Best Midi keyboard for Fl Studio 11 & 12 – As you will have seen from our selections the market has a fair amount to offer in terms of manipulating your audio workstations and it really does just depend on the type of control you prefer.
Some of us value the tactile experience more than others and have a need for an authentic control, with the extreme side being the need for knobs to dial a virtual knob and a select few who won’t settle for anything unauthentic in its place.
With midi keyboards, the market has a fair amount to offer, and picking the best is not a walk in the park, especially if you do not know your needs. Your personal needs are key when buying a midi controller.
ROUND UP
Based on research and popular ratings, you can trust our seven best picks to be the best Midi keyboards for FL studio 12 in the market. The list has something for everyone, whether you are an advanced musician, a hobbyist producer, or a beginner.
1.AKAI Professional
Pros & Cons
- FL Studio Music Production Essential- Dedicated USB MIDI hardware controller for the FL Studio DAW platform with seamless plug-and-play connectivity
- Workflow Revolution - 64 velocity-sensitive RGB Pads for creation of patterns in the step sequencer and recording notes / synth parts on a pad-based MIDI keyboard controller in Performance mode
- Beat Production Simplified – Transform Fire into a beat maker essential with a MPC Style 16-pad layout in Drum Mode
- Maximum Tweak-Ability - 4 banks of assignable Touch-Capacitive MIDI knobs / encoders for controlling Mixer, Channel and custom User-Assignable mappings
- Improved Navigation - Instantly navigate the Channel Rack, Browser, Tool Bar and Playlist windows; dedicated controls to browse audio and project files with clear feedback from the OLED display
- Includes FL Studio Fruity Fire Edition (Download) - Complete Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with unlimited tracks, on-board effects and virtual instruments, full automation functionality and more
2.RockJam
Pros & Cons
- The RockJam 561 keyboard piano super kit includes a digital keyboard with 61 full-size keys giving you that traditional piano feel whilst maintaining a portable and compact design that can be powered by either mains power (power supply included) or batteries
- This RockJam 561 piano keyboard features an LCD display panel that both displays and engages the 100 rhythms, 50 tones, teaching functions, and 30 demo songs that are part of its functionality
- The RockJam 561 electric piano has record and playback functionality allowing you to build layers to your sound.
- This music keyboard super kit package includes a keyboard stand that is sturdy in design and can be adjusted to suit keyboard piano players both young and old
- This electric piano keyboard super kit contains a padded seat that is easily folded and has a thick padded seat for hours of comfortable play
3.M Audio Keystation
Pros & Cons
- Pro Music Production Wherever You Go – USB MIDI keyboard controller with slimline footprint and 32 mini piano style velocity-sensitive keys for a natural feel
- Customisable Response – Mini keys with selectable velocity curves match any playing style inc’l traditional piano, synthesizer, key-based beat making; pitch bend / modulation buttons add expression
- Immediate Creativity - Simple plug-and-play connection to your Mac or PC—no drivers or power supply required
- Express Yourself - Octave up and down buttons for extended keyboard range, Volume knob delivers smooth control and Sustain button adds expressive capability
- The MPC Production Experience - Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the essential production tools from Akai Professional
4.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
5.Worlde Panda MINI
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
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
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.Novation Launchkey
Pros & Cons
- Get hands on with Ableton Live - Have a seamless music making experience with Ableton Live and your Launchkey Mini. Have all the tools at your disposal with deep and intuitive Ableton Live control — including device macro control, track select, record, capture MIDI, clip and scene launch, stop/mute/solo, volume, pans and sends.
- Get creative easily with arpeggiator - Easy to use but deeply controllable, Launchkey Mini’s creative arpeggiator allows you to change rhythm, beat, pattern, octave, gate and more to add a whole range of diversity to your ideas and melodies.
- Play chords with one finger - Lay down chords for your track quick with fixed chord mode. Play a chord with one finger by assigning a fixed shape to the keys and it’ll transpose as you move up and down the keyboard.
- Launchkey Mini goes anywhere with you - Send apps and program changes to your hardware synths with MIDI Out, or add keys to your Groovebox directly over MIDI. Launchkey Mini’s lightweight and compact design means it goes anywhere you do. The hardware is bus-powered which is great for travelling and jamming on the go.
- Finest-tech at your fingertips - The Launchkey Mini might be small in size but it’s packed with features. The 25-key device has 16 velocity-sensitive RGB, eight rotary controls, pitch and mod touch strips, and sustain input. Our finest mini keymech to date is also included.
- DAW Integration - In addition to Apple Logic and Ableton Live, Launchkey Mini also has excellent integrations with Reason, as well as any HUI compatible DAW, such as Cubase, Pro Tools, and more.
9.Alesis V49
Pros & Cons
- 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 Ableton Live Lite, Xpand!2 virtual instrument software by Air Music Tech and MPC Beats
10.Arturia MiniLab
Pros & Cons
- Portable and Compact - MIDI Controller
- The most responsive keyboard experience in its category
- 500 of the V-Collection 8 presets / 21 Keyboard Instruments and Synthesizers / fully mapped right out of the box
- The perfect solution to get started with music production
- 16 Assignable Encoders to control your DAW
Best Midi keyboard for Fl Studio 11 & 12 – BUYER’S GUIDE
Weight
This is dependent on where or how you intend to use the controller. There are small or compact size midi keyboards that are lightweight and highly portable. If you want to create music on the go, these would be a perfect choice. The heavier alternatives that are 6 pounds and above can be used at home or in studios.
Size
The size options are based on the number of keys. There are 25-key, 49-key, 61-key, and 88-key. If you need a full-sized stage piano controller, then you should go for the 88-key, but if you want something portable, you can go with the smaller 25-key.The small-sized controllers are highly mobile, and you can easily fit one into your backpack. Controls set
Many midi keyboards come with basic pitch and modulation controls and a few buttons to shift octaves on the keyboard. You want to get a controller with a more complicated control set that includes rotary pots, multi-color drum pads, and faders as they will help you smoothly operate parameters in your DAW.You would not need a mouse to mix a song, and that will allow you to play, perform, and be in control of the music software at the same time. Controls options
You need to check if the specific brand you are considering has other control options like key sets. For instance, a particular brand can have a controller with similar features, but various key games and others may not. Connectivity
You should be able to connect your midi keyboard with your laptop or computer. You need to ensure it is compatible with your gadget. Some controllers are compatible with Mac, PC, and iPad.
Best for
For you to get maximum satisfaction from a midi controller, you need to identify your needs. Not all midi controllers are the same or have the same capability in terms of performance, usage, and value. You might need a controller which you can use to make music on the go, or a low-budget one or a beginner-friendly. Your personal needs will significantly determine your choice of a midi controller.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a MIDI Controller?
It is a piece of hardware modeled on earlier MIDI keyboard/synthesizer and sequencer models which came before designed with music production in mind to replace a traditional keyboard and mouse computer peripheral.
MIDI is an acronym for musical instrument digital interface for those who were wondering.
What is FL Studio?
Fl Studio is a digital audio workstation software which was first released in the form of Fruity Loops if you can remember far enough back. Which has evolved over the years into an all in one station to effectively handle the music-making process from start to finish?
Because of its flexible and potentially infinite possibilities, it is used within the industry by both those at the top as well as those just starting out. It is a fairly simple program to manage but the management is better suited with the correct controller which is why we are talking MIDI today.
Do I Need a MIDI Controller for FL Studio?
Technically speaking your DAW can be operated without any form of MIDI controller but you are going to find your turn-around is far longer and that you will first have to learn the arduous task of how your keyboard is mapped to the software.
Some people manage to play a computer keyboard like a piano eventually but the keyboard you have has been designed for typing and doesn’t really have any consideration within its design in regards to velocity.
Electronically produced music is always at risk of sounding too synthetic or cohesive when a band plays a piece of music there are always nuances within that give it character. In its most simplistic form, this is the dynamics of how softly an arpeggio is played or how heavily a chord is hammered. Which is difficult to recreate with a computer keyboard.
But via a MIDI controller designed to pick up the velocity more astutely, it can be translated without the need to go in and draw the velocity by hand with a mouse which can be done but is very finicky.
Likewise controlling a VST drum-kit to create an authentic-sounding beat and relying on the split-second reflexes of a computer mouse or keyboard for something as crucial as the tempo, it is better with a piece of kit designed for the task in hand.
Mastering your DAW with a mouse can take a lot more patience especially when it comes to filtering adjustments in terms of your EQ if you don’t have a mouse wheel to help a little it can be tough to click and select a virtual dial and adjust levels.
What Type of MIDI Controller?
As you will have noticed the main types of MIDI controllers on the market seem to be either instrument based (piano/keyboard) or pad/button based the latter of which is often referred to as alternative MIDI controllers.
Depending on your instrumental abilities and knowledge and indeed the style of production you have a penchant for the two types aid the producer in very different ways.
If you favor VST instruments over samples you ought to look for the most realistic keyboard-based MIDI controller with at least 32 keys.
If you do a lot of rhythm and bass work and sampling you might prefer the simplicity that pad-triggering presents.
If you are still undecided sometimes the best route is to go with a mixed-medium option which offers the best of both worlds even if this means you need to opt for something with fewer piano keys, you can always branch out at a later date with a MIDI keyboard solely for instrumental use in the future.
That said, an overly complex model is probably not a great idea for a complete newbie as they can take a little time to learn the ropes.
What to look for in a MIDI Controller for FL Studio?
Hopefully what to look for will largely have been spelled out in the previous guide sections as it really is down to the individual, their needs preferences and of course budget.
FL Studio is a DAW trusted and used by professionals and hobbyists alike. Any MIDI controller is going to give the user better manipulation of the software plug-in suites, VST’s and plug-ins and the good news is a decent MIDI controller these days doesn’t come with an unrealistic price tag.
That said the more you spend the better you will find the quality of the response and the versatility of the controller, generally speaking. The beauty of MIDI control is it
Fl Studios gives users access to a pretty practical audio-workstation core and once you are settled on the best type of MIDI controller for your needs all you really need is some transport keys and a rotary dial to control the amount of whatever you are selecting.
You will need a channel select unless you want to do that via your mouse and then the amount of MIDI-assignable triggers whether they be keys or pads and pots or fader-style sliders is all you really need to consider next.
WRAP UP
When you have a heavy workload to handle on a regular basis you aren’t likely to be relying on a regular mouse and keyboard in your DAW regardless of what type it is, today we are going to discuss the best MIDI controller for FL Studio.
Whilst there are plenty of parties trying to get in on the action there are currently only a few key contenders at the top of their game in top demand at present. So let’s just get straight to the point now and clarify that you are going to see a few companies mentioned a little more than others in this article.
Amazon.com
