2 best beginner midi keyboard

A beginner MIDI keyboard, also known as a MIDI controller keyboard, is a musical instrument used in music production and recording. It is designed to be a user-friendly and versatile tool for musicians, composers, and producers who want to create music using digital audio workstations (DAWs) and virtual instruments. Here are some key aspects of beginner MIDI keyboards:

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): MIDI is a protocol that allows electronic musical instruments, including MIDI keyboards, to communicate with computers and other MIDI-compatible devices. MIDI keyboards do not produce sound on their own but instead send MIDI data to control software instruments and synthesizers in a DAW.
Keyboard Layout: MIDI keyboards typically feature a piano-style keyboard layout with keys that resemble those of a traditional piano.This layout makes it easy for beginners to play melodies, chords, and melodies.
Number of Keys: Beginner MIDI keyboards come in various sizes, with 25, 49, 61, or 88 keys. Smaller keyboards are more portable and suitable for beginners, while larger ones offer a wider range for more advanced playing.
Velocity Sensitivity: Most MIDI keyboards are velocity-sensitive, meaning the keys respond to how hard or softly they are played. This allows for expressive and dynamic performances.
Additional Controls: Many beginner MIDI keyboards include additional controls such as knobs, sliders, and buttons. These can be assigned to various parameters in a DAW or virtual instruments, making it easier to tweak and manipulate sounds.
USB Connectivity: Beginner MIDI keyboards often connect to computers via USB, simplifying setup and eliminating the need for external MIDI interfaces.
Compatibility: MIDI keyboards are compatible with a wide range of DAWs and music software, including popular options like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio.
Built-In Sounds: Some beginner MIDI keyboards include built-in sounds or sound modules, allowing users to play and practice without connecting to a computer.
Portability: Compact and lightweight MIDI keyboards are designed for easy portability, making them suitable for musicians on the go.
Price Range: Beginner MIDI keyboards are available at various price points, making them accessible to musicians with different budgets.
Software Bundles: Some MIDI keyboard packages come with software bundles that include virtual instruments, effects, and DAW software, providing a complete setup for beginners.
Learning Resources: Manufacturers often provide resources like tutorials and documentation to help beginners get started with their MIDI keyboards.

Beginner MIDI keyboards are a great entry point for musicians interested in music production and electronic music. They offer a versatile and intuitive way to create and control digital music, making them a valuable tool for both beginners and experienced producers.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best beginner midi keyboard on the market

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 | 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller With 8 Backlit Drum Pads, 8 Knobs and Music Production Software Included (White)

Akai Professional

Based on 4 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Introducing the MPK Mini MK3 – Your Hit Song Starts Here! Introducing the MPK Mini MK3, the 3rd iteration of the world’s legendary best-selling mini 25-key plug & play USB MIDI keyboard controller that redefined how a generation of creators make music. Everything the modern music producer demands is here: Universal compatibility for instant integration with your favorite host music production app (DAW); its compact size makes it an ideal travel companion; its arsenal of beat pads, an arpeggiator, MPC Note Repeat & Full Level, a 4-way joystick and MIDI assignable controls let you take compete command of every aspect of your production; the new Gen 2 enhanced dynamic keybed guarantees your performance is captured with every subtle inflection of your delivery. For the beginner, MPK Mini is a complete package with every tool you need to create hit songs from the get-go. For the working professional, MPK Mini is the ultimate musical Swiss Army knife, ready to deliver on any musical task. Every song starts somewhere, so rid yourself of any roadblocks by starting your next hit with MPK Mini. Complete Music Production Starter Kit Your journey to a hit song starts with MPK Mini and the Complete Music Production Starter Kit is the roadmap to your destination. Start with a DAW based on the legendary MPC workflow, add in drum and sample expansion packs that the industry pros use, and top it off with the most versatile virtual plugin instruments available today, the possibilities are endless. Featured software includes MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid, Mini Grand, Velvet and assorted MPC Expansion packs. Setup Simplicity Don’t want to get bogged down in complicated installs? MPK Mini features a single install (available as a download upon registration on the Akai Professional website) of all this industry-standard software so you spend less time bogged down in technicality and more time creating your next hit!

Music Production and Beat Maker Essential – USB powered MIDI controller with 25 mini MIDI keyboard velocity-sensitive keys for studio production, virtual synthesizer control and beat production
Total Control of your Production - Innovative 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control, plus a built-in arpeggiator with adjustable resolution, range and modes
The MPC Experience - 8 backlit velocity-sensitive MPC-style MIDI beat pads with Note Repeat & Full Level for programming drums, triggering samples and controlling virtual synthesizer / DAW controls
Complete Command of your Virtual Instruments and FX - 8 360-degree knobs assign to all your music studio plugins for mixing, tweaking synth controls and more
1500+ Sounds and Everything You Need for Pro Production – Complete Music Production Starter Kit including MPC Beats, 6 Virtual Instruments and 2GB of sound content

User questions & answers

Question:	are the keys velocity sensitive
Answer:	No, this is a pretty bare-bones controller.
Question:	is Mpc Beats (daw) work in reaper ? Can the midi from Beats be tranferred to reaper as midi? are any of the sounds vst's
Answer:	I dont know ,but i finely got mine to work in garageband on my Mac with the help of the music store salesman on the phone with korg. etherway it is not simple to set it up by yourself.to me the instructions are totally wacked unless you have advance knowledge in music software tech. who ever designed it did not think of the average person setting it up... Good luck........
Question:	Can it control the mpc live
Answer:	No, only the the big knob on the top left is a rotary encoder. All the other knobs are pots and turn thru only about 330 degrees, then stop.
Question:	Does this work for Fl Studio
Answer:	It has no software.It's a USB controller that can be used with a variety of programs which allow for assigning functions to USB. I use it with Reason for audio recording and mixing.

Product features

Your Hit Song Starts Here

Your entry-point into a world of pro production starts here. Introducing the MPK mini mk3, the 3rd iteration of the world’s legendary best-selling USB MIDI 25-key mini keyboard controller that redefined how a generation of creators make music.

Alesis V49 | 49 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Backlit Pads, 4 Assignable Knobs and Buttons, Plus a Professional Software Suite with ProTools | First Included

Alesis

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Alesis V49 is a powerful, intuitive MIDI controller that lets you take command of your music software with a series of pads, knobs, and buttons. With 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys and Octave Up/Down buttons, you can expand the keyboard to the full melodic range and play bass lines, chords, and melodies. V49 also features four assignable knobs and buttons for manipulating effect plugins and virtual instruments: open and close filters, adjust volume levels, activate effects, tweak parameters, and more. Eight velocity-sensitive backlit pads allow you to launch clips or finger drum with exceptional response, and pitch and modulation wheels expand the expressive capabilities of your performing.

Includes Xpand!2

Struggling to find that perfect sound but getting tired of the same old presets? V49 includes the full version of Xpand!2 by AIR Music Tech, a powerful multi-timbral virtual instrument including a collection of over 2000 studio-grade sounds to create with. Whether you’re looking for that signature sound or some inspiration - this synth doesn’t disappoint!

Pro Tools | First Alesis Edition

With V49, artists and producers are given a virtually unlimited range of creative and versatile options with a specifically tailored Pro Tools | First software bundle for Alesis hardware. Pro Tools | First Alesis Edition features Unlimited Busses, Elastic Time and Elastic Pitch, Offline Bounce and 1 GB of free cloud storage space for collaboration or accessing projects from any computer anywhere that is connected to the internet, plus compatibility with all the included AIR Music Tech Virtual Instruments. This amazing audio and MIDI recording software helps inspire any artist, musician or singer-songwriter to create, record and share all their ideas across the world at any time.

World-Class Virtual Instruments

Also included are two premium virtual instruments from leading developer AIR Music Technology, the Mini Grand and DB-33 Tonewheel Organ. Mini Grand is a simple-to-use yet powerful virtual piano instrument with seven different acoustic piano sounds to suit a broad range of musical styles and production needs. DB-33 is a virtual organ that recreates the sounds and controllability of classic tonewheel organs such as the Hammond B3, and the rotary-speaker cabinets they are often played through. It includes 122 preset sounds plus an extra-realistic convolution rotary cabinet and tube overdrive emulation.

Eleven Lite

Need to lay down authentic-sounding guitar tracks? Want to add high quality fix to your keyboard, vocal, or drum tracks? Eleven Lite has got you covered! With the choice of modern and vintage amps & cabs and sounds that bring you from the beautiful cleans to modern hi-gain aggressiveness and everywhere in between, Eleven Lite will help you achieve the wall of sound your recordings need.

Ableton Live Lite

Ableton Live Lite delivers much of the functionality of Ableton Live— the revolutionary, multi-award winning music production solution that lets you spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your musical ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment. Live brings your acoustic, electronic and virtual instruments—as well as your digital audio recordings and MIDI sequences—together in a single interface with unparalleled ease of use.

USB: 1 x Type B..

MIDI Keyboard with 49 full-sized, velocity sensitive square-front keys, perfect for playing Virtual Instruments
8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive backlit pads for beat production and clip launching
4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons interface with your music software. Seamless, visual feedback via illuminated buttons and knobs
Octave Up and Down buttons let you access the full keyboard range and Pitch and modulation wheels deliver expressive, creative control
Premium Software Included - Includes ProTools, First Alesis Edition, Ableton Live Lite 9 and Eleven Lite, plus Mini Grand, DB-33 and Xpand 2 virtual instrument software by Air Music Tech

User questions & answers

Question:	does this product come with all the needed cords
Answer:	it comes with the usb to the keyboard cord which is all the keyboard needs. since it takes the power from the pc it connects to.
Question:	Does it work for Fl studio 9 or higher
Answer:	I use FL Studio 11 and it works just fine :)
Question:	Will it work with Garage band
Answer:	Yes-it works great with garage band.
Question:	Do the keys press smooth? Are the keys actually "semi-weighted" or "like semi-weighted" synth keys
Answer:	Not weighted, but as a lifelong pianist these keys are much better than the cheap non-weighted keyboards, I'd say semi-weighted for sure. Perhaps the other answer on here wasn't as experienced with technique to know the difference between this and the ones that are completely non-weighted. More control here without a doubt.

Product features

The Building Blocks for any Music Producer

The Alesis V49 is a powerful, intuitive MIDI controller that lets you take command of your computer's music software without giving up your capacity for dynamic performances.

With 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys and Octave Up/Down buttons, you can expand the keyboard to the full melodic range and play bass lines, chords, and melodies.

49 full-sized keys and 8 Pads

With 49 full-size keys and 8 MPC-style drum pads, you're already well set up. The V49 adds to that pitch and modulation wheels, and four assignable knobs and buttons to open and close filters, adjust volume levels, activate effects, tweak parameters, and more.

Adjustable to Fit Your Style

The V49 Editor software offers an easy, visual way to edit the various MIDI messages that your keyboard's controls send to your computer. For even more control you can adjust the velocity curves of keys and pads to find the sensitivity that best fits your playing style.

Premium Software Suite Included

Combining Pro Tools | First Alesis Edition, Ableton Live Lite 9 and Eleven Lite, plus Mini Grand, DB-33 and Xpand!2, this amazing recording software suite provides core tools for any artist, musician or singer-songwriter to create, record and share all their ideas across the world at any time.