mini Plus is aimed at anyone looking for 37 keys and a wider chord range in a relatively compact keyboard; the MPK Mini IV is another compact option.

  • Akai lists three octaves and a sequencer for the MPK Mini Plus.
  • The Mini IV and the older MPK Mini MK3 aren’t identical: according to Akai, the Mini IV has chord and scale modes that the MK3 doesn’t.

M-Audio

The Keystation 49 MK3 is designed for anyone looking for a keyboard with 49 full-size keys, mainly for playing virtual instruments.

  • M-Audio lists velocity-sensitive keys, USB-MIDI and transport controls for this model.
  • A sustain pedal is sold separately; the documented features may not make this the obvious choice if built-in chord modes are your priority.

MIDI keyboards at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need speakers in your MIDI keyboard to hear your chords?

No, not if you’re using a virtual instrument on a computer. A MIDI controller sends playing data; select an instrument and an audio output in your music software to hear the result. Akai confirms this for the MPK Mini MK3; check how the model you’re considering connects.

What should you check during the initial setup?

Select the connected model as the MIDI input in your DAW and start by testing an instrument track. Check separately whether the transport buttons and chord modes work with the DAW you want to use; Arturia distinguishes between general MIDI control and more advanced integration.

Is a sustain pedal included with a 49-key model?

Don’t assume it is: M-Audio lists a sustain pedal input for the Keystation 49 MK3, but sells the pedal separately. Check what’s included in the specific offer.

What cooling-off period and warranty apply when buying online in the Netherlands?

According to the Dutch government, a 14-day cooling-off period applies in many cases to distance purchases; exceptions and the type of seller matter. You’re also entitled to a product that works as it should. If a product is faulty, the seller is your point of contact, and the Netherlands has no fixed statutory warranty period for this.

Does a MIDI keyboard need a CE mark?

That depends on the EU product rules that apply to the specific device. The European Commission lists electrical and electronic equipment as a possible category covered by CE rules, but CE marking is only compulsory when the applicable harmonised rules require it. Don’t draw a definitive conclusion about an individual model based on its product category alone.