Experts recommend Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note more than Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential
As of 15 Jan 2025, experts prefer Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note over Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential, but both MIDI Controllers have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note received 3 recommendations: from Music Critic (16 Feb 2024), Prime Sound (1 Nov 2024) and The Guitar Junky (17 Mar 2019). By contrast, Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential received only 1 recommendation from Gearank (3 Jul 2024).
| Rank | Change | Price | MIDI Controller | higherhz.com  | guitarandmusicinstitute.com  | Gearank  | Keyboard Kraze  | Sweetwater  | Equipboard  | Music Radar  | Music Critic  | Prime Sound  | The Guitar Junky  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | - | Check price |  Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note | - | - | - | - |
- | - | - | 8 | 2
| 5 |
| 35 | N/A | Check price |  Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential The Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential MIDI Controller is a versatile and portable controller with a range of features, making it a reliable option for musicians and producers in both studio and live settings. | - | - | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire MIDI Controllers ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 3 Jul 2024 Gearank ranked Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential as #4
Rank MIDI Controller ... ... #4 out of 9 Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential ... ... Source: www.gearank.com - On 16 Feb 2024 Music Critic ranked Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note as #8
Rank MIDI Controller ... ... #8 out of 10 Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note ... ... Source: musiccritic.com - On 1 Nov 2024 Prime Sound ranked Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note as #2
Rank MIDI Controller Comment ... ... ... #2 out of 8 Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note Budget Pick... ... ... Source: primesound.org - On 17 Mar 2019 The Guitar Junky ranked Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note as #5
Rank MIDI Controller ... ... #5 out of 5 Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note Source: www.theguitarjunky.com
After counting and adding up the 88 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note outranks Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential. This is not to say that Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential is a bad option. Like Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note is mentioned by key experts in Jan 2025, while Arturia KeyLab 61 Essential is not.
| Rank | Change | Price | MIDI Controller | higherhz.com | guitarandmusicinstitute.com | Gearank | Keyboard Kraze | Sweetwater | Equipboard | Music Radar | Music Critic | Prime Sound | The Guitar Junky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | Check price |  Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 The Akai MPK Mini MKII 25 MIDI Controller is a compact and versatile option for musicians and producers looking for a portable and affordable MIDI controller for creating electronic music and controlling parameters in music production software. | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | - | $99 |  Akai MPK Mini MK3 The Akai MPK Mini MK3 is a highly regarded MIDI controller that offers a range of features and functionality, including 25 mini-sized keys, programmable knobs, and a compact and lightweight design, making it a reliable and versatile option for musicians and producers. | - | - | - | - | 5 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - |
| 3 | - | Check price |  Akai Pro MPK249 The Akai Pro MPK249 is a MIDI controller keyboard with 49 semi-weighted keys, a range of controls, and excellent build quality, making it a reliable choice for musicians and producers. | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | - | - |
| 4 | - | $109 |  Arturia MiniLab MkII The Arturia MiniLab MkII is a compact and portable MIDI keyboard controller with 25 mini-sized keys, 16 assignable knobs, and USB connectivity, making it a versatile option for musicians and producers on-the-go. | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | - |
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Expert reviews [4]
Total expert reviews: 4
- with a score: 0
- without a score: 4
No expert reviews linked yet for Novation Launchkey Mini 25-Note.
From Seller:
- EXPRESSIVE CONTROLLER WITH A FOCUS ON WORKFLOW: Durable, yet stylish, KeyLab Essential is an easy keyboard controller that adapts to your needs, your style and your workflow, so you can make music just the way you like it. It combines the immediacy of an advanced controller, the expressivity of a classic instrument, and massive sonic versatility with the included software.
- Read more
From Seller:
- Launchkey Mini - the mini keyboard for Ableton Live
- 16 multi-colour backlit velocity sensitive drum pads
- 8 knobs, dedicated navigation and control buttons
- Software for Mac and PC, Including: Ableton Live Lite, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Novation Bass Station and V Station virtual instruments and over 4GB of Loopmasters samples
- Read more