So are you looking for the best midi keyboard for fl studio? There are many of them from various brands, but only a few are up to the task. Choosing one of many can be daunting, and this guide will demystify the process for you with reviews of the top-rated midi drivers.
If you’re a logic pro user, check out our comprehensive guide to the best MIDI controller for Logic Pro X, where you’ll be luckier to find the logic pro perfect controller!
Table of Contents
Here are our top 7 Best MIDI Keyboards for FL Studio in 2022
- Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII
- Nektar Impact LX25+
- Alesis V61 MIDI Keyboard Controller
- M-Audio Code 49
- Novation Launchkey 25 MK2
- Nektar Impact GX61
- Akai Professional Fire
Whatever your budget, here you can find an ideal choice of the best midi controller for fl studio and all other areas of your life that demand pristine performances.
🏆 Quick Look at the Best MIDI Controller for FL Studio 🏆
The 7 Top-Rated MIDI Keyboards for FL Studio: Our Picks
Its review time!
We invested a lot of time and effort in compiling this guide.
We have examined the size, materials used, weight, and other key features such as style and warranty, as the perfect ukulele needs to tick all the right boxes. To make your life as easy as possible, we have compiled a comparison chart and in-depth reviews of each product.
Here, we will provide a review of the best midi controller for fl studio in detail so you can shop knowing everything. Let’s get started.
The keys are full-size and highly touch-sensitive that even the default velocity curve is good enough. The 8 velocity drum pads feel and work great. The knobs also have a nice feel, and you can adjust their sensitivity to assess how different effects impact sounds.
The 9 faders are useful for mixing a track or playing live. They are made with soft rubber caps that work well but are somewhat loose and short.
On the plus side, they make dynamic performance an achievable dream, which is why this is one of the best midi keyboards for FL Studio for live performances.
Like other Akai controllers, this is a gem. It has a fantastic design and focuses mainly on functionality in a powerful and flexible way.
It has a high-quality construction with controls that work well and has a nice touch. The controller integrates seamlessly with various DAWs, including FL studio. You’ll fall in love with the few affordable premium soft synths it comes with.
This midi controller is a powerhouse with so many superior features to fit its compact size. Because it’s super lightweight, it’s great for creating or producing music on the go.
The Nektar Impact GX25+ is one to consider for your Nektar DAW integration for common and popular DAWs. Eight buttons are available for DAW control, strategically located in the middle.
DAW integration and extended eight-button functionality allow you to spend more time creating great music instead of dealing with your mouse most of the time which can kill inspiration and creativity.
The Alesis V61 MIDI keyboard controller is a good keyboard and therefore is our third choice.
This one for the minimalists. The M-Audio Code 49 is one of the simplest MIDI keyboards available; It has no sliders, knobs, or battery pads.
This is a sleek, attractive, and well-built keyboard for those who simply want a MIDI keyboard at an exceptional price, and the option of getting one with 88 keys is ideal for pianists and keyboards.
This is not the cheapest midi controller out there, but its features make it worth buying. It is also not the best midi controller to move around as it weighs over 6 pounds and has 49 keys.
The keys are full-size and highly touch-sensitive that even the default velocity curve is good enough. The 8 velocity drum pads feel and work great. The knobs also have a nice feel, and you can adjust their sensitivity to assess how different effects impact sounds.
The 9 faders are useful for mixing a track or playing live. They are made with soft rubber caps that work well but are somewhat loose and short.
On the plus side, they make dynamic performance an achievable dream, which is why this is one of the best midi keyboards for FL Studio for live performances.
Continuing with Novation for another less chaotic option for those who may feel a bit overwhelmed by impulse models, we have the Launchkey range, which is not only faster to learn but is priced at a very affordable level.
It features a compact 25-note keyboard that covers 2 octaves and has octave selection buttons for instrument-based control.
They work alongside 16 velocity-sensitive backlit tracks, rhythm tracks, and scene select buttons. The pads take care of the clip launch and allow users to work in real-time with a section in a loop to create a beat on the fly ordered by beat.
Expanding 16 instead of a typical 4 (on a smaller 25-key model) gives the user much more control over their bars.
The Nektar Impact GX61 keyboard is a good keyboard and therefore is our sixth choice.
Akai Fire is the first MIDI controller designed from scratch for FruityLoops.
In fact, Akai collaborated closely with Image-Line (creators of FL Studio) to create the features and control options that would help producers make the most of the DAW.
And all that effort shows: Nothing on the market even remotely comes close to offering the features, flexibility, and power of the Fire when it comes to using FL Studio.
Now to Akai for another professional alternative created with FL Studios specifically in mind and even sold with a downloadable version of the FL20 Fruity Edition.
It is a MIDI controller packed with pads and perfect for rhythm makers and heavy sample producers.
The design is well organized despite being locked with 64 RGB backlit triggers, they are arranged in 4 rows of 16 and they are an effective command center for your DAW, which syncs automatically.
They allow you to quickly program a 16-stroke bar or 4 4-stroke bars in real-time. Its greatest glory is its mode selection and scale lock which allows those with less music theory or practical skills to play melodies to develop chords etc. without the traditional keys.
You can use a shift in conjunction with the selector dial to choose a channel that is clearly indicated on the LED display. You can adjust the volume, pan, filter, and resonance with the 4 assignable ‘touch-capacitive’ knobs provided.
It also has dedicated Step, Notes, Drum, and Play buttons that have a secondary accent, quick touch, and summary actions, as well as a separate metronome.
So, which is the best midi keyboard for you right now?
Our best choice for the best midi keyboard is the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII.
- Compact keyboard controller easily fits backpack and studio production desk (12.4" long, 1.6 lbs)
- Powered by USB connection to computer, with free virtual-instrument download packages
- Crammed full of all the features you need to play and edit musical ideas
- 25-synth-action mini-keys, 8 velocity-sensitive rubber drum pads with two banks, and eight assignable control knobs
- Dedicated buttons for Note Repeat, Full Level, and Octave Up and Down
- Premium midi controller with 25 expressive synth-action keys, on-board pitch bend and modulation wheels for performances
- 8 Hyper-Sensitive backlit pads
- Mac, PC and iOS compatible
- Software instruments automatically mapped to controls
- Includes Bitwig 8-Track DAW
- MIDI Keyboard with 61 full-sized, velocity sensitive square-front keys, perfect for playing Virtual Instruments
- 8 velocity- and pressure-sensitive backlit pads for beat production and clip launching
- 4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons interface with your music software. Seamless, visual feedback via illuminated buttons and knobs
- Octave Up and Down buttons let you access the full keyboard range and Pitch and modulation wheels deliver expressive, creative control
- Premium Software Included - Includes Ableton Live Lite, Xpand!2 virtual instrument software by Air Music Tech and MPC Beats
- 49 full-size, velocity- and pressure-sensitive keys with aftertouch, an all-new custom keybed for a clean, precise action, and four assignable zones for splits and layering
- 16 fully assignable velocity-sensitive trigger pads for beat production, clip launching and more; 8 assignable 360 encoders combined with 9 assignable faders and buttons for controlling your DAW and Virtual Instruments
- Fully assignable, Ableton-friendly XY pad for HID control and a unique way of controlling multiple parameters in virtual instruments
- Minimal setup required | Mackie/HUI transport control enables for a simple, seamless setup with today’s most popular DAWs
- USB bus powered with on-board 5 pin MIDI in and out for sending MIDI data from PC sequencers to your favourite analogue synth
- MK2 version of Novation's 25-note USB keyboard controller for Ableton Live
- 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, 8 knobs, and dedicated navigation and control buttons
- Software for Mac and PC
- Fully USB bus-powered and class compliant; works without drivers or power cable
- Software for Mac and PC, Including: Ableton Live Lite, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, Novation Bass Station and V Station virtual instruments. Novation now offers a 3-Year Warranty on this and all other Novation products.
- 61 Premium midi controller with 61 expressive synth-action keys, on-board pitch bend and modulation wheels for performances
- Nektar DAW Integration for most popular DAWs
- 14 MIDI assignable buttons
- Mac, PC and iOS compatible
- Includes Bitwig 8-Track DAW. NOTE: Refer the User Guide before use.
- FL Studio Music Production Essential- Dedicated USB MIDI hardware controller for the FL Studio DAW platform with seamless plug-and-play connectivity
- Workflow Revolution - 64 velocity-sensitive RGB Pads for creation of patterns in the step sequencer and recording notes / synth parts on a pad-based MIDI keyboard controller in Performance mode
- Beat Production Simplified – Transform Fire into a beat maker essential with a MPC Style 16-pad layout in Drum Mode
- Maximum Tweak-Ability - 4 banks of assignable Touch-Capacitive MIDI knobs / encoders for controlling Mixer, Channel and custom User-Assignable mappings
- Improved Navigation - Instantly navigate the Channel Rack, Browser, Tool Bar and Playlist windows; dedicated controls to browse audio and project files with clear feedback from the OLED display
Final Words
As you will have seen from our picks, the market has a lot to offer in terms of handling your audio workstations and it really just depends on the type of control you prefer. With midi keyboards, the market has a lot to offer, and choosing the best one isn’t a walk in the park, especially if you don’t know your needs. Your personal needs are key when buying a midi controller.
It is a versatile product that can be used by musicians and producers of all levels.
Based on popular research and ratings, you can trust our top seven choices to be the best Midi keyboard for FL studio in the market. The list has something for everyone, be it an advanced musician, an amateur producer, or a beginner.
Your FL Studio workflow will go a long way if you buy any MIDI keyboard. You will spend seconds instead of minutes recording ideas and control of the workstation will be easier. And once you get on those drum pads, it will only be a matter of time when you start sounding like a real drummer.
