Best Midi keyboard for Logic Pro – The best MIDI keyboard for Logic Pro X will allow you to take the tools that the software has to offer and expand their use to create some truly astounding musical compositions. There is a wide range of MIDI keyboard controllers to choose from, but a few are worth taking a closer look at.
The AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 is a compact MIDI keyboard with 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys, making it a powerful yet portable option.
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The Arturia KeyLab Essential has 49 smooth-action keys with velocity and eight dynamic RGB back-lit pads. There are also plenty of switches, encoders, and wheel, all making this unit highly versatile. The Analog Lab 2 included with the purchase offers 5,000 sounds, and you also get Ableton Live Lite and UVI Grand Piano Model D for the price.
back to menu ↑1.Nektar
Features
- 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys
- 3 velocity Curves (Default, soft, hard)
- 6 buttons: octave up/down, PB1/PB2, sustain, part 2
- PB1 & PB2 buttons (assignable to: pitch bend, transpose, Vol, pan, track or patch change)
- Part Two button: assignable to octave, MIDI channel, transpose, layer and latch (momentary)
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back to menu ↑2.midiplus
Features
- 32 mini-keys velocity sensitive keyboard
- Pitch, modulation, octave, transpose function
- Sustain interface (Not include sustain pedal)
- USB B-type to connect computer (include USB cable)
- Plug and play with Windows, Mac devices
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back to menu ↑3.AKAI Professional MPK
Features
- 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
OUR TAKE
back to menu ↑4.Arturia MiniLab
Features
- 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
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back to menu ↑5.KeyStep Portable Keyboard
Features
- Slimkey keybed with velocity and aftertouch Arpeggiator mode features up, down, inclusive, exclusive, random, note order, double up, double down modes Sequencer mode features 8 polyphonic step-sequences with Rest, Tie, and Legato note entry Rate cont
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back to menu ↑6.Vangoa Worlde TUNA
Features
- [25 Velocity-sensitive Keys] 3 velocity curves, 1 constant velocity are adjustable to find the perfect fits for you, mini size keys offer the ultra-portable ability, merely 1.1lb compact design for handy carrying with you anywhere for inspiration, ±4 Octave buttons offer access to full keyboard range
- [8 RGB Backlit Drum Pad] 2 banks of 8 beat pads with a softer and more sensitive touch for drum beats. With its editor, you can easily change to colorful lights or assign more functions to make much freedom for finger drumming
- [8 Assignable knobs&faders] Doubled the control to meet all your requirement for performing and producing. Infinite Knob gives an endless turn for larger data adjustment, high-quality faders with friction offer a great feel, run nicely smooth for sound control
- [Great Compatibility] Compatible with Win10/8/Win7/XP/Vista, Mac OSX, able to be pair with most mainstream DAWs, foot pedal connectable. It is easily connected to iOS & Android via OTG cable(not included) for any time use
- [Beyond Expection] Elegant white panel with wood grain finish sides. Pitch and mod touch strip have a smoothy feel and highly responsive, greatly deliver expressive, creative control. It considerately comes with a manual and USB MIDI cable for beginners
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back to menu ↑7.Korg
Features
- Connect wirelessly to iPad, iPhone, or Mac
- Lasts a month between battery changes
- Usb compatible
- Compact and playable natural touch Mini keyboard
- Lavish array of powerful music software bundled free of charge
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back to menu ↑8.Alesis VI49
Features
- MIDI Keyboard with 49 full sized, square front, semi weighted keys with after touch. USB MIDI and 5 pin MIDI Out offer flexible MIDI connectivity
- Manipulate plugins and virtual instruments with hands on controls. With VI49, you can open and close filters on virtual synthesizers, adjust volume levels in your mix, activate effects, and much more
- 16 velocity sensitive trigger pads with illuminated RGB feedback for beat production and clip launching. Pitch and modulation wheels deliver expressive, creative control
- 36 assignable buttons and 12 assignable knobs interface with your music software. Seamless visual feedback via LED screen and illuminated buttons and knobs
- Production software included: Ableton Live Lite and Xpand!2 by AIR Music Tech (downloads). USB powered and plug and play support for Mac and PC
OUR TAKE
back to menu ↑9.MIDI Controller Bundle
Features
- Music Production Bundle – Universal sustain pedal and professional USB MIDI keyboard controller with 49 keys and assignable controls – perfect for musicians, beat makers and performers
- VI49 | The Centrepiece of your Music Studio – USB powered MIDI keyboard controller with 49 full-sized, square-front, semi weighted keys with after touch
- VI49 | Express Yourself - Pitch and modulation wheels deliver expressive, creative control
- VI49 | Beat Maker Essentials - 16 velocity-sensitive MIDI drum pads with illuminated RGB feedback for beat production and clip launching
- SP-2 | Genuine Piano Style Sustain - Universal sustain pedal with chrome foot pedal for a piano style pedal action; polarity switch for compatibility with all electronic keyboards / MIDI Controllers
- Premium Software Included - Includes ProTools | First Alesis Edition, Ableton Live Lite 9 and Eleven Lite, plus Mini Grand, DB-33 and Xpand!2 virtual instrument software by Air Music Tech
OUR TAKE
back to menu ↑10.Novation Launchkey
Features
- 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
- Creative arpeggiator – easy to use but deeply controllable: change rhythm, beat, pattern, octave, Gate and more
- Fixed chord Mode – play a chord with one finger - assign a fixed chord shape to the keys and it’ll transpose as you move up and down the keyboard
- Midi out – take launchkey mini anywhere, send apps and program changes to your hardware synths, or add keys to your groove box directly over MIDI
OUR TAKE
back to menu ↑Best Midi keyboard for Logic
Features
- All-in-one, fully portable, ultra-compact MIDI controller with 24-bit/ 96Khz capable input/output audio interface for iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC
- 49 full size keys and smooth, velocity-sensitive, synth-action keyboard
- Comprehensive controls: 2 slider strips for pitch and modulation (user programmable,) octave, Program change and transport controls
- Neutrik combo input jack for line, instrument or microphones, with 48V phantom power and balanced stereo and headphone outputs
- Comes with the most comprehensive collection of software instruments and Pro studio processors on the market: a value of over $750 of software and apps
- Requires iOS 12 or later, iPhone 5 a newer, iPad 4th Generation and newer; macOS 10.6 or later; Windows with installed driver.
OUR TAKE
back to menu ↑Best Midi keyboard for Logic Pro x
Features
- Smart, streamlined keyboard controller for all your virtual instruments and effects
- Semi-weighted custom NI keybed
- Informative OLED display for at-a-glance navigation
- 8 touch-sensitive control knobs
- USB 2.0 bus powered
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back to menu ↑Best Midi keyboard for Logic Pro – BUYER’S GUIDE
Keys features: semi-weighted vs. velocity-sensitive
The keys themselves are rather important, so you need to choose the right ones. This will ensure you are comfortable playing them and they are allowing you to create the sound you want. Different types of keys have different capabilities, too, so be sure to pay attention when choosing your MIDI controller for Logic Pro X. Full-sized keys are designed to look and feel like the ones you’ll find on a classical acoustic piano. If you are already a piano player, these are likely going to give you the feel you are used to when playing, rather than throwing you off when you`re trying to play. For everyone else, the size of the keys depends on the size of your fingers. Those with thin fingers can handle thinner keys, while thicker fingers may end up pressing more than one at a time. The weight of the keys is also important. Like full-sized keys, fully-weighted ones feel more like the keys on a real piano, so are best for piano-players. Semi-weighted keys, like the ones on the Novation Impulse 49 USB Midi Controller Keyboard, aren’t quite as heavy, using a spring-loaded mechanism combined with light weights attached to the keys. These ones are best for those on a budget, as they tend to cost less than a fully-weighted keyboard. Velocity-sensitivity means that the keys respond to the amount of pressure you’re putting on them and create the sounds accordingly. For instance, if you are lightly touching them, they will create softer notes than if you were really pounding the keys. The harder you push, the louder the notes will be, giving you a wider range of expression than keys without this feature.
Pads and controllers
Some of the MIDI keyboard controllers we’ve reviewed, like the Akai Professional MPK249, have a wide variety of pads, buttons, knobs, and faders on them, while others are much more basic. To a beginner, this may all look quite daunting but all of these extras have their purpose. Though the keys give you your standard piano sounds, you may want to add some other sounds to your music. That’s where the pads come in. These are usually used to add some drum beats to your compositions, though you can use your software to add other sounds of your liking, musical phrases, or other features you want to be included. This gives your music some extra depth. The faders, knobs, buttons, and arpeggiators are all added in for performance control. These controls can all be mapped to the Logic Pro X software, allowing you to adjust settings and add in what you need as you go. Of course, not everyone wants all of these extras, so if you are interested in a more basic model, a MIDI controller like the Korg NANOKEY2BK may be a good choice. You should also remember that the more of these pads and controls you have on your controller, the higher the cost will be. Simple designs are better for those on a budget or who don’t need all the bells and whistles to create some good music.
Weight and dimensions
The weight and dimensions of the best MIDI keyboard controller for Logic Pro X matters for a few reasons. If you plan to set your controller on a desk and leave it there, the weight won’t really matter very much. It only comes into play if you plan to take your music on the road for composing while you travel or for live performances. The more weight you’re carrying, the harder it will be to transport all your gear to wherever you’re heading. That’s why those on the road should consider models like the Korg NANOKEY2BK, which is light enough that it won`t be a burden, no matter where you`re going. The dimensions are also an important feature for traveling with your recording equipment. A bulky one will require a special carrying case or a large suitcase to keep it safe on the road. Smaller models can fit into a backpack, so you can just tuck them in with your laptop and head out. Of course, the dimensions are also something to look at for home use, especially if you have limited space. Smaller desks may not be able to support a full-sized MIDI keyboard controller, so be sure to measure how much room you have to spare for one and get the model that has the features you need while still fitting in that area.
Price
The price of a MIDI keyboard controller for Logic Pro X varies, depending on the size of the product and the features it uses. A small model with a more simple design can cost as little as $50, though you will be a bit limited with what you can do with it. A larger model with the maximum number of keys possible and all the faders, knobs, and buttons you could ask for can range up to $500 or more, which is well worth it if you intend to use the controller to its full potential. If you`re on a budget, though, it may be best to stick with something a bit less pricey.
Extra features
Though the features described above are the main ones you`ll want to look for when choosing a MIDI keyboard controller, there are a few other things worth noting. This will ensure you have the best quality tool to meet your needs. One thing to look at is the build quality of the controller. Those made of heavier materials, like metal, will last much longer than ones made of plastic. This is especially important for those who plan on doing some traveling with their equipment. The sturdier the design, the more bumps and knocks it can withstand without falling apart. The cables that come with it are also something to look at. Some models come with a power cable, while others get their power directly from the Mac, PC, or laptop they are plugged into. Different consoles require different cords as well, especially if the MIDI controller can be used with a handheld device like an iPad or smartphone. The more systems it`s compatible with, the more cords you may need, so be sure it has them all or you may be spending some extra time and money finding the ones you need later. Quite a few of the models we reviewed here have some backlighting on the pads or other controls. These are handy for a few reasons. Though your home studio may be brightly lit, those performing may be doing so in darker venues, so the backlighting helps you keep track of all the controls you need. Some models, also offer color-coded backlighting, so you can set different colors for different sounds and effects, keeping everything nicely organized for recording, mixing, or performing. Even if you`re using Logic Pro X with your MIDI keyboard controller, it is still nice to have some free software that helps with the setup of the controller when you first start out with it. These bits of free software may also integrate with Logic Pro, making it easier to map your controls or adjust the settings as needed. You may also want to look at the warranty for the product you`re buying. As well as how long the MIDI controller is covered for, this will also tell you exactly what is backed, including the casing, keys, knobs, and every other piece of the controller. The more coverage you have, the more comfortable you will be using this handy tool at home or on the road.
back to menu ↑Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my controller to an iPad?
Logic Pro X software is only compatible with a Mac, so you can`t use this particular software with an iPad. This doesn`t mean you can`t use a MIDI controller with an iPad, you just can`t do so to use Logic Pro X. If you would like to use your controller with this type of device, you can choose to use Logic Remote instead, giving you many of the same functions as Logic Pro X, plus adding in some Touch Instruments and creating some custom key layouts as well. Be sure to check that the controller has the right cord for connecting to the iPad before you buy it.
Are these models compatible with other DAW software as well?
Yes, all of the models we have reviewed can be used with many different types of popular DAW software, such as Ableton, Cubase, Reason, or Pro Tools. You don`t need to use Logic Pro X for you composing, mixing, or recording if you prefer another type of software. Of course, you`ll need to check the manufacturer`s information to be sure it will work with the software you prefer before you buy one, to be sure you have what you need.
Which model is suitable for beginners?
The Alesis V49 is a good choice for beginners. It has a simple design that is easy to learn, even if you are trying out a MIDI controller for the first time. It also comes with a few controls to add some range to your composing, without overwhelming you. The Korg NANOKEY2BK and the IK Multimedia iRig Keys are also good beginner options for the same reasons.
back to menu ↑WRAP UP
When searching for a new MIDI controller, there are some features you should pay close attention to. How many keys it has and whether they are weighted or not will affect how you play, especially if you are already an accomplished pianist. The types of controls it has is also essential, as the knobs, faders, and pads can create different sounds and effects. The dimensions should fit the space you have available. If you plan on traveling with your equipment, you should also check out the controller`s weight.
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