Last week I reviewed the
best midi keyboard controller
. In this post, I’ve reviewed the best 49 Key Midi Controllers.
Reviews: 7 Best 49 Key MIDI Controller Keyboards 2025
1. Akai Professional MPK249 USB MIDI Keyboard
Starting our list of the best 49 key midi controller is the Akai Professional MPK249. It’s one of the music-making gear you’ll find an expert producer’s studio. It’s no surprise as Akai maintains quality in all its gear, such as LPK25 and MPCs. The new LCD monitor will display some critical data that is processed by the Digital audio workstation . It’s both durable and versatile – I love the faders, keys, and pads. It comes with the full-size keyboard that has semi-weighted keys with polyphonic pressure that offer the aftertouch – I found them easier to play contrasted to synth-action keys. I approve of the quality of this Akai’s features. For example, it has robust faders; its knobs come with great resistance while the pads are adopted from the Music Production Center (MPC) drum machine . It comes with arpeggiator (for extra melodic ideas), MPC Swing, transport controls, USB/iOS modes, and MPC Note Repeat to allow melodic and rhythmic manipulation. The Classic MPC Swing allows organic and tight groove - MPC workflow. While at it, you’ll get all the controller options - 16 pads, eight switches, eight knobs, and eight faders. Further, it has RGB backlit that will help you to identify sounds. Its fully-weighted keys and light and hence will be great for extended playing time – even for beginner or noob artists. Also, its knobs and faders come with three banks, and thus it’s possible to give them 24 functions.
2. Novation Launchkey 49 USB Keyboard Controller
Novation Launchkey 49 USB Controller comes built-in In-Control that will readily adapt the control to different music software and has custom scripts (like Launchkey MK2) matching both the Image-Line FL Studio & Propellerhead Reason. It’s classified like the class-compliant MIDI controller that’ll work great with iOS, and hence it’s possible to play synth apps. Further, you can use its keyboard’s Track keys to switch between the Launchpad app and the Launchkey app. This MIDI keyboard controller is highly suited for Ableton Live and will work with all different MIDI software. The positive of this 49 keys MIDI controller is iOS compatible, scrips for FL Studio & Reason, in addition to allowing dynamic in-control mappings. This USB bus-powered MIDI Controller Keyboards are both portable (for gigs) and awesome used for in-studio music production. I noted that its faders & knobs are tight. Therefore, this unit will be great both for live performances and music production – when using Ableton Live.
3. Nektar Panorama P4 49-key MIDI Controller Keyboard
Nektar Panorama P4, with 93 real-time controls, allows a producer to feel like they are doing real-time hardware controlling. For better creativity and performance, the MIDI Keyboard allows you to control different MIDI hardware, virtual instruments, and Rewired DAWs. I noticed that the MIDI Keyboard has a balanced, sensitive, dynamic, and solid pad & keyboard. It allows integration with DAWs such as Reaper, Reason, Logic Pro, Nuendo, and Bitwig Studio. It has a colored TFT screen (3.5”) to show various menus and modes for your workflow. It allows more Controls such as 12 pads, expression pedal jack, 28 buttons, 10 LED buttons, footswitch jack, 100 mm ALPS fader, 9 - 45 mm faders, and 16 encoders. Nektar Panorama P4 has a seamless connection between Reason and itself – and thus, you can switch between Transport, Device, and Mixer controlling. Further, the keyboard and keys are amazingly balanced by reducing increasing tension – with a wider dynamic range that allows easier control of the high & low velocity-values. It has an extended 11 button transport bar that you can use whenever required. Further. It allows QWERTY shortcuts you can use to activate different software functions – and thus, you’ll not always require using your computer.
4. M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller
This Keystation 49 MK3 is a great USB MIDI controller that comes with the appropriate controls. It has comprehensive controls and 49 velocity-sensitive keys. With the 1/4” sustain pedal input where you may use any external control pedal like the premium M-Audio SP2 to allow genuine piano sustain. For on-the-go music production, you’ll find the Keystation 49 MK3 amazingly durable, light, portable, and compact. Also, it’s compatible with iOS, and thus, you can compose and perform music on your iOS devices or iPad. It’ll play virtual instruments and sequencing music on your Windows or Mac computers. It has assigned directional and transport controls to enable recording, performing, and playing through music software with no trackpad or mouse. You can get electric piano sounds through the AIR Music Technology soft-synths – Velvet, seven acoustic-piano sounds, and Mini Grand.
5. Samson Carbon 49 USB MIDI Controller
Samson’s Carbon 49 has a Rhodes or Piano look, has data knob, pitch wheel, and modulation wheel – however, it’s not appropriate for outdoor gigs.
6. Korg microKEY air 49 - Key Bluetooth and USB MIDI Controller
Further, they’ll take additional control boards and plugins to create more effects. An extension to the extra octave allows extra sounds, control, and functionality.