A keyboard MIDI controller can simplify the music creation process significantly. Beyond keyboard controls, the powerful MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) communications protocol can allow for incredibly flexible control over pretty much any parameter in digital audio equipment. This includes, notably, audio production tools in digital audio workstations, among many other instruments and computers.
So then, it makes perfect sense that there's a huge market for MIDI controllers. Typically these controllers will have triggers (buttons, pads and/or keys) and control parameters (sliders, knobs, wheels, etc.). With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to pick just one (or however many you need) for your setup.
There are plenty of important factors to consider when selecting your MIDI controller(s). The brand is not so critical, though knowing the top brands should help to point you in the right direction.
In this article, we'll discuss the top 11 MIDI controller brands with an emphasis on music creation. In other words, we'll emphasize keyboard-type and pad-type controllers. I feel the need to make this distinction because DAW controllers/control surfaces (they look like studio mixing boards) are also technically MIDI controllers (for the most part).
Okay, back to the article at hand!
The top 11 best MIDI controller brands in the world are:
Of course, any “best of” list is subjective by nature. I've done my best to make this as objective as possible. I've included my own bias and the opinions of others (in real life, in online forums, and by which brands professionals use).
We’ll get into each of these brands in greater detail to explain why they made this list. I’ll also include an example of a MIDI controller from each of the brands, along with a link to their official websites and info on the companies' histories.
Related My New Microphone articles:
• The Ultimate MIDI Controller Buyer’s Guide
• Top 7 Best MIDI Cable Brands In The World
Click here to return to My New Microphone’s articles on musical equipment brands/manufacturers.
Novation
Novation makes plenty of superb MIDI controllers and has an ongoing relationship with the wildly popular DAW developer Ableton (makers of Ableton Live).
The company's successful Launchpad series was first introduced in 2009 with the original Launchpad. It was one of the very first grid-based keyboard-less controllers, which have become staples in the Electronic and Hip-Hop markets. Of course, samplers like Akai's line of MPCs were designed with grid trigger pads long before, but Novation brought this idea to the DAW MIDI controller.
The Launchkey line from Novation combines typical DAW control parameters (buttons, faders, pads, knobs, expression wheels) with keyboard controls for superb, top-of-the-line MIDI controllers.
Novation draws up its rich heritage and forward-thinking team to create devices, like MIDI controllers, that push technology forward while withstanding the tests of time (which is important as computer technology improves increasingly fast).
Notable MIDI Controller: Launchkey 61 (link to check the price on Amazon)
Novation was founded as “Novation Electronic Music Systems” in 1992 by Ian Jannaway and Mark Thompson in the United Kingdom. The company is headquartered in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom.
Official Website: novationmusic.com
Novation is also featured in the following My New Microphone article:
• Top 11 Best Synthesizer Brands In The World
Akai Professional
I mentioned Akai's successful MPC line of samplers already. It makes sense that the company would go on to produce some of the world's best MIDI controllers as well.
Akai Professional has a long history to take ideas from, and plenty of great minds focused on producing the best music-making tools possible. The brand's MIDI controllers are intuitive and powerful, allowing users to get their ideas out quickly and effectively.
With so many controllers (both pad-centric and keyboard-centric), you'll certainly be able to find a perfect product for your studio setup with Akai.
Notable MIDI Controller: MPK261 (link to check the price on Amazon)
Akai was originally founded as “Akai Electric Company Ltd.” in 1946 by Masukichi and Saburo Akai in Tokyo, Japan and became defunct in 2002. Grande Holdings (Hong Kong) took over Akai's electronics brand, and in 2005, inMusic Brands took over Akai's musical instruments brand, rebranding as Akai Professional. The company is headquartered in Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA.
Official Website: akaipro.com
Parent Company: inMusic Brands
Native Instruments
Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of audio production software and hardware. The company is perhaps best-known for its astonishing amount of software instruments and the incredible sound and functionality of said instruments. However, if you've been involved with music production for some time, you'll likely know that NI's MIDI controllers are also some of the best in the world.
Because NI's software products are so widely cherished in the music industry across all genres, the controllers may not get the credit they deserve. Rest assured that the same innovation and drive are applied to the company's MIDI controllers. The hardware has the same great attention to detail and design philosophy that stimulates creativity in whoever chooses to play them.
Notable MIDI Controller: Komplete Kontrol S88 Mk2 (link to check the price on Amazon)
Native Instruments GmbH was founded in 1996 by Stephan Schmitt and Volker Hinz in Berlin, Germany, where the company is still headquartered today.
Official Website: native-instruments.com
Native Instruments is also featured in the following My New Microphone article:
• Top 11 Best Virtual/Software Instrument Plugin Brands
Nektar
Nektar is a relatively young company on this list. It's a company focused on producing transparent and intuitive hardware controllers for the ever-increasingly powerful audio software. The goal is to provide musicians with tactile products that allow the seamless integration between hardware and software.
Nektar works toward this goal relentlessly, teaming up with various DAW software makers to produce both DAW-specific and universal controllers that integrate beautifully with the workstations.
The team of experienced engineers at Nektar has tons of experience in the field of audio hardware and software. Combing this know-how with the forward-thinking of the company has produced some of the world's greatest MIDI controllers.
Notable MIDI Controller: Impact LX61+ (link to check the price on Amazon)
Nektar Technology Inc. was founded in 2009 by Niels Larsen (formerly of M-Audio) and is headquartered in North Hollywood, California, USA.
Official Website: nektartech.com
Arturia
Arturia is a French company that specializes in both software and hardware for musicians. Their software instruments, surface controllers, synthesizers and MIDI controllers outperform much of the competition.
This brand offers some deeply impressive controllers. Even the smaller controllers are designed with superb functionality.
With a passion for sound and technology, the Arturia team members (being musicians themselves) are dedicated to producing inspiring and powerful yet user-friendly tools. The brand's awesome MIDI controllers reflect this dedication beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Notable MIDI Controller: KeyLab 88 MkII (link to check the price on Amazon)
Arturia was founded in 1999 by Frédéric Brun and Gilles Pommereuil in Grenoble, France. The company is still headquartered in Grenoble, France.
Official Website: arturia.com
Arturia is also featured in the following My New Microphone article:
• Top 11 Best Synthesizer Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Audio Plugin (VST/AU/AAX) Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Virtual/Software Instrument Plugin Brands
Alesis
Alesis is a brand that produces a wide variety of products, ranging from electric drum kits to PA Systems to headphones to MIDI controllers (and much more).
The company aims to deliver high-quality products at affordable prices to both amateur and professional musicians and technicians/engineers. The MIDI controllers are a perfect example of superbly designed tools that don't break the bank.
Alesis has drawn on its long history of keyboard design and studio recording equipment manufacturing to bring forth some of the best MIDI controllers on the market today.
Notable MIDI Controller: VI61 (link to check the price on Amazon)
Alesis Studio Electronics was founded in 1984 by MXR co-founder Keith Barr in Hollywood, California, USA. In 2001, Alesis filed for bankruptcy, and in 2002, the company was acquired by inMusic Brands. Today the company is headquartered in Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA.
Official Website: alesis.com
Parent Company: inMusic Brands
Alesis is also featured in the following My New Microphone article:
• Top 9 Best Digital Piano Brands In The World
M-Audio
M-Audio is a big name in audio interface and studio integration solutions. In addition to the brand's superb studio monitors, microphones and interfaces are several high-quality MIDI controllers worth knowing about.
The Oxygen8, released in 2002, was M-Audio's (then “Midiman”) first portable 25-key MIDI controller. Though it certainly wasn't the first of its kind, the Oxygen8's popularity practically brought a whole new category of portable MIDI controllers to the market.
The company has a successful history of offering connection solutions between studio hardware and software and between MIDI, audio and computer devices. It's no surprise, then, that M-Audio's MIDI controllers are among the best on the market today.
M-Audio is continuously improving and building upon its legacy as a superb brand for MIDI interfaces and controllers.
Notable MIDI Controller: Oxygen Pro 61 (link to check the price at Sweetwater)
M-Audio is also featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Audio Interface Brands In The World.
M-Audio was founded as “Midiman” in 1998 by Tim Ryan in the United States. Avid acquired the company in 2004 and, in 2012, sold M-Audio to inMusic though Avid still owns the Mbox range of audio interfaces and some other former M-Audio products. Today, M-Audio is headquartered in Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA.
Official Website: m-audio.com
Parent Company: inMusic Brands
M-Audio is also featured in the following My New Microphone article:
• Top 11 Best Audio Interface Brands In The World
Behringer
Behringer can sometimes be a controversial addition to these sorts of lists. Love it or hate it, the company's MIDI controllers are on point and are priced competitively.
Behringer is one of those huge companies that has a ridiculous amount of resources at its disposal. For pretty much any tool you can think of in the world of music and audio, Behringer has a product.
When it comes to MIDI controllers, Behringer has several high-quality options. The question, then, becomes about which option would work best in your specific situation!
Notable MIDI Controller: U-Control UMX610 (link to check the price on Amazon)
Behringer was founded in 1989 by Uli Behringer in Willich, Germany. The company is owned by Music Tribe (also founded and chaired by Uli Behringer), based in the British Virgin Islands.
Official Website: behringer.com
Parent Company: Music Tribe
Behringer is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Eurorack Module Synth Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Synthesizer Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Mixing Board/Console Brands For Home Studios
• Top 11 Best DAW Control Surface Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Direct Inject Audio Box Brands On The Market
ROLI
ROLI is a relatively young company. Made up of a multidisciplinary team of creators, ROLI is focused on producing the great musical instruments of the future. Along with these innovative instruments come innovative MIDI controllers, including ROLI's flagship product: the Seaboard.
This forward-thinking company continues to push forward, developing and improving new technologies to give musicians more creative control and freedom over their musical expression. These technologies can be found in ROLI's spectacular Seaboard MIDI keyboard controllers.
Notable MIDI Controller: Seaboard Rise 49 (link to check the price on Amazon)
ROLI was founded in 2009 by Roland Lamb in London, United Kingdom, where the company is still headquartered today.
Official Website: roli.com
Korg
Korg is a multinational corporation based in Japan. It offers a huge variety of superb musical products to the amateur and professional markets. The MIDI controllers of Korg are among the best in the world.
The company has a long lineage of top-performing keyboards and synthesizers. It also has plenty of experience in designing interfaces and in device compatibility. This familiarity and history have given Korg a huge advantage in producing its MIDI controllers.
Korg is devoted to creating instruments that inspire great music and to making music performance/production fun. One way it does so is with superb user-friendly MIDI controllers!
Notable MIDI Controller: Triton Taktile TRTK49 (link to check the price on Amazon)
Korg was founded as “Keio Electronic Laboratories” in 1962 by Tsutomu Kato and Tadashi Osanai in Tokyo, Japan. The company name was changed in 1975 and is now headquartered in Inagi, Tokyo, Japan.
Official Website: korg.com
Korg is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Synthesizer Brands In The World
• Top 9 Best Digital Piano Brands In The World
Roland
Roland is another multinational corporation based in Japan. Like Korg, it produces many superb electronic instruments and certainly high-level MIDI controllers.
Roland's MIDI controllers are built to last and offer the tools musicians want and need to produce music more effectively. The company's focus on performance and advanced technologies make for some of the best controllers on the market.
Notable MIDI Controller: A-88 MkII (link to check the price on Amazon)
Roland was founded in 1972 by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka, Japan. The company is headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan (moved in 2005).
Official Website: roland.com
Roland is also featured in the following My New Microphone article:
• Top 11 Best Synthesizer Brands In The World
• Top 9 Best Digital Piano Brands In The World
• Top 7 Best MIDI Cable Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Rackmount Case Brands On The Market
• Top 11 Audio Portable/Field Audio Mixer/Recorder Brands
Choosing the right MIDI controller for your workflow and budget can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive MIDI Controller Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next MIDI controller purchase.
This article has been approved in accordance with the My New Microphone Editorial Policy.
