USB/MIDI Keyboard Controllers
Arturia KeyStep 37 Mk2 Controller and Sequencer
- 37-Note Slimkey with Aftertouch
- Polyphonic 64-Step Sequencer
- 16-Mode Generative Arpeggiator
- Mutate, Spice, and Dice Tools
Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Black, 25 Mini Keys)
- Seamless Integration with Ableton Live
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- 16 Velocity-Sensitive Backlit Color Pads
- 8 Control Knobs and Pitch and Mod Strips
Akai Professional MPK Mini IV 25-Key MIDI Controller (Black)
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- Improved Akai/Moog Keybed Design
- Full-Color Screen with VST Feedback
- 8 RGB MPC Pads with Note Repeat
Akai Professional MPK Mini IV 25-Key MIDI Controller (Gray)
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- Improved Akai/Moog Keybed Design
- Full-Color Screen with VST Feedback
- 8 RGB MPC Pads with Note Repeat
Nektar Technology SE61 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
- 61 Full-Sized Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- Four Velocity Curves + 3 Fixed
- Large Pitch-Bend and Modulation Wheels
- Four Buttons and One Assignable Fader
Akai Professional MPK Mini Play MK3 Compact Keyboard and Pad Controller with Speaker
- Built-In Sound Module with 128 Sounds
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- 8 Real MPC Drum Pads
- 4 Knobs for Sound Edit or MIDI Controls
Arturia MiniLab 37 mk3 Compact MIDI Keyboard and Pad Controller (White)
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Slim Keys
- 2 Banks of 8 Backlit Performance Pads
- 8 Rotary Encoders and 4 Sliders
- Mini Display, Clickable Browsing Knob
Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 Professional MIDI Controller and Software (White)
- 61-Note Keybed, Velocity & Aftertouch
- Includes Analog Lab Software
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360° Knobs
- 9 Faders
Nektar Technology SE25 Mini MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- Three Velocity Curves
- Six Programmable Buttons
- Octave Up/Down, PB1/PB2, Sustain, Part 2
Arturia Keystep mk2 32-Key MIDI Controller Keyboard and Sequencer
- For Musicians and Producers
- 32 Slim Keys with Velocity & Aftertouch
- 64-Step Sequencer with 8-Note Polyphony
- Arpeggiator with 9 Patterns, 16 Modes
Novation Launchkey 61 MK4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Black, 61 Keys)
- Seamless Integration with Ableton Live
- 61 Semiweighted Waterfall Keys
- 16 Velocity-Sensitive Backlit Color Pads
- 8 Control Knobs and Pitch and Mod Wheels
Novation Launchkey 88 MK4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 88-Key DAW Controller
- Semi-Weighted Waterfall Keybed
- 16 Pads with Polyphonic Aftertouch
- Eight Encoders and Nine Faders
Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 88-Key Hammer-Action Universal MIDI Controller (Black)
- 88 Hammer-Action Keys with Aftertouch
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360° Pots and Faders
- 12 Velocity- and Pressure-Sensitive Pads
- 4 Selectable Pad Banks
Korg nanoKEY Fold Slimline Foldable MIDI Keyboard Controller (Orange)
- Foldable Design for Ultra-Portability
- 25 Quiet Membrane Keys
- Silent Keybed
- 15 Built-In Scale Guides
Arturia MiniLab 3 Compact MIDI Keyboard and Pad Controller (Special-Edition Orange and Black)
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Slim Keys
- 2 Banks of 8 Backlit Performance Pads
- 8 Rotary Encoders and 4 Sliders
- Mini Display, Clickable Browsing Knob
Muse Kinetics K-Board-C Ultracompact USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Galaxy)
- Portable and Expressive Control
- 25 Touch-Sensitive Smart Keys
- Velocity and Pressure Response
- Tilt and Sustain Functionality
Novation Launchkey 25 MK4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (25 Keys)
- Seamless Integration with Ableton Live
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- 16 Velocity-Sensitive Backlit Color Pads
- 8 Control Knobs and Pitch and Mod Wheels
Novation Launchkey 49 MK4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Black, 49 Keys)
- Seamless Integration with Ableton Live
- 49 Semiweighted Waterfall Keys
- 16 Velocity-Sensitive Backlit Color Pads
- 8 Control Knobs and Pitch and Mod Wheels
Korg nanoKEY Fold Slimline Foldable MIDI Keyboard Controller (Beige)
- Foldable Design for Ultra-Portability
- 25 Quiet Membrane Keys
- Silent Keybed
- 15 Built-In Scale Guides
M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini 32-Mini-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 32 Velocity-Sensitive Semi-Weighted Keys
- 8 Assignable, Velocity-Sensitive Pads
- Built-In Arpeggiator and Note Repeat
- Automapped DAW Instruments and Plug-Ins
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 49-Key USB-Powered MIDI Controller
- 49 Full-Size Keys
- Velocity-Sensitive Feel
- Transport and Directional Buttons
- Volume Fader and Pitch Bend Controls
Nektar Technology GX61 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 61 Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- 4 Velocity Curves + 3 Fixed
- Modulation and Pitch Bend Wheels
- Transpose and Octave Shift Buttons
Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board-C Ultracompact USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Galaxy)
- Portable and Expressive Control
- 25 Touch-Sensitive Smart Keys
- Velocity and Pressure Response
- Tilt and Sustain Functionality
Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Black, 37 Mini Keys)
- Seamless Integration with Ableton Live
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- 16 Velocity-Sensitive Backlit Color Pads
- 8 Control Knobs and Pitch and Mod Strips
Novation Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (White, 37 Mini Keys)
- Seamless Integration with Ableton Live
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- 16 Velocity-Sensitive Backlit Color Pads
- 8 Control Knobs and Pitch and Mod Strips
IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2 Pro 37-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 37-Key, 3-Octave Controller
- Full-Sized, Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- 4 Assignable Knobs
- Pitchbend and Modulation Wheels
M-Audio Oxygen 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 49 Full-Size Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- 8 Velocity-Sensitive Trigger Pads
- Built-In Arpeggiator
- Auto-Mapped DAW Instruments and Plug-Ins
Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 61-Key Universal MIDI Controller and Software (Aquamarine)
- 61 Synth-Action Keys with Velocity
- Includes Analog Lab V Software
- Over 2000 Presets
- 9 Faders and 9 Encoders
Learning About USB/MIDI Keyboard Controllers
Connecting a keyboard controller to your computer is a convenient way to record and play music. USB/MIDI keyboard controllers provide excellent connectivity for a home studio setup.
Choosing USB/MIDI Keyboard Controllers
There are many different types of USB/MIDI keyboard controllers. The right option for you depends on what kind of music you wish to create, your playing style, and the features you're looking for.
Key Count
First, you'll need to decide how many keys you'd like. Keyboards range from 25 up to 88 keys. If you're looking for highly-portable USB/MIDI controllers, choose models with fewer keys that are smaller in size. If you want to replicate the experience of a full piano, choose those with 88 keys.
Keyboard Action
Hammer-action keyboards replicate the feel of acoustic pianos even further, as these models feature weighted keys. Semi-weighted versions of these music keyboards, on the other hand, have light weights connected to the keys along with spring-loaded functions. When you use the instrument, you experience less resistance than with hammer-action keyboards.
Smart-sensor keys and similar versions offer a complete departure from traditional synthesizers and keyboards. These models focus on providing a range of synthesizer effects for more versatility. Smart-sensor keys pick up on the velocity, tilt, and pressure of your finger for more comfortable use. Many keyboards come bundled with music software to provide even more functionality and usability.
Faders, Buttons, and Knobs
Choosing USB/MIDI controllers with a variety of faders, buttons, and knobs gives you much more control over your musical creations. A modulation wheel helps you create effects such as vibrato, tremolo, LFO sweeps, and much more. Various buttons and knobs allow you to customize the cutoff and resonance of synths, as well as the amp envelope and more. All of these features give you a 'hands-on' analog feel as you create music. With these faders, buttons, and knobs, you can make real-time adjustments to your music as you experiment and create new sounds.
Head to B&H Photo and Video to check out its selection of USB/MIDI keyboard controllers along with MIDI/USB controller accessories to complete your setup.