the world of Inexpensive MIDI keyboards are competitive, to say the least. There are countless companies that make keyboards for under $300, with sizes ranging from 25 to 88 keys. There are mini controllers to keep in a bag. Controllers with tightly integrated software to simplify sound design. Keyboards with MPC style drum pads. Honestly, it’s a little hard to go wrong choosing any of them – they’ll all get the job done.
Still, there are some, depending on their particular needs, who rise to the top. If you’re a plug-in user from Arturia or Native Instrument, your best options are their respective KeyLab Essential and Komplete Kontrol A series. But if you’re not locked into a particular company’s ecosystem, or if your DAW (digital audio workstation) ) favorite is Ableton Live, then Novation’s Launchkey series clearly stands out. And, with the new MK4 revisions, it makes a strong case for the best budget MIDI controller period.
Photography: Terrence O’Brien
Hardware
There are really no surprises on the hardware front. The LaunchKey MK4 is an affordable MIDI controller through and through. The larger 49- and 61-key models have semi-weighted keys that are decent, but not great. (The 37- and 25-key models have synth-action keyboards that are even simpler.) It is mainly plastic. And the connectivity options are basic but adequate: just a USB-C port, a sustain connector, and a five-pin MIDI output.
There are a lot of handy controls. Nine faders (on larger models), eight endless encoders, 16 pads and countless buttons. The faders and pads are pretty mediocre. The faders feel a little cheap and loose, and the pads simply can’t compete with those on the Akai controllers. They’re fine for launching clips, but I wouldn’t want to touch them with my finger. However, the buttons are nice to click and the move from potentiometers to encoders means you don’t have to deal with the chaos of parameters jumping around unexpectedly as you turn the knobs.
Photography: Terrence O’Brien