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M-Audio Oxygen 61 MKV 61-Key USB Controller
$249.00The Oxygen 61 (MKV) controller includes powerful features essential for creating and producing music such as Note Repeat (a staple mark in beat production), Full Velocity Control of keys and pads, eight assignable k...6 Payments of $41.50
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Nektar Impact LX88 MK3 88-Key USB Keyboard
$339.99The Nektar Impact LX88 mk3 MIDI controller keyboard is designed for seamless integration with your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and MIDI music creation software. It offers powerful performance tools like Scale, C...8 Payments of $42.50
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Arturia KeyLab Essential 88 mk3 Keyboard Controller
$339.95 - $399.00Control your DAW, play with MIDI hardware, and get hands-on with your own style of music-making with the Auturia KeyLab Essential mk3 88. This full-range keyboard controller removes barriers and makes creativity sim...8 Payments of $49.88
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M-Audio Hammer 88 88 Key Weighted Keyboard Controller
$419.95 - $549.00Expressing yourself has never been so easy! The Hammer 88 features 88 fully-weighted, hammer-action keys plus intuitive controls and multiple zones to allow your creativity to flourish. Introducing Hammer 88, a prem...8 Payments of $68.63
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Akai APC Key 25 MK2 Ableton Live Keyboard
$99.00The APC Key 25 Mk2 elevates your sound! A versatile and compact MIDI keyboard controller, the APC Key 25 Mk2 seamlessly delivers the power to perform and create anywhere, for the perfect combination of clip launchin...6 Payments of $16.50
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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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Novation Launchkey Mini 37 USB Keyboard Controller
$134.95 - $159.99Find inspiration anywhere with the Novation Launchkey Mini 37 – a portable, all-in-one DAW controller with three octaves of synth-action minikeys and 16 patented FSR pads for finger drumming, clip launching, and mor...6 Payments of $26.67
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Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 Keyboard Controller
$249.00The Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 mk3 keyboard controller is the the perfect production-ready bundle for any keyboard musician. Designed for keyboard performers who want everything they need right out of the box – jus...6 Payments of $41.50
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Arturia MiniLAB 3 25 Key Keyboard Controller
$104.95 - $119.00<p>MiniLAB 3 is a compact MIDI keyboard & pad controller that lets users make music, right out the box. With a creative plug-and-play workflow, versatile assignable controls, 500 curated sounds from An...6 Payments of $19.83
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Arturia KeyStep Pro 37 Key Keyboard Controller Sequencer
$499.00Intuitive with incredible sequencing and performance power, the versatile KeyStep Pro puts you in control. Perfect for live performance, KeyStep Pro will become your go-to choice for performing plus it’s perfectly g...8 Payments of $62.38
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Nektar SE61 61-Key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
$99.99Featuring 61 full-size velocity-sensitive keys, the SE61 is a solid and easy-to-use keyboard controller with enhanced workflow. An ideal choice for any composer, the SE61 is powerful yet intuitive control center. ...6 Payments of $16.67
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Novation Launchkey 37 MK4 USB Keyboard Controller
$229.99Add inspiration to your setup with the Novation Launchkey 37 – a compact, all-in-one DAW controller with two octaves of full-size, synth-action keys and 16 patented FSR pads for finger drumming, clip launching, and ...6 Payments of $38.33
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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.
