Best MIDI Keyboards Under $100

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You’ll find the best option for MIDI Keyboards under $100 in this article. Music production has become more accessible than ever, and you don’t need to break the bank to kickstart your creative journey. If you’re on a budget, fear not! We’ve curated a list of some of the best MIDI keyboards under $100 that offer a perfect blend of affordability and functionality. Let’s dive into the world of budget-friendly MIDI controllers and find the one that suits your musical needs. keyboard

Things to Consider when Buying a Cheap MIDI Keyboard

• Key Size and Weight

Since you are on a budget most of the MIDI Keyboard Under $100 comes with semi weighted keys. Semi-weighted keys provide a middle ground between the light feel of synth-action keys and the heavier feel of weighted keys. But almost all of them have velocity response. So it will help you to feel more realistic and natural.

Synth-action keys are common on compact MIDI keyboards. They are lighter and springier, making them easier to play for extended periods. These keys are often preferred for electronic music production, where rapid and expressive playing is essential.

Key sizes can be different for each MIDI. Some keyboards have less key sizes while other focus more on expanding their key sizes. Key size plays a huge roll when playing on the MIDI. Having larger keys will always be good idea when playing.

• Knobs, Pads and Other Controls

Knobs and pads are more common on MIDI Keyboards these days. Most of the keyboards have knobs, pads, faders and controllers. When buying, you really need to focus on what you need the most because you are on a budget.

• Number of Keys

MIDI keyboards come in various key counts, ranging from mini keyboards with around 25 keys to full-sized keyboards with 88 keys (similar to a standard piano). The number of keys impacts the range and versatility of your playing. Consider your playing style and the type of music you create when choosing the key count.

• Bundled Software

Some MIDI keyboards come with bundled software, virtual instruments, or digital audio workstations (DAWs). This can add value to your purchase, especially if you’re just starting and don’t have a preferred software setup.

Let’s dive into the list

Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 25 – $99

the Launchkey Mini offers plug-and-play control over a wide selection of the DAW’s features. You can play Drum Racks using the pads, tweak the rotaries to adjust parameters, launch Clips and Scenes and adjust mixer parameters. placed. 

Lots of controllers to have more fun. Offering plenty of room to tap out drum patterns across the Mini’s compact interface, the bank of 16 velocity-sensitive pads is equally well. It also have a standalone mode, so it’s the perfect controller for any music-making setup, with or without a computer. Fixed Chord Mode, arpeggiator and Custom Modes can all be used to control an all-hardware studio or live rig.

• Type:Keyboard Controller
• Number of Keys:25
• Type of Keys:Mini-key, Synth action
• Velocity Sensitive:Yes
• Pads:16 x Velocity-sensitive RGB Pads
• Other Controllers:Pitchbend Touch Strip, Modulation Touch Strip
• Encoders/Pots:8 x Rotary Knobs
• Pedal Inputs:1 x 1/4″ (sustain)
• MIDI I/O:1 x 1/8″ TRS Type A (Out), USB
• USB:1 x Type B
• Computer Connectivity:USB
• Features:Transpose, Fixed Chord Mode, Arpeggiator
• Software:Ableton Live Lite, AAS Session Bundle, Additional Bundled Plug-ins
• OS Requirements – Mac:OS X 10.11.6 or later, 64-bit
• OS Requirements – PC:Windows 7 SP1 or later, 64-bit
• Power Supply:USB bus powered
• Height:1.22″
• Width:12.9″
• Depth:6.77″
• Weight:1.55 lbs.
• Manufacturer Part Number:AMS-LAUNCHKEY-MINI-MK3

Arturia MiniLab 3 – $100

The new overhauled top panel is now graced with eight ultra-smooth continuous controllers, four sliders and a mini display with accompanying push action rotary encoder. You also get eight velocity and pressure-sensitive RGB backlit pads with a 2-bank configuration. 

The touch sensitive pads for pitch bend and mod wheel work incredibly well and smooth. The MiniLab 3 continues the 25-key arrangement, boasting a slender profile and weighing just over three pounds. An ergonomic form factor includes two capacitive touch sensors for pitch and modulation control, respectively. Eight touch- and pressure-sensitive pads are broken into two banks, totaling 16 fully assignable, RGB-backlit slots. Eight rotary encoders are accompanied by four high-quality sliders to accommodate versatile control schemes.

What makes Minilab 3 more cooler is it comes with free 500 presets of Analog Lab, which is awesome. The chords and arpeggiator mod works really well with the DAW making your work flow easier.

• Type:Keyboard Controller
• Number of Keys:25
• Type of Keys:Synth
• Velocity Sensitive:Yes
• Pads:8 x RGB Back-lit Pressure Sensitive Pads
• Other Controllers:Pitchbend/Modulation Capacitive Touch Sensors
• Encoders/Pots:8
• Faders:4
• Pedal Inputs:1 x 1/4″ (control)
• MIDI I/O:Out/USB
• USB:1 x USB-C
• Computer Connectivity:USB
• Power Supply:USB bus powered
• Height:2.0″
• Width:14.0″
• Depth:8.7″
• Weight:3.3 lbs.
• Manufacturer Part Number:Minilab3

Nektar SE49 – $89

Looking for a minimal MIDI Keyboard, this one is right on the budget. No fancy knobs or pads, just delivering the basics. While the above keyboards have limited 25 keys, Nektar got 49 keys and what is even better is these keys respond beautifully, with a nice firm feel and great rebound. There are even four different velocity curves that let you adjust the keyboard response to fit your unique playing style.

Pitch bend and mod wheels, four buttons, and a MIDI-assignable fader to the left of the keys provide extensive customizable control. First, you can adjust octaves up or down by -3/+4 with multicolored LED indicators that clearly show your octave status. You can also transpose the keys ±12 semitones. These same buttons can also be reassigned to switch MIDI channels, change MIDI programs, select tracks, and even browse patches when DAW integration is active. And to take things even further, you can set the MIDI fader, modulation wheel, or footswitch pedal to control any MIDI CC message you desire. And your assignments are even stored when you power off, so next time you can pick up right where you left off.

• Type:Keyboard Controller
• Number of Keys:49
• Type of Keys:Full-size, Synth action
• Velocity Sensitive:4 x Velocity Curves, 3 x Fixed
• Other Controllers:Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
• Faders:1 x 30mm Fader
• Pedal Inputs:1 x 1/4″ (sustain)
• MIDI I/O:USB
• USB:1 x Type B
• Computer Connectivity:USB
• Software:Bitwig Studio 8-track
• OS Requirements – Mac:OS X 10.8.5 or later
• OS Requirements – PC:Windows 7 SP1 or later
• Power Supply:USB bus powered
• Height:2.71″
• Width:31.69″
• Depth:7.75″
• Weight:4.85 lbs.
• Manufacturer Part Number:SE49

AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 – $99

This is one of the most used MIDI keyboard under $100. Whether you’re a mobile performer or a studio producer, Akai Professional’s MPK Mini III lets you take control of your music-making in exciting new ways. Small enough to fit in your backpack, big enough to make a hit. Overall look, it looks the same as the rest. 8 drum pads, eight rotary controls and the thumb stick style pitchbend/modulation.

About the pads,  the velocity response is excellent when playing beats, but you’ve also got great pressure performance when playing sustained sounds.

mk3 retains the joystick style pitchbend/modulation and this still requires some skill to elicit just modulation – I’m sure some would prefer touch strips. That said, if you’d rather use it to control MIDI CCs, you can assign four (one in each direction on each axis). Further settings and behaviors including MIDI channel, specific CC assignments, knob behavior and aftertouch are set in the desktop editor app (MPK mini 3 Program Editor).

Akai Professional MPK Mini III 25-key MIDI Controller Features:

• Type:Keyboard Controller
• Number of Keys:25
• Type of Keys:Synth Mini-keys
• Velocity Sensitive:Yes
• Pads:8 x Backlit, Velocity-sensitive Performance Pads
• Other Controllers:4-way Pitchbend/Modulation Joystick
• Encoders/Pots:8 x Assignable Knobs
• Pedal Inputs:1 x 1/4″ TS (sustain)
• MIDI I/O:USB
• USB:1 x Type B
• Computer Connectivity:USB
• Features:Built-in Arpeggiator
• Software:MPC Beats Software
• OS Requirements – Mac:OS X 10.8.5 or later
• OS Requirements – PC:Windows 7 SP1 or later
• Power Supply:USB bus powered
• Height:1.75″
• Width:12.5″
• Depth:7.13″
• Weight:1.65 lbs.
• Manufacturer Part Number:MPKMINI3

Let’s dive into more Midi Keyboards under $100. the list goes on.

Akai Professional LPK25 mk2 – $60

If you’re looking for a MIDI that easy to use and some quality keys that does the job, Akai Professional LPK25 mk2 is one of the best. It got built-in arpeggiator and the best feature is having MPC Beats Music Production Software featuring thousands of drum samples and plugin instrument sounds.

The downside is Akai Professional LPK25 mk2 does not have a mod wheel or a pitch bend wheel. If you’re someone who are looking for that in you MIDI, this is not an option for you.

• Type:Keyboard Controller
• Number of Keys:25
• Type of Keys:Synth
• Velocity Sensitive:Yes
• Other Controllers:Sustain button
• Presets:8 x User
• MIDI I/O:USB
• USB:1 x Type B
• Computer Connectivity:USB
• Features:Built-in Clock and Arpeggiator
• Software:Editor Program, AiR Hybrid, AiR MiniGrand, AiR Velvet, MPC Beats, MPC Sound Packs
• Power Supply:USB bus powered
• Height:1.5″
• Width:13.7″
• Depth:4.0″
• Weight:0.99 lbs.
• Manufacturer Part Number:LPK25MK2