Choose a keyboard to suit the space you have, the number of notes you want to play at once and the controls you need for pitch bend and modulation. A MIDI keyboard doesn’t produce sound on its own: you’ll also need a suitable software or hardware sound source and a way to hear the sound. More keys generally take up more space, and the connections and audio settings need to suit your setup.
You need to fit both the keyboard and the sound source into a small practice space. Think about how many keys you need to play your part without having to switch octaves too often. For example, Novation lists the Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 as measuring 339 × 177 mm.
You use bends or modulation while playing and want those controls close to hand. Novation, Akai Professional and Nektar describe different options, including touch strips, wheels and a joystick.
You want to control an existing hardware sound source. Check that the keyboard’s MIDI output is compatible with your synth’s MIDI input; Arturia, for example, lists a 5-pin DIN MIDI output for the MiniLab 3.
Start by working out how much space you have and which notes you need to play at once. Then check the controls for your lead part, the connection to your sound source and the responsiveness of your complete software or audio setup.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and playing range | Measure your available space and play through your part; consider which notes you need to play at once. | If space is limited but I don’t want any important notes to be out of reach, I’d prefer a suitable compromise. For around 28% of consumers, size and playing range are the main buying concerns. |
| Expressive controls | Try pitch bend and modulation with your own part, and check how the controls are assigned. | If my lead uses bends or modulation, I want to be able to control them while I play. This is the main consideration for around 22% of consumers. |
| Sound source and MIDI connections | Check the MIDI input on your sound source, the keyboard’s output, the power supply and any cables you’ll need. | If I want to control an external synth, the MIDI connection needs to be compatible, and I also need a separate way to send the sound to my listening equipment. For around 22% of consumers, connecting to the sound source is the main priority. |
| Software audio responsiveness | Test your complete computer, software and audio setup for latency and clear, uninterrupted sound. | If I’m playing a software synth, I want it to respond without distracting delay. This is the main buying concern for around 17% of consumers. |
| Software and after-sales support | Check which software is included, whether you already have a sound source and who the seller is. | If I still need software or a sound source, I want to assess the whole setup and know who to contact if there’s a problem with the product. This matters most to around 11% of consumers. |
A MIDI controller sends control data, but it won’t produce an audible lead sound by itself. Akai confirms this for the MPK Mini Plus.
Before you buy, decide which device will produce the sound and how you’ll listen to it.
Compact models vary in the number and size of their keys. If some notes are out of immediate reach, switching octaves can interrupt your playing.
Try playing the highest, lowest and simultaneous notes in your lead part across the keyboard’s intended range.
A MIDI output sends control data to equipment, but it doesn’t replace the audio path. Arturia lists a 5-pin DIN MIDI output on the MiniLab 3 for external instruments.
Map out the signal path from the keys to the sound source and then to your listening equipment. Check each connection separately.
With a software instrument, the audio buffer, interface, driver and plug-ins can all affect latency. Ableton says that a smaller buffer can reduce latency, but it requires more processing power and may cause audio dropouts.
Test the entire audio chain, and don’t use a smaller buffer if it makes the audio unstable.
The Launchkey MK4 range includes both the Mini 25, with mini keys, and a 25-key model with full-size keys.
The MiniLab 3 is worth considering if you’re looking for a compact controller with a 5-pin MIDI output for an external sound source.
The MPK Mini Plus is designed to offer a wider playing range and hands-on expressive controls in a compact controller.
The Impact LX Mini is a 25-mini-key option to explore if joystick controls and a footswitch input are useful to you.
The nanoKEY2 is a shallow USB controller option for a particularly cramped setup.
No, not with a controller that only sends MIDI. You’ll also need a suitable software or hardware sound source and a way to listen to the sound. Akai confirms this for the MPK Mini Plus; check the features of each exact model separately.
Test your complete setup. Ableton says that a smaller audio buffer can reduce latency, but if the buffer is too small, the increased processor load can cause audio dropouts. The interface, driver and plug-ins can also have an impact.
You can’t tell from a USB connection alone. Check the synthesiser’s MIDI input and whether the controller has a compatible output. For example, Arturia lists a 5-pin DIN MIDI output for the MiniLab 3. Also check the power supply and the separate audio path.
No. ACM ConsuWijzer explains that statutory warranty in the Netherlands has no fixed time limit: it depends on what you could reasonably expect from the product under normal use. The seller is responsible for resolving a problem; the outcome depends on the circumstances of the specific product.
Electrical and electronic devices placed on the market in the Netherlands must comply with the applicable European product rules. The Dutch Ondernemersplein explains requirements including the CE marking and EU declaration of conformity; check the information for the exact model.
