Which MIDI keyboard is right for you?

Two-handed chord player

You want to play progressions with both hands and need enough keys to do so, while still fitting the keyboard on your desk. Novation and Arturia offer 49-key models; measure your available space and compare the exact version.

Home producer sketching ideas

You’re short on desk space and mainly capture short chord ideas. A compact keyboard with chord-assist features could suit your workflow, although you’ll have a more limited playable range. Akai Professional lists 25 velocity-sensitive keys, plus chord and scale modes, for the MPK Mini IV.

DAW-focused creator

You want to control software features from your keyboard. Check that the integration and settings work with your DAW; Novation, Arturia and M-Audio describe these features for specific models.

What should you look for in a MIDI keyboard?

What to consider What to look for Who is this most important to?
Room to play chords Try the key size and consider whether you’ll play parts with one or both hands; compare the playable range with the keyboard’s overall dimensions. If I want to play chords with both hands, I need enough range without constantly changing octaves. Around 36% of consumers put playable range first.
Available desk space Measure the available width and depth and compare them with the dimensions of the exact version. At a small workstation, I want to record chord ideas without the keyboard taking up space I need for my computer. Around 29% of consumers prioritise desk space.
Chord features and DAW control Check which chord mode you want to use, whether it integrates with your DAW and which features you’ll need to set up yourself. If I want to control features from the keyboard while recording, I need to know what works with my DAW. Around 21% of consumers prioritise workflow controls.
Sound software and connection Check the computer connection, software licence and requirements, MIDI settings and selected audio output. I want to create a part I can hear and record as soon as I connect the keyboard, so I need to know in advance which software and settings are required. Around 14% of consumers prioritise an easy software setup.

Avoid common buying mistakes

  • Mistaking a MIDI controller for a keyboard with built-in sounds

    MIDI carries control data, not audio. So simply connecting the keyboard isn’t enough to hear a chord; Novation Support explains that software turns MIDI data into the sound of an instrument.

    Check in advance which instrument software you’ll use and whether the correct audio output is selected.

    You may need compatible instrument software to hear any sound.

  • Looking only at the number of keys

    The key size and overall dimensions also determine whether the keyboard fits on your desk and feels comfortable to play. A wider playable range generally takes up more space, so compare the exact version with your workspace.

    Measure the available space and consider whether the keys suit the parts you want to play.

  • Assuming chord mode or DAW control will always work straight away

    Features vary by model. DAW control may also depend on settings or a connection to specific software; Native Instruments, for example, states in the manual consulted that Play Assist requires a connection to Komplete Kontrol.

    Consult the manual for your model and DAW, and check which features work on the keyboard itself and which require software.

Brands to compare

Novation

The Launchkey MK4 is an option if you want to combine chord-assist features with DAW control; the 49-key version offers a wider playable range.

  • According to Novation, the Launchkey 49 MK4 has several chord modes, 16 pads and nine faders.
  • The manual lists a width of 730 mm. Measure your workspace and check that the controls work with your DAW.

Arturia

The KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 is designed for anyone looking for 49 keys, a chord mode and control over supported DAWs.

  • Arturia lists DAW scripts, USB-C and a software bundle.
  • Arturia gives the width as 790 mm. Integrations depend on the model and software, so check they suit your workflow.

Akai Professional

The MPK Mini IV is a compact option for sketching out chord ideas in a small workspace.

  • According to Akai Professional, this model has 25 velocity-sensitive keys, chord and scale modes, and USB-C.
  • The limited playable range is worth considering if you want to play wide-ranging or two-handed parts directly on the keyboard.

M-Audio

The Oxygen Pro 49 is an option if you’re looking for a 49-key controller with adjustable chord-assist features and DAW control.

  • M-Audio describes Smart Chord as offering an adjustable chord structure and DAW presets.
  • According to M-Audio, you’ll need to configure both the keyboard and the DAW to suit your needs.

Native Instruments

The Kontrol S49 MK3 is aimed at players looking for expressive keyboard performance and integration with Kontakt or Komplete Kontrol, as well as chord input.

  • Native Instruments lists semi-weighted keys with polyphonic aftertouch.
  • According to the manual, the Play Assist feature requires a connection to Komplete Kontrol software; don’t assume it’s a standalone chord mode that will work with every workflow.

MIDI keyboards at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a MIDI keyboard produce sound when I play chords?

No, a MIDI controller sends control data, which doesn’t contain sound. To hear what you play, choose an instrument in your music software and select the correct audio output.

What can I check if my keyboard isn’t recording notes in the software?

Check that the correct MIDI port is enabled in your DAW and that the track is using an instrument. Arturia describes separate MIDI and DAW control ports for the KeyLab Essential mk3; select the port for the function you want to use.

Do I need to buy software as well as the keyboard?

That depends on the software you already have and what’s included with the exact version. Arturia and Akai Professional list bundled software for the models described here; check the licence, registration and computer requirements before assuming your chosen DAW is included.

Can I return a MIDI keyboard bought online in the Netherlands?

For distance purchases from a business, you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period, according to the Dutch government. Check which rules apply to your purchase; according to the Dutch government, an online purchase from a private individual doesn’t count as a distance purchase in this sense.

Who should I contact if my MIDI keyboard is faulty?

For statutory rights when buying as a consumer, contact the seller. The Dutch government states that the Netherlands has no fixed statutory guarantee period; what matters is what you could reasonably expect from the product.