Best Midi Keyboard for Ableton (Updated 2022)

The best midi keyboard for Ableton isn’t necessarily a complicated decision, but there are a few factors to consider before you buy one. This article is going to go over these factors, as well as the recommendations for the top 7 best midi keyboards for Ableton in 2022.

If you are just starting out in the world of music production, and this is your first musical keyboard, you may have a lot of questions and worries about what is best for you. This article will give you some insight into that question.

Ableton Push 2

9.8/10

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Best Overall

Novation Launchkey 61

9.7/10

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Best Proffesional 61 keys

M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini

9.4/10

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Best Value

Ableton Push 2 – Best Midi Keyboard for Ableton Overall

Designed and manufactured entirely by Ableton, the Ableton Push 2 controller now makes music production in Live even more intuitive and helps you bring your ideas to life as accurately and with as little disruption as possible.

This controller and Live work together with incredible ease, allowing you to create beats, play notes and chords, work with samples and create track structure without looking at your computer monitor.

Push allows you to view, edit, and upload your own sounds to create beats or use sounds from the Live drum library.

🎹 Play your drum parts on 64 velocity-sensitive pads while changing the sound parameter with 8 velocity-sensitive endless encoders. Or switch to the 16-pad mode, which lets you play real-time beats in the step sequencer as well as control loop length at the same time. You can also set the timing, delay and parameter values ​​individually for each pad.

💻 Access to all Live devices, third-party plugins and samples. Use Push to view, preview and download your sounds. Get quick, hands-on access to built-in Live devices, VST or Audio Units plug-ins, and your sample library.

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK 3 – Best Midi Controllers for Ableton

The AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 – 25 Key USB is a midi keyboard controller that works with Ableton Live and other DAWs. It features 25 fully programmable keys, drum pads, and faders to increase your creativity within your DAW. The Mini MK3 allows for a wide range of connectivity options, making it an essential for electronic musicians and DJs alike!

🎹 The 25 fully programmable keys of this keyboard allow you to set custom MIDI and automation parameters. The keys are light and sensitive, giving you an experience that is similar to playing a piano.

🟥 The pads on this keyboard allow you to play music without having to press any keys. They can be used as a means of playing drum notes, chords, or even (for those really anal retentive musicians) finger drum patterns.

🔌 The USB connection on the MPK Mini MK3 allows for a multitude of options when it comes to connectivity. It can be connected to your computer via USB, as well as other devices such as mixers and audio interfaces.

🎛 The knobs on this keyboard allow for you to edit MIDI notes or automate existing parameters that are already installed, like volume or panning with your DAW software.

The AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 is a great option if you’re looking for a midi keyboard. With its variety of connectivity options and 25 fully programmable keys, it is sure to be useful, whether you’re an Ableton live user or if you’re new to the world of music technology altogether!

AKAI Professional MPD218 – Best Mini Midi Keyboard for Ableton

This lightweight and compact controller is perfect for producers on the go who want to keep their setup as minimal as possible. With its 16 full-sized velocity sensitive multi-color backlit MPC pads along with six assignable knobs, it can handle most production duties in Ableton Live without any trouble at all.

🟥 The instrument consists of a set of 16 MPC drum pads that correspond to the keys on your keyboard, which also features six knobs for triggering and tweaking your Ableton tracks. It’s a great controller to use along with Live’s new Session View and Controller View modes, as well as its Track View for quickly creating sound design ideas.

🔌 Connect this to your PC via USB cable and you’re ready to go. Once you open up Ableton Live, simply drag in your favorite audio or MIDI files into Ableton’s native Session view or use the Scene View on the side to quickly create some cool tracks.

🎛 With six assignable knobs, you can keep a handle on all your Ableton tracks while you tweak things like volume, panning, and the velocity of certain parts.

You’ll find that this controller is extremely handy – whether you want to get creative with Ableton’s new Session view or tackle basslines in your favorite synthesizer. Even at its price point it’s worth every penny if you need a controller that makes your musical setup simple and portable.

Novation Launchkey 61 [MK3] – Best Midi Keyboard for Ableton 61 keys

The Novation Launchkey 61 [MK3] is a MIDI keyboard controller built by some of your favorite brands in electronic music production, combining Novation’s expertise in software and hardware design with deep knowledge in making synthesizers and effects units.

🎹 The Novation Launchkey comes with semi weighted keys for the user to experience a more realistic feel that traditional controllers don’t quite offer. Each key is velocity sensitive which means the harder you press down on the key, the faster the note will play. This creates a more dynamic playing experience as opposed to simple on/off press buttons that are common in most MIDI keyboards.

🟥 The Launchkey 61’s pads are very popular among Ableton users as they offer a relatively simple way of controlling the parameters of an instrument or effect. The backlit pads allow for the user to easily see which plug-in is currently being assigned to each pad, and all this information can be seen on the front panel display, giving the user a very familiar interface compared to traditional MIDI keyboards.

🔌 The Launchkey does not require a power source, so it can be connected directly into your computer via USB for easy and convenient connection. The MIDI cables are also included so you can easily plug it into your computer and play straight away out of the box!

The Launchkey 61 is a great MIDI keyboard controller for Ableton that not only gives you full control over the numerous devices in Ableton, but also comes with helpful features that enhance your overall experience when making music with this software and hardware combination.

Alesis VI25 – Best Midi Keyboard for Ableton

The VI25 sports 25 velocity-sensitive keys for expressive playing. This is great if you need a controller keyboard for composing music on pro music production gear like Logic Pro or Ableton Live. The keys are lightly textured with an anti-glare finish that blends into any room’s decor.

🟥 The VI25 has 16 assignable pads for playing synth tones, drum triggers, and other external devices. The pads are velocity sensitive, so you can push your percussion sounds to the max with a simple finger flick from your thumb. The pads also respond to pressure with a satisfyingly solid feel in real time.

🎛 You also get 8 assignable knobs and backlit LCD screen on the VI25. You can use these knobs to control MIDI-controlled parameters in your favorite music software. Thanks to their solid feel, you can easily adjust your virtual instruments and tweak your audio effects without the need for a mouse-driven interface.

The Alesis VI25 is the perfect controller keyboard for Ableton Live users who want to enhance their performance workflow with dedicated pads and knobs. It’s also great for musicians who want to take their music production skills seriously but have limited space. This controller keyboard comes with all of the essential features for training your musical ear and developing your musical imagination.

Novation Launchpad Mini [MK3] – Best Midi Keyboard for Ableton without keys

Launched in 2006 and now with three generations of products, Novation’s Launchpad is a pioneer in the world of music controllers. One of the tiny series that is still alive and kicking, we’re here to review the latest iteration — the mini MK3 — and see if it deserves its place on stage among all this competition.

Launchpad Mini makes it easy to see your Ableton Live session and launch your sounds. With full RGB colors, you can tell your clips and scenes apart. Seamless integration means you can focus on launching clips and less on using the mouse. We think Launchpad Mini would work really well for you.

🔌 The keyboard has a USB port that can be used to connect it to other devices. It can act as a MIDI device to use with other instruments you have or even other keyboards.

Overall, the Novation Launchpad is a great piece of gear for anyone who wants to take their DJ shows to the next level. With its fast and smooth integration into Ableton Live, it’s an easy to use performance tool for making and performing music in a live setting.

M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini – Best Budget Midi Keyboard for Ableton

🎹 The M-Audio Oxygen comes with a free version of Pro Tools Lite and other programs like Ableton. It also has 8 velocity-sensitive pads and weighted keys for a fully functional MIDI controller, so you can make music without needing to connect your computer. If you need to make music on the go, this product is for you.

With Oxygen Pro Mini, you can focus on creation without distraction. VIP3.1 puts your VST instruments and effects at your fingertips, allowing you to focus on your music and let the software do the hard work of managing everything.

💻 This keyboard allows you to make music using your favorite computer programs. Easily customize your setup with the DirectLink mode. You can use the keyboard quickly as it is ready for you to create music or edit audio or video files. Also includes Ableton Live Lite, SONiVOX Twist, and Xpand! 2.

🎛 We like the 4 knobs, a programmable slider, and dedicated buttons for transport panel and track selection. With these tools at your fingertips, you are fully immersed in the creative process of recording and mixing, rather than being distracted by pressing keys on a computer keyboard.

Buyer’s guide for the best midi keyboard for ableton

Number of Keys

This is perhaps the most significant feature to consider. If you are looking for a keyboard that you can use for live performance with instruments, for example, a full-size 61 key velocity sensitive keyboard will be your best option. And if you want something that is just great with Ableton Live, then either a 49 or 25 keys will do.

Number of pads

Pads are basically the equivalent of drum pads, and this also depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking for something you can use in combination with Live, go with a keyboard that has at least 16 playable pads. And if you’re just looking to lay down beats or trigger samples in real time while performing, a smaller number of pads will do.

Inputs

Through the connectors, you can connect both other types of equipment (MIDI), and, for example, a laptop via USB inputs.

Knobs

Knobs can be useful when you want to control the parameter value of a device such as an effect plugin. In addition, they can also be used to map different parameters in Ableton Live.