USB/MIDI Keyboard Controllers
Nektar Technology Impact GX Mini USB MIDI Controller (25 Keys)
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- 3 Velocity Curves (Standard, Soft, Hard)
- Joystick for Pitch Bend and Modulation
- 3.5mm Footswitch Input for Sustain Pedal
M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 MK3 Portable Mini-USB MIDI Controller
- 32 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Size Keys
- MIDI over USB
- Pitch Bend, Modulation & Octave Controls
- Volume Knob and Sustain Button
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
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 (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
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
Arturia MiniLab 3 Compact MIDI Keyboard and Pad Controller (Special-Edition Aquamarine)
- 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 (Black)
- Foldable Design for Ultra-Portability
- 25 Quiet Membrane Keys
- Silent Keybed
- 15 Built-In Scale Guides
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
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
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
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
Korg microKEY Air-25 Bluetooth Midi Keyboard Controller
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keys
- Bluetooth Connection with Mac and iOS
- 30-Hour AA Battery Life
- Supports Mac, Windows & iOS
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
Novation Launchkey 37 MK4 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (37 Keys)
- Seamless Integration with Ableton Live
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- 16 Velocity-Sensitive Backlit Color Pads
- 8 Control Knobs and Pitch and Mod Wheels
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
Nektar Technology Impact LX61 mk3 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
- 61 Synth-Action Keys
- Advanced Performance Tools
- Scale Mode, Chord Mode, Hold Mode
- Deep DAW Integration
Nektar Technology Panorama T4 49-Key USB MIDI Controller
- 49 Velocity-Sensitive Keys
- 8 Velocity- and Pressure-Sensitive Pads
- Multiple Velocity Curves for Keys & Pads
- 9 Faders, 8 Encoders, 8 LED Buttons
Akai Professional MPD218 USB Pad Controller with Arturia MiniLab 3 Keyboard Controller and Sustain Pedal Kit
- Complete Set of Controller Options
- Feel of Classic Beat Making
- MPD218 USB Pad Controller
- Arturia MiniLab 3 Key Controller
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
Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 61-Key Universal MIDI Controller and Software (White)
- 61 Synth-Action Keys with Velocity
- Includes Analog Lab V Software
- Over 2000 Presets
- 9 Faders and 9 Encoders
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 49 mk3 Professional MIDI Controller and Software (Black)
- 49-Note Keybed, Velocity & Aftertouch
- Includes Analog Lab Software
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360ยฐ Knobs
- 9 Faders
Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 Professional MIDI Controller and Software (White)
- 61-Note Keybed, Velocity & Aftertouch
- Includes Analog Lab Software
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360ยฐ Knobs
- 9 Faders
StudioLogic SL73 MK2 73-Key MIDI Controller with Hammer Action
- For Pianists and Studio Creators
- 73-Key Hammer Action Keybed
- Fatar TP/110 Keys with Aftertouch
- MIDI 2.0 for High Resolution
Arturia KeyLab 88 mk3 88-Key Hammer-Action Universal MIDI Controller (Black)
- 88 Hammer-Action Keys with Aftertouch
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360ยฐ Pots and Faders
- 12 Velocity- and Pressure-Sensitive Pads
- 4 Selectable Pad Banks
EXPRESSIVE E Osmose 49-Key Synthesizer and MPE Controller
- 49 Full-Size Keys with 3D Control
- Standalone Synthesizer
- MPE MIDI Controller
- Classic MIDI Controller
EXPRESSIVE E Osmose 61-Key Synthesizer and MPE Controller
- 61 Full-Size Keys with 3D Control
- Standalone Synthesizer
- MPE MIDI Controller
- Classic MIDI Controller
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.