USB/MIDI Keyboard Controllers
Korg nanoKEY Fold Slimline Foldable MIDI Keyboard Controller (Green)
- Foldable Design for Ultra-Portability
- 25 Quiet Membrane Keys
- Silent Keybed
- 15 Built-In Scale Guides
Novation Impulse 25 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 25 Semi-Weighted Keys with Aftertouch
- 8 Rotary Encoders and a Single Fader
- 8 Backlit Trigger Pads
- Arpeggiator
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
Korg microKEY2-37 USB Keyboard Controller
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keys
- Supports Mac, Windows, and iOS
- Damper Pedal Jack
- Pitch and Mod Wheels
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
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
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
Korg microKEY AIR-61 Bluetooth Midi Keyboard Controller
- 61 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keys
- Bluetooth Connections with Mac and iOS
- 30-Hour AA Battery Life
- Supports Mac, Windows, and iOS
M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 49 Velocity-Sensitive Semi-Weighted Keys
- 16 Velocity-Sensitive Assignable Pads
- Built-In Arpeggiator and Note Repeat
- Automapped DAW Instruments and Plug-Ins
Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 61-Key Universal MIDI Controller and Software (Rose Quartz)
- 61 Synth-Action Keys with Velocity
- Includes Analog Lab V Software
- Over 2000 Presets
- 9 Faders and 9 Encoders
Nektar Technology IMPACT GXP88 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard (88 Keys)
- 88 Semi-Weighted Full-Size Keys
- Velocity-Sensitivity with Aftertouch
- Modulation and Pitch-Bend Wheels
- Nektarine 2.0 Plug-In Control Software
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
Nektar Technology Impact LX88 mk3 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
- 88 Semi-Weighted Keys
- Advanced Performance Tools
- Scale Mode, Chord Mode, Hold Mode
- Deep DAW Integration
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 49 mk3 Ultra Professional MIDI Controller and Software (Orange)
- 49-Note Keybed, Velocity, and Aftertouch
- Includes Analog Lab Software
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360° Knobs
- Distinct Orange Color, 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 (White)
- 88 Hammer-Action Keys with Aftertouch
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360° Pots and Faders
- 12 Velocity- and Pressure-Sensitive Pads
- 4 Selectable Pad Banks
EXPRESSIVE E Osmose CE 49 Advanced MPE MIDI Controller (49-Key)
- Expressive Keybed
- Ctrl-e Dedicated Sound Ecosystem
- 900+ Expresseive Presets
- 7 Gestural Controls
EXPRESSIVE E Osmose CE 61 Advanced MPE MIDI Controller (61-Key)
- Expressive Keybed
- Ctrl-e Dedicated Sound Ecosystem
- 900+ Expresseive Presets
- 7 Gestural Controls
EXPRESSIVE E Osmose 61-Key Synthesizer and MPE Controller
- 61 Full-Size Keys with 3D Control
- Standalone Synthesizer
- MPE MIDI Controller
- Classic MIDI Controller
Kawai VPC1 - Virtual Piano Controller
- 88 Weighted Key MIDI Controller
- RM3 Wooden-Key Action with Let-Off
- Triple Sensor Detection
- Ivory Touch Key Surface
Icon Pro Audio iKeyboard 3 mini MIDI Controller Keyboard
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- Compact Design with USB-B Port
- Combined Pitch and Modulation Joystick
- Transpose and Octave Up/Down Buttons
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
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
Akai Professional LPK25 MK2 USB Laptop Performance Keyboard
- 25-Key Dynamic Keybed with Velocity
- Built-In Arpeggiator
- Internal/External Clock Sync Control
- Sturdy, Standard-Size USB Port
Icon Pro Audio iKeyboard 4mini MIDI Controller Keyboard
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- Compact Design with USB-B Port
- Combined Pitch and Modulation Joystick
- Transpose and Octave Up/Down Buttons
Arturia MicroLab mk3 25-Key USB-C MIDI Control Keyboard (Black)
- Compact MIDI Keyboard
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Slim Keys
- Durable and Lightweight Chassis
- Dual Touch Strips, Four Control Buttons
IK Multimedia iRig Keys 37 Midi Controller
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keyboard
- Sustain Pedal Input
- Store Four Different Customized Setups
- Pitchbend and Modulation Wheel
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.