For people who regularly travel and need something to carry along, a 25 key MIDI controller may be ideal. Here are the top 3 options for you if all you’re looking for is something with full-sized keys at a reasonable price.
The 3 Top 25 Key Midi Controller and Price History
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SCORE
We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Brand
Akai Professional
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SCORE
We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Brand
Korg
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SCORE
We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Brand
AKAI
Last update on 2023-02-21 / Prices / Affiliate links / Images, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Touring artists, amateur producers, and even full-time studio producers may all utilize 25-key MIDI controllers. They serve as an intermediary controller that is effective for new players and seasoned professionals.
The explanation is straightforward: they are often sufficiently feature-rich, reasonably priced, and compact enough for tiny studios.
We’ll go out to the top 25-key MIDI controllers across all price ranges in this post. Check back for more!
Top Weight: Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
Top Friendly: Korg microKEY 25 USB MIDI Keyboard
Top for Clip Launching: AKAI Professional APC Key 25 MK2 – 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
1. Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII – 25 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
Image: Amazon
Since it has been making audio equipment for more than 30 years, Akai Professional is a reputable brand for small keyboards. An outstanding illustration of how superb Akai Professional instruments are is the MPK Mini MKII. It is made with the greatest quality materials, plays well, and has many cool features.
The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII has all the essentials you could ask for in a mini keyboard. For optimal visibility even in dimly lit areas, it boasts 8 pressure- and velocity-sensitive MPC-style illuminated pads and 25 velocity-sensitive keys.
Additionally, it contains a 4-way thumbstick and eight assignable controller pots that may be used to modulate and regulate the pitch. Out of the box, it is ready to use. You only need to plug it into your laptop or a power source for it to function since it has a USB connection.
Thankfully, Akai Professional VIP 3.0 virtual instrument software is included with the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII. As a system that can only be utilized when hardware and software are combined, they function seamlessly, allowing you to boost your productivity.
The Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII’s mobility is ideal for artists that often travel. It may easily fit within your bag because of its 1.65 lb weight and dimensions of 1.75 by 12.5″ by 7.13″.
The 8 Q-link knobs, which can be allocated for whatever function you desire, whether for changing plugins, mixing or another use, are another feature that DJs will like.
Overall, the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII is a top-notch technological advancement. It has been created with the musician and producer in mind, is portable, simple to use, and allows for productivity improvement.
Pros
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Its low weight of 1.65 lbs and compact size of 1.75 x 12.5″ by 7.13″ make it incredibly portable, ideal for a live performance, traveling, or integrating into your home studio workstation.
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It includes Akai Professional VIP 3.0 software, which has many effects, is compatible with the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII, and will assist you in producing your sound.
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The ergonomic 4-way thumb-stick is a wonderful feature that simplifies modulation and pitch control.
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It offers amazing value for the money because of the fantastic keyboard and the complimentary Akai Professional 3.0 software.
Cons
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A few people have mentioned having trouble configuring the keyboard with the accompanying software.
2. Korg 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard
Image: Amazon
The Korg microKEY comes with batteries, a USB cable, and clear instructions on how to set it up, which is simple to accomplish in practice. Even though the cord is relatively short and is the only real complaint we have so far, you can always use it wired and powered by USB.
Naturally, playing the keyboard seems constrained unless you are used to small keys. After a long play, however, these keyboards feel very excellent, the sort you’ll become accustomed to. Additionally, despite the unit’s tiny weight, it doesn’t move when you play.
Octave Select, an Arpeggiator, Sustain/Tap choices, and a joystick are the only controls on the device. Still, they link with one another to give you access to various capabilities.
The Octave Up and Down buttons are located on the top level, and pressing them repeatedly (up to four times in any direction) causes the LED color to change.
The joystick is originally configured to manage modulation and pitch (left/right). However, when you push the Arpeggiator button, the X-axis determines the kind of arpeggiation, and the Y-axis regulates the gate time (note duration). Very cool.
Overall, the Arpeggiator is simple to operate with the joystick combo; this has many MIDI control possibilities. You can even tap out your tempos while using it. But where it truly shines is in wireless networking.
However, we saw only a few issues with latency, which is the time between pressing a key and hearing the sound. We saw especially low numbers while using iOS applications.
Pros
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Well-constructed yet lightweight
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Wireless operation with low delay
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User-friendly
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A small keyboard with a good feel
Cons
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Mini keys won’t appeal to everyone.
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A short USB cord
3. AKAI Professional APC Key 25 MK2 – 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
Image: Amazon
The APC Key 25 is unique since it contains many buttons and is probably the only mini-keyboard designed for Live!
In addition to the standard 25 keys, it has a 5×8 grid of buttons for launching clips, scene launch buttons, and eight knobs. The level of clip control here is comparable to, for instance, the newly launched APC40, although there are fewer knobs and no faders.
Although the keyboard on the Key 25 could be more playable, given its size and cost, it is within the realm of possibility. Although it has a little squishy feel, it is enough for jotting down ideas and used onstage for basic melodies or bass lines.
We loved the Key 25 even more until we saw it had the same footprint as an 11-inch MacBook Air. This is a fantastic mix for concerts that are light and low-impact. Add a pair of in-ear headphones, and if you need a soundcard, consider the Apogee One or the NI Traktor Audio 2. The hard-core traveling computer musician needs that.
Overall, the APC Key 25 is designed primarily for traveling musicians who want keyboard movement and plenty of clip and scene launching. The availability of so many buttons could be a blessing. This may have replaced our previous hardware advice for business customers that travel light!
Pros
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A small yet very functional bundle. It becomes a mobile monster with those pads!
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The keyboard layout is clearly arranged, easy to see.
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Full control of the keys.
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Convenient commuting for traveling musicians.
Cons
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The keyboard has a little flimsy feel.
Keys: On a 25 key keyboard, weighted keys are not available. Despite this, the keys on different controllers might still differ significantly. Finding a controller with an aftertouch is advised since it will be a crucial feature.
Pads: Drum pads won’t be available on all controllers. Look for a controller with pads if you want to make beats. Pads will be useful for starting scenes and launching samples.
Other Controllers: Pitch bend and pitch modulation wheels/strips are available on other controllers. Generally speaking, I prefer wheels over strips. Given this, the strips are beneficial if you travel regularly.
Bundled Software: Some controllers are sold with complimentary software. VSTS or DAWS are often free software. When it comes to programming music for your controller, VSTS will be your best friend. Given that you’ll be conducting most of your work within your DAWS, it may be your command center.
Weight: If you want to travel regularly, weight is crucial. This won’t matter as much if you keep it in your studio. 25 key controllers typically weigh between 4 and 8 pounds at the top end.
Usefulness: 25 key controllers are the most practical thing there is. Despite being somewhat larger than tiny MIDI controllers, they also come with larger keys and often more functions.
Portable: They are extremely portable, even if they may not fit your bag as a tiny controller would. I regularly hid my 25-key controller beneath a van seat while on tour. Although it was portable, it was also tough enough for travel.
Offers A Different Feeling: Some producers like to have both a big and a little controller. Depending on the track and the people you are working with, it produces a different type of emotion. It’s good to pick up the smaller controller and get to work sometimes.
How many keys does a MIDI controller need?
Certain chord progressions are more difficult to play on a 25 key controller, often necessitating the use of the octave key, and other chord voicings are not conceivable. However, a 25 key controller will do if you insist you use one hand to compose music (we’ll assume basic bass lines and triads).
Are 25 keys sufficient to create beats?
Even though you may create excellent sounds, rhythms, and songs with just 25 keys, 88 key models are superior. It will need 88 keys (or at least 61 keys if space is an issue).
What can you use a 25-key keyboard for?
What are the uses of 25-key keyboards? A 25-key keyboard of the expert grade will be created for midi usage (musical instrument digital interface). Musicians and composers use these keyboards to enter music into computers.
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