Mini MIDI Keyboards, UnMIDIgated Creativity
There are a lot of versatile instruments out there, but few can match the portability of a mini MIDI keyboard, and they can’t even touch the kind of variety MIDI technology brings to the table. If you’re looking for a compact and powerful way to make some tunes, look no further. Read on for our Mini MIDI Keyboard buyer’s guide and to see some recommended models.
Features To Watch Out For
These midi keyboards have a wide range of features that lend themselves to cool effects and endless possibilities for your music making endeavors. It’s really incredible how some cool features have become available at lower price points too, making great music production accessible to all.
Pitch Bending and Modulation Hardware
These components allow you to spice up your music on the fly and create unique sounds very naturally. Some are equipped with smooth touch sliders, while others use tactile wheels or a thumb stick to achieve the effect.
Programmable Components
Donner DMK 25 MIDI Keyboard: Great Features, lots of programmable components, and an affordable price tag. Nice.
Besides the regular keyboard setup, many models use extra buttons or knobs that can be assigned to different sounds and functions via software, using these the keyboard becomes customized to your style of music and will feel more and more natural as you customize.
Arpeggiators
Another useful feature to look for is an Arpeggiator. This set of controls allows the user to lay down and manipulate arpeggiated chords for their recordings. With the right touch, you’ll be making retro synth-like tunes in no time.
Other Considerations
Durability
Another consideration when buying a MIDI keyboard is the build quality and intended use. Some are built with travel in mind and can be purchased with a case for travel. Others boast some great features but their weight or lighter build quality might make them a bad option for the traveling musician. In our recommended keyboards below we’ll lay out the quality and available accessories to inform your decision.
Templates for DAWs
MIDI keyboards can interface with your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) via templates and proprietary software from the company that produced it. This additional layer of control can be nice to have, especially for those who have never made digital music before.
Final Thoughts and Our Recommendations
MIDI Keyboards are a pretty complex piece of kit, and when you go smaller with it all of these features are jammed into a smaller form factor. Don’t worry though. As long as you keep in mind what we’ve laid out here and make decisions based on your specific needs, all will be well.
Below, find the recommendations we’ve come up with and find out more using the links after each product. Now let’s make some music!
If your looking for an entry into MIDI keyboards here’s your best bet. Sleek and Cheap, the Alesis V25 has great features (especially for the price) including a drum pad, programmable knobs and a decent build quality.
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This Vangoa Worlde unit makes the list for its Large RBG drum pad and super packable size. The lowered detent that holds all of the controls makes this keyboard packable into any space you could fit a laptop or large tablet.
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Smaller than a 13” Macbook and with almost as many keys, this keyboard features 40 RGB, programmable pads (yeah that’s 4 then a 0) , and 8 programmable knobs. AKAI products are known for their durability at the price point and this pad is no different.
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At the top end of the “portable” category is this Alesis V125. If you are in need of as many inputs as a 25 key form factor can handle, this is the board for you. All of the keys, knobs, and modulation wheels are backlit too, giving a great experience at gigs.
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And last, but most certainly not least, is our top pick for Mini MIDI keyboards. The MK3 sits at the crossroads of features, size, and style. With a footprint smaller than most laptops, Akai has managed to fit 8 programmable knobs and backlit drumpads, an intuitive and fun to use modulation/pitch thumb stick, and an arpeggiator. Bring that feature set together with a cool modern design and multiple color options and you’ve got a winner.
