April 2024
MIDI Controllers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of MIDI controllers rankings posted by key online experts, as of April 2024.
Summary
On 5 Apr 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 86 MIDI controller endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
69 MIDI controllers were endorsed in total, only 13 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 5 Apr 2024, Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed MIDI controller with 4 expert endorsements. 3 experts out of 4 recommended it as the '#1 MIDI controller' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Novation: 15 MIDI controllers
(#1 is Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note)
-
Akai Professional: 9 MIDI controllers
(#1 is Akai MPK Mini MKII 25)
-
Arturia: 7 MIDI controllers
(#1 is Arturia MiniLab MkII)
-
M-Audio: 6 MIDI controllers
(#1 is M-Audio Hammer 88)
-
Nektar: 5 MIDI controllers
(#1 is Nektar Impact LX25 Plus)
Price breakdown
At a glance - April Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | MIDI Controller |
Music Radar
|
Gearank
|
Keyboard Kraze
|
Music Critic
|
The Guitar Junky
|
Spy
|
E-Home Recording Studio
|
Digital Piano Judge
|
Prime Sound
|
Consordini
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | $92 |
Akai MPK Mini MKII 25
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
- | $349 |
Akai Pro MPK249
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
- | $109 |
Arturia MiniLab MkII
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
4
|
- | $110 |
Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
5
|
+11 | Check price |
NI Komplete Kontrol S88 MkII
|
7
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
6
|
-1 | Check price |
Akai Professional MPD226
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-1 | $499 |
M-Audio Hammer 88
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
2
|
8
|
-1 | $99 |
Akai MPK Mini MK3
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-1 | Check price |
Native Instruments Maschine Mk3
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-1 | $120 |
Nektar Impact LX25 Plus
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
16
|
-1 | $119 |
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
17
|
+3 | $320 |
Nektar Impact LX88 Plus
|
5
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
-1 | $950 |
Arturia Keylab 88 MKII
|
-
|
7
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 #1 in April 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 as #1.
Music Critic
Can easily fit into backpacks and on a production desk.
8 rubber drum pads that are velocity sensitive.
|
The Guitar Junky
Editor's Choice
Has the learning curve to progress as you go
Fun to use and beginners won't have trouble understanding
Budget-friendly and with the sleek look
|
Software seems a bit intimidating at first
Some complaints of flimsy keys
|
Prime Sound
Editor's Choice
Portable
Plenty of bundled software
Excellent value for money
Impressive pad quality
|
Comes with just eight pads
Knobs lack a satisfying click and feel lightweight
|
Consordini
A Personal Favorite
Authentic MPC pads.
Intuitive thumbstick.
Arpeggiator.
Note repeat.
Fantastic software bundle.
8 assignable knobs.
Sustain pedal input.
|
Small keys take some practice.
|
We ranked Akai Pro MPK249 #2 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Akai Pro MPK249 as #1.
Music Critic
Great Value
Has an all-in-one controller with keyboard and trigger pads.
Comes with 8 control knobs, 8 faders, and 8 switches.
Semi-weighted action with 49 full-size keys that are pressure sensitive.
|
Digital Piano Judge
Assignable knobs and faders give a full performance workspace.
Easy to set up.
Arpeggiator, note repeat and other inbuilt effects.
Lights up, so you can see what you are doing on stage.
Semi-weighted keys for a piano feel.
|
Expensive
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend MIDI controllers.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of MIDI controllers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for April 2024 ranking
We ranked Arturia MiniLab MkII #3 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Arturia MiniLab MkII as #1.
Gearank
Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers Under $200
Great value for money
Lots of encoders and pads
Synth action keys feel great
|
Knobs feel cheap
Touch strips feel like a compromise
Pads a bit small
|
Prime Sound
Best Slim Keys Controller
Impressive portability
16 rotary controllers
Seamlessly integrates with Analog Lab Litem Ableton Live Lite, and other software
|
Some might not fancy the touch strip controllers
|
We ranked Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note #4 in April 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Music Critic
Designed for Ableton Live.
Comes in equipped with 16 velocity sensitive multi-color pads.
8 knobs, control buttons, and dedicated navigation.
|
The Guitar Junky
Many options and controls for more ways to create music
Small and compact
Easy to bring around
Solid build and looks like it's made to last
|
Keys may not be the most responsive
Takes a lot of time to set up and learn from
|
Prime Sound
Budget Pick
USB-Powered
Portable and compact design
Comes with Ableton Live Lite 9 software
25 synth-style mini keys
|
Lacks a thumb joystick
|
We ranked NI Komplete Kontrol S88 MkII #5 in April 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Music Radar
The best smart MIDI controller for your plugins and DAW
Tight Komplete and DAW integration
Provides playing assistance
Spend less time with your mouse
|
No sliders
|
Gearank
Best MIDI Keyboard Controller Over $1000
Best for integration with NI Komplete Software
The Fater keybed strikes a good balance between piano-like hammer action and synth action feel
KOMPLETE SELECT is included free
|
Those who play hammond style organs will find its piano action isn't the best for organ slides
|
Consordini
Best All-Rounder (Runner-Up)
Very good hammer-action keys.
Aftertouch.
Touch strip, pitch bend, and modulation wheel.
RGB color indicators.
Pre-mapped integration with all Complete instruments.
Two high-res colour screens.
Komplete Kontrol and Komplete 12 Select included.
|
No drum/sample pads.
|
We ranked M-Audio Hammer 88 #7 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Digital Piano Judge
Great for learning to play the piano.
Comes with software included.
Hammer action gives more expression and velocity sensitivity.
|
Big and bulky model.
The keys are not the best quality.
No pads or sliders.
|
Consordini
Best Weighted Keys
Incredibly realistic/responsive feel.
88-keys.
Pitch bend and modulation wheels.
Three pedal inputs.
Assignable fader and wheels.
|
Limited functionality.
No drum pads.
|
We ranked Akai MPK Mini MK3 #8 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Gearank
Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers Under $200
Solid, durable build
The pads are nice and big
Great as a portable controller to use with a laptop
|
The small keys are a put-off if you're used to full-size keys
|
We ranked Nektar Impact LX25 Plus #10 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
The Guitar Junky
Lightweight and can be brought around easily
Can control and map DAW effortlessly
Cool design that lights up when played
|
Keys create a dull thud sound when pressed
Not suitable for continued use as you progress
|
Prime Sound
Best Value
Eight velocity-sensitive drum pads are excellent for tapping drum beats
Works seamlessly with most DAWS
Excellent value for price
|
Relatively bulky
No semi-weighted keys
|
We ranked M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 #11 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Music Critic
49 full-size, semi-weighted velocity sensitive keys with 1/4-inch sustain pedal input.
Comes equipped with octave range buttons, transport controls, pitch bend and modulation wheels.
USB connection.
|
Consordini
Best Beginner Controller
Low price.
Lightweight.
Transport controls.
|
No pads.
Not the most versatile.
|
We ranked Arturia Keylab 88 MKII #13 in April 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best MIDI controllers” rankings.
Gearank
Best MIDI Keyboard Controller Under $1000
The Fatar keybed is one of the best in this price range
CV/Gate lets you control old analog synth hardware
Has both 5-Pin and USB MIDI
Solid metal build
|
Keys feel slightly spongy compared to the more expensive Kawai VPC1
|