
A small, compact, manageable number of buttons and for a very low price-there are of course many questions when you come into contact with these instruments for the first time Famous Midi Keyboarders in the music scene are rather less known. And the Midi Keyboard is not exactly the classic Instrument that children have on their wish list when they want to play an Instrument. The Instrument addresses a specific target group, namely music producers and all those who deal with sound generation, patterns and more generally with sounds and effects.
Midi Keyboards generate sounds and transmit them to the device that can receive MIDI files using digital data transfer via the MIDI protocol. The creative possibilities that arise from this are endless. Also striking is the size and number of keys.
Table of contents
The best Midi Keyboards for getting started
Midi Keyboards with 25 keys for getting started
49-key MIDI Keyboards for higher demands
MIDI Keyboards with 61 to 88 keys
General information: what is a MIDI Keyboard?
The idea behind the MIDI keyboard
The connectors on MIDI Keyboards
Music production with Free Software
Purchase of MIDI Keyboards: general information
Purchase criteria when purchasing MIDI Keyboards
How much does a MIDI Keyboard cost?
Where to buy MIDI Keyboards online?
How useful was this article?
The best Midi Keyboards for getting started
Between a 50-Euro model and a 900-Euro model are worlds apart. There are also differences in the number of keys and the range of functions. Accordingly, it is recommended to focus more on the options and technical possibilities. To get started, the following Midi Keyboards for beginners with different key numbers from a wide range of models are presented. You will develop a sense of which model best suits you.
For people who are interested in technical sound generation, Midi keyboards are the right choice. For beginners, there are interesting Midi Keyboards for beginners for less than 100 Euro, which are equipped with interesting functions. These are presented here.
Midi Keyboards with 25 keys for getting started
Beginner MIDI Keyboard for beginners
Among the smallest models on the MIDI keyboard, the compact models with a manageable number of 25 keys. They are usually designed so that they can cope with a few buttons and controllers. But the gold-stamped not for all keyboards and do not let you deter from the 25 keys, even if the key sizes can be smaller. There are beginner Midi Keyboards for beginners in the compact Version with the few control panels and models with advanced settings, buttons, Pads and controls, also equipped with Pitch Bend wheels. If your requirements are higher and you want to spend money on high-quality models, then there are even less than 200 euros worth seeing models.
Midi Keyboards with Mini-keys can be used not only in the recording studio but also on the train or bus, for example. They are so small that they can easily be packed in and out of the bag. For your tastes, the following models are recommended.
M-Audio Code 25 USB MIDI Controller
M-Audio Code-25
25 standard stroke and pressure dynamic size buttons
four assignable zones for Splits and Layering
16 Trigger Pads
4 assignable Encoder 360
HID control
Control of multiple parameters in virtual instruments
VIP-3.0, including
2.8 Kg
25.4 x 53.1 x 7.1 cm
from 159 Euro, available here
Alesis V-Mini
Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII
49-key MIDI Keyboards for higher demands
For higher demands on sound generation, the 49-key MIDI Keyboards are a Good Option. These portable models offer better playability compared to the 25-key Midi Keyboards, and the feel of playing can be emphasized without permanent octave adjustment. The various functions, control elements and links with Software plug-ins can also be seen.
Roland A-49 Midi Keyboard Controller
high-quality Full-Size keyboard
49 touch-sensitive Full-Size buttons
USB powered
Two knobs, two switches, D-BEAM Controller
Bundle with Cakewalk Sonar LE DAW Software
2.5 Kg
83.6 x 18.2 x 8.4 cm
from 130 Euro, available here
MIDI Keyboards with 61 to 88 keys
Here we come to the dimensions of keyboards and piano keys. MIDI keyboards with 61 or 88 keys (rarely with 76 keys) meet the highest demands of music producers who combine the wide range of the keyboard with digital techniques. Die MIDI out of the Keyboards with semi-weighted keys, or even, hammer-action keyboard. There are no wishes left open.
Nektar Impact LX88
88 keys with semi-weighted keys
Layer and split functions
Pitch Bend Wheel
Modwheel
comprehensive control of DAW
(supports Bitwig, Cubase, Logic, Digital Performer, GarageBand, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason, Sonar and Studio One)
MIDI-output, Bitwig 8-track DAW Software and USB cable
128 x 27.94 x 8.89 CM
8.16 kg
from 249 Euro, available here
M-Audio Keystation 88 II
Alesis V61 USB-MIDI-Pad
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General information: what is a MIDI Keyboard?
In addition to the keyboard, these keyboards are usually equipped with Pads, controls, customizable settings and, depending on the model, with many other settings. The MIDI transfer protocol transmits digital data to compatible devices that receive the information with a MIDI in the connector.

Normal entry-level models between 50 and 100 Euro usually work with USB ports. The devices are switched on by connecting to the device being controlled. Thus, on such models, a power supply is not necessary. The device itself does not produce audio sounds. The sound generation is done with the connected device. For beginners, sound generation, filter settings in the form in conjunction with the appropriate software on the Laptop or PC are a great way to get in there.
The idea behind the MIDI keyboard
Sound generation based on digital information transmission is not new and the development of the digital interface for Musical Instrumental Digital Interface (MIDI) was developed in the early 1980s and has since been optimized and developed again and again. In the 80s there were already synthesizers. The choice of sound was then kept very manageable and the mixing of different sounds with great effort possible through elaborate cabling. This was possible with the introduction of the MIDI protocol nun. However, the sounds had to be edited again with a special mixing console, so that the sounds are superimposed. In today's audio software and virtual synths, this is no longer a problem.
The MIDI Keyboard is not a classical Instrument, but a control module and the possibilities are incredibly large if you have the right Software.
The connectors on MIDI Keyboards
There are three connectors between the connecting devices that you should remember MIDI-Out, MIDI-in, MIDI-Thru. MIDI Out sent the data another device, MIDI-In receives the data, MIDI-Thru is used as an intermediate station to transmit the data another device, Hardware, Software, etc. My Alesis VMIni it is a USB type B port (the thicker lines) which is linked at the other end with the standard USB connector of type A the other devices. If your MIDI files are installed in keyboards, look closely at the connectors.
Music production with Free Software
For the start of work, there is quite free Software, which has a wide range of functions. To the recommendations for beginners in the world of sound production and music production here. the MAGIX Music Maker is recommended for Getting Started, which is initially equipped with basic functions. If you want more modules, you can upgrade them a little after purchase. This is a fascinating world of its own full of diverse possibilities.
Of course, there are much better virtual synthesizers and music software on the market that would have to be purchased. But to the first orientation you can enjoy the free options and with the MIDI keyboard has its own fragrance set.
MAGIX Musicmaker
With the appropriate music software as in the example with the MAGIX Musicmaker, many design options arise. The Software integrates some basic options and can be extended by purchased Upgrade with additional functions.
Purchase of MIDI Keyboards: general information
Which model you are buying depends very much on your needs and demands. In professional work in recording studios, models with a special weighting of the keys and a variety of functions are Standard. I can not estimate, was your musical Background and how tech-savvy you are. But certain criteria should always be taken into account when it comes to the appropriate beginner MIDI Keyboard for beginners.
Purchase criteria when purchasing MIDI Keyboards