MuseScore - Score-writing software. Steinberg Cubase - Quick rendering. BRELS MIDI Editor - Simple tool to edit MIDI files.
![]() Even though it measures only 19 inches long, Arturia has managed to fit 32 keys onto the bed. Its KeyStep packs a lot of the features that MIDI musicians look for in a supremely small package. This keyboard is completely in the “portability” camp, so you won’t find features and controls such as pitch wheels or several different control knobs.As a musical instrument brand, Arturia brings a host of digital and analog devices that fill out a lot of electronic musicians’ studio needs. It’s not without its limitations, though. It does operate via battery, but the included micro-USB charges everything quickly. And thanks to a few programmable buttons on the side, you’ll have outboard control of your production software. Best Midi Plus A FewIt also weighs less than a pound and a half, making it great for those who want to keep a lightweight music bag.Korg calls its miniaturized keys “Natural Touch,” meaning they’re designed with a decent amount of velocity sensitivity. This small-format, 25-key controller measures just 19 inches long and only 7 inches tall, meaning it will slip into a backpack with ease. And, for $129, considering you are getting a keyboard and a synthesizer, the price is just about right.The Korg MicroKey was one of the original “micro” MIDI controllers. There are plenty of assignable knobs, plus a few inputs and outputs, including a micro-USB port and even true MIDI in/out ports. It's extremely versatile, eliminating the need to program step sequencing on your DAW or enlist the help of a separate device. This means you can control synths and plugins using arpeggiated sequences or custom patterns. The unit does connect via USB and comes with a USB-A cable, so you’ll have to purchase an adapter to expand compatibility to your iPad. This joystick allows you to add a bit of pitch-based expression to your performance, which isn’t often seen in controllers this small. And, even though there is some volume sensitivity that occurs, it’s not not nearly as full-featured as a true MIDI controller.There are some interesting on-board controls, including a few toggle switches and an analog joystick. The fabric-topped, soft-touch keyboard allows you to strike notes with the touch of a finger, but then bend or warp those notes by pressing down harder or sliding your finger around. This square block seamlessly connects to your device using either Bluetooth or simple USB, with a suite of software that comes bundled with the device.Where the controller really stands out is in its build and design. We chose the Lightpad here because it is the smallest option that still gives you some keyboard-esque functionality. A few years back when it launched the Lightpad Block as part of its mobile-friendly Blocks line, ROLI created an interesting category from a portability standpoint.These Blocks are modular, allowing you to snap them together with a keyboard-style block and a control block to create a mini studio on the go. Transmit for mac free downloadThat customizability means you can choose between different types of volume curves that respond differently to your specific playing style.There are also modulation and pitch bend wheels, eight assignable buttons, and seamless integration with most Digital Audio Workstations on the market. This also makes the Impact GX61 great for use with mobile devices (provided you get a USB adapter), because it won’t weigh you down going from rehearsal to a gig.Even though the footprint is reasonably small, Nektar has managed to fit in quite a few features, including customizable velocity-sensitive keys that are full-sized. Even though you get a totally workable 61-key setup, you aren’t taking up a whole lot of extra real estate in your studio or on your desk. For a 61-key unit, the form factor is remarkably slim, occupying only a footprint of 96 x 20 x 7 centimeters. But overall, this is one of the most unique (and most portable) controllers around.The Nektar Impact GX61 is quite simply one of the best-looking MIDI controllers around, because it just doesn’t try to do too much. The Block isn’t for the experimentally reluctant as it does take some getting used to, and at over $100 you’ll pay a premium for its different form. So, even though the keyboard is heavy, there’s good reason for it.Rounding out the features and playability are a volume slider, some octave control buttons, and the requisite pitch and mod wheels. This makes sense, because the keys are what M-Audio is calling “semi-weighted." While they don’t offer quite the resistance of a full-on, acoustic piano, the keys feel more authentic than any of the other keyboards on this list. The second iteration of the Keystation 88 isn’t exactly light, weighing around 17 pounds and measuring nearly 54 inches long. Any full-sized keyboard, no matter how clever the brand is with build size, is going to be big and bulky, making it best used in a studio, not on the go. For right around $100, you can get a better deal, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a similarly featured keyboard at the price point.To bill the M-Audio Keystation 88 as an iPad keyboard is a bit of a stretch. ![]() First off, you can connect the keyboard via USB (which would require an adapter), but you can also set up a Bluetooth connection for less cable management. But for the OP-1's feature set and functionality, these are small trade-offs.The Akai LPK25 keyboard controller was made for musicians who want to use their iPad as their primary recording device. While its build quality is pretty premium, it isn’t the most rugged, and the keys themselves are undeniably small and button-like. Plus, with nearly 16 hours of battery life, it truly is an iPad musician’s tool that will go the distance. This makes it a truly versatile device when it comes to your on-the-go recording setup.
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