Best Portable MIDI Controllers or Keyboards for 2022

Our Top 10 MIDI controllers that cover every need and will fit in your backpack!

Portable MIDI controllers are amazing. They are super cheap and you can take them with you everywhere you go. Plus, if your studio is running out of space, it is defiitely an option that will fit a tiny surface and serve its purpose.

So, if you are looking for a new Portable MIDI Controller in 2022, we’ve got you covered. Here is our Top 10 list with the best midi controllers you can buy:

Novation Launchpad Pro MK3

Novation has created a whole new category with its original Launchpad and since then, they continued to update it adding new features and models. Their latest and greatest is the Launchpad Pro MK3, which takes the Launchpad experience to the next level.

As always, it acts as a great Ableton Live controller, where you can launch clips and scenes, arm, mute, record clips, quantize, and many more. To add to that, you can play notes, chords, and drums like in the previous versions. And to top all that, they added a new powerful sequencer that only exists to the Pro model. Another great feature is that, for the first time, the Launchpad also operates as a standalone controller that you don’t need to connect to your laptop to work.

With all those features, Novation simply made the best Launchpad ever.

Arturia Keystep Pro

The original Keystep from Arturia is a modern classic when it comes to MIDI keyboards. And as was expected, Arturia made a Pro version adding a lot of functionalities. The Keystep Pro has 4 (!) independent polyphonic sequencers, a drum gate sequencer with MIDI, CV, and USB connectivity.

While the Keystep Pro can be the centerpiece for your entire studio, it is actually quite small with 37 mini keys and you can carry it with you for your gigs and live shows quite easily. It is also one of the best MIDI controllers for your Modular so if you want to take your case with you, you can just throw it in your backpack and jam everywhere.

M-Audio Oxygen Pro 25

M-Audio is quite famous for its MIDI controllers with the Oxygen Series. The Pro 25 model is a small and well-built keyboard with 25 Semi-Weighted keys. It is very rare to see quality keys on a cheap MIDI keyboard and that’s why we needed to include it in our list.

It also features 16 RGB velocity-sensitive pads to play drums and 8 assignable knobs and buttons. Everything you need, in a small, easy-to-carry package.

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A25

Native Instruments would certainly be on our list. The Komplete Kontrol A25 is a 25 Semi-Weighted Keys keyboard is a beautiful and slick MIDI controller. If you use a lot of Komplete VST instruments, the A25 is the perfect companion as it is already intuitively pre-mapped for you. It also comes with a bunch of Native Instruments plugins to get you started.

It has a very handy scale mode for all us clumsy keyboard players, a chord mode, and an arpeggiator on board.

DJ Techtools Midi Fighter 3D & Twister

The MIDI Fighter and Twister are two MIDI controllers made by Dj Tech Tools. Originally intended for DJs, to help them launch one-shots and clips or tweak some effect parameters and they became successful very quickly. Since then, these two started appearing in lots of music studios, and for a good reason.

The Fighter has 16 buttons, mostly used for finger drumming. The Twister has 16 customizable (and very satisfying) knobs that can be mapped to control anything you want. The RBG lights on both devices provide visual feedback to help you both in the studio and even more on stage.

There are times when you just need a few more buttons or knobs and that’s where these two come in hand. They do what they are made for in a simple and intuitive way, they are sturdy and they look great. And as a bonus, they fit in a large pocket. What’s not to love about them?

MIDI Fighter 3D

MIDI Fighter Twister

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3

MPK mini Mk3 is Akai’s smallest midi keyboard that has all the features you’ll need. 25 velocity sensitive keys, 8 pads and 8 knobs to map to your liking. Besides being a tiny and lighweight keyboard, the thing that makes the MPK stand out is it’s aesthetic. It comes in many colors to fit your studio aesthetic perfectly.

So, if looks matter to you, then the MPK will be your favorite portable controller!

Joué Play Pack

The Play Pack by Joué is a unique kind of controller. You ger the Joué board which you can use with the exchangeable pads that come with it. Each pad has a different type of MIDI controller. It has a keyboard, drum pads, keys, and a fretboard that you can mount onto the board and start playing.

It looks great and it is a very fresh concept that is worth your attention.

ROLI Lumi Keys

Lumi by ROLI is a beautiful and tiny MIDI keyboard that helps you learn music and get more creative. With its illuminating key, it can visually display a scale so you never press a wrong note when you’re jamming. And to continue the Seaboard legacy, Lumi provides full MPE support with per-key pitch bend and polyphonic aftertouch.

So, besides being a portable keyboard, Lumi can be educational and expressive like no other MIDI keyboard out there. Plus, it will look stunning in your Instagram Reels.

Monogram Creative Console

The Creative Console by Monogram is like a swiss army knife for your studio. It is a modular MIDI controller that has five types of modules. Core has two mechanical keys, Orbiter has a 3D pressure-sensitive pad, Dial with three knobs, Slider which has three sliders, and Essential Keys that has three keys.

You can combine as many modules as you want, in any layout that you want to fit your needs. As a bonus, Creative Console can also be a powerful tool for image and video editing as it works also as a controller for apps like Photoshop, After Effects, Final Cut, and more.

Certainly not for everyone, but if you are looking for a specialty kind of controller and you are also a video editor, Monogram’s Creative Console is a great option.

Akai APC40 MKII

Another entry by AKAI, the APC40 is one of the best companions for Ableton Live. Mostly fitted for live performances and jams the APC40 MKII can do it all when it comes to playing live. You can launch clips or scenes, mix with faders, and control many parameters and effects with its 16 knobs! It also has RGB pads so you know what clips you’re launching and arm/ solo buttons for Ableton to work more efficiently in the studio too.

Compact and fully featured, the APC is a great choice for people that not only make music in the studio but also perform live.

This list could easily feature more than 20 MIDI controllers and keyboards. We plan in making some more focused lists for keyboards, controllers and other devices that are made to make your life in the studio or stage a lot easier so stay tuned.

Did we miss some of your favorites? Let us know!

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