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10 OF The Best Budget MIDI Master Keyboards

We’ve gathered a list of the 10 best budget MIDI Master Keyboards. Those are all tested devices with hundreds of positive reviews and the best features available

By Nik LiakContributing Author

MIDI Master Keyboards are that bridge between your fingers and VSTs. MIDI controllers usually have no proper sounds, but their keys, pads and knobs can be assigned to music software. The best part about MIDI keyboards is that you’re not tied to one single sound pack or effects bundle. Instead, you can use the same MIDI controller to create and produce classic music, electronic beats, dubstep, rock, jazz and so on.

We’ve gathered a list of the 10 best budget MIDI Master Keyboards. Those are all tested devices with hundreds of positive reviews and the best features available:

1. Akai LPK 25

The LPK 25 is praised for its portability and versatility. It offers several great features, worth mentioning. First of all, it’s small, so it easily fits in a notebook case. On the other hand, its two octaves can be easily amplified into to six with its “Octave +/-“buttons. You can plug in the LPK 25 to your notebook or Macbook, record the base first, then switch octaves and record the higher notes, leads, solos and so on. Thanks to its true plug-and-play feature, the LPK 25 is a great choice for any musician on the go. All it takes to start recording is a laptop and a USB cable (which is included). With the LPK 25, you don’t need to write down your spontaneous musical ideas on paper anymore. Last but not least, its arpeggiator feature adds a lot of fun to the process.

2. Miditech Midistart Music 25

This one is almost as compact as the LPK 25 with the only difference that the Midistart also features a joystick controller. If you’re into synths and/or music production, you’ll agree that having that kind of controller is a must. Automations are great, unless you need to set them up manually with your mouse, point by point. If you’re looking for a handy and portable add-on for your studio, or want to have a mini-piano on the go, then the Midistart is a great choice. It features real-size, velocity-sensitive keys and a sturdy, durable built.

3. Akai MPK mini Mk2

If you’re looking for a portable MIDI controller especially designed for electronic music, then look no further. The MPK mini Mk2 features 8 knobs and a joystick, allowing you to control those X/Y modulations easily. It also provides you with eight highly-sensitive pads. One slight touch is enough to play the assigned sounds; you won’t need to punch them.

Please don’t be mislead by its small size. Many talented producers and DJ’s create amazing live mixes using the Akai MPK mini Mk2 pad alone, connected to a PC. This MIDI station allows you to control every step of the mix process and shape every sound. It takes only a minute to assign the right controls to its 8 pads and 8 knobs, and you’re good to go!

4. Arturia MiniLab 

The MiniLab comes with the signature Arturia software bundle, which includes thousands of high-quality synths. Nevertheless, the MiniLab can be also connected to any DAW and used as a MIDI controller and keyboard. It features an astronomic amount of 16 knobs and 8 pads, which is great both for musicians on the go and producers. You can easily assign several EQs to those knobs, plus some modulations and filters. Producing a song was never so easy. Last but not least, this MIDI controller features an “Octave +/-“button for pads, which allows you to duplicate the amount of assignable pad sounds.

5. Miditech Midistart 3 USB

49 key keyboards offer great balance between the amount of octaves and portability. Plug in the Miditech Midistart 3 to your PC, launch your DAW, pick your favorite VST instrument and you’re all set! This MIDI keyboard offers full-size keys with great velocity sensitivity.

6. Alesis Q49 Keyboard Controller

Alesis is well-known for manufacturing reliable MIDI gear. Compared to the Miditech, the Alesis Q49 also allows you to change MIDI parameters by pressing a pre-assigned key on the keyboard. When using the proper VSTs, you can switch between instrument modes by pressing one single key on this controller. Thus, this MIDI keyboard is especially useful if you’re using high-end VST packs like Aria Catalyst and Adagio.

7. Behringer U-Control UMX 610

The UMX610 is a MIDI keyboard that will impress you both by its great build quality and gorgeous looks. Its inbuilt audio card allows you to use the UMX610 both as a master keyboard and as a USB audio interface. Behringer instruments are praised for their versatility and compatibility, and the UMX610 is no exception. Some software and VSTs don’t have the “Learning” feature. If that’s an issue you’d like to get rid of, then the UMX610 has probably the best solution for you. Its pre-computed settings allow you to control most of the required settings of any instrument (included resonance, attack, decay, etc.)

8. Nektar Impact LX61

Is integration top priority for you? Are you tired of mapping every channel manually over and over again? If yes, then the LX61 will surely become your favorite MIDI master keyboard. It features automatic mixer mapping for its 9 faders (which include 9 mute/solo buttons) and 9 knobs. If your mix has more than 9 channels, then you can easy the “+/-“buttons to quickly navigate through your banks. 

It also features multiple shortcuts for your DAW panels, such as mixer, tracks, instrument, etc. For instance, once the instrument window pops out, the knobs of this MIDI keyboard get automatically assigned to the instrument parameters. The best part is – those features work with virtually all existing DAWs. In brief, the LX61 is definitely one of the most user-friendly and integrated MIDI master keyboards you can ever find.

9. M-Audio Keystation 88 MkII

The main focus of the M-Audio Keystation 88 MkII is comfort. Designed especially for pianists, this elegant portable keyboard is a great budget MIDI recorder and sequencer. It’s easy to use and it features decent quality, semi-weighted action keys. Its solid, yet lightweight build makes it a great companion for gigs and live performances.

10. Studiologic Numa Compact

Besides being a MIDI master keyboard, the Studiologic Numa can be used as a fully-functional, stand alone instrument as well. It features 10 high-quality sounds with polyphony up to 128 voices. Despite its big size and sturdy build, this keyboard is surprisingly lightweight and easy to carry. 

In Conclusion

Whether you’re mastering electronic music or playing one of Mozart’s beautiful piano pieces, having good gear is essential. A good MIDI controller will not only help you with your actual projects, but it will also work with any musical genres you might like to explore in the future. Any of the mentioned master keyboards can easily become your faithful companion for years to come.

About Nik Liak

Musician, producer, DJ, promoter, and electronic music enthusiast alike, Nik Liak hails out of Thessaloniki, Greece. When not performing, he spends his time in the studio creating his own music…aided by his beloved dj gear and an upbringing in a very musically-influenced home.

Contact Nik Liak at nikliak@musicngear.com

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