USB/MIDI Keyboard Controllers
IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O - Controller/Audio Interface for iPhone, iPad, and Mac/Windows (49-Keys)
- All-In-One Controller / Audio Interface
- 24-Bit / 96 kHz
- 49-Note Velocity-Sensitive Keyboard
- Combo Input with Mic Pre
Arturia KeyLab 49 mk3 Professional MIDI Controller and Software (White)
- 49-Note Keybed, Velocity & Aftertouch
- Includes Analog Lab Software
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360° Knobs
- 9 Faders
Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 Ultra Professional MIDI Controller and Software (Orange)
- 61-Note Keybed, Velocity, and Aftertouch
- Includes Analog Lab Software
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360° Knobs
- Distinct Orange Color, 9 Faders
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
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
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 MicroLab mk3 25-Key USB-C MIDI Control Keyboard (White)
- Compact MIDI Keyboard
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Slim Keys
- Durable and Lightweight Chassis
- Dual Touch Strips, Four Control Buttons
Akai Professional APC Key 25 MK2 Ableton Controller Keyboard
- Complete Integration with Ableton Live
- 5x8 Clip-Launch Matrix
- 40 RGB Backlit Pads
- 25-Key Gen 2 Dynamic Keybed
Korg nanoKEY Fold Slimline Foldable MIDI Keyboard Controller (White)
- 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
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 (Deep Black)
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Slim Keys
- 2 Banks of 8 Backlit Performance Pads
- 8 Rotary Encoders and 4 Sliders
- Mini Display, Clickable Browsing Knob
Arturia MiniLab 3 Compact MIDI Keyboard and Pad Controller (White)
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Slim Keys
- 2 Banks of 8 Backlit Performance Pads
- 8 Rotary Encoders and 4 Sliders
- Mini Display, Clickable Browsing Knob
Novation FLkey 2 Mini 25 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (25 Mini Keys)
- Made for FL Studio Workflow
- 25 Mini Synth-Action Keys
- 16 Pads with Polyphonic Aftertouch
- Eight Endless Encoder Knobs
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
Muse Kinetics K-Board-C Ultracompact USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Lime)
- Portable and Expressive Control
- 25 Touch-Sensitive Smart Keys
- Velocity and Pressure Response
- Tilt and Sustain Functionality
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
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
Korg microKEY AIR-37 Bluetooth Midi Keyboard Controller
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keys
- Bluetooth Connections with Mac and iOS
- 30-Hour AA Battery Life
- Supports Mac, Windows, and iOS
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
Reloop Keypad Pro Compact USB-MIDI 4-In-1 DAW Workstation Controller
- Mini Keyboard, Drum Pads, Mixer, DAW
- Essential Music Production Tools
- Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity
- Plug and Play with Bitwig Studio
Nektar Technology IMPACT GXP61 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard (61 Keys)
- 61 Semi-Weighted Full-Size Keys
- Velocity-Sensitivity with Aftertouch
- Modulation and Pitch-Bend Wheels
- Nektarine 2.0 Plug-In Control Software
Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 49-Key Universal MIDI Controller and Software (Aquamarine)
- 49 Synth-Action Keys with Velocity
- Includes Analog Lab V Software
- Over 2000 Presets
- 9 Faders and 9 Encoders
Novation FLkey 2 49 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for FL Studio (49 Keys)
- Made for FL Studio Workflow
- 49-Key Semi-Weighted Keyboard
- 16 Pads with Poly Aftertouch
- Eight Encoders and Nine Faders
M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3 88-Key Semi-Weighted USB-Powered MIDI Controller
- 88 Full-Size, Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- Semi-Weighted Keys for Natural Feel
- Transport and Directional Buttons
- Volume Fader and Pitch-Bend Controls
Novation FLkey 2 61 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller for FL Studio (61 Keys)
- Made for FL Studio Workflow
- 61-Key Semi-Weighted Keyboard
- 16 Pads with Poly Aftertouch
- Eight Encoders and Nine Faders
Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 88-Key Universal MIDI Controller and Software (Black)
- 88 Semiweighted Keys with Velocity
- 8 Transport Switches, 4 Command Switches
- 9 Faders and 9 Encoders
- 8 Velocity- and Pressure-Sensitive Pads
Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 88-Key Universal MIDI Controller and Software (White)
- 88 Semiweighted Keys with Velocity
- 8 Transport Switches, 4 Command Switches
- 9 Faders and 9 Encoders
- 8 Velocity- and Pressure-Sensitive Pads
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.