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Noise Machine is a tiny MIDI controller for creating music on the go
You don’t have to look far to find a capable MIDI controller in 2020, but most aren’t as small as the Noise Machine.
Jamstik Studio is the MIDI guitar you might actually want to use
Guitar MIDI controllers are usually giant disappointments. But Jamstik seems to have broken the code. The Studio MIDI Guitar has fast and accurate pitch detection, and even does an impressive job of recreating bends, hammer-ons and to a lesser degree slides. MIDI wasn’t designed with stringed instruments in mind, so it’s never going to be perfect, and the $800 asking price is steep. But, this is probably the best guitar-style MIDI controller on the market right now. Plus, it’s actually a guitar.
Arturia's KeyStep 37 is a $199 MIDI controller with scale and strum modes
The KeyStep family has a new member: the $199 KeyStep 37.
Native Instruments crams its powerful music-making software in a standalone groovebox
Maschine+ brings the Maschine workflow and Komplete instruments to a standalone groovebox.
Arturia's KeyStep Pro is a near-perfect MIDI controller for hardware synths
Arturia’s KeyStep Pro successfully marries most of what makes the KeyStep so ubiquitous with the sequencing power of the BeatStep Pro. It’s not perfect, especially if you’re hoping to use it as the core of a hybrid setup that combines hardware synths with the power of a DAW. But there are few controllers out there with this breadth of connectivity options, especially at the price point.
MPK Mini mk3 is solid but iterative upgrade to a classic MIDI controller
Akai’s MPK Mini mkII is one of the best-selling MIDI controllers out there. It’s small, affordable, and has a solid arpeggiator plus the best pads on any budget or midrange controller. The portable MIDI controller field has gotten a lot more crowded, not to mention more competitive.
TheoryBoard is a MIDI controller that teaches you music theory
There are no shortage of crazy and unique MIDI controllers out there. It claims to let anyone create music, regardless of skill level, while also teaching them about music theory. Well TheoryBoard has two 12x4 sets of velocity sensitive pads, with a touchscreen in the middle.
You can now build custom synths for the Sensel Morph
Sensel’s Morph is, by design, a bit of a shapeshifter. Obviously, this is only going to be useful if you know how to program in Pure Data. But, thankfully, it’s a relatively easy programing environment to wrap your head around. But, even if Pure Data is a bit too much for you, don’t worry.
iRig Keys 2 Mini is a MIDI controller with a headphone jack for your iPhone
iRig is no stranger to the world of portable MIDI controllers. And, frankly, there's no shortage of great keyboards out there that will fit neatly into your backpack. But IK Multimedia was one of the earlier brands to start building music-making gear specifically with the iPhone and iPad in mind.
New Launchkey MK3 MIDI controllers add a powerful arpeggiator
Novation is updating its Launchkey MID controller lineup with deeper Ableton integration and a powerful new arpeggiator.
Jammy's new MIDI guitar can control all your virtual instruments
The original Jammy had several problems. The Jammy Evo rethinks the original’s formula, and was designed as a MIDI controller first and foremost.
Joué Play is a cheap, simple and customizable MIDI controller
The Joué Play lowers the price -- $289 with four overlays -- and adds a companion app that allows you to quickly and easily start making music with built in sounds. In fact, if you ask the company, it think the Play will appeal to even those who can’t play an instrument, but want to make music.
Arturia's KeyStep Pro MIDI controller is out now for $399
Arturia's KeyStep Pro, though, puts a lot of emphasis on the "Pro." The KeyStep Pro is out today, and though Arturia charges $449 plus $70 for shipping, retailers like Musician's Friend are selling it for $399 with free shipping.
KeyStep Pro aims to be the MIDI command center of your home studio
Arturia's KeyStep is pretty beloved among hardware synth enthusiasts and bedroom producers alike. It's an affordable, versatile and impeccably built MIDI controller. Honestly, the only real criticism I have of it is that, for something that's supposed to be portable, it's just a bit too big and heavy. So, Arturia decided to lean into the idea of the Keystep as a studio staple with the KeyStep Pro and just forgot about the whole portable thing. Instead of simply adding a bunch more keys though, Arturia decided to focus on what made the KeyStep so popular in the first place. It beefed up the sequencing capabilities and added even more ports to the back for connecting gear.
Roland's A-88MKII keyboard embraces MIDI 2.0 and USB-C
MIDI 2.0 is (hopefully) right around the corner. And Roland is trying to stay ahead of the game. The A-88MKII keyboard is the first from the company to support the new standard as it works its way toward finalization. Unsurprisingly, Roland isn't starting its MIDI 2.0 journey with a budget controller. The A-88MKII is a premium music making machine with a wooden body and 88 weighted keys that are made to feel like ivory (even though they're plastic).
Orba is a tiny, fun and surprisingly expressive instrument
I am simultaneously deeply fascinated by and deeply skeptical of strange niche instruments. As fun as a classic Stylophone is, for instance, it's pretty tricky to make decent-sounding music with. Even quirky controllers like Roli Blocks have a hard time finding a foothold in my life. But I still can't resist their allure. So of course when I heard about Orba, the new instrument from Artiphon, I had to check it out.
The best portable (and affordable) USB MIDI controllers
Whether you're a musician always on the go or just tight on space, there are plenty of reasons to pick up a portable MIDI controller. I've been on the hunt for the perfect portable and affordable controller. (You don't want to lose or break something expensive while you're traveling, after all.) But honestly, there is no perfect controller. There are some very good ones out there, but none has ticked every box for me. Similarly, you'll need to figure out which one best addresses your specific needs, with the fewest trade-offs. None of these controllers rises head and shoulders above the rest to make it the clear winner. So I've laid out the strengths and weaknesses of what I think are the five best options currently on the market.
The best MIDI keyboard controller for beginners
By Al Griffin This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to MIDI keyboard controller for beginners. After 30 hours of research and hands-on testing, we think the Arturia MiniLab MkII is the best all-around 25-key MIDI keyboard controller for most people looking for an easy, cost-effective way to get into creating electronic music with computers. Arturia's controller is compact enough to fit in a backpack but has solid build quality and an uncluttered design that both beginners and experienced musicians will appreciate. The Arturia MiniLab MkII has the feel of a professional instrument. The keyboard and pads, though small, are highly responsive and can produce natural sounds from software plug-in instruments right out of the box. While customizing the controller's MIDI functions requires use of a separate app, the MiniLab MkII comes preconfigured to work with most popular computer music-making software, and it's bundled with Arturia's excellent Analog Lab Lite and UVI Grand Piano virtual instrument plug-ins. The Nektar Impact LX25+ makes a good choice for anyone who might be put off by the Arturia's small size, mini keys, and lack of onboard controls to configure its settings. This model also provides buttons to remotely control music-making software on your computer. Of all the controllers we tested, the Impact LX25+ proved the best option for live performance—the full-size keys had good action and responsiveness, and the rubber-coated pitch-bend and modulation wheels had a solid feel. The Nektar is the only controller of the bunch that doesn't offer out-of-the-box compatibility with the popular computer music software Ableton Live, but you can still configure it to work with that program. We recommend the Akai MPK Mini MKII to anyone seeking a compact, portable input device for making beats and triggering samples. The Akai's generously sized pads have a good feel and allow for a decent range of expressiveness when you're finger-drumming. And although the stiff keyboard action makes this model a lesser option for live performance, we found that the thumb-controlled pitch-bend and modulation joystick worked well. Also, the built-in arpeggiator is fun and easy to use, letting you trigger and shape complex synthesizer melodies on the fly.
Jammy’s digital guitar is a futuristic idea let down by today's tech
When I was younger I took my acoustic guitar with me wherever I traveled. It's ridden in the back of a van to the Poconos, taken rides down to the Jersey Shore and even flown to the Grand Canyon and Disney World. But it was always a hassle to bring places. It's bulky and fragile. Even if I trusted an airline to treat my guitar with care (which, to be clear, I 100 percent do not), it's prohibitively expensive these days to check something of that size every time you fly. Over the years a number of companies have tried to address this problem, most notably Martin with its Backpacker guitar. But if you prefer your electric guitar and a handful of pedals, then you've been SOL. This is where Jammy is supposed to come in. It's a portable digital guitar, with actual metal guitar strings, that comes apart and easily fits in a carry-on or even a backpack. You can plug a pair of headphones straight into it or connect to a regular guitar amp. It also has a companion app that allows you to change the sound from acoustic to electric or add effects. What's more, since it's digital, it can never go out of tune! It all sounds too good to be true. And for the most part it is.
Engadget giveaway: win a Jamstik and SOL Republic speaker courtesy of Zivix!
There's a new generation of MIDI-connected interface tools to help your creative juices flow without being tethered to a computer or lugging around a full kit. The Jamstik smartguitar is a mobile instrument for the digital age, whether you're a seasoned guitar player or just looking to learn a few chords. It's a lightweight, 16-inch guitar interface that uses WiFi to connect to Macs, PCs and iOS 7+ devices. The Jamstik works with hundreds of apps including GarageBand and Ableton Live, letting you play guitar, synth, drums or anything else simply by plucking the strings. There's also a Kickstarter for the new Jamstik+, which adds Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and a focus on musical education. What's more, for every 15 Jamstik+ devices that are backed, Zivix will give one to a non-profit educational organization, opening up the world of music to tomorrow's musicians. To help give you a taste, the company has given us two Jamstiks, along with a set of SOL Republic Deck Bluetooth speakers for a pair of lucky Engadget readers this week. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning. Winners: congratulations to Jeremiah N. of Moscow, ID. and Jeremy M. of Southington, CT!
