7 Best MIDI Keyboards For Serious Musicians - 2021

When you need to take complete control over your workflow in the studio or on stage, you need the best MIDI keyboards that offer a world of versatility and dynamic response. There’s a load of different options out there, but there are a select few that we feel qualify as contenders for best MIDI keyboards of all time. So today, we’ve rounded up 7 of the best MIDI keyboards and MIDI keyboard controllers that are perfect for musicians of all levels, £100 and up.

The Oxygen Pro Mini USB MIDI Controller is in a league of its own for seamless DAW performance and total expressive control, and with a premium software suite included with every purchase it’s a great option for any aspiring producer.

This portable controller has 32-mini keys which are semi-weighted and velocity-sensitive, granting you a degree of hands-on control that is seldom seen at this price point.

A further 8 pads, 4 assignable faders, and ergonomically-designed pitch/mod wheels are present too, whilst the Arpeggiator, Presets, and ‘Smart’ modes make composition and production easier than ever.

For a compact-but-complete controller you can’t go wrong with this unit!

The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A49 is one of the best MIDI keyboards on the market today building on the success of the "S" series, offering superb control and functionality for music producers of all genres and levels. Straight out of the box you have a streamlined keyboard controller that can control all your virtual instruments and effects via the integrated semi weighted custom NI keybed, 8 x touch-sensitive control knobs and ergonomic pitch and mod wheels. This feels incredible and really brings out the best in your playing. 

You do get a full suite of Native plug-ins included such as Kontakt 6 Player, Reaktor 6 Player, Maschine Essentials, The Gentleman (Piano) and many more, so you’re good to go straight out of the box. However, you can also easily integrate the Komplete Kontrol A49 into your existing workflow and it will automatically map to your DAW and plug-ins. In fact, there’s auto-mapping for hundreds of NKS-compatible Plug-In manufacturers like Rob Papen, Spectrasonics, Arturia and many more. It’s USB 2.0 bus powered, can be assigned as a MIDI controller for your existing hardware and allows for instant song creation via the 100+ mapped scales and modes. This is an impressive song writing tool all musicians will enjoy.

Also available: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 Keyboard - Just £99, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A25, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A49 and Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61  

The M-Audio Oxygen 49 is one of the best MIDI keyboards around simply due to the fact it makes music creation entirely portable. This lightweight, but highly professional MIDI keyboard is extremely versatile, offering a 41 velocity-sensitive keys as well as 8 velocity-sensitive pads that you can use to trigger samples and sounds as well as 9 assignable faders. This is also one of the best MIDI controllers for those who need to take control of their DAW as you can also use the dedicated transport controls to play, stop and record in your DAW, directly from the keyboard.

This is also ideal for those who are just starting out and need something that they can start to create music with straight out of the box. Not only will the M-Audio Oxygen series work with your existing DAW, but you also get Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools | First and VIP3.0 bundled with it. It’s also USB powered, so you just need a laptop or PC to power it and you’re away! A versatile MIDI keyboard that won’t break the bank. Also available: M-Audio Oxygen 25 4G USB MIDI Keyboard, and M-Audio Oxygen 61 Mk IV USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Next up we have the new industry standard - Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2. This is the upgrade from the A series MIDI keyboards that we’ve already covered above and features. Straight out of the gate, you have 61 semi-weighted and very expressive keys to get to grips with. In addition each key benefits from the pro-grade Fatar keybeds with aftertouch as well as a touch strip for expression control – a massive upgrade indeed. This is one of the best MIDI keyboards for those who need to make quick changes without any fuss as it also includes two high resolution colour screens that makes it extremely easy to browse and preview sounds as well as tweak parameters.

We love this MIDI keyboard as the Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 also offers improved layout that includes a new four direction push encoder and a touch strip that allows you to bend notes n a really organic way. Finally, the team at Native Instruments have also designed the MK2 S series with more integration opportunities, making it a lot easier to take control, edit, and use MASCHINE, Logic, Ableton Live, Cubase, Nuendo, and GarageBand. If you have a pro-level set up this is ideal.

Also available: S49 MK2 , S61 MK2 , S88 MK2 , S49 Mk2 With Komplete 12 , S49 Mk2 With Komplete 12 Ultimate , S61 MK2 with Komplete 12 , S61 Mk2 with Komplete 12 Ultimate , S88 MK2 with Komplete 12, and Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 With Komplete 12 Ultimate  

The Novation Launchkey series is a staple of the MIDI keyboard world, and the Novation Launchkey 61 Mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard, in particular, is easily one of the best MIDI keyboards for those who need a wide range of features. This series is relied upon by professional live and studio musicians as it offers instant control over your sound and is the easiest way to produce and perform electronic music whilst using Ableton Live. Simply plug in the Launchkey via USB and the keys, faders and RGB pads instantly map to your session view, effects, instruments and your mixer for hands on control.

This is actually the best MIDI keyboard for Ableton Live users as each of the 16 pads and 61 keys are not only designed to offer instant control, but are velocity-sensitive so you can really add a new some serious expression to your sound. Best of all, everything on this including the knobs and faders have been crafted for years of hard use – ideal for the live musician. In addition, the full-colour RGB LEDs match the colour of your clips so you know where you are at all times. However, should you use something other than Ableton, you’re all good as it can control all major music software with this MIDI keyboard.

The fact you get Ableton Live 10 Lite, Serato Sample LE and Spitfire Audio LABS – Expressive Strings (exclusive) along with Novation Sound Collective membership and loads more software makes it ideal if you’re just starting out too.

Also available: Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 and Novation Launchkey 49 Mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard

The Arturia Keylab 49 MKII USB MIDI Keyboard is yet another MIDI keyboard controller that focuses on one major ingredient of music-making – fun! The Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 offers extensive control over your DAW as it maps effortlessly to your existing set up and to the included software.

In this bundle you get Arturia mini V, Stage-73 V synths, plus Analog Lab (6500+ sounds), Ableton Live Lite, and UVI Grand Piano Model D making it an impressive option for those just starting out too – it’s everything you need to make music!

Its dedicated DAW Command Center has been designed for quick access to the most commonly used functions whether you’re mixing tracks or recording live. For this reason, we believe it’s one of the best MIDI keyboards by far. A slick design encourages a positive playing experience as you have 49 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads with RGB backlighting, as well as 9 rotary and fader knobs which provide superior dynamics and even more control.

This is great to play when recording or using in a live scenario. Thanks to the amount of software included, you can not only start to record straight away, but you can access hundreds of world-class plug-ins sounds and instruments as soon as you’ve installed the software. It’s USB powered so there’s no need for adaptors and batteries either. A portable powerhouse!

Also available: Arturia Keylab Essential 49 MIDI Keyboard -White , Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 MIDI Keyboard - White , Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 Limited Edition Black , Arturia Keylab 88 USB MIDI Keyboard, White , Arturia KeyLab 88 Keyboard + V Collection 7 Software Bundle  

One thing that the ROLI Seaboard RISE 49 Keywave Controller Keyboard has over other MIDI keyboards is superior expression and dynamic capabilities. This thing is like an extension to your fingers offering fluid response that effectively lets you glide from key to key, sliding notes up and down without having to move from the key. The Seaboard RISE 49 actually provides its signature Five Dimensions of Touch known as Strike, Glide, Slide, Press and Lift. These 5 different aspects offer something that other keys simply cannot.

The Strike responds to the velocity and force with which you make contact with a keywave, the Glide responds to the horizontal movements across the keywave whilst the Slide responds to vertical movements of your finger. Furthermore, Press responds to the continuous pressure after the initial strike a whilst the Lift expertly responds to how fast or slow you liftoff from the keywave. The ROLI seaboard responds exactly how you want it to. We think it’s one of the best MIDI keyboards as it sets a completely new standard in terms of expression and playability and thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity which transmits MIDI wirelessly, the bespoke soft case, the hardwearing material and the fact the USB rechargeable internal battery supports up to 12 hours of wireless play it’s also completely portable.

It’s Windows and iOS compatible and can work with a wide range of DAWs including those on an iPhone and iPad, too – machining it a must have for musicians who use a variety of different hardware or operating systems to create music. Currently out of stock but If you'd like to order one of these exquisite instruments then don't hesitate in contacting the team at PMT and we can place an order.

Want to go smaller? The Roli Seaboard is also available in smaller set ups such as: ROLI Seaboard Blocks Mobile MIDI Keyboard , ROLI Songmaker Kit , ROLI Seaboard Rise 25 Keywave Controller Keyboard.

Shop a full range of MIDI keyboards over at PMT online today or call in to your local PMT store to speak to our experts about the best MIDI keyboards for your needs. We’re here to help and can help you get the right option for your musical endeavours.