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Finding the perfect Midi keyboard for making mausic with Ableton can be a little overwhelming, there are so many options! This guide will help you figure out which is the best midi keyboard for Ableton live. This guide will help you work out what to look for in a keyboard, a summary of the best midi keyboards, then a more detailed review of each one of them. There’s also an FAQ at the end to further guide you to find the perfect midi keyboard for Ableton.
Table of Contents
My Pick – The Best MIDI Keyboard for Ableton
Best Portable keyboard controller for Ableton live: Novation Launchkey mini mk3
Best 49 Key midi keyboard controller: M-Audio Oxygen 49 MK V PRO
Best 61 Key midi keyboard controller: M-Audio Oxygen 61 MK V PRO
Best 88 Key midi keyboard controller: Nektar Impact LX88+ MIDI Keyboard Controller
Best Budget midi keyboard for Ableton: Novation Launchkey mini mk3
Overall Best midi keyboard for Ableton: Novation Launchkey 37 MK 3
Summary of Best Midi Keyboards for Ableton
If you are looking for a portable midi controller keyboard with just a few keys, drum pads, and the ability to control Ableton, then the Novation Launchkey mini mk3 is one of the best midi control keyboards for Ableton. The Akai MPK Mini MKIII is a strong alternative.
If you want more keys then the Novation Launchkey 37 MK 3 offers good value and lots of features. The Novation Launchkey 49 from the same range is a solid alternative with more keys.
Moving into the 61 keyboard controllers, you will find excellent DAW and NI software control with the Native Instruments S61 keyboard controller. If you are after a budget 61 keyboard controller, then the M-Audio Oxygen 61 key and the M Audio Oxygen 61 Pro range are good choices.
For 88 keyboard controllers, you will find the Nektar Impact LX88+ amongst the best keyboard controllers for Ableton. However, it does have limited DAW integration compared to some of the controllers with fewer keys. An alternative to the Nektar would be the Roland 88.
What To Look For In A MIDI Keyboard Controller
Once you find the best MIDI keyboard for Ableton Live it will greatly enhance your electronic music production and process. As with most studio purchases there are so many different models available at varying sizes and prices, so it can be difficult to decide which is the right MIDI keyboard for use with Ableton. To help make this decision easier, I have created the ultimate guide to finding a MIDI keyboard for Ableton that meets your needs and budget.
From key features to price ranges, this guide will provide everything you need to know to find the perfect keyboard for your setup.
MIDI controller keyboards are a great tool for Ableton producers as they allow you to play and record melodies into your computer, as well as control Ableton and other hardware with ease. If you get a midi controller keyboard with pads, faders, and knobs you will have great control over Ableton’s instrument racks and FX and be able to play your drum sequences in too.
Related: Best Midi Controller for Ableton
Most keyboards come with knobs, pads, buttons, and faders to give you lots of control over Ableton. Plus, many models come with good value software bundles and mapping templates for Ableton Live, Logic Pro and FL Studio, allowing you to get started creating music quickly and easily. Most of the MIDI Keyboards can be connected via USB, or sometimes wirelessly over Bluetooth or iOS devices. So, make sure that when you are looking at the keyboards below, they will connect to your current setup.
To help you look through the keyboards on offer for Ableton I have broken this guide up into the following size categories; Portable, 49 key, 61 keys and 88 keys.
When choosing a keyboard controller, it is helpful to consider whether you want to use it to simply for the keyboard or want to control parameters within the DAW such as faders or drum pads. This will inform spending the extra on knobs, pads, and faders is worth it. Also consider if you are going to use your keyboard primarily for studio use or going out and doing live performances.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, there are plenty of high-quality MIDI keyboards available for less than $/£100. However, investing into a higher quality model with more features and higher specs can be worth it. You may also find models that are more durable and suitable for taking on the road. For trained keyboard players, 88-note models with weighted keys may be the better option, and we have included some of these in our guide. With our help, you can find the best MIDI keyboard for your needs and budget.
If you don’t want to read all the information below here is a quick summary to the best midi keyboards for Ableton Live.
Related: The Best Ableton Courses Online
Portable MIDI Keyboard Controllers
Akai MPK Mini MKIII – Best Portable Keyboard for Ableton
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| Price: | $/£80 |
| No of Keys: | 25 |
| Key size: | Mini |
| Key type: | Velocity-sensitive |
| Controls: | 6 function keys; PB1 & PB2 buttons for pitch bend, transpose, volume, pan & track. MIDI channel, transpose, layer & latch; S button for sustain & modulation |
| Connectivity: | Micro USB port, sustain pedal input |
| Power: | USB |
| Software Included: | Bitwig 8-Track |
| Dimensions (mm): | 335 x 100 x 21 |
| Weight (kg): | 0.4 |
The Akai MPK Mini Mk3 is one of the best midi keyboards for portability. Suited to Ableton users on the go, the MPK mini mk3 makes it easy to quickly plugin in and whip out a quick beat or bassline.
The keyboard has eight full sized drum pads, so you can do some finger drumming where ever if the inspiration strikes. Also, featuring eight encoder knobs helps you gain functionality over nearly every parameter in Ableton. You can simply map the knobs, twiddle and create music on the go. This little keyboard controller is suited nicely to producing electronic music on the go or sliding into your gig bag for live performances. Your Ableton Live performances will be taken up a notch by playing your drum beats live with the MPC style drum pads and jamming out with the encoders.
Alternative:
AKAI Professional APC Key 25 MK2
Related: Free Ableton Templates
Novation Launchkey Mini mk3 – Best Keyboard for Ableton
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| Price: | $/£99 |
| No. of Keys: | 25 |
| Key size: | Mini |
| Key type: | velocity-sensitive |
| Controls: | 16 velocity-sensitive backlit RGB launch pads, 8 rotary encoders, 10 function buttons, Octave shift, Transpose, Pitch and Modulation strips. |
| Connectivity: | 3.5mm TRS Type A MIDI out, Sustain Pedal input, USB B port |
| Power: | USB |
| Software Included: | Ableton Live Lite, Softube Time & Tone, Spitfire Audio LABS Expressive Strings, two months of Splice Sounds, AAS Session Bundle, Klevgrand DAW Cassette and R0Verb, XLN Audio Addictive Keys, membership of Novation Sound Collective |
| Dimensions (mm): | 330 x 172 x 40 |
| Weight (kg): | 0.69 |
This keyboard controller is a beast. The Novation Launchkey mini mk3 is excellent value for money, offering so much in a tiny package. It was developed primarily for Ableton live so you can plug this keyboard in and have control over Ableton immediately. Mappings and integrations work smoothly and intuitively. The latest update now includes a hardware MIDI out (via a TRS jack), pitch bend and a modulation touch strip.
The Launchkey Mini Mk3 has 25 mini velocity sensitive keys, 16 velocity-sensitive backlit RGB launch pads, 8 rotary encoders and 10 function buttons. Using the launchpads you can easily start triggering Ableton’s Drum Racks and twiddle the knobs to adjust macro parameters.
You can also launch clips and scenes and adjust mixer parameters via the keyboard’s controls. This makes for a more hands on approach to producing in Ableton, making the music composition process feel more fluid and intuitive.
A great selling point is the on board arpeggiator, which features multiple modes, rhythmic patterns, timing divisions and a four-octave range. If you put the arpeggiator into ‘Mutate mode’ it will auto-generate variations of patterns for you. A nice production hack is to use the arpeggiator to trigger your drum racks. The Mutate mode will then provide you with drum fills and rhythmic variations; perfect for those times when need some inspiration to get you out of the Ableton 16 bar loop! You can also define chord shapes and trigger them using the onboard ‘Fixed Chord’ feature.
What makes this one of the best value midi keyboard and keyboards for Ableton live is that you get a massive amount of free software bundled with your purchase too. The Launchkey Mini comes with sounds, virtual instruments,, and effects from AAS, Softube, Spitfire Audio, XLN Audio, Klevgrand and two months of Splice sounds. You also get a free copy of Ableton Live Lite. This makes the Launchkey Mini mk3 perfect for beginners as you have all the software you need to start making music.
Related: The Best Electronic Music Production Books
Arturia Minilab 3
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| Price: | $/£89.99 |
| No. of Keys: | 25 |
| Key size: | Mini |
| Key type: | Velocity-sensitive |
| Controls: | 8 rotary encoders, 2 banks of 8 velocity & pressure sensitive pads with RGB backlighting, 2 capacitive touch sensors for pitch bend and modulation wheel, 4 sliders. |
| Connectivity: | MIDI out, USB, input for sustain /expression pedal, or footswitch |
| Power: | USB |
| Software Included: | Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Intro, Native Instrument’s The Gentleman piano, UVI Model D |
| Dimensions (mm): | 35.5 x 22.0 x 5.0 cm |
| Weight (kg): | 1.5 |
MiniLab 3 is Arturia’s latest 25-mini key MIDI controller keyboard, now updated with a beautifully vibrant top panel, eight ultra-smooth continuous controllers, four sliders and a mini display complete with a handy push action rotary encoder.
The Minilab‘s eight velocity and pressure-sensitive pads have polyphonic aftertouch which integrates with many of the patches in Arturia’s Analog Lab. You also get two banks of pads, providing more versatility. In terms of connectivity, The MiniLab 3 offers USB C with an angled USB C plug for easy connection and a 2m USB C to USB A cable.
Good news for Ableton users is that Arturia have focussed on integrating the Minilab seamlessly into DAWs such as Ableton Live. They have done this by providing two modes on the keyboard: DAW (for DAW transport and other control) and Arturia (for integrating with Arturia’s “Analog Lab”). In DAW mode, you can use four of the eight pads (combined with the Shift button) as transport controls in Ableton Live.
The pads also map to scene and clip functions, and the sliders map to track, pan and send levels. This gives you a great amount of control over Ableton both in the studio and performing live. There are also DAW-specific scripts that can be used to extend the DAW mode features. You can read more about Ableton live controller DAW integration on the Arturia website here. Or watch this video on using the MiniLab with Ableton live.
The MiniLab 3 offers many extra features compared to its predecessor, such as MIDI out and a reconfigured panel. Whether you are looking to upgrade or are a new user, this is one of the best controllers in its class and provides great value for money.
Available in black and white versions and comes with a 5-year guarantee.
Novation Launchkey 37 MK 3 – Best Budget MIDI Keyboard For Ableton
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| Price: | $/£199.99 |
| No. of Keys: | 37 |
| Key size: | Mini |
| Key type: | velocity-sensitive |
| Controls: | 8 rotary encoders, 2 banks of 8 velocity & pressure sensitive pads with RGB backlighting, 2 capacitive touch sensors for pitch bend and modulation wheel, 4 sliders. |
| Connectivity: | MIDI out, USB, input for sustain /expression pedal, or footswitch |
| Power: | USB |
| Software Included: | Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Intro, Native Instrument’s The Gentleman piano, UVI Model D |
| Dimensions (mm): | 35.5 x 22.0 x 5.0 cm |
| Weight (kg): | 1.5 |
Novation’s Launchkey upgrades to the ‘Mk3’ to provide features designed to make the most of Ableton Live’s new updates. The Mk3 generation also upgrades the pads and the keyboards to provide even better velocity response.
Ever played something on the keyboard and wished you had hit record? The Launchkey has you covered. It has included a button to activate Live’s Capture MIDI tool so you can recall MIDI that you’ve just played (without pressing record). The Launchkey is integrated to access other Ableton features like track arm, quantise, click, and loop controls.
More Ableton integration features include an Ableton Push-style device control, via the eight rotaries knobs at the top of the controller. As the Ableton Push is only available as a clip launcher, the Launchkey is the currently the closest non Ableton branded keyboard controller for Live.
The Launchkey also feature powerful standalone Chord, Scale and Arpeggiator modes. These modes can be used without a computer for controlling external hardware via the hardware MIDI out. A useful feature if you have synths or drum machines you wish to trigger.
This is one the best Ableton Live keyboards available! Go check it out. Also available are the 25, 49 and 61-key versions.
Alternative:
Novation Launchkey 49 Mk3 MIDI Keyboard Controller
Related: The Best Music Production Schools
49-Key Controllers
M Audio Oxygen 49 PRO MKV
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| Price: | $/£184.99 |
| No. of Keys: | 49 |
| Key size: | Full Sized |
| Key type: | Velocity sensitive |
| Controls: | 8 velocity-sensitive trigger pads, 8 assignable knobs, 9 assignable faders, transport buttons |
| Connectivity: | USB, sustain pedal |
| Power: | USB |
| Software Included: | Ableton Live Lite, MPC Beats, Skoove and Melodics instrument learning, Air Hybrid 3, and Mini Grand instruments |
| Dimensions (mm): | 81 x 24.0 x 9.0 cm |
| Weight (kg): | 2.9 |
M-Audio has two ranges of their Oxygen MIDI keyboards. The Oxygen Pro is the top of that range, offering a feature rich alternative to the basic models. I have picked the verstaile Oxygen Pro 49 as it’s a perfect MIDI keyboard controller for use with Ableton Live.
The Oxygen Pro 49 keyboard hosts nine short-throw faders, an OLED display, 16 back-lit pads, eight rotaries, a swathe of buttons, plus pitch and modulation wheels on its sleekly-designed front panel. The Pro has great performance controls that can be used to control external hardware synths or Ableton live instruments. Like the chord and arpeggiator functions in Live the Oxygen Pro features an excellent arpeggiator, Smart Chord and Smart Scale modes which allow for performances in a particular key or scale. A ‘Note Repeat’ also allows you to create stutters and repeats triggered from the pads. The Oxygen features deep integration with many DAWs to provide further DAW control straight from the keyboard controller. This is available straight out the box as plug and play. You can add even deeper integration with Ableton by setting up the keyboard controller for Ableton live specifically. This will provide automapping roles of the hardware sliders, buttons and knobs and the configurations saved as presets into the Oxygen Pro’s internal memory.
The controller allows you to select three additional banks for the sliders, buttons, and knobs, which means you can harness control over a maximum 32 channels. The Keyboards also gives you dedicated transport controls, shortcuts for Save, Quantize and Undo. A handy feature for Ableton integration is the View button which toggles between the session and arrangement window. When integrated with Ableton Live the pads also act as clip launchers.
You can read more about setting up M Audio Oxygen Keyboards with Ableton live here.
There is a lot to like about this keyboard controller, and a versatile number of variations to suit different needs. The Oxygen range goes from 25 up to 61 key keyboard controllers. If you do not need as many features, you could consider the sibling of the Pro range the M Audio Oxygen 49 mkV. Or if on a tighter budget M-Audio’s Keystation 49 mk3.
Related: Best Midi Controller for Ableton
61-Key Controllers
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2
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| Price: | $/£599 |
| No. of Keys: | 61 |
| Key size: | Full Size. |
| Key Type: | Semi Weighted, velocity-sensitive with aftertouch |
| Controls: | 8 rotary encoders, 2 banks of 8 velocity & pressure sensitive pads with RGB backlighting, 2 capacitive touch sensors for pitch bend and modulation wheel, 4 sliders. |
| Connectivity: | MIDI In & out, USB, pedal input |
| Power: | USB, Mains |
| Software Included: | Ableton Live Lite, Komplete Select for free. 11 high-quality software instruments and effects: Massive, Monark, The Gentleman, Drumlab, Reaktor Prism. Scarbee Mark I, Retro Machines, Vintage Organs, West Africa, Solid Bus Comp, and Replica |
| Dimensions (mm): | 1006 x 84 x 297 mm |
| Weight (kg): | 6.5 |
The Komplete Kontrol S61 MkII is beautifully solid MIDI keyboard controller designed for seamless integration and control of NI’s Komplete virtual instruments, (plus any third-party plugins supporting the NKS standard).
In its upgrade to the Mk2 the Komplete Kontrol has received two high-resolution colour screens, rather than the touch strip, the introduction of solid pitch and mod wheels and 17 additional function buttons.
There’s USB 2.0, an aftertouch enabled Fatar keyboard, dual Midi ports, two pedal controllers and much tighter DAW and Maschine integration, too. This makes it possible to mix, perform electronic music, navigate and edit projects directly from the keyboard. There is even a mixer button for you to display your music software or DAWs mixer and control it.
A transport controller and a four-way push encoder allow you to move between, and record enable tracks all from the keyboard controller. The Kontrol’s features a ‘plugin mode’ which allows you to access the key features of a plugin, you can then hit the automation button and get even greater control over the plugin’s parameters. The tweaks and noodles can then be recorded as automation within Ableton. You can further integrate your Kontrol with Ableton by using remote scripts and instrument racks. This will turn your Kontrol into more feature rich control surface for Ableton Live.
Also comes bundled with Komplete Select, Spitfire audio and Output software instruments.
Alternatives:
M Audio Keystation 61 MK3 (Best budget 61 key keyboard)
Related: The Best Ableton Courses Online
88 Key Controllers
Nektar Impact LX88+ MIDI Keyboard Controller Best 88-Key
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| Price: | $/£242.99 |
| No. of Keys: | 88 |
| Key size: | Full size |
| Key type: | Semi Weighted, velocity sensitive |
| Controls: | 8 potentiometers, 9 faders, 9 assignable buttons, 6 transport buttons, 8 velocity-sensitive pads |
| Connectivity: | USB, MIDI Out port, 1/4-inch TS jack footswitch input |
| Power: | USB / Mains |
| Software Included: | Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Intro, Native Instrument’s The Gentleman piano, UVI Model D |
| Dimensions (mm): | 35.5 x 22.0 x 5.0 cm |
| Weight (kg): | 1.5kg |
If you are looking for an 88 key midi keyboard for Ableton you might find you are limited for options. One stand out is the Nektar’s Impact LX88+. The Nektar combines an 88-key semi-weighted USB-powered keyboard with Ableton control via nine buttons, nine sliders, eight pads, eight knobs and transport controls. The knobs and faders have a nice function called soft takeover, which updates values only once the current value is reached.
Other features include assignable foot pedal jack, 9V DC input, separate pitch and modulation wheels, 5-pin MIDI output, and keyboard zoning (up to two zones) and layering (up to two layers) via the Layer and Split buttons. The keyboard will work well as your go to studio keyboard or for performance use as it is light enough to use for gigging.
With the installation of remote scripts, the LX88+ can be used as a simple control surface for Ableton Live. You will be able to control the transport functions and control of mixer settings (level, pan, mute and solo) and the pads will be mapped to Ableton’s drum racks. You can read more about Ableton mappings on the Nektar website here.
You do not get the full weighted hammer action with the LX88+, so it may not be for everyone, but at the price it is well worth checking out.
Alternatives:
Related: Best Midi Controller for Ableton
FAQ
Which MIDI keyboard is best for Ableton Live?
It depends what you are looking for in a keyboard controller for Ableton Live. If you are after beginner midi keyboard with just a few keys, drum pads and the ability to control Ableton Live then the Novation Launchkey mini mk3 is one of the best midi keyboards for Ableton live. The Akai MPK Mini MKIII is a great alternative portable midi keyboard for Ableton.
If you are looking for a keyboard controller with more keys the Novation Launchkey 37 MK 3 offers good value and lots of features. The Novation Launchkey 49 in the same range is an alternative with more keys.
Moving into the 61 keyboard controllers you will find excellent DAW and NI software control with the Native Instruments S61 keyboard controller. If you are after a budget 61 keyboard controller then the M-Audio Oxygen 61 key and the M Audio Oxygen Pro ranges are a good choice.
For 88 keyboard controllers you will find the Nektar Impact LX88+ amongst the best keyboard controller for Ableton. Although it does have limited DAW integration compared to some of the controllers with less keys. If you have a larger budget, a good alternative to the Nektar would be the Roland 88.
How many keys do I need?
For basic drum patterns, and bass lines, and melody lines, as well as chords, you don’t need a lot of keys. A small MIDI controller with mini keys should suffice. In fact, nowadays these mini keys are just as responsive and playable as their larger counterparts. Not only that, they are cheaper and more portable.
If you’re used to playing the piano or keyboard, you may feel more comfortable using full-sized weighted keys. There are a variety of options out there that can accommodate whatever style of playing you prefer.
For basic melodies and chords, you can get away with a smaller MIDI keyboard. Many of these come with octave shift buttons, so even the 25-key versions can access the full range of notes. However, if you are a more experienced player or want to learn two-handed play, then it’s best to go for something bigger like a four-octave (49-note) or five-octave (61-note) keyboard. If space isn’t a problem for you, you could even consider an 88-key, piano-sized controller.
Many music producers of today work “in-the-box,” meaning they just use a computer or laptop for their music production. If you’re one of them, then you don’t really need a MIDI output as long as you don’t have any hardware MIDI synths to connect it to. Smaller mini jack TRS MIDI outputs are also becoming more popular and offer the same functionality. All controllers here can be powered via a USB port, and if you want to play piano parts, having an input for a sustain pedal is essential.
What key size do I need?
When it comes to simple drum patterns, bass and melody lines, and basic chords, mini keys can provide an adequate experience. Not only are they more affordable and portable, they don’t take up too much space on your desk. Some people even find that these mini keys can be just as responsive as full-sized versions.
If you’re used to playing the piano or keyboard, then full-sized weighted keys may provide a more traditional playing experience. Fortunately, there’s an array of options out there for whatever style of playing you prefer.
DAW Integration
It’s always handy to be able to control the transport of your DAW and adjust the parameters of your software instruments from a physical keyboard or controller. Once you do, it’ll be hard to go back to using your mouse for basic actions like playing, pausing, and record arming. If you use one main DAW and find a controller with good integration – which is becoming more common nowadays – then you’re in for a treat.
If you are still looking for a midi controller for Abelton you maybe interested in the article I wrote on the Best Midi Controller for Ableton.
