USB/MIDI Keyboard Controllers
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
Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 USB / MIDI Keytar Controller
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Keys w/ Aftertouch
- 8 Backlit Velocity-Sensitive Pads
- 8 Assignable Backlit Faders
- MIDI-Assignable Tilt Sensor
Korg Keystage MIDI 2.0 Controller with Polyphonic Aftertouch (49 Keys)
- Features MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange
- Unparalleled Integration and Control
- Keybed with Outstanding Touch Response
- Polyphonic / Channel Aftertouch + MPE
Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 Professional MIDI Controller and Software (Black)
- 61-Note Keybed, Velocity & Aftertouch
- Includes Analog Lab Software
- 9 Touch-Sensitive 360° Knobs
- 9 Faders
Muse Kinetics K-Board Pro 4 - 48-Key USB/MIDI MPE Keyboard Controller
- 48-Key Keyboard Controller
- Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression
- Patented Smart Fabric Technology
- 4 x Touch-Sensitive Sliders
Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 61-Key Smart Keyboard Controller
- Semiweighted Keybed with Poly Aftertouch
- Software Integration + Next Gen NKS Tech
- Control any MIDI Software or Hardware
- Pitch and Mod Wheels + Touch Strip
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
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
IK Multimedia iRig Keys 37 Midi Controller
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keyboard
- Sustain Pedal Input
- Store Four Different Customized Setups
- Pitchbend and Modulation Wheel
Korg nanoKEY2 Slim-Line USB MIDI Controller (Black)
- 25 Keys
- Velocity Sensitive
- Octave Up/Down Keys
- Pitch Switch
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
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
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
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
Behringer Swing 32-Key USB MIDI Controller with Sequencer and Arpeggiator
- 32-Note Compact-Sized Keys
- Velocity and Aftertouch
- 64-Step Sequencer with 8-Note Polyphony
- Arpeggiator with 8 Patterns
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
Nektar Technology Impact LX Mini 25-Note USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keys
- 4 Velocity Curves and 3 Fixed Velocities
- 8 Velocity-Sensitive LED Trigger Pads
- 8 Control Pots and Single Fader
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 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 Impact LX25 mk3 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
- 25 Synth-Action Keys
- Advanced Performance Tools
- Scale Mode, Chord Mode, Hold Mode
- Deep DAW Integration
IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2 Mini 25-Mini-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- 25-Mini-Key Controller
- Velocity-Sensitive Mini Keys
- Volume/Data Knob
- Octave Shifting
Korg microKEY2-37 USB Keyboard Controller
- 37 Velocity-Sensitive Mini-Keys
- Supports Mac, Windows, and iOS
- Damper Pedal Jack
- Pitch and Mod Wheels
Muse Kinetics K-Board-C Ultracompact USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Snow)
- 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 (Snow)
- 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 (Orchid)
- Portable and Expressive Control
- 25 Touch-Sensitive Smart Keys
- Velocity and Pressure Response
- Tilt and Sustain Functionality
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.