7 Best Cheap MIDI Keyboards Under £100 That Don't Suck - 2021

If you’re in the market for the best cheap MIDI keyboards under £100 that doesn’t suck, then you’ve come to the right place. As part of our instruments that don’t suck series, we’ve compiled 7 of the best MIDI keyboard controllers that offer exceptional control, a load of free software and are easy to use whether you need them for the live or studio environment.

Here are our top picks from the likes of Novation, Native Instruments, Akai and more that prove you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a high-performance MIDI keyboard for all styles of music production.

First up we have the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 which is an extremely portable 25-key mini controller. Although it’s designed to work with Ableton Live it’ll work with any music software you have. The price tag is under £100, so it’s easily affordable and it’s also designed to aid in music-making, rather than hinder it by introducing a range of useful features beginners and non-keyboard players will enjoy.

You have a creative arpeggiator, fixed chord mode for triggering chords from single notes, MIDI out for connecting to your existing hardware and 16 RGB backlit pads with velocity sensitivity. You also get a massive DAW package which includes Ableton Live Lite, AAS Session Bundle, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Spitfire Audio LABS, XLN Audio Addictive Keys and Klevgrand ROverb and DAW Cassette. Plus access to the Novation Sound Collective.

Next, we have one of the best cheap MIDI keyboards you can get your hands on. At £45 the Korg NanoKey 2 Mini USB Keyboard in Black is well under the £100 mark and easily added to your existing workflow. It’s also extremely portable at just under 13 inches wide so it’ll fit in your laptop bag, backpack or sit on your desk nicely without taking up too much room.

We love it because the size means you can create or edit music anywhere you like, whether you’re sat on the train, in the tour bus or at home. Don’t be fooled by its size, this thing is extremely useful and is packed with 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keyboard keys a built-in octave shift, sustain button and the extremely handy up and velocity curve controls. If you're short on budget and space - this is ideal.

Well, we can’t have the best cheap MIDI keyboards blog without the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 Keyboard can we?! This nifty piece of kit is an extremely useful MIDI keyboard and one of the industry standard options relied upon by professional musicians everywhere. Don’t be fooled by the price. This may be one of the best cheap MIDI keyboard thanks to the fact it’s under £100, but it’s an absolute monster full of intuitive controls and studio friendly features.

The Komplete Kontrol M32 includes 32 synth-action micro keys as well as an easy to read OLED display so you can make changes on the fly fully aware of where you are at all time. There’s also built in Touch-Ribbon pitch and modulation strips, 8 x touch-sensitive control knobs, and 4 x directional push encoders offering expert control over notes, chords and samples.

We could go on and on about the great features within the M32, but perhaps the most useful is the fact this MIDI keyboard comes auto-mapped to thousands of Native Instruments plug-ins straight out of the box. Just connect to your PC or laptop and the M32 will automatically map to the host of existing NKS-compatible plug-ins.

If you don’t already have any software, you’ll love the fact the M32 comes bundled with KOMPLETE instruments and effects, KOMPLETE KONTROL software, MASCHINE Essentials (full MASCHINE software plus 1.6 GB MASCHINE Factory Selection of samples, one shots, loops, and instruments), plus Ableton Live 10 Lite.

This means you can get started on your musical masterpiece straight away! All this in a MIDI keyboard under £100!

• Shop all native Instruments MIDI keyboards and bundles here. 

This feature-filled, compact MIDI controller boasts 32-mini keys and a host of powerful tools that are designed to completely streamline your creative process.

The keys here are semi-weighted and velocity-sensitive, granting you a degree of expressive 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.

The Oxygen Pro is in a league of its own for seamless DAW performance and hands-on control, and with a premium software suite included with every purchase it’s one of our favourite options for aspiring producers.

 Whilst we’re on the subject of portable music production, we have to discuss the Carry-On 49 Key Folding Keyboard, which is one of the best MIDI keyboards for those with limited room and those who want to be able to create music on the fly. It actually folds away! This is small enough to fit in your backpack and light enough to carry alongside your laptop without compromising on functionality or control over your workflow. Best of all – it’s micro USB powered and charged providing up to 8 hours playback, so there’s no batteries or adaptor to cart around with you.

You have 49 keys with natural feel for an immersive playing experience as well transpose, octave and 128 authentic and professional sounds along with 30 demo songs. This small, portable MIDI keyboard clocks in at just under £70 and allows you to take control of MIDI over USB, so taking control of your workstation isn't a problem. We love this MIDI keyboard as it also includes  built in speaker so you can play anywhere, anytime. The Carry-On 49 key folding keyboard can easily be integrated into your existing workflow and communicate with your DAW and sequencer, too. Its plug-and-play technology made easy. It's cheap, doesn't suck and folds away easily! If you want a full size 88 key version for under £100, the Carry-On Folding Digital Piano 88 is also available. 

The Nektar SE25 Mini MIDI Controller Keyboard is perfect for capturing your ideas when inspiration strikes. This highly portable 25-key MIDI controller makes our best cheap MIDI keyboards list as it’s under £50, yet still offers pro-level features for the performing musician. We love everything this has to offer including the 25 velocity sensitive keys, Nektar DAW Integration Mapping, transpose buttons and “S” Sustain button which allows you to take control of modulation effects.

We also think the intuitive “2” function is an ingenious addition. This “2” function will shift the octave allowing you to add an octave or harmony whilst you play. Once you release the “2” button your settings will go back to normal so you can create little lead runs without changing settings. One of the best cheap MIDI keyboards that offers instant connection to the most popular DAWs and great control all for way under £50.

Shop a full range of MIDI keyboards and MIDI keyboard controllers over at PMT online, or call in to your local PMT store today to try out a full selection for yourself. 

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