The world of finances MIDI keyboards is aggressive to say the least. There are numerous corporations cranking out keyboards beneath $300, ranging in measurement from 25 keys to 88 keys. There are mini controllers for tossing right into a bag. Controllers with tightly built-in software program for simplifying sound design. Keyboards with MPC-style drum pads. Truthfully, it’s kinda onerous to go incorrect choosing any of them—they’ll all get the job performed.
Nonetheless there are a couple of, relying in your explicit wants, that rise to the highest. In the event you’re a consumer of Arturia or Native Instrument plugins, your finest bets are their respective KeyLab Important and Komplete Kontrol A sequence. However when you’re not locked into a selected firm’s ecosystem, or in case your DAW (digital audio workstation) of alternative is Ableton Reside, then Novation’s Launchkey sequence is a transparent standout. And, with the brand new MK4 revisions, it makes a stable case for finest finances MIDI controller interval.
{Photograph}: Terrence O’Brien
{Hardware}
There aren’t actually any surprises on the {hardware} entrance. The LaunchKey MK4 is a finances MIDI controller by way of and thru. The bigger 49- and 61-key fashions have semi-weighted keybeds which are first rate, however not nice. (The 37- and 25-key fashions have synth-action keybeds which are much more meh.) It’s principally plastic. And connectivity choices are primary however sufficient: only a USB-C port, maintain jack, and five-pin MIDI out.
There are a wealth of hands-on controls. 9 faders (on the bigger fashions), eight countless encoders, 16 pads, and numerous buttons. The faders and pads are fairly mediocre. The faders really feel a bit of low-cost and unfastened, and the pads simply can’t compete with these on Akai controllers. They’re positive for launching clips, however I wouldn’t need to finger drum on them. The buttons are pleasantly clicky, although, and the transfer from potentiometers to encoders means you don’t should cope with the chaos of parameters unexpectedly leaping round as you flip knobs.
{Photograph}: Terrence O’Brien
