If you are shopping for the best 49 key midi keyboards on the market, you are in the right place. While you might think there is a perfect keyboard, there is no right answer to what the perfect keyboard is, since a beginner might have different needs than an expert.
When we did our product reviews, we considered a variety of factors like controls, software, size, and weight, since each contributes to what tight of 49-key midi keyboard you buy. Size and weight matter if you are going to be traveling and carrying this unit around – in that case, you want a lightweight version. You should consider the controls and software-based upon what type of music you want to play and what type of computer you might link the machine to. No matter what your needs, we have a recommendation for you. Read on for more, and we will help you find which is the best 49-key USB midi keyboard to meet your needs!
More features: onboard USB-MIDI interface; core MPC tools
Offering a true professional keyboard experience, these keys respond best to your touch, meaning you do not have to hammer on the keys to get the right amount of sound. You will love all of the features with this keyboard, including faders and switches, for the ultimate musical styling. We love the piano style, making it feel as if you are playing away on a grand piano.
More features: durable
This Arturia is incredibly easy to use and is one of the best 49 key synth midi controllers available. Nice and simple, this is a great choice for beginners who are looking to learn the basics of piano or keyboard playing. This keyboard does come with a virtual studio, so you can record your sounds. This is helpful if you want to track your own improvement over time and listen back to see where you made any mistakes in the music.
More features: adjustable
This keyboard from Alesis is a top choice for playing virtual instruments, and it comes complete with a full suite of software making the interactions with your computer easy and efficient. The keyboard is slim and sleek and will into just about any workstation you have. This also makes it a solid option for travel. With full-size keys, this keyboard feels like you are playing right on a piano, and you do not have to worry about using smaller keys.
More features: no drivers or power supply required; compact design; premium software
From M-Audio, this semi-weight keyboard comes with a software suite making it easy to use with any computer system. Compact in design, you can fit this keyboard into any workstation. You can also customize the controls on this keyboard to use this while you are recording, and make the music sound exactly the way you intend it to. This is a great option for recording sound.
More features: powered via USB cable; comes with a manual
This USB keyboard controller from Midi-plus is a sleek option and is one of the best 49 key midi controllers with fl studio for beginners. The power source is simply the USB cable, meaning this machine can be used almost anywhere. Lightweight, this is a great module for just starting out, as it is responsive to the keystrokes.
More features: CR3-X monitors; professional build quality; internal eight-track pattern-based sequencer; comprehensive connectivity
This keyboard pack from Novation is the total package as you get more than just a keyboard. The monitors and cables with this package mean you do not have to buy anything else to set up this keyboard and start playing. The quality sounds will have you wonder how you played on any other instrument. With a lot of knobs and accessories, you can create some unique sounds.
Now that you have read through our top recommendations, let’s take a look at all the things you should consider before deciding upon what unit to purchase. Whether you are concerned with durability, software compatibility, or octave controls, we’ve got your covered.
One of the things to think about will be how fancy do you want your unit to be? Decide what your goals are. Are you a professional musician who needs a lot of faders and other controls to make your music stand out from the competition? Or, are you teaching a bunch of beginners and want access to an easier machine so the kids to now get scared off? There is something for everyone, and once you decide on your priorities, you can be ready to make your purchase.
There are a lot of advantages to buying this type of keyboard. You will be able to perform live concerts, and you can also do studio-level recording. With the right sound effects, you can sound like an expert keyboard player without much practice.
You will want to consider a variety of features before making your purchase. But, with a little reading, you will soon be able to purchase the best 49 key synth midi controller. Not all keyboards are created equal, and you will have to decide which of the below features you prioritize the most.
This is where you can get some unique options. From backlights to knobs, switches, and faders, you need to decide how many controls you want access to. Some of the more basic models do not have many of the fancy controls. This is fine if you are just playing at home or just for practice.
However, if you are looking to play live concerts or do a lot of studio recording, you want a lot of control. Some of these controls can add some unique sounds, and you can play with octave controls and faders which can make your music stand out from everybody else’s.
Will you be hooking up to a laptop? If so, is it a mac or a pc? While most of the items on our list are compatible with both, you need to find out for sure depending on what your software needs are. Pretty much all midi controllers come with some sort of software package, but some are more complete than others.
Our Editor’s Choice, the Akai Professional MPK249, comes with a software package that works on both pcs and macs. So, if you will be using a few different computers with your unit, this is a great choice for you. Even if you have a mac now if you think you might change to a pc sometime in the future, you should go with the software package that will work on either type of computer, so you do not find yourself shopping again in the future for another 49 key midi controller.
You can get some 49 key midi controllers that are a close equivalent to a regular piano, complete with full-size piano keys. These are great options if you are a serious player who wants to feel like you are playing the piano. However, do not be scared away by options that are a bit smaller, or have smaller keys. Sometimes beginners or children prefer the smaller option as it is easier to get a response from the keys that sounds best. Consider who will be using your midi controller the most, and what his skill level is.
If the size does not matter because you will be keeping this midi controller mostly stationary and set-up in one spot, then go with a bigger machine since it can carry more controls and give you more unique sounds to build into your playing.
Sometimes, a heavier or bigger midi controller can give you better music than a lightweight, smaller option that is a little bit more portable to carry.
Will you be traveling with your keyboard a lot? Are you an instructor who needs to carry the unit from house to house giving private lessons? If so, you want something lightweight that easy to travel with and also easy to learn for the beginners you are teaching.
If you want something lightweight, consider our Best Value choice, the midiplus USB MIDI keyboard controller. This is a great unit that is a good choice for beginners and is light to carry. It is powered by USB, so there is not much to carry around besides the plug and the keyboard.
The only downside to going lightweight is that most machines do not have a lot of widgets and fancy controls to help elevate your music. By sacrificing quality, you make the machines lighter and more portable. So, weigh the pros and cons of going lightweight with sacrificing some funkier controls and sound creation.
You can get a variety of accessories with your 49 key midi controller. Consider our Premium Pick, the Novation SL MkIII MIDI and CV 49 Keys Keyboard Pack, which comes with just about everything you could need in a package. You get more with this package than any other midi controller on the market. With monitors, drum pads, and 4GB of sounds and samples this is the total package complete with a wide variety of accessories that you will fall in love with.
If you do not want a lot of accessories, you have that option too. Maybe you just want a portable, lightweight controller that you just plug in via USB and are all set-up. Accessories are really an area where you have to decide what your priorities are before making your purchase.
We love all of the products on our list, but our top choice is clearly the Editor’s Choice, the Akai Professional MPK249, since it has such a great software system, making it compatible with just about any type of computer. If you are looking for value, take a look at our Best Value, the midiplus USB MIDI keyboard controller, since it is lightweight and ready for use by beginners. Now that you have read through our recommendations and product guide, you are all set and ready to buy the best 49 key midi controller to meet your needs!
