Once I decided using a keyboard would be a better approach than programming individual notes, one of my main requirements was a small form factor so I had to limit myself to 25 Keys. I'm not a piano player so I figured that I wouldn't need more keys than that. Other than that, I was in the market for an affordable but versatile 25-Key MIDI controller.

It was down to choosing the Arturia Minilab MKII and the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKIII. I chose the Arturia because I didn't like the "joystick" mod wheel and pitch control on the MPK Mini MKIII. While the Minilab MKII doesn't have a traditional modwheel, the touch strips made better sense to me.

The unit was plug and play and my DAW (Presonus Studio One) instantly recognized it as a new device. Arturia provides a software suite that automatically maps to the encoders and pads. Manual mapping for other software synths and samplers is also easy to do.

I already have a software synth by Arturia called "Pigments" and the MIDI Controller works excellently with it. Other software like Native Instruments Kontakt also integrates well with it.

Buildwise, the MiniLab MkII feels solid. Even though it's made of plastic, I didn't feel any excess plastic residue and everything feels solid with no internal rattle when I shake it. The keys are finished nicely and the resistance is just right for synth action. There were some keys that were fractions of an inch higher or lower than the others but it's not really a major issue.

The knobs felt a bit flimsy to the touch but the potentiometer rotation is smooth and consistent across all knobs. The pads felt a bit small but I rarely use them. Still, if you like making beats on pads, the layout and size might not be the best especially for harder hitters.

What I don't like about the Minilab MkII is the fact that I had to settle with touch strips instead of pitch and mod wheels. I would have preferred even a smaller integration of the two wheels as long as it's mechanical. The strips work fine but I do feel it lacking in precision especially when my left hand's fingers are calloused from guitar playing.

Even years after its release, the MiniLab MkII is still popular and can be seen gracing the desks of prolific and talented musicians all over the world.

Specifications

• Keys: 25 Slim Synth Action Keys
• Pads: 8 RGB Pads
• Controls: 16 Encoders, Octave, Pitchbend, Mod Touch Strips
• Octave: 4 Octaves (+/-)
• Zones: 1
• Automap: Yes (On some DAW Software)
• Connectivity: USB
• Control Hardware Directly: No
• Compatibility: OSX 10.7 (Up), Windows 7 SP1 (Up)
• Power: USB Bus Powered
• Dimensions: 14" x 8.7" x 2"
• Weight: 3.3 lbs.
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live Lite, UVI Grand Piano, Analog Lab Lite

The largest of the Launchkey MK3 series, the Launchkey 61 MK3 carries over the features of the lineup including performance pads, assignable faders and knobs, and the new compositional tools for scale and chord modes

One improvement since the Mk2 version is that they've moved the pads to the left which I think is a more natural position for them, particularly if you're mainly a one handed player like me.

With 61 keys, two handed playing becomes easier, especially for people accustomed to the piano.

Other than that, it is basically the same as the Launchkey 49 above, just with more keys.

Given its feature and key count, the Launchkey 61 MK3 is an incredible value option. Get it if you want an affordable, fully integrated, large format controller for Ableton.

Specifications

• Keys: 49 Synth action, velocity sensitive keys
• Pads: 16 x RGB, Velocity-sensitive Pads
• Controls: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel, 8 x Rotary Knobs, 9 x 45mm Faders, Transport (Play, Stop, Record, Loop)
• Octave: up/down
• Automap: Yes
• Connectivity: USB, MIDI Out , 1 x 1/4" (sustain)
• Control Hardware Directly: yes
• Compatibility: OS X 10.11 or later, Windows 7 SP1 or later
• Power: USB Bus Powered
• Dimensions: 31.06" x 10.16" x 3.03"
• Weight: 6.68 lbs..
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live Lite, Virtual Instrument and Sample Plug-in Bundle

The Arturia KeyLab 88 MKII is a full-size MIDI Controller with 88 Fatar weighted keys.

It also features a complete suite of controls, pads and faders that are all fully assignable to any parameter in your DAW.

Other nifty features include a music sheet/ipad stand and a laptop extension shelf.

If you're into old modular analog synths you'll appreciate the 4 CV outputs and it even comes with 1 CV input. And with both 5-pin and USB MIDI you can connect to and control just about any electronic music gear.

Arturia's Analog Lab is bundled in for free and it not only includes some great sounds but also allows you to save patch playlists.

And perhaps one of the features that you'll appreciate the most, setup is easy and straight forward with most DAWs.

If you're accustomed to playing piano and would love to have a similar response in a MIDI Controller, the KeyLab 88 is a solid pick and is peerless at this price point.

Specifications

• Keys: 88 hammer action, Weighted Fatar TP/100LR Keybed
• Pads: 16 x RGB Backlit Performance Pads
• Controls:9 x Rotary Encoders, 9 x Faders, Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
• Octave: 2 Octaves (+/-)
• Automap: Yes
• Connectivity: 1 x 1/4" (sustain), 1 x 1/4" (expression), 3 x 1/4" (aux pedals), MIDI In/Out/Thru/USB, CV; Pitch out, Gate out, Mod 1, Mod 2, CV in,
• Control Hardware Directly: Yes
• Compatibility: OS X 10.11 or later, 64-bit , Windows 7 SP1 or later, 64-bit
• Power: External AC adapter
• Dimensions: 50.9" x 12.7" " x 4.4"
• Weight: 32.4 lbs.
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Software

The Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is a controller that fully synergizes with Native Instruments' KOMPLETE virtual instrument and audio library.

Despite being made specifically to control KOMPLETE, it is also capable of being mapped to other software and can function as a general DAW controller. It comes with KOMPLETE SELECT bundled for free, which is a useful addition if you're not already part of the NI KOMPLETE ecosystem.

The full 88-key Fater keybed gives a sense of familiarity to piano players while offering premium feel and response to users accustomed to synth action keys. The fast recovery of the keys aids in performing faster staccato phrases especially for synth sounds, although note that they have a slightly heavier feel than other hammer-action keyboards in this guide. Note that this is a step up from the smaller 49 and 61 key versions that only have semi-weighted keys.

One of the big improvements over the MK1 version is the addition of two big LCD screens which enable you to make selections without having to go for your mouse or look at your computer screen - this saves a lot of time when doing production work.

The transport controls work with Ableton Live, Logic X, GarageBand, Cubase Artist and Nuendo.

For the best combination of Native Instruments integration and acoustic piano playing feel, there is no substitute for the Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2.

Specifications

• Keys: 88 Fully-weighted, velocity sensitive Fatar Keybed with aftertouch
• Pads: 16 x RGB Backlit Performance Pads
• Controls:9 x Rotary Encoders, 9 x Faders, Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
• Octave: 2 Octaves (+/-)
• Automap: Yes
• Connectivity: 1 x 1/4" (sustain), 1 x 1/4" (expression), 3 x 1/4" (aux pedals), MIDI In/Out/Thru/USB, CV; Pitch out, Gate out, Mod 1, Mod 2, CV in,
• Control Hardware Directly: Yes
• Compatibility: OS X 10.11 or later, 64-bit , Windows 7 SP1 or later, 64-bit
• Power: External AC adapter
• Dimensions: 50.9" x 12.7" " x 4.4"
• Weight: 32.4 lbs.
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Software