49 Key Midi Keyboard Controller – The 49-key MIDI keyboard controller is also standard for studios and live shows. It has become a great tool because it is small and portable, but it allows you to do more than 25 keys that the controller can do.
These controllers are a great investment if you’re looking to step up your synth game or if you’re looking to dive deeper into production. High-quality products accompany you throughout your musical journey.
49 Key Midi Keyboard Controller
This guide covers 49 important MIDI controllers. If you want to read about all the different MIDI keyboards, you can go above.
Compact 49 Key Midi Controller (good Keys)
The Novation Launchkey MK III 49 is the latest version of the popular launch key series. The MKIII 49 is an amazing system and one of my favorite options on the market.
This is designed for the studio. It doesn’t mean you can’t use it; I can only recommend it to the studio.
What I like about this product is that it has a balance. This is one of the newer products on the market, so most keyboards don’t yet have some of these features.
I was very impressed with this device in particular. You can read my full review on this product in the Innovation SL MKIII review.
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I think the SL MKIII is a great upgrade to the MKII. This is currently the best 49 key MIDI controller for studio purposes.
This is the best 49 key MIDI controller on the market right now. It offers great performance, great keys, and great workflows.
The Arturia Keylab MKii 49 is the most powerful controller available. From solid-action keys to impressive controls, Keylab offers developers more than they need.
The Arturia Keylab MKII is the most advanced version of the Keylab, and is making some waves in the MIDI department.
Review: Samson Carbon 49 Usb Midi Controller
I think it will surprise many people and become a popular tool in the near future.
I think the Keylab MKII is a solid choice. Arturia keyboards are designed like tanks, and are perfect for travelers. Easily one of the best 49 key MIDI controllers out there.
Akai Professional is one of the most popular controllers on the market. It is highly reliable and highly effective for lifetime performance.
The MPK series has been at the forefront of MIDI keyboards since the beginning, and the MPK249 is an example of this. It comes equipped with 49 full-size semi-weight keys, and each key is velocity-sensitive. The drum pad units are a standout feature on the MPK249, and they set this keyboard apart from others.
Korg Microkey2 49 Key Usb Midi Controller
This keyboard is one of the best 25 MIDI keyboards as Akai makes 25 key models.
The MPK249 comes fully equipped with Ableton live lite, which allows the user to start diving into software sounds immediately. Ableton is one of the most popular DAWS in the music world today, and any software compatible with it is a good thing.
The Akai MPK249 comes with 16 RGB illuminated pads, each with four banks, making a total of 60 touchable pads.
Its USB-MIDI has a five-pin MIDI input and output. The MPK249 is designed to connect directly to your Mac or PC and start working at a high level. I’ve found that the MPK249 doesn’t have serious issues with distortion like some of the cheaper MIDI keyboards out there.
Carry On 49 Key Folding Piano & Midi Controller
I can’t say enough good things about this keyboard from a studio or gigging perspective. It’s easy to use, high quality, and portable.
If you use Complet, this is a great option. The power that Complete Control provides when used with a specific DAW and software is unmatched. You also get the full 13 for a limited time.
This is a very powerful and high-end MIDI controller. The quality of Full Control is high. The keybed is a Fatar semi-heavyweight key, and that’s one of the things that makes this instrument stand out.
This MIDI keyboard controller comes complete with 11 options, including some fantastic software synths to start diving into sounds right away. The only thing that Full Control doesn’t have is a pad to launch clips or create beats.
Monoprice Srk49 49 Key Usb Midi Keyboard Controller With 8 Velocity Sensitive Rgb Pads, 8 Assignable Knobs, 5 Mmc Buttons
This is a very powerful product, requiring a powerful MacBook or PC to run. If you are using a Mac or PC, you will need at least an Intel core 2 duo with 6 GB of RAM or more.
Some users have had issues with the controller not syncing with their computers and becoming buggy. Most of the reports are from people saying it doesn’t work with Pro Tools.
Oxygen Pro is M-Audios latest creation. With 16 RGB backlit pads and solid keys, the Oxygen Pro makes it onto our list.
The M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 comes in black and white. This device has a cool look and is seriously powerful. I would say that this is easily M-Audios affordable product, and it competes with some of the best on the market.
Alesis Vi49 Advanced 49 Key Usb/midi Keyboard Controller
The Oxygen Pro 49 comes with full-size velocity-sensitive keys and four assigned positions for positioning and splitting the keyboard. There are eight distributed 360 degree encoders so you can see the VST you are using. I love this keyboard for making beats for hip hop and electronic music.
It comes with pro tools, and it also comes with 16 velocity-sensitive pads for extra hitting. It also has XY HID control, and is a unique way to control parameters in real instruments.
Impulse has been around for 49 years and is still considered a solid MIDI controller. While it’s not my first choice, it offers a reasonable price for an excellent controller.
Innovation Impulse is packed with 49 items, and one of the things that stands out is the navigation control.
The Top 10 Best Midi Keyboard Controllers In The World
These buttons allow you to control your DAW with play, pause, record, rewind, fast forward, and toggle switches.
The main feature is the multi-functional drum pad. They let you start arpeggios, roll beats, and clips in Ableton Live. The Innovation 49 comes with AutoMap 4, which gives you an instant map of the objects that need to be controlled. It also comes with talk and save pedal input.
Innovation Impulse 49 comes with all DAW/plug-in controls on top, so you can instantly take control of all major DAWS from your keyboard. The only downside we can find on this device is the slippery feel on the loose end.
I think moving on is still a good decision. It’s been around for a while, and there are better options; However, it is still of high quality.
Roland A 49 49 Key Midi Keyboard Controller
The Irig 49 is a Bluetooth option that doesn’t offer as much as the others on this list. It’s a little more complicated than the options above, but it can get the job done.
IK Multimedia iRig Keys is a new MIDI keyboard. It is designed to be portable, and works with I-phones, Ipads, Macs and PCs.
The Irig keyboard won’t give you the firepower that other products will have, but it’s enough to be very portable.
This keyboard comes with a great software bundle, so you can start playing music with your instrument right away. It comes with touch controls, and that’s something some musicians either love or hate.
Samson Graphite 49 49 Key Keyboard Controller
These controls control pitch and modulation. To use the string, you simply slide your fingers up and down, rotating the string.
The Irg can be powered by batteries or USB. I like keyboards that can use batteries in case I break the USB cable and don’t have time to buy a new one. The battery life on them is also very good.
I love that the iRig comes with 8 drums for musicians. Drums enable musicians to do more.
This is a great budget option for people with tablets, iPhones and Android. If you’re in the market for a new tablet, check out this guide where I break down the best tablets for music production.
Korg Microkey2 49 Mini Key Midi Keyboard With 0% Instalment
The T4 is one of the most underrated controllers on the market. Keypad is solid and DAW integration is excellent. Give T4 a serious look before choosing different options.
It is the successor of the Panorama P4. I think Nektar himself did an amazing job with this product, and I think it’s one of the best on the market right now. I did a full review on the Panorama T4 here.
The Panorama T4 is a new keyboard that, in my opinion, is a must. What also makes the Panorama T4 great is the fact that it doesn’t cost much. As a result, I’d say it’s the best 49-key MIDI keyboard around for its price.
I found that the original Innovation Launchpad controllers were very weak. Most of the frets and dropouts fell off quickly, and the keys themselves were not what I expected.
Nektar Panorama P4 49 Key Midi Controller
Innovation has come a long way, and this 49 is important