Best Midi Keyboard Under $200: Top 5 Picks in 2020

Are you keen on music production? Are you serious about creating music on computers? As a musician, a midi keyboard is one of the best and most important instruments that you need to have. A midi keyboard, in case you didn’t know, is an electronic musical keyboard that is piano-style. This device usually has wheels, buttons, and sliders utilized for sending a MIDI signal or command through a USB or MIDI five-pin cable to computers or musical devices operating and connected on similar MIDI protocol.

Today, there are tons of midi keyboards on the market. As a result, choosing the best one that possesses everything that you need at a reasonable price can be a daunting task.

You may like: Top 5 Best Midi Keyboards for Garageband 2020

To help you in finding such a midi keyboard, we’ve created this article for you. In this post, you will be able to see the best affordable midi keyboards under 200. In fact, this price range is quite affordable, considering the features and functionality they offer.

So if you are ready to get the best budget midi keyboard under 200 that you can use, then let’s get started. 

Midi Keyboard Comparison Table

Best Value Midi Keyboard

Product Image	Product Name	Brand	Value	Check Price
	Novation Launckey 49-USB Keyboard	Novation	$$$	Buy on Amazon
	M Audio Keystation 49 MK3	M Audio	$$$	Buy on Amazon
	Korg 37-Key Midi Controller MKEYAIR37	Korg	$$$	Buy on Amazon
	AKAI Professional LPK25	AKAI Professional	$$$	Buy on Amazon
	IK Multimedia iRig Keys Pro 37	IK Multimedia	$$$	Buy on Amazon

Top 5 Best Midi Keyboard Under 200 Reviews

As a music producer, a good midi keyboard is very important. Indeed, everyone who is keen on music production should have at least one controller. Nowadays, there are some products of keyboards that are hundreds of dollars.

Choosing a midi keyboard that has everything you have to get with a budget price. When looking for a midi keyboard, you may be going for microphones, studio monitors, as well as other stuff. That’s why the budget needs to be handy. Let’s right jump into our top five best midi keyboard under $200 on the market today.

Novation Launckey 49 Key Midi Controller – Best Overall

This 49-key midi keyboard has almost everything that you need from this type of musical device; in fact, it is the reason why we considered it the best overall. 

Novation Launchkey 49 has assignable controls, arming tracks that have track selectors found under the sliders, transposing notes, and DAW transporting.

This Novation 49 Key Midi Controller can also be used for Ableton lives that are ideal for triggering a sample and launching a clip. 

Novation LaunchKey midi keyboard comes with software for both PC and MAC. What’s more, it comes equipped with a 1/4-inch jack socket, a pedal, an LED display, and 16 full-color RGB backlit velocity-sensitive drum pads.

Another good thing about this product is that it is backed by a three-year warranty. 

M Audio Keystation 49 MK3 – Cheap 49 Key for Beginners

If you are looking for the best midi keyboard under 200 that is best suited for beginner musicians, then you will never go wrong with the M Audio Keystation MK3. 

Though this product is not as fancy as more expensive ones, it is more than responsive and full-size. What’s more, its casing is not the most durable, but it lights in weight to bring wherever you go. Most importantly, it can survive a few bumps.

This 49-key midi keyboard comes equipped with transport controls that you rarely see in such low price units. In addition to that, there are modulation wheels, pitch bend, as well as a master volume that are all assignable.

M Audio Keystation MK3 is very easy to use. All you need to do is plug it on your MAC or PC, and you are good to go.

Lastly, it comes with a number of premium suite software such as XPAND 2, Eighty-Eight Ensemble, Vacuum Pro, Loom, Hybrid 3, Velvet, Eleven Lite, Ableton Live Lite, and ProTools first.

 

The ProTools first that comes in this midi keyboard is not compatible with MacBook with High Sierra.

Korg 37 Key Midi Controller MKEYAIR37 – Best Portable

When it comes to portability and lightweight, Korg 37-key midi controller will not disappoint you. Though this product is not available in the available 49 counts, it still worth considering because of its very affordable price tag.

With regards to that key, they feel nice as well as velocity-sensitive. What’s more, it is USB powered, and it means you don’t need to experience the hassle of bringing an adapter. Additionally, you will obtain an octave shift as well as the key transpose button. There are also mod wheels and pitch bend.

However, this midi keyboard under 200 does not come with the price-adjusting software bundle. But you can always download that KORG Kontrol Editor for free.

Nevertheless, if you are looking for a midi keyboard that you can easily bring while you’re traveling, then look no further than the Korg 37-Key Midi Controller.

 

AKAI Professional LPK25 – Best 25 Key Midi Keyboard

The AKAI Professional LPK25 is a full-featured and 25-key midi keyboard under 200. It also sports a plug and plays design so that you will be able to start your own studio at home or even at professional recording environments without any hassle. This bets midi keyboard under 200 will fit under your music desk or computer easily. 

AKAI Professional LPK25, on the other hand, has all the important features that you would anticipate with a decent 25-key keyboard. It has velocity-sensitive mini-keyboard keys perfect for playing melody, chords, bass lines, and among others. There is also octave down and up buttons that will increase the midi keyboard to the full musical range. Not only that, but there is also a sustain button for an expressive performance.

AKAI LPK25 also has four programmable memory banks, effects, and virtual instruments. Nevertheless, this product works with almost all popular apps such as Digital Performer, Fruity Loops, Reason, ProTools, Ableton Live, Cubase, Sonar, Logic, and GarageBand.

 

IK Multimedia iRig Keys Pro 37 Key Midi Keyboard

This 37-key midi keyboard from IK Multimedia is ideal for traveling performers and musicians. With its ability to hook up with applications more rapidly, you will be able to play it on IOS devices.

IK Multimedia iRig keys come with a soft keyboard that has decent velocity sensitivity. This product, on the other hand, has two-hand playability; thus, you can express your ideas without restrictions quickly.

Since it only measures 24 inches and weighs 3.5 pounds, you will not have a hard time moving it from one place to another. 

Nevertheless, this midi keyboard works with the majority of DAWs like GarageBand and Cubase

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

What are the things that must be taken into consideration when buying a midi keyboard under 200?

Here are the most important things that you need to consider when buying

Size and Weight

The first important feature to look at when choosing the best midi keyboard is the number of the key you want. Determine if which keys you want to choose from 25, 49, or 61 keys.  If you are traveling a lot of space in your home is not big, always check the product’s size and weight. But as a piece of advice, it is best that you opt for a midi keyboard that has durable keybeds yet smaller keys. 

Aftertouch

This is actually a dynamic control function. Thanks to this feature, you can physically manipulate the sound from your controller after engaging the key. If you want to use physical pressure differences in order to adjust the strength of the release accordingly, you just need to press and hold down the note.

Midi Sync/ CV Gate

This factor is to send Midi info data between devices for recording applications while you are using the hardware synths or drum machines.

The control voltage normally aims to control the transmission of the pitch. And, the gate is to control if the note is on or off.

When being into live hardware recording, it’s important to make sure you own the right Midi functionality within your controller.

Velocity

This feature shows you the amount of different pressure sensor outputs. Typically, a standard keypress comes with 127 points of velocity. Therefore, you can get expressional playing. Although there are various plugins that can control and map velocity themselves, there are still 127 points of velocity in the industry-standard.

Weighted Keys

A lot of controllers are designed with the integration of weighted or semi-weighted keys. This purpose to simulate your feeling of playing a normal acoustic piano. A lever mechanism allows the hammers on each key to be linked to the key.

This can be an essential feature in an electronic controller because this is a combination of it with the use of velocity in order to make a more natural feeling when you play. Because of no resistance on the keys, it may be more difficult for those who are playing on an acoustic piano to achieve the right feeling when playing a note.

Pedal Functionality

We can see the option for an expression pedal in some Midi controllers. This means they are able to attach a sustain pedal via a 0.25 inches TRS lead. Also, these products can send as well as receive info within the keyboard.

When compared to the sustain pedal seen on an acoustic piano, the digital sustain pedals have the same way of working. You can easily buy them from many music retail outlets.

Feel of the keyboard

The second thing that you need to consider is the keyboard’s feel. If you do not like the way the key feels and responds, you might find it hard to concentrate. What’s more, this will lose the flow of your work. 

Before you make a purchase, make sure that you read some customer reviews about the product you are considering to learn more about the feel of the keyboard since these customers have already tried the product. However, if you get confused since these people are giving different opinions, that last thing that you can do is perform your own research.

Ease of use

Another factor to consider is the product’s ease of use. If it is your first time, make sure to opt for a midi keyboard under 200 that is specially designed for beginners. As a matter of fact, this midi keyboard will give you a smooth transition as you learn. However, due to the advancement of technology, some midi keyboards for pros can be utilized with ease.

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Compatibility 

If you’re an amateur or beginner, you may want to know which DAW will go with the midi keyboard.

Nevertheless, to make things much simpler, a lot of manufacturers these days come with basic software that has a controller. What’s more, you don’t even have to obtain a new one. 

Midi keyboards, most especially the modern ones, are made in a way that they are completely compatible with the most popular software. Steinberg Cubase, Reaper, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and Pro Tools are among the most popular software.

What Are The Benefits of A Midi Keyboard?

In the actual fact, midi keyboards can offer a lot of benefits. Some of which will completely change the manner you record and compose music. Read on to learn more about what this keyboard has to offer. 

It simplifies the recording process

If you are currently looking for a way that can help you in recording music, then you will never go wrong with a midi keyboard. This device is very easy to set up and use as well as lets you make high-quality beats.

With such a keyboard, you will surely enjoy controlling your music programs with the help of faders, sliders, and a wide range of knobs found on the MIDI that will let you manipulate your music programs’ control for more hands-on approaches. 

Trendy

At this moment, this piano-style electronic music device is trendy because of its stylish look. The user interface of a midi keyboard comes in many different alternative designs that consist of buttons and pads that are equipped in order to sense the velocity of your finger to either increase or lower the play volume. 

Makes the best melody

When it comes to making the best melody, a midi keyboard can provide an enormous advantage, most especially to music lovers. In fact, the created melody will have the most effective quality of sound. As a matter of fact, it is the capability of the midi keyboard that will control the sound, making them playable like other traditional music players.

Come with many keys

Midi keyboards are available in 25, 37, 49, 61, 76, and 88 keys. In fact, models with more number of keys are categorized and typically the piano-type keyboards. 

It provides a system that has the power of generating music and sound

A midi keyboard can be used to bridge the gap between the audio generated using modern computers by providing a system that has the capability of generating music and sound directly on the computer. 

For your information, a midi keyboard is a device that is specially designed to render a sound system that is synthesized via virtual surroundings.

How to use a midi keyboard?

Using a midi keyboard is pretty easy; all you need to do is follow the instructions provided by the product’s manufacturer. 

What Makes a Good Midi Keyboard?

A right Midi keyboard should not be expensive

Usually, we often think that the high quality accompanies an expensive product. However, this not valid in some cases. The fact is that the price of a product won’t be equal to its quality.

If you go shopping and make a great comparison, you will get a high-quality product at a reasonable price. However, you may get low-quality products for a high price if you are shopping as an inexperienced shopper. Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind this point whenever you go shopping for any musical instruments.

A good Midi keyboard is able to last a long time

A good product hasn’t not to always last 10-15 years. However, a quality musical instrument must be durable. Also, it must stand the test of time. Make sure you choose ones that will last a long period of time.

We advise you to take a look at other musician’s instruments. It’s best to look at people you like to model to see the kind of their keyboard. Also, see which keyboard has been for a long time/

A Good Midi keyboard is simple to use

A bloatware is not an essential additional feature you need. It’s not necessary to look for a midi keyboard designed with award-winning features before producing your great music. You need to determine if the keyboard comes with basic features, and if it needs complex programming before operating. Also, consider whether it’s easy to operate and handle for a beginner. If the keyboard doesn’t have these features, it’s time to look at another product.

Conclusion

All the midi keyboards we have mentioned in this article are ideal for everybody who loves listening to and making music. 

When it comes to the price, they are all under 200, which is not an expensive option considering the features they offer.  

If you are interested in music production, a midi keyboard can be a worthy investment. Nevertheless, if it is your first time to buy this kind of device and you are overwhelmed with the options available, it is best that you choose from the above-mentioned products, since they are all unique and great units. In addition to that, they can offer you a lot of purposes.

We hope that this article has helped you a lot in finding the best midi keyboard under 200.