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Roland AE-20 Aerophone Wind Instrument
$989.95 - $1,149.99Roland AE-20 Aerophone Wind Instrument The Roland AE-20 digital wind instrument takes the jaw-dropping playability and expressive control of top-tier models and packs it into a streamlined, travel-friendly design...12 Payments of $95.83
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Roland AE30 Aerophone Pro Wind Instrument
$1,799.99SYSTEM UPDATE V2 Motion Sensor Control with Built-in Gyro Sensor and ZEN-Core Sounds Import/Export Function Available now at rolandus.com. No extra cost to AE-30 owners. MOTION SENSOR CONTROL & ADJUS...12 Payments of $150.00
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Roland Aerophone Brisa Digital Wind Instrument
$1,799.99Play like you always have. Sound like you never could Meet Aerophone Brisa, an exciting evolution of the growing Roland Aerophone platform. This elegant instrument combines the design and key layout of a traditi...12 Payments of $150.00
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Roland A88 MK2 88-Key Keyboard Controller
$1,399.99Plays and feels like a grand piano! The latest in Roland's long line of professional MIDI controllers, the Roland A-88MKII is supremely playable, with onboard creative tools for today's musicians and producers. Our ...12 Payments of $116.67
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Roland AE05 Aerophone GO Digital Saxophone
$611.99If you’ve always wanted to play the saxophone (or flute, clarinet, and many more) Aerophone GO gives you everything you need to start…and keep on going. Wind instruments can impart powerful emotions upon music, espe...12 Payments of $51.00
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Roland A49 MIDI Keyboard Controller
$379.99The Roland A49 MIDI Keyboard Controller is a lightweight, slim-line controller that features a premium-grade, full-size keyboard that raises the bar in its class. The Roland A49 is a dream for musicians seeking a ...8 Payments of $47.50
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Roland AE01 Aerophone Mini Digital Wind Instrument
$407.99Realize your dream! The Aerophone mini is a fun modern wind instrument that is super-easy to learn, so you’ll be playing along with your favorite songs in no time. The fingering is simple to understand, and there ar...8 Payments of $51.00
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Roland K25M 25 Key Keyboard Unit for Boutique Synth Modules
$149.99Transform your Roland Boutique modules into a highly portable music making tool. The K-25m is a 25-key, velocity sensitive keyboard designed for use with the Roland Boutique series. Measuring less than 12” across, t...6 Payments of $25.00
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Roland OPAE10MPH Mouthpiece for Aerophone AE10 Wind Instrument
$61.99The OP-AE10MPH is the replacement mouthpiece for the Aerophone AE-10 Digital Wind Instrument. The OP-AE10MPH features a hard-type reed which is suitable for sax players, allowing natural lip control of expressions s...4 Payments of $15.50
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Roland Optional Mouthpiece for AE01
$56.99Always need an extra. A replacement mouthpiece for the Aerophone mini which is fun instrument to play, super-easy to learn and play along with your favorite songs....4 Payments of $14.25
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Controllers
MIDI Controllers
The best MIDI controller is the one that fits how you actually make music — not the one with the most features. Whether you trigger samples with pads, sketch ideas on keys, or need a hybrid that does both, you can find MIDI controllers from Akai, Arturia, Native Instruments, Novation, Korg, and more right here at American Musical Supply.
Keys, Pads, or Both — How to Think About Your Options
Most shoppers land on the wrong MIDI controller because they buy what looks impressive rather than what matches their workflow. A pad-heavy controller is ideal for producers who live in Ableton and rarely play melodic lines. A keyboard-centric controller is better for players who write and perform with both hands. A hybrid gives you range, but only if the keybed and pads are both high quality. A mediocre keybed on a hybrid controller is not a compromise worth making.
Compact Controllers: When Desk Space Is the Priority
Small doesn’t have to mean limited. The Akai MPK Mini IV packs 25 mini keys, 8 MPC-style pads, 8 assignable knobs, and a built-in arpeggiator into a unit that fits in a backpack. It’s one of the most popular MIDI controllers on the market for a reason: it’s genuinely useful for sketching ideas quickly, whether you’re in a home studio or working on a laptop away from your desk. If you want slightly more range without sacrificing portability, the 37-key Akai MPK Mini Plus adds full-size keys while keeping the same compact overall footprint.
Key Action: The Spec That Affects Every Session
Synth-action keys are light and fast, good for leads, bass lines, and producers who aren’t primarily piano players. Semi-weighted keys add resistance that makes sustained playing and chord work feel more deliberate and controlled. Fully weighted, hammer-action keys are for pianists who need their studio controller to feel like the instrument they practiced on.
The Arturia KeyLab 61 Mk3 and Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 Mk3 both offer semi-weighted actions with aftertouch, landing in the sweet spot for players who want expressive control without full piano weight. The Kawai VPC1 takes the other end: a full 88-key wooden grand action in a dedicated MIDI controller, built specifically for pianists who refuse to compromise on feel.
Software Integration: More Than Just Plug-and-Play
A good MIDI controller does more than send notes. Modern controllers come with DAW integration scripts that give you hands-on control over parameters, plug-ins, and session navigation without manual MIDI mapping.
The Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 Mk3 includes Analog Lab V (2,000+ sounds) and deep custom scripts for Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio out of the box. Novation's Launchkey 61 is purpose-built for Ableton, with dedicated clip launch and session view control that mirrors the software directly on the hardware. The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S-Series connects to NKS-compatible instruments for instant preset browsing and parameter control directly from the controller.
Frequently Asked Questions About MIDI Controllers
Does a MIDI controller make sound on its own?
No. A MIDI controller sends performance data, not audio. Note messages, velocity, pitch bend, and modulation are transmitted to a connected device, whether that’s a software synthesizer in your DAW, a virtual instrument plug-in, or a hardware synthesizer, which produces the actual sound. Without a receiving device, a MIDI controller is silent.
Do I need a separate MIDI interface to use a MIDI controller?
In most cases, no. Modern MIDI controllers connect via USB directly to a Mac or PC, which handles both power and data. A separate MIDI interface is only necessary if you want to connect a controller to older hardware that uses 5-pin DIN MIDI ports. Several controllers, including the Novation 49 SL MK3, include a built-in 5-pin MIDI output for exactly this purpose.
What is MPE, and is it worth caring about?
MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) gives each individual note its own independent pitch, pressure, and slide data, making it possible to add vibrato, expressive dynamics, and tonal variation to notes independently rather than across the whole keyboard at once. It matters most for players who work with expressive virtual instruments designed to respond to those nuances. If you primarily program MIDI rather than perform live, MPE is not a priority.
Can I use a MIDI controller with a phone or tablet?
Yes, with the right adapter. Most USB MIDI controllers are class-compliant, meaning they connect to iOS and Android devices without additional drivers. You will typically need a USB-C or Lightning adapter, depending on your device. The Korg nanoKey Studio goes further, offering wireless Bluetooth MIDI that connects directly to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac without any cable at all.
Find the MIDI Controller That Fits Your Workflow
The right controller makes production feel natural and fast. The wrong one sits on the desk and gets ignored. That’s why AMS carries MIDI controllers for every style of working musician, and our team is available to help you choose if you’re not sure where to start. VERY fast and free shipping, 0% interest financing, a 12-month extended warranty, and a 45-day return window are standard on every order.
