The 16 Best Midi Keyboards for Music Production

Artists, poets, actors, and pretty much anyone with a creative hobby or job, is constantly looking for ways to improve their skills. The same goes for music producers. One way that music producers improve their skills and expand their knowledge is through the purchasing of new studio equipment.

An example of this would be midi keyboards. Midi keyboards are a great tool for any music producer whether they are just getting started, have been producing for a while, or are the best producer on the planet. 

If you are ready to take the next step in your music production journey, below are 16 midi keyboards for every level of producer, from beginner to pro.

Note that all the prices listed are in CAD. if you’re looking for links to purchase with USD, click here.

BEGINNER

A beginner midi keyboard doesn’t need to have a lot. Just a couple knobs, pads and 25 keys. If you are new to producing and have never touched a keyboard, these midis are for you. 

Akai MPK Mini MK2

Price: $304.22

This midi keyboard is small and compact making it perfect to bring with you wherever you go. It has all the key features for a midi keyboard. It’s one of the best entry-level midi keyboard

Features 

• 25 keys

• iOS compatible

• USB-powered

• Software included

• Pitch and modulation control

• Built in arpeggiation

• 8 knobs for macro-mapping

• 8 velocity sensitive drum pads

• Class compliant with Windows and Mac

Novation Launchkey 25 MK2

Price: $150.37

The Launchkey from Novation is a very popular midi keyboard. It features an awesome design and is very high quality. If you’re looking for something to match your studio aesthetic this might be it. 

Features

• 8 knobs

• 15 RGB pads

• 25 synth-style velocity sensitive keys

• Transport Section (play, fast forward, etc.)

• Pitch Bend and Mod Wheel

• Single mappable fader

• Class compliant with Mac and Windows

• USB powered

• iOS compatible

• Sample and software included

Keith McMillen Instruments K-board

Price: $129.99

This keyboard is portable, with a minimal layout and offers aftertouch features. 

Features:

• Portability

• Velocity and sustain toggles

• Individual key tilt for pitch control

• USB powered

• iOS compatible

• Class compliant with Windows and Mac

M-Audio Oxygen 25 MK4

Price: $143.10

This keyboard features full sized keys and is capable of a lot of things. It’s not as portable as some of the other keyboards on this list, but it’s great for beginners.

• Features:

• 8 mappable knobs

• 25 keys

• Full transport section

• Pitch and bend Mod Wheel

• Mappable fader

• iOS compatible  

• Class compliant

• Pro Tool integration

INTERMEDIATE

If you’ve played piano or owned a midi keyboard before, these next ones are for you. While still basic, they have more features that will help you advance your music production skills. 

Keith McMillen Instruments QuNexus

Price: $279.99

This midi keyboard is compatible with synths (Check this) and comes with a lot of great features the Keith McMillen Instruments K-board doesn't have.

Features: 

• CV/gate control

• Midi/OSC control

• 25 pad-style keys

• USB Powered

• Individual key tilt for pitch control

• Velocity toggle

• Extremely portable and light

Arturia MiniLab 25 MKII

Price: $139.99

This underrated midi keyboard has a high quality build and practical software. 

Features:

• 16 encoders (2 integrated into Analog Lab)

• 8 pads

• 25 synth style mini keys

• Pitch bend and Mod Wheel strips

• Analog Lab Lite with 500 synth presets

• Class compliant

• USB powered

NI Komplete Kontrol M32

Price: $169.00

The NI Komplete Kontrol features a sleek design and the brand is known for it’s high quality equipment. 

Features:

• 8 Rotary Encoders

• 32 keys

• Transport section with display

• Includes Komplete Kontrol Instruments

• Includes Ableton Live 10 Lite

• Chord creator and arpeggiator

Novation Launchkey 49 MK2

Price: $300.82

Unlike the Launchkey 25, the Launchkey 49 includes more keys and a full fader section. It works well for stage or studio. 

Features:

• 49 synth-style velocity-sensitive keys

• 8 faders

• 8 knobs

• 16 RGB pads

• Transport section

• Pitch bend and Mod Wheel

• Class compliant

• USB powered

• iOS compatible

• Software and samples included

EXPERT

If you know the ropes of music production and you’re looking for an upgrade to your midi keyboard, these are some great options.

Novation Launchkey 61 MK2

Price: $359.00

The Launchkey 61 is great If you like Novation products and are looking for something more full size.  

Features:

• 61 synth-style velocity-sensitive keys

• 8 faders

• 8 knobs

• 16 RGB pads

• Transport section

• Pitch bend and Mod Wheel

• Class compliant

• USB powered

• iOS compatible

• Software and samples included

Arturia KeyLab Essential 61

Price: $265.30

The Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 features the same hybrid synth qualities as the MiniLab. It has a larger variety of faders, knobs, and pads, and offers 6000+ sounds through the Analog Lab. 

Features:

• 61 synth style mini keys

• 9 faders

• 16 pads

• 10 encoders

• Pitch Bend and Mod Wheel strips

• Multiple parameter switching buttons

• Transport section

• 2 encoders for preset configuration

• Interactive display

• Analog Lab - 6000 synth presets

• Class compliant

• USB powered

NI Komplete Kontrol A49/A61 

Price: $279.00/339.00

The NI A series shares a lot of the same features with NI M32. The main difference is more keys and they offer a couple more features that seasoned producers will make better use of. 

Features

• 49/61 custom weighted keys

• Komplete Browser

• Native Map technology

• Maschine software integration

• Pitch bend and Mod Wheel with touch control

• Class compliant

• Smart play

• USB powered

• Compatible with NKS instruments

ROLI Seaboard Block

Price: $489.99

The ROLI Seaboard Block offers an alternative design to the typical midi keyboard. Well it might not look like it has much going on, you can get some pretty amazing sounds outside of it. 

Features:

• 5D touch technology

• 24 key “keywave” pressure responsive surface

• Wireless connectivity

• USB-C connectivity with 10 hour battery life

• Includes iOS software

• Sound library

• 3 month Melodics and MaxMSP subscriptions

PRO

If you’re a professional producer with some money to spare, these next midi keyboards are for you. Each one offers a unique design and feature, perfect for a studio or live performances.

ROLI Seaboard RISE 49

Price: $1699.99

This takes the Roli Seaboard Block to a professional level with more keys and added controls. 

Features:

• 49 “keywaves” on pressure responsive surface

• 5D touch

• Thousands of songs

• USB Connectivity

• Wireless connectivity with 8 hours of battery life

• Midi Polyphonic Expression - MPE

• Class Compliant

• Host DAW must support MPE or else some of the RISE features will be unavailable and it functions like a normal midi controller

NI Komplete Kontrol S49/S61 MK2

Price: $819.00 (S49)

The S series from NI Komplete Kontrol offers more exclusive features than their sister keyboards, such as light guide, advanced chord and scale settings, and close integration with Komplete.

Features:

• 49/61 key Fatar key bed

• Native Map technology

• Komplete Browser with built-in display

• RGB LED light guide

• Pitch Bend and Mod Wheel with Touch Control

• Smart play

• USB powered

• Class compliant

• Works with NKS instruments

Akai MPK 261

Price: $699.00

The Akai MPK 261 offers a variety of pads, faders, and playable keys that many producers prefer to work with. It features the essentials with some good bonuses as well.

Features:

• 61 synth-style semi-weighted keys with aftertouch

• 8 faders, encoders, and switches

• 16 RGB performance drum pads with 4 banks

• MPC swing, note repeat workflow built in

• USB powered

• Class compliant

• Includes SONiVOX Eighty-Eight Ensemble piano plugin

Arturia KeyLab Essential 88

Price: $440.93

If you’re looking for a full-sized, 88 keys, midi keyboard, the Arturia Keylab Essential 88 is for you. 

Features:

• 88 synth style mini keys

• 10 encoders

• 16 pads

• 9 faders 

• Transport Section

• Multiple parameter switching buttons

• Pitch Bend and Mod Wheel strips

• Interactive display

• Class compliant

• USB powered

• Analog Lab - 6000 presets

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion

While this list covered a lot of different midi keyboards, there are so many options to choose from. Before you pick make sure you have an understanding of what you want to achieve with your midi keyboard. If you know what you want to gain from the experience, you will be more likely to find a midi keyboard that helps you achieve that.

It’s also important to remember that the most expensive keyboard with the most features won’t make you a better producer, it takes time and patience. Don’t be afraid to start small!

If you’re on the fence about purchasing a midi keyboard, consider  the following statements and see if they apply to you:

• You don’t have basic music theory knowledge

• You are still learning the basics of music production

• You don’t feel inspired to make music

If any of these statements do apply to you, It might not be the best idea to purchase a midi keyboard. 

If you own a midi keyboard that's featured on this list, or If you own a keyboard that’s not on this list, let us know what you use it for and how it has helped your music producing skills improve.

Ready to release your music to the world? Check out this guide first!

A Beginners Guide To Music Production

Music production, like everything else throughout music history, is constantly changing and evolving. Recording studios are no longer used to produce Grammy Award-winning albums, professional musicians aren’t needed to provide background music, and real instruments are no longer essential. While these things are all an added bonus to have while producing an album or song, they’re not necessary. You can do it all yourself. 

The task of making a song can still seem pretty daunting to individuals just starting out with producing music, and it can be tough to know where to start. 

This is The Beginners Guide to Music Production and by the end of this article, you will have a solid understanding of what you need to know to start producing music. 

What You’ll Need

You don’t need much to start producing music. You simply need a working computer, headphones, and a digital audio workstation, DAW for short. A good DAW can be expensive, so it’s important to do research on what will work best for you. 

If you’re looking for a more extensive list of items you might need check out this Music Production Starter Kit from Black Ghost Audio. 

Digital Audio Workstations

DAWs are a type of software used to produce music. You can easily download them onto your computer and you can find video tutorials on how to use them. 

Every DAW has its perks and it comes down to finding one that works for you. 

Logic Pro X is affordable so when you’re starting out, it’s a great option. Logic Pro X is great for recording instruments/vocals, has a strong comp folder feature, and comes with a large library of Apple Loops. Logic Pro X is a great option for Mac users. 

Studio One offers anything you could need to produce a song. It has a clean layout and can be easily integrated with other hardware and software. It is available for Windows and Mac.

Pro Tools is industry standard and is great for recording. If you’re not using Pro Tools for primarily recording, then you might want to look for a different DAW that fits better with what you need.

Ableton Live is great if you plan on using its live performance capabilities but it is somewhat difficult to learn and lacks in recording features. Once you learn it, it has a very fast workflow. 

Here’s a graphic to break it down:

Although switching DAWs is possible, it's a long process to go through so you want to make sure the one you pick is right for you. The DAW you pick should allow you to work quickly and comfortably within it. 

If you are scared of committing to one DAW, All of the above mentioned DAWS offer a free trial or version of their software

Here’s where you can download them:

• Logic Pro X

• Studio One (Free version)

• Pro Tools

• Ableton Live

Creating Songs

Once you figure out which DAW works for you the next step is to start creating within it. When you first start, you’ll want to focus on quantity of songs over quality. Each song you work on should focus on developing another skill set. For example, use the first song you create to gain a better understanding of using loops, on the second one, try recording your own audio, the third, use audio samples.

There are an endless amount of techniques to try in music production, so make sure you’re learning a wide variety of skills and not just focusing on one area. 

Music Theory

Music theory is essentially math for music. It's the formula for making music what it is. That being said, you don’t need to understand theory to be a good musician. Artists like Michael Jackson, Jim i Hendrix, and The Beatles didn’t even know how to read music.

via biography.com

However, music theory can help you understand what you’re creating when you’re producing music. 

Music theory can sometimes feel like you’re digging a hole that has absolutely no end because there is so much to learn. For music production, however, it’s important to just understand basics like keys, chords, and scales.

Learn the basics of music theory in half an hour with this video from Andrew Huang. Watch Carefully and take notes!

Sound Design

An article from Music Gateway describes sound design as the process of recording, producing, and developing audio elements for music, television, or film. A sound designer is a person who works with synthesizers to create sounds. 

Synthesizers are an important part of sound design and will become more important as you learn more production techniques. 

There are a variety of different synths to choose from. You can check out this article from Black Ghost Audio to find a synth that will work for you. 

Mixing and Mastering

Mixing and Mastering is the icing on the musical cake. It will help take your songs from amateur to pro. 

Black Ghost Audio describes mixing as the process of combining the different elements of your song and mastering as the process of formatting songs for distribution. 

This article from Jony Studios walks you through How to Master Your Song on a Budget.

Studio Monitors and Acoustics

Studio Monitors are used for professional music production and tend to reveal a lot more than a typical stereo speaker used for casual listening. They make any issues obvious so you can fix and alter the sound as needed. 

For studio monitors to work effectively, investing in acoustic treatment is very important. The main goal with acoustic treatment is to have a mixing position with a flat frequency rate. This will help reduce sound colouring. 

To learn more about studio monitors, watch this video from Sweetwater.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

While getting a good DAW and expensive recording equipment might help you achieve a professional level sound, the only way to get better at producing music is to practice. Don’t get hung up on what you don’t have, you can start practicing on GarageBand with a pair of cheap earbuds. 


The most important thing is to just start. Practice different techniques on your chosen DAW, go over music theory exercises and listen to lots of music, specifically in the genre you are producing for. 

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion

Music production, like anything else, takes a lot of time and energy to become good at. So trust the creative process, and soon you’ll be creating hits. 

Let us know in the comments if this guide helped you pick a DAW, learn music theory, or assisted you with any other music production related things. 

If you’re already a music producer, let us know what tips helped you get started, or recommend a piece of equipment that you think is necessary. 

Ready to release your music to the world? Check out this guide first!

Top 10 Rap Songs That Revolutionized Pop Culture

There are so many rap songs in pop culture that are praised for their beats. How many songs have hyped you up, had you waiting for the beat drop, and just livened the room? 

In the last decade, rap music has revolutionized its production, borrowing from many genres including trap, grime, drill, and more. 

Here are 10 rap songs (in no order) that we think embodied this all!

1. “March Madness”- Future

There is no denying that this song blew the charts back in the summer of 2015. The song quickly became a popular hit, played by famous athletes, parties, clubs, and even college basketball games as noted in a Billboard article by Patrick Lyons in the billboard.

 Even more, “March Madness” is also not just another empty pop song.

 If you listen to the lyrics, you will see the deeper meaning there is to the song, with lines referring to the unfortunate recent police shootings at the time. 

What’s so amazing about the success of this song is the fact that it was not even promoted, or even sold as it was part of a mixtape. This was the beginning of the streaming and digital era where artists just released their music and let social media do their marketing which actually made “March Madness” even bigger! It was a shift in pop culture that is truly timeless. 

 March madness- Future

Producer- Tarentino 

2. “212”- Azealia Banks

Azealia Banks’ song “212” was a refreshing addition to the rap game with her flawless rapping over an upbeat house beat instrumental. This song is so catchy and unique, it was constantly played on the radio at the time. 

Although she may be controversial, there is no denying her talent. Many people stand by the belief that the song remains instrumental to pop culture and was even added to Billboards “Top 100 influential rap songs of the last decade!”. 

What makes “212” is the unforgettable hook “this sh*t been mine, mine”, fused together with the futuristic beat made by producers Luncine and Jacques Greene.

 An article in the billboard emphasizes how the song was truly one of a kind with its seamless mix of the genre’s hip hop and electro house.

 Not to mention, the outrageously simple, yet creative black and white music video that went viral along with the song. Watch the music video below to understand what we’re talking about!

Producer- Lazy Jay

3. “Trap Queen”- Fetty Wap

How would a song like this not get big? Fetty Wap’s lovely melodic vocals, blasting trap beat, and lyrics confessing his love for his “trap queen”, what more can you ask for?! It is no surprise that this song was THE song of the summer. Fetty Wap made hit after hit in 2015-15, but when the world needed him most… vanished!

If you think about it, this song defied many of the rules rap artists follow to become popular. No wonder it was so big and resonated with so many listeners around the world.  It can be argued that the song romanticizes this difficult lifestyle but when you listen carefully it is clear it is pretty self-aware as discussed in vox.  Listen to the song in the link below for a major throwback!

Producer: Tony Fadd

4. “Alright”- Kendrick Lamar

On the complete opposite side of rap, comes the ANTHEM of a song called “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar. This song reflects  Black American trauma, resilience, as well as strength with the reassuring chant of the words “We gon’ be alright” over and over again. If you want to learn more in-depth about what this song means to Black Americans, check out this article by National Public Radio.

Personally, anytime I listen to this song I am put into a great mood with the optimistic lyrics and beat. The song is produced by Pharrell and if you listen closely, in the beginning, you can hear Pharrell's signature 4 beat start! In addition, Kendrick’s flow is just out of this world, spitting out verse after verse of meaningful lyrics and rhymes. 

This is definitely a song that will stand the test of time and become one of those essential classics that will be passed down generations!

Producer: Pharell, Sounwave

5. “Sicko Mode”- Drake and Travis Scott

Now, let us move a little bit closer to the present with Drake and Travis Scott’s recent 2018 hit, “Sicko Mode”. There is almost no way you haven’t heard of the song with the way it was replayed on the radio and viral on social media. There is no doubt that “Sicko Mode” was anything but the hit song of the summer.

What’s amazing about the song is how it actually has 4 beats that were made with a team of producers including Hit-Boy, Tay Keith, Cue Beats, and more (Flypaper). Looking at an article by Flypaper, I was truly shocked at how intricate the production that this amazing instrumental involved. From sampling a dubstep track, an ominous vibe made with minimal piano, a warped synth bass line, it was truly overwhelming to read! 

Rap production has revolutionized creativity behind rap beats, and sometimes outshines rapping/lyric performance! If you want to learn more about beat production, check out Jony Studios. 

6. “Bodack Yellow”- Cardi B

Cardi B’s song “Bodack Yellow” was a hit that constantly played on the radio and was the debut that made her career. “Bodack Yellow” was so popular, it literally made history as the longest a solo women had a rap song running in the charts since Lauryn Hill’s song “Doo Woop” 22 years ago (soundonsound)! 

What’s unique about the song is how minimal the production involved was.  

It was simple, a memorizing flow borrowed from Kodak black’s “No Flockin”, combined with Cardi’s B’s vocal charisma and strong beat produced by Fight club Studios. Personally, what makes the song for me is the amplifying bass of the beat which further emphasizes the power in her lyrics. 

Producer(s); J. White Did it, Laquan Green

7. “Mercy”- Kanye West ft. Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz

This song no doubt changed paradigms in not only hip hop but in pop culture in general. In “Mercy”,  4 strong rappers sort of competing with each other verse after verse, each able to hold it out on their own. 

Just recently a debate started among hip-hop artists on who they think had the best verse, 8 years after the song was released after 2chainz brought it back up. Obviously, every artist gave their all and each gave us all strong (and funny) lines like 2 Chainz line “coupe the colour of mayonnaise” (complex).  

Take a listen to the song and comment who you think had the best verse?

Producers: Mike Dean, Mike Will Made it, Kanye West, Hudson Mohawke 

8. “If you know you know”- Pusha T

It may be too soon to say, but “If you know you know” by Daytona might go down as a classic with the way it tastefully went back to the roots of hip hop. Not only is the song a bass-heavy banger, but the lyrics of the song paints a story that goes in-depth on the complex experiences that come with being in the drug-dealing world (Flypaper). 

The track borrows many of the factors that everyone loved from Kanye West’s classic “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”. The lyrics of the song are strong, the bass amplifies perfectly in speakers combined with a beat that shows nothing but passion(flypaper). 

Producer: Kanye West 

9. “Day and Night”- Kid Cudi

Back when MTV music was THE most important platform for music, I remember first hearing this song on the top 10 list and falling in love with it. The song truly planted the seeds for a shift in popular hip hop artists at the time and is still influential to this day.

Not to mention the music video that perfectly fit with the vibe of the song with the neat animation transitions that helped bring Kid Kudi’s vision into reality. 

The beat of the song had a certain magic to it that is so recognizable and unique. 

 Kid Cudi poured his emotions on the song and it eventually became a voice for youth making their way through the world and going through the same thing.

Producer: Dot da genius 

10. “ Heartless”- Kanye West

It is clear Kanye West’s whole 808 album was extremely influential to hip hop artists to this day. It was a blueprint to many popular artists to this day such as Drake, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, Future, and more. “Heartless” remains a nostalgic banger for many hip hop listeners and was an outlet for the emotional vulnerability which was new to rap at the time (Pitchfork). 

The song included an innovative auto-tune on his vocals which was really just an extension of the song’s beautiful 808s beat. ”Heartless” included many instruments that were unfamiliar in rap songs such as pianos, gospel, ad-libs with production that made it all sound unworldly. Read more about how this album substantially changed hip hop on PitchFork. 

Producer- Kanye West, No I.D

Conclusion

It is amazing to take the time and look back at the hip hop industry and see how many innovative and unique songs revolutionized pop culture around the world! The genre is truly more diverse than it is made out to be and is just going to keep on growing. 

What were your favourite songs listed, and is there any song mentioned that you don’t agree with? Comment below!

By Itman Hassan

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