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Nektar SE25 USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
$49.99The SE25 controller keyboard from Nektar was designed to provide users with great functionality and an ultra-compact format to make music on the move! The newly developed key-bed sports 25 velocity-sensitive mini ke...h m s
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Akai LPK25 MK2 Laptop Performance Keyboard
$49.95 - $59.00Play virtual instruments and write songs with the LPK25 laptop performance keyboard. Featuring 25 responsive Gen 2 Dynamic keys, LPK25 will bring all your ideas to life with real keyboard touch and feel. The LPK25 i...4 Payments of $14.75
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Akai Professional EWI5000 Wireless Electronic Wind Instrument
$799.95The Next-Generation Wind Instrument EWI5000, the latest addition to the EWI series, combines innovative instrument design, wireless connectivity, and a sound library by SONiVOX to create the most expressive and v...12 Payments of $66.66
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ASM Diosynth Wind Synthesizer with Case and Stand
$1,099.00ASM Diosynth Wind Synthesizer The ASM Diosynth is a hybrid synthesizer built for players who refuse to choose between the warmth of acoustic instruments and the limitless possibilities of electronic sound design....12 Payments of $91.58
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Arturia MiniLab 37 MK3 Keyboard Controller White
$149.00Arturia MiniLab 37 MK3 Keyboard Controller The MiniLab 37 MK3 is Arturia's latest compact controller, packing 37 velocity-sensitive slim keys, a suite of hands-on controls, and a bundle of premium software into a...6 Payments of $24.83
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Korg Keystage 49 49-Key Keyboard Controller
$599.99The Korg Keystage 49 is the perfect combination of creative inspiration and expressive innovation. With high-quality Poly Aftertouch and a smooth playing experience, this controller allows you to express yourself wi...12 Payments of $50.00
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Korg Keystage 61 61-Key Keyboard Controller
$699.99The revolutionary Korg Keystage 61 controller takes your creative inspiration and expressive innovation to a whole new level. Professional musicians and artists alike will adore the incredible Poly Aftertouch functi...12 Payments of $58.33
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Korg Nanokey Studio MIDI Controller with Bluetooth and USB
$219.99The compact nanoKey Studio keyboard is an all-in-one mobile MIDI controller that connects via USB or wirelessly. The nanoKEY Studio provides a keyboard, knobs, trigger pads, and touch pad that lets you instantly con...6 Payments of $36.67
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Korg NanoKONTROL Studio MIDI Controller with Bluetooth and USB
$219.99Ideal for mobile or desktop use, the nanoKONTROL Studio uses USB and wireless for more music production freedom. The nanoKONTROL Studio provides transport keys and a mixer section, giving you stress-free control of ...6 Payments of $36.67
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M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3 88-Key Controller
$269.95 - $299.00With Keystation 88 MK3, maximizing your creativity while minimizing the complication is easy! Start creating and performing music on your Mac or PC with the world’s best-selling 88 key keyboard controller: the Keyst...8 Payments of $37.38
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M-Audio Oxygen 49 MKV 49-Key USB Controller
$199.00M-Audio expertise in portable MIDI controllers is on full display in the Oxygen 49 MKV! In today’s world of music production, controlling your digital music environment is important. It is not only how the pros impr...6 Payments of $33.17
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M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 49-Key Keyboard Controller
$299.00The powerful Oxygen Pro 49 comes complete with everything you need to get the most out of your virtual instrument collection and DAW. featuring hands-on control, the Oxygen Pro 49 is a 49-key USB powered MIDI contro...8 Payments of $37.38
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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.
