If you are looking to buy a midi keyboard but are wondering about the price, we will recommend you the top budget MIDI keyboard with different price points. Through product experience and expert opinion, the top midi keyboards will be offered for you to consider before buying the product.
The 3 Top Budget Midi Keyboard and Price History
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Nektar
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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
Novation
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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
M-Audio
Last update on 2023-02-21 / Prices / Affiliate links / Images, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
The MIDI keyboard is a popular musical instrument today. There are many manufacturers on the market with different models, designs and prices. This will surely need clarification as to which product is suitable for you.
MIDI keyboards have a wide range of prices for MIDI keyboards. It’s not that the more expensive, the better the MIDI keyboard you can get. The important thing is that you know how to choose a suitable product.
Therefore, with market research and experience, Axreview brings the top budget midi keyboard for 2023 with the hope that you will find the MIDI keyboard that suits your budget.
Top MIDI Keyboard Under $100: Nektar, 49-Key Midi Controller (SE49),Black white Grey
Top MIDI Keyboard Under $300: Novation Launchkey 49 [MK3] MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live
Top MIDI Keyboard Under $500: M-Audio Hammer 88 – USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 88 Hammer Action Piano Style Keys Including A Studio Grade Recording Software Suite
1. Nektar, 49-Key Midi Controller (SE49), Black white Grey
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The 49 synth-action, velocity-sensitive keys seem shockingly expensive for the price of this MIDI controller. The crimson accent underneath the keybed adds a wonderful touch.
You’re not going to get a lot of controls at this pricing range with this many keys. Nektar does an excellent job of cramming controller functionality into the four buttons and one slider.
The four buttons are standard octave and transpose buttons found on most midi keyboards. If you go further, they may be used as DAW transport controls, explore patches, alter MIDI channels, or pick tracks.
Overall, the SE49 is an excellent MIDI keyboard for producers who prefer keys over buttons and knobs but still want some change from a $100 bill.
Specifications:
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Keys: 49 keys with dynamic sensitivity
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Fader: 30mm
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Power Supply: USB bus-powered
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Weight: 2.2 kg
Today’s Good Deal: $84 At Amazon
2. Novation Launchkey 49 [MK3] MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live
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With 61 keys, the model under consideration is the biggest in the line. Along with the standard 25- and 49-key choices, a 37-key version is now available for individuals who find the 49 too large or the 25 too little.
The features are the same across the board, except the fader bank, which is only available on the 49 and 61 models.
The hardware exudes a composure that simultaneously makes you grin and enhances your expectations. A cool blue-backed LCD complements the red three-digit display with two rows of 16 characters.
The pads are situated just a little lower, and all of the other buttons match the design and height.
The knobs are bigger and more robust than the ones on the Launchkey Mini. They are upright, cylindrical, and somewhat rubberized to the touch. They provide consistent, smooth resistance.
The faders have a similar feel and are now complemented with RGB buttons, which will undoubtedly come in handy.
It can be said that, with the above features, Novation Launchkey 49 is a smart choice for a MIDI Keyboard Controller under $300.
Specifications:
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Keys: 61 keys with dynamic sensitivity
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Fader: 45mm
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Power Supply: USB powered
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Weight: 3 kg
Today’s Good Deal: $223 At Amazon
3. M-Audio Hammer 88 – USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 88 Hammer Action Piano Style Keys Including A Studio Grade Recording Software Suite
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The 88-note controller has a gorgeous keyboard and all the MIDI functionality you can swing a stick at. The Hammer 88 Pro’s main mechanical feature is its graded hammer-action keys. These are the same keys that made the previous model, the Hammer 88, popular with pianists who value pianistic authenticity. They are designed to replicate the mechanics inside a genuine piano.
A little OLED display in the controller’s center should not be neglected. It allows users to adjust settings from the piano and check in on parameters at a glance, significantly improving productivity. Nine faders, 16 velocity-sensitive pads, and eight knobs and buttons round out the performance controllers. Finally, the transport controls include record and loop buttons, which all have a nice feel to them.
With a price of $500, a price that is not low, consideration is extremely important. M-Audio Hammer 88 is a wise choice for you.
Specifications:
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Keys: 88 hammer-action keys
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Fader: 9 assignable faders
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Power Supply: USB-MIDI and 5-pin MIDI I/O
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Weight: 18.5 kg
Today’s Good Deal: $499 At Amazon
There are a few things you should know before purchasing a MIDI keyboard. These include the optimal amount of keys, why compact keyboards aren’t necessarily the greatest, and how key weight affects how it feels to play.
1. The number of keys
Some typical key combinations include 25, 32, 37, 49, 61, 88, and 91.
It is a lottery ticket with random numbers, but they correspond to the number of octaves on a piano. For example, 49 keys will provide you with four octaves, which is enough room to perform a tune with two hands.
Any higher than 49 results in heavy keyboards yet have lots of areas to move your hands about. Anything fewer results in small MIDI keyboards that are ideal for a desktop but are incapable of playing complete songs.
2. MIDI Keyboard Platter
Because smaller keyboards have fewer keys to play, you can only use one hand at a time. Consequently, after you’ve finished using the mouse cursor, you’ll have to hit a button to alter octaves or move MIDI notes around in the DAW.
Instead, getting a bigger MIDI keyboard removes these obstructions, allowing you to concentrate more on the music. There’s nothing worse than dealing with technical troubles while in the middle of a creative flow, which is why experienced users advocate at least 49 keys.
3. Faders, Knobs, and Pads
Anyone will be drawn in by the multitude of flashy and colorful buttons on a keyboard. The more buttons a keyboard has, the better it is. However, before you choose the keyboard with the most knobs, pads, and faders, remember that most of them do not operate right out of the box.
Unlike the keys, which should need little to no programming in your DAW, the knobs will require a function to be assigned. This depends on your application, but it contributes to the learning process in any case.
4. Important Dimensions
Many people need to be made aware that various key weights are available for keyboards. They are classified into three types: weighted, semi-weighted, and unweighted. The first thing to remember is that the weight of the keys affects how the keyboard feels.
A keyboard with weighted keys will feel more like playing a real piano, making it easier for players to transition from a real piano to a plastic keyboard.
Is a 37-key MIDI controller sufficient?
Some will have much more features and functions than others. The 37-key MIDI controller is handy while yet allowing you to play more than a 25-key controller.
Do I need 61 or 88 keys?
The majority of keyboards have 66, 72, or 88 keys. A 66-key instrument is suitable for learning to play for a novice, while a 72-key instrument can play most music. A complete 88-key piano is advised for anybody interested in learning classical piano, particularly if you intend on one day playing a conventional piano.
Is it worthwhile to invest in a MIDI keyboard?
Image search results for “cheap midi keyboard”
As a general rule, having a MIDI keyboard in your home studio is beneficial. It is significantly easier to record MIDI parts performed on a keyboard than it is to input them into a piano roll editor or on-screen keyboard. Parts recorded from a keyboard avoid seeming robotic since they were performed by a real person.

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