2023 has come and gone and we wanted to wrap up our top picks in the wonderful world of MIDI Keyboards in 2024. With things like Polyphonic Aftertouch and DAW integration quickly becoming common place, buzz features like MIDI 2.0 starting to fly around, we thought it was a good idea to highlight some of the products that we keep coming back to and have been most impressed by.
Now this isn’t an exhaustive list but we think they are some of the best options for a range of different players. If you’re looking to upgrade or maybe just starting out in this space, hopefully you can pick up some important info when trying to choose your new MIDI controller. Remember, it’s all about how and what you want to use your controller for. Not what looks the best or costs the most!!
Arturia Minilab 3 – Best Compact Portable MIDI Keyboard
Released in 2022, the Minilab 3 is a great choice for portability and feature set. Originally a software company, Arturia know a thing or two about software-hardware integration, so the Minilab 3 has tight integration with Ableton Live and other major Daws. This lets you take advantage of the 37-great feeling mini keys, 8 knobs, encoders and 4 sliders to be able to control transport functions, clip and session view and all your plug-in parameters straight with minimal interaction with your computer. It also comes with a decent software package including Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Intro and a few other software instruments.
Korg Keystage Poly AT Midi Keyboard – Best Newcomer
One of the more interesting announcements of 2023, the Korg has touted the Keystage as the first MIDI keyboard to truly implement MIDI 2.0. Without getting bogged down in all the technical details, essentially Keystage makes use of MIDI 2.0 property exchange that allows it to automatically receive parameter data from compatible software like plug-in parameter names and values. This means no more manual mapping or customer Daw scripts required, just plug and tweak. Its also officially integrated with Ableton Live so any Ableton device’s parameters and values are auto-mapped to Keystage’s 8 OLED screen & knobs.
Another unique feature making this a standout is that fact it has an in-built audio interface for passing audio out of the Keystage. It has stereo ¼ inch outputs, so you don’t have to bring along a small audio interface if you want to use this on stage. This along with the extensive on-board Chord & Arp functions make it a truly premium performance orientated MIDI keyboard. Coming in 49 & 61 key-sizes and a Polyphonic aftertouch keybed, you don’t find MIDI keyboards with this feature set at Keystage’s price point.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK3 – Best Premium Studio Midi Keyboard
In my humble opinion, the S-Series MK2 from Native Instruments were the benchmark for master midi keyboards in the studio and the S-Series MK3 models certainly retain that mantle with their improvements. First lets look at the hardware upgrades – A new single large full-colour screen has been added to take advantage of the new version of Komplete Kontrol. Polyphonic aftertouch is now standard in the 49 & 61 semi-weighted model and even the huge 88-key hammer action model. The body is now a single aluminum piece with glass for the screen and anodized metal encoders for a premium finish and small improvements like moving the touch strip above the mod and pitch wheel, make it feel more intuitive to play. Its USB-C powered and has 3 pedal inputs for keyboard players to utilize.
S-Series keyboards software integration via the Native Komplete Standard has always elevated these above over MIDI keyboards as it offers unparalleled software integration with Kontakt and 3-rd party developers for an immersive workflow. S-Series MK3 comes with new next-generation NKS software that allows for deeper feedback via the new large screen and light-guide. You can browse and tweak all your compatible instruments & effects directly from the Keyboard and also use the DAW mode for transport and record functions. While prices higher than most midi Keyboards this is reflected in the build quality and software integration. Importantly, the new S-Series are also MIDI 2.0 compatible (although not implemented yet) so as we start to see more products using MIDI 2.0, S-Series will still be a great option for the studio.
BONUS ROUND
Expressive E OSMOSE – Best MPE MIDI Keyboard
As a bonus round we wanted to choose something a little different. Originally announced back in 2019 and only just hitting stores here in Australia, the Osmose from Expressive E is a MPE synthesizer controller capable of gestural controls for a level of expressiveness not seen on any other instrument. With its own monster sound engine, it’s a dynamic instrument in its own right. However, with its unique keybed that lets you tap, bend and glide with the keys in what seems like 4 dimensions, this is a powerful controller when paired with other sound makers. Last but not least – We throw it back to at Arturia again for the Keylab Essentials 3 – as the best budget friendly studio controller.
If 37-minikeys just isn’t enough and you’re in need of something a little bigger but still on a budget, then the Arturia Essentials MK3 is an amazing option. It is basically everything great about the Minilab 3 with a little more sprinkled on top. Extra faders, dedicated transport controls, a bigger screen with contextual buttons and the same tight integration with Ableton Live and other Daws.
