DAW Integration Being able to control the transport of your DAW and adjust the parameters of your software instruments from your keyboard rather than your computer is always handy.

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These piano -style devices can be plugged directly into your PC or laptop via USB or, in some cases, even operate wirelessly over Bluetooth and enable you to play and record with your DAW s software instruments and any VST synth plugins you might have installed.

Most options here also come with additional features such as knobs, pads, buttons and faders to boost creativity and give you even more control over your software.

On a budget These are the best cheap MIDI keyboards Make more music with the best audio interfaces around Our pick of the best studio monitors for home recording Prices vary depending on the features included, too; you can get a perfectly decent cheap MIDI keyboard for way less than 100100 if you shop around, but if you up your budget youll get your hands on a higher quality model with more features and higher specs.

Many of the best MIDI keyboards also come with templates for the most popular DAWs Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, etc making it easy to get up and running and start making music super fast.

Whether you want a portable keyboard to go with your laptop or a full-size MIDI keyboard controller for your studio, there are plenty of options to choose from.

To help you choose the right one, weve come up with a round-up of the best MIDI keyboards you can buy right now.

What are the best MIDI keyboards right now MIDI controller keyboards fall into two main categories the more portable devices with 25 keys and the larger, desk-based options with 49 or more keys.

In the mini-key corner, because of the sheer number of features crammed into such a light, small footprint, our recommendation right now is the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3.

Meanwhile, if youre looking for a larger controller, we heartily recommend Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S-Series boards, in particular the Native Instruments Kontrol S61 Mk 2.

They feature excellent keybeds, fantastic styling, wonderful twin colour screens and impressive functionality these 49, 61 and 88-key offerings are very hard to beat.

Elsewhere, you really should check out the Nektar Impakt LX88, Novation SL49 Mk3 and the new Arturia KeyStep Pro for features, value for money and sheer innovation.

Todays best MIDI keyboard deals Launchkey Mini MK3 Novation LaunchKey Mini Mk3 Thomann View See all prices Native Instruments Komplete.

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MkII Andertons View See all prices Nektar Impact LX 88 Note.

Nektar Impact LX88 Andertons View See all prices Novation Remote 49 SL MKIII.

Novation 49 SL MkIII Andertons View See all prices Keystep Pro Arturia KeyStep Pro Thomann View See all prices We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices View All Deals Best MIDI keyboards: buying advice What key size do you need For simple inputting of drum beats, simple bass and melody lines and basic chords, smaller MIDI controllers with mini keys should do the job just fine.

These have the advantage of being cheaper and more portable than their larger brethren and take up a smaller footprint on your work surface.

These days, mini keys can be just as responsive and easy to play as full-size versions, but if you suffer from sausage finger syndrome, you might want to stick to full-size keys.

How many keys is enough All of the best MIDI keyboards featured here come with octave shift buttons, meaning that the full range of note pitches is accessible even from a 25-key device, just by pressing a couple of buttons.

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That said, if youre a more advanced player, or want to learn how to play two-handed, its better to go for a four octave (49-note) or five octave (61-note) keyboard.

If space isnt an issue, you can even opt for an 88-key, piano-sized controller if desired.

These are the best PCs for music production Explore the best iPads for musicians and producers Make music anywhere with the best laptops for music production Connectivity: what you need to know With a lot of producers now working in-the-box on a single computer or laptop, you dont necessarily need a MIDI output unless you have some hardware MIDI synths to connect it to, but some controllers do come with traditional 5-pin MIDI out ports, and smaller, minijack TRS MIDI outputs are becoming more popular.

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