Best keyboard for Recording Music – In my opinion, the best keyboard for your recording studio is a good MIDI controller. Workstations are more of a luxury than a necessity in most cases. Digital pianos are great for playing piano but offer less versatility.
MIDI controllers, in general, are cheaper than both alternatives. You don’t have to sacrifice sound quality because VST’s are so good now they are commonly used on hit records. You have lots of options from 25 keys to 88, velocity sensitive to hammer action, fully weighted keys.
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With keyboards like the Arturia Keylab range, for example, you have enough rotary dials and sliders to control every aspect of any plugin/VST straight from the keyboard.
1.Gemini Sound GMX
Pros & Cons
- THE ULTIMATE UTILITY MACHINE: As An Independent Media Player or As A 24-bit PC/Mac Audio Interface Over USB 2.0, This Unit Offers Multiple Output Options Like Monitoring, Recording, and Playback Via Balanced XLR or RCA Outputs
- FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE: Scratch, Beat Juggle, & Find Track Points Faster Than Ever. Hot Cues, Auto/Manual Loop, Reverse & Filters Bring Mixes to Life. 8 Performance Pads on Each Deck & High-Res USB/MIDI Data-Stream Provide 16,384 Possible Level Settings
- VISUALIZATION FOR YOUR SOUNDS: MP3 and WAV Files Light Up On The High-Contrast Screens with Adjustable Waveform Displays. Variable Pitch Control, Master Tempo Control and BPM Lock Help You Match Keys, Tempos and Mix Without Restraint
- TAKE YOUR SOUNDS ANYWHERE: The Portable, Impressive Functionality Of The GMX Media System Gives You Playback From USB In MP3 and WAV Files. Mix Right On The Controller or With Your Laptop In Virtual DJ and Other Compatible DJ Performance Software Programs
- VISUALIZATION FOR YOUR SOUNDS: MP3 and WAV Files Light Up On The High-Contrast Screens with Adjustable Waveform Displays. Variable Pitch Control, Master Tempo Control and BPM Lock Help You Match Keys, Tempos and Mix Without Restraint
2.Korg Kross 2
Pros & Cons
- 61-key Synth Workstation with Synth-action Keybed
- Step and MIDI Sequencers
- Mic/Line Inputs - Black
- EDS-i Sound Engine
- Audio Recder
3.Alesis V25
Pros & Cons
- MIDI Keyboard with 25 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 Ableton Live Lite, Xpand 2 virtual instrument software by Air Music Tech and MPC Beats
4.Roland FA-06
Pros & Cons
- Reimagined music workstation designed to maximize your creative flow
- Light, mobile body with 61-note velocity-sensitive keyboard
- Over 2000 sounds from the flagship INTEGRA-7 sound module, including SuperNATURAL synth and acoustic tones and drums; add even more tones via internal wave sound expansion slots
- SuperNATURAL synth engine is fully compatible with the expansive collection of free INTEGRA-7 synth tones available from Roland’s Axial sound library site.Current draw:1,300 mA
- 16-track sequencer with non-stop loop recording makes it easy to build songs quickly; export your sequencer tracks to an SDHC card as a complete stereo mix, or as multitrack audio or MIDI data for use in your DAW
5.Worlde Panda
Pros & Cons
- 🎹 [Portable Beat Maker Machine] Ultra-compact Worlde panda mini midi keyboard gives hands-on access to your music in no time when seized by sudden inspiration, ideal for get-go beginners, bedroom/home studio producers, YouTubers, vloggers, and DJs. Plug and play capability with USB powered release more time to create your next hit
- 🎹 [Get Midi Easily Under Control] 4+4 knobs, sliders, 4 memory banks, program, mod, and octave buttons within reach for instant recall of personal control preferences. After mapping it to your software, no more frequently switch from pc to midi controller. Help you concentrate all your efforts on music composition
- ✨ [Visualize Your Talents] midi keyboard with drum pads has 7 RGB colors assignable via the editor, provides rich visual feedback, dazzling light shines when you tap on it, adding delight-to-ear rhythm and strong visual appeal to your music
- 🎹 [Considerate Design for Users] Height difference in the control panel and keyboard section, add relative comfort for hands, sufficiently achieve flexible management of control-play interaction. 4 durable silicone pads underneath offer a stable performance on any surface, allowing you to dial up your music at will
- 💗 [Sincere Customer Service] We were keenly aware of what we should do to help beginners to start, so we prepared detailed user guides in word and video forms under the product page. You could rest assured that you will receive our best care
6.lotmusic Worlde
Pros & Cons
- Plug and Play: Drive free and hot-plug supported, adaptable to USB 2.0 interface(FULL SPEED). Supports Multiple Systems, compatible with Windows 7 and more, Mac and IOS.
- Meet Your Needs: 25 keys with velocity assignable to controllers, with 3 velocity curve and one constant velocity; 4 assignable control knobs, 4 assignable control sliders and 4 banks for different settings; 8 control buttons: CC Mod, Mod, Bank, Program, Pitch down / Pitch up, Octave down / Octave up.
- Bigger Beat Pad: 8 RGB backlit pads with high quality velocity & pressure sensitive performance can be assigned easily as pads, MIDI CC buttons or Program change switches.
- Changeable colours: 7 different colors are available. Hold CC MODE and OCTAVE DOWN or OCTAVE UP to select the backlit RGB color of 8 pads. The pads can display 7 colors at the same time, one can only show one color.
- All you get: 1x MIDI Controller, 1x USB Cable, 1x Velvet bag and 1x Instruction. Please feel free to contact us if there is any problem with our product.
7.ammoon mini
Pros & Cons
- 【Good Design】25 keys with velocity assignable to controllers, with 3 velocity curve and one constant velocity. 4 assignable control knobs, 4 assignable control sliders and 4 banks for different settings. 8 control buttons: CC Mod, Mod, Bank, Program, Pitch down / Pitch up, Octave down / Octave up.
- 【8 control buttons】CC Mod, Mod, Bank, Program, Pitch down / Pitch up, Octave down / Octave up.
- 【Pads with High Quality】8 RGB backlit pads with high quality velocity & pressure sensitive performance and can be assigned easily as pads, MIDI CC buttons or Program change switches.
- 【Plug and Play】Drive free and hot-plug supported, adaptable to USB 2.0 interface(FULL SPEED).
- 【Meet Your Needs】Support Multiple Systems,compatible with Windows 7 and more, Mac and iOS.
8.AKAI Professional MPK
Pros & Cons
- 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 and 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 plus Sounds and Everything You Need for Pro Production - Complete Music Production Starter Kit including MPC Beats, 6 Virtual Instruments and 2GB of sound content
9.YAMAHA YPT260
Pros & Cons
- Includes the YPT 260 61 key portable keyboard and PA130 power adapter
- 400 voices, 130 auto accompaniment styles with backing tracks, and 112 onboard songs
- Note: This item does not advertise a USB connection
- Yamaha Education Suite with 9 step lesson function; Aux input allows you to play along with music from a phone, tablet or computer
- Record and playback using the recording function. Number of Polyphony (Max.): 32
10.Audio2000’S AMX7332-Professional
Pros & Cons
- Six-channel audio mixer with built-in USB interface to computer for recording and music playing applications
- Built-in bluetooth interface and Built-in 32-Bit/24Bit AD-DA Converter DSP Sound-Effects Processor
- 3-Band EQ, Peak LED Indicator, MUTE, PFL, AUX1, AUX2, and PAN Controls on All Channels
- Built-in USB Device Recorder/Player Supporting MP3 and WAV Format
- Two AUX Outputs, 7-Band Stereo Graphic Equalizer, High Accuracy Level Indicators, and Phantom Power Switch (+48V)
Best keyboard for Recording Music – BUYER’S GUIDE
Synthesis Type
Keyboard workstations come with a wide range of sounds and effects than other keyboards. They employ different types of a generation which makes them differ with the produced sounds and their quality.
With this, musicians looking for a workstation to produce music professionally, they should go with the ones with full sampling functionality to enable you to record any sound and reproduce it in varying pitches.
Sound Combination
One of the coolest things about workstation is the ability to generate sounds simultaneously. For songwriters and film composer, should go with an instrument that gives you enough sounds. For live performers, they can go with an instrument that enables you to layer different sounds.
Sequencing and Audio Recording
Whether you are writing new music or just perfuming live, MIDI sequencer can be a very useful tool. To enable you to record numerous parts of the keyboard with just a push of a few buttons.
Some workstations even go further to include line/MIC input that enables you to record vocals or even another instrument like a guitar to enrich your music.
If you want to perform cover input workstations will enable you to use preprogrammed MIDI files to reproduce the music more accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sounds can you make with the help of keyboard?
The exact sounds and samples that you’ll be able to take advantage of will depend both on the MIDI keyboard you select and the software or module that it might be paired with.
However, most USB compatible MIDI keyboards will work with any music production software.
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For home studios and professional recording studios alike, a keyboard is an integral part of any setup. Most compositions start on a keyboard because of its versatility.
With one keyboard, you can program an entire track, which is why they are often the centerpiece of a studio.
When it comes on to choosing the right keyboard for your recording studio, you need to consider several things; not only the quality of the keyboard but how it specifically benefits your studio and your style.
Here are some of the things you should consider in making your decision.
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