We hope our review will help you to find the best keyboard workstation for your needs. Everything considered we recommend you go with a keyboard workstation that gives you most features for less money. The above review includes the most popular and best workstations that you can find in the market.
Best keyboard for Recording – Workstations are type of keyboards that have the necessary tools useful for composers, music producers and performers. They are generally equipped with almost everything that can accommodate your production needs. There are several functions that set them apart from synthesizers, digital pianos, arrangers and other professional keyboards, including MIDI recording, audio recording, editing features and built-in effects that are helpful in creating and finalizing songs.
Table of Contents
Since they are meant for composing and recording songs, manufacturers tend to include massive sound libraries with a wide array of instruments. In addition to those aspects, most of them have good quality synthesizers that can be used for composing full-length multi-voice tracks.
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1.AKAI Professional
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
2.Korg KRONOS2
Pros & Cons
- Nine distinct sound engines
- Innovative Set List mode with many new updates
- Enhanced SGX-2 Grand Piano Engine featuring the new Berlin Grand
- Color Touch View display-now with Touch Drag capability
- KRONOS Expansion Sound Libraries
3.Casio WK-6600
Pros & Cons
- 16 track song sequencer + 1 system track supports recording of up to 5 songs or approximately 30,000 notes
- Combine instrumentals from the 210 built-in rhythms, toggle individual instrumental portions and adjust parameters to create your own personal rhythms
- With the Tone Editor, attack and release time, cut off, vibrato, reverb, chorus and DSP can be adjusted based on your preferences
- Features a choice of 700 tones to expand your music creativity, and offers 48 notes of polyphony to prevent dropped notes
- Built-in effects include 10 reverbs, 5 choruses and 100 DSP types with the option to create your own effects and store up to 100 unique styles
- Use with Mac or Windows computers without downloading drivers or as a controller for the Apple iPad simply by using Apple’s Camera Connection Kit
4.Yamaha MODX8
Pros & Cons
- Motion Control Synthesis unifies and controls AWM2 and FM-X sound engines
- The Super Knob controls multiple parameters simultaneously for highly expressive sound interaction
- Send 10/receive 4 audio channels plus 16 channels of MIDI via a single USB cable
- Live Sets allow Performance organization without copying, changing order or renaming
- 4-Part Seamless Sound Switching: change Performances while holding notes without sound or effect cutoff
5.Kurzweil Performance
Pros & Cons
- 88 note fully-weighted hammer-action with velocity sensitive keys with aftertouch
- 256 voices of polyphony; 2 GB of factory sample content plus 2 GB of user-loadeable space; more than 1000 factory programs
- 6-Operator FM engine with the ability to import 80's/90's sys EX files
- 9 sets of programmable knobs, sliders and buttons; full Native V.A.S.T. Editing capabilities
- 16 MIDI CC step sequencers; 16 track sequencer with dedicated front-panel transport buttons; 16 arpeggiators; 16 riff generators
6.midiplus
Pros & Cons
- 32-note velocity sensitive mid-size key keyboard. Pitch Wheel. Modulation Wheel. Octave Buttons(Up & Down). Transpose Buttons(Up & Down).
- Sustain Switch interface (sustain pedal does not include). USB B type: USB connect to Computer
- Attachment Type: USB cable
- Country of origin : Taiwan
7.Redragon K580
Pros & Cons
- 5 Macro Keys: There are 5 programmable macro keys(G1~G5) on the keyboard which can be recorded macros on the fly without any additional software required to be installed. Easy to edit and DIY your stylish keyboard.
- Dedicated Multimedia Controls: The multimedia controls let you quickly play, pause, skip the music right from the keyboard without interrupting your game. Also, designed with a volume/backlight adjust wheel, it's easy to adjust volume or backlight brightness directly with the wheel in the upper right side of the keyboard. Very convenient and cool looking.
- N-key Rollover: 104 keys anti-ghosting allows you to simultaneously click multiple keys. The floating keys and Redragon blue switches will give you a great gaming experience with fast response and nice clicky sound.
- Durability: 50 million times keystroke test, 60g actuation force, and 2.3 mm short travel. Special Double-shot injection molded keycaps never fade key font with waterproof and dust resistant mechanical switch.
- RGB Backlight: 18 backlight models allow you to type in the dark. You can adjust its brightness with a control wheel or FN + Up/Down. 5 modes of RGB side edge lighting. The color of each key lighting on the keyboard can be customized easily without installing software, a great choice to DIY your stylish keyboard.
8.Nektar
Pros & Cons
- 61 Premium midi controller with 61 expressive synth-action keys, on-board pitch bend and modulation wheels for performances
- Nektar DAW Integration for most popular DAWs
- 14 MIDI assignable buttons
- Mac, PC and iOS compatible
- Includes Bitwig 8-Track DAW. NOTE: Refer the User Guide before use.
9.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
10.Digital Electronic Musical Keyboard
Pros & Cons
- 49 KEYBOARD KEYS: This Portable Electronic Piano Keyboard is equipped with complete 49 keyboard keys and built-in full range stereo speakers with a simple electronic plug-in operation so you can play a wide range of piano pieces
- PRESET SELECTABLE TONES: This mini piano organ comes packed full of multiple preset selectable keyboard sound, tone and rhythm styles. It also has an integrated button drum pad so you can add a drumming effect to your music and LED indicator light
- AUX AUDIO INTERFACE: The aux (3.5mm) jack / mic input allows you to connect and stream audio from external devices and it works with smartphones, tablet, laptop, PC / Computers. It is also equipped w/ a high capacity 3.7V Li-ion rechargeable battery
- RECORD AND PLAYBACK MODE: The electric digital musical keyboard allows instant audio recording and playback of your recorded piece so you can review and monitor your performance. Perfect for learning practice / home theater living room performances
- KARAOKE FUNCTION: Play and sing along to the music with the included wired microphone. This Pyle compact and portable musical piano also has an adjustable volume control so you can balance the audio to your liking. Fun for both kids and adult
Best keyboard for Recording – BUYER’S GUIDE
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< id="sound">Sound Quality and Quantity
Sound quality and quantity matters whether you plan to use your workstation to produce music or for general playing purposes. As mentioned above, workstations have a wide array of instrument presets, such as pianos, horns, strings, and percussion that are on par with the quality of what dedicated synthesizers can provide. A simple playback synth, or one with sample libraries, is a reasonable option if you want an authentic reproduction of sounds such as pianos, percussions, string section, and brass section. If you plan to incorporate electronic music, a workstation with an analog modeling synthesis feature also works well. Regarding sound quantity, it’s highly recommended to look for a workstation that can handle and provide enough polyphony for playing and recording. The more notes it can handle, the more you can maximize your use of sequencing and recording multiple tracks.
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< id="sequencer">Sequencing, Recording and Effects
Since workstations are designed to address composition and production needs, the main features to keep in mind are their sequencing and recording capabilities. Workstations already have built-in MIDI sequencers for capturing, adding and editing tracks. Some of them also have a microphone or line input that lets you incorporate audio to sequenced tracks. Another feature to consider that would take your recordings to the next level are its onboard effects. Most workstations have the basic built-in effects that can be applied to individual tracks and/or the whole mix. Some of them that have audio recording capabilities have EQ and dynamic related effects. These provide more flexibility when it comes to personalizing your final sound.
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< id="memory">Memory Capacity
Memory is a considerable factor, especially when storing and accessing mixes. The types of memory you’ll find in a workstation are ROM and RAM. ROM lets you switch out different sound cards to access variety of sounds, while RAM is the amount of memory that can be recorded or sampled. It’s best to prioritize the amount ROM if you plan to focus on performing and playing the instrument. Otherwise for recording, it’s best to look for a large amount of RAM. Some workstations provide removable and expandable memory slots for memory cards and external hard drives too.
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< id="features">Other Features
There are some workstations that include an audio sampler. This enables you to import any audio file to incorporate to your mix as long as they are compatible with your workstation. Connectivity is also another feature to consider since a lot of them come with USB or MIDI connections for connecting and syncing them to your computer. They also have audio inputs as well for directly recording instruments. These are some of the useful features that can maximize the use of your workstation.
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Keyboard workstations are versatile electronic instruments that integrate a keyboard with sound module and sequencers. This makes them ideal tools for creating original music, with features that make producing convenient. To achieve this, workstations tend to have high quality synth sounds, more effects, and other music production features such as advanced patch editing and mixing.
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