We might get a commission if you buy gear through a link on this page. It doesn't have a wrist rest or any adjustable incline settings, but its low profile should provide a comfortable typing experience for most people, even during extended periods.Midi Nation is supported by our great readers. It's lightweight and has a rigid aluminum body that exhibits zero visible flex. The best compact keyboard for Mac is the Apple Magic Keyboard 2017.Just take a look at the M-Audio Keystation 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller. 149.99.The best midi controller keyboards have all these features. Piano Keys, MIDI I/O, and Headphone Output - Mac/PC, iOS, Android.In other words, the best 61 key MIDI keyboard is just right. Internally, we call this the “Goldilocks Controller – it's not as large and unwieldy as the 88-key variant, nor is it too small and unplayable like the 49-key controller. For Mac and PC, including Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech and.After covering the best 88-key and 49-key keyboards on the market, it is only natural that we write about the best 61 key MIDI controller as well. Pros:Alesis V49 - 49 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Backlit Pads.It also impacts how much real estate the manufacturers have to add features and controls. 49 and 61 key controllers fall somewhere in between.The size of the keyboard doesn't just impact how many octaves you have access to. 88 key keyboards are full-sized so focus a lot on replicating the piano experience. 32 keyboards are small and thus, emphasize portability in their features. Youll get an impressive software package for either Mac or PC.And among these, 32, 49, 61, and 88 key configurations remain the most popular.So much changes as you shift from one size to another. By way of example, a controller keyboard would be something like M-Audios Oxygen 88, which runs around 600 at the major music stores.No, that's not some cryptic Lost-like sequence of numbers that's the number of keys MIDI controllers are commonly available in.Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Drum Pads.
![]() Best Usb Piano Keyboard Plus I61 BestBest Ableton 61 Key Controller: Arturia KeyLab 61 MKII Best Wireless 61-Key Controller: Korg microKEY air 61 Best Beginner 61 Key MIDI Keyboard: Alesis V61 Best Budget 61 Key MIDI Controller: midiplus i61 Best Performing 61 Key MIDI Keyboard: Akai MPK261 Best 61 Key MIDI Controller Overall: Novation Launchkey 61 MK2 How are your requirements likely to change in the future?2020 Update and MIDI 2.0 (2021 Update Coming Soon)If you're familiar with music gear launch cycles, you would know that most major manufacturers launch their annual lineups and refreshments at NAMM. How do you intend to use the controller? How well do you understand your requirements? Only a few standout keyboards were announced, such as the show favorite Arturia KeyStep Pro and Roland A-88 MK3 keyboard.However, neither of these are 61-key keyboards, and hence, were not under consideration in this updated review. We were expecting more refreshments at NAMM 2020, especially for our two favorite picks – Novation Launchkey MK2 and Akai MPK261 – but neither were announced at NAMM 2020.In fact, the MIDI keyboard lineup at NAMM 2020 was a little underwhelming. This gives bloggers and reviewers such – such as yours truly – enough time to play around with the gear and recommend the top picks for the year.When we compiled this article in 2019, we'd come off the NAMM 2019 and already had a full line-up for the year. MIDI 2.0 is the first substantial change to the MIDI spec in 30 years. However, moving forward, you should keep an eye out for new gear that uses the newly introduced MIDI 2.0 specification. If you bought a MIDI keyboard in 2010, it will keep playing well with DAWs in 2020 as well.2020 will be a slow year for new developments in music gear because of the COVID-19 crisis. This shouldn't be surprising since MIDI keyboards are built to last for years, even decades. But I've worked with enough musicians to know that 61-key keyboards represent a special use case. You own (or owned) a smaller, beginner-friendly keyboard, likely with 25 or 32 keys.Of course, I might be wrong on a few counts. You have some piano playing experience – enough to want an intimidatingly large 61-key controller You're at least an intermediate level musician – beginners don't spring for 61-key keyboards The 7 Best 61 Key MIDI Controllers in 2020If you're reading this, there are a few things I can guess about you: A tiny screen shows track information. It has all the raw ingredients you'd want from a MIDI controller in this range – 61 synth-style keys, 16 RGB pads, 8 knobs, and 8 faders with 1 master. I never fully appreciated this keyboard until I started using it with Live.That's not to say that the keyboard underperforms with other DAWs. The Launchkey MK2 integrates with it wonderfully well, giving immediate control over loops, mixing, and beats. And they're almost never anyone's first keyboard.Simply put, if you're in this market, you know your music and you're looking to upgrade your playing experience.Please note that if you're looking for MIDI keyboards for specific DAW, you can find our best picks in these articles:Keeping this in mind, I've picked the following as my top choices for the best 61 key MIDI controller on the market: Best 61 Key MIDI Controller Overall: Novation Launchkey 61 MK2I ranked the 49-key version of the Novation Launchkey at #4 in my earlier guide to the best 49 key MIDI controllers.The 61 key version, however, finds its place at the top of this list.Part of the reason for this jump is more extensive testing with Novation's target DAW, Ableton Live.I've started making more of my music in Ableton over the last year. Novation has packed in remarkable durability and build quality into this keyboard. And they're not small enough to attract beginners who ignore low-quality components.This is why so many manufacturers either inflate the prices of their 61 key keyboards (I'm looking at you, Akai) or skimp on the quality.Not so much with the Launchkey MK2. They're not large enough to attract high-end buyers (like 88 key controllers). All standard fare from controllers in this range.Where the Novation Launchkey MK2 shines is in its build quality and close integration with Ableton Live.61 key controllers present a tricky segment for manufacturers. Two tiny buttons on top of the wheels change the octave. The keys are semi-weighted. Like our 49 key controller list, the MPK261 would have been at the very top here as well if it wasn't for the price.This is about as feature-rich as a MIDI controller can get. The Akai MPK261 finds its way here as well. 24 buttons/switches (8 x 3 sound banks)Any MIDI keyboard list is always going to have that 800lbs gorilla right up front: Akai Pro.This “best 61 key MIDI controller” list is no different. And the pads are a little smaller than they should be – there is plenty of real estate leftover for more or larger pads.But given the price, this is a great buy, especially if you use Ableton. Integration with other DAWs isn't nearly as good. Format external hard drive for windows using macThis layout is far more accessible. Plus, with four sound banks, you theoretically have access to 64 pads.The faders and knobs sit on the right side of the instrument. They also look better thanks to the edge lighting (instead of the full color lighting on the Launchkey's). Intermediate and advanced users will prefer it in particular.The pads are slightly larger than Novation Launchkey's and have the famed MPC-style touch quality. Plus, you get a bunch of programmable buttons for launching clips or effects.One of the better features is its compatibility with Akai VIP. I much prefer the wheels to be located alongside the keyboard so I can access the left-most keys.Rounding up the feature list is an info screena dn DAW controls. While this reduces the device footprint, the location is awkward. The only word I can think of for them is “delightful” – you like using them.The pitch/mod wheels are located on top of the keys. Great for advanced players who can't keep track of their virtual instruments.
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