There are many choices when shopping for a keyboard controller. With options ranging from small and portable to full-sized workstation controllers with tons of controls and features, it can be challenging to determine the right pick for your needs and budget.
However, identifying just a few key considerations upfront makes navigating your options much more manageable.
This guide will walk you through the most important factors to consider as you evaluate keyboard controllers to find the right fit.
1. Key Size and Feel
One of the most fundamental decisions is key size and overall keyboard feel.
For piano players or those wanting realistic weighted action, 88 weighted keys with hammer action are ideal. Anything smaller than 88 keys presents compromises versus playing a real piano, so evaluate your space and portability needs. Beyond piano playing, 49 and 61 semi-weighted keyboard controller offer a good balance of size versus playability for many synth players and producers.
Portability being essential, mini 25 and 32 key options maximize mobility but lose octave range. No matter the size, testing out keyboard action in person lets you judge comfort and response. Do repeated keystrokes flow smoothly? Do the keys depress evenly? Get a hands-on feel whenever possible.
2. Connectivity
How your keyboard controller connects to computers, mobile devices, and more shapes what you can do.
Most keyboards today use USB connections, which offer plug-and-play functionality for computers, tablets, and even smartphones, providing any necessary adapters. Pay attention to the USB protocol supported, as USB-C and Thunderbolt options allow faster communication versus regular USB-A.
Beyond USB, MIDI in and out, connections enable linking hardware synthesizers and drum machines to expand sonic capabilities. If latency-free mobile use matters, Bluetooth connectivity ensures freedom of movement when performing or recording away from a main workstation. Evaluate connectivity aspects upfront if you have particular devices you want to connect to.
3. Pads, Knobs, Faders and Buttons
While all keyboard controllers focus on their piano-style keys as the main interface, many also incorporate an array of pads, knobs, faders, buttons, and other controls. If you mainly play piano or keyboard instruments, fewer controls suit you fine.
However, having these additional inputs expands creative options for producers, DJs, and others wanting to trigger clips, tweak effects, control mixing, and more.
Think about your normal creative workflows and how you might want to interact with software instruments, loops, or effects. Do you want to launch entire sections on demand or tweak filters in real time? Check that the pads, faders, and other controls a keyboard includes fit your needs or anticipate how you may expand your approaches over time. More controls provide flexibility but add expense and complexity, so strike the right balance.
4. Onboard Sounds
Lower-priced keyboard controllers mainly offer quality connectivity, and controls to manipulate external sound sources from computers or hardware instruments. However, many keyboards also include built-in sounds like piano, strings, drums, and more, removing reliance on hooking up additional gear. This massively expands playability anywhere without other equipment.
Evaluate whether onboard sound libraries matter based on your mobility needs and existing rig. Do you mainly work in one location with many existing synthesizers and sound sources? Or is the grab-and-go ability with usable sounds critical? The best keyboards blend integrated sounds and controller flexibility, but cheaper controllers skip sounds. Decide what works for your normal workflow and creative spaces.
5. Form Factor Adjustments
Keyboard controllers span a broad spectrum from ultra-compact portable units to full-blown digital workstations with enormously expansive control options. On the extremely portable end, slim 25-key mini keyboard controllers maximize mobility for travel, sacrificing key range for extreme portability. Moving up in size, 49, 61, and 73 key keyboards offer more octave spans while retaining transportability. On the top end, weighty 88 hammer-action key controllers deliver a true piano feel but consume considerable space in return.
In between both extremes lie many models offering different balances regarding keyboard size, key feel, playability, and depth of additional onboard controls. Smaller 25-32 key controllers work well for popping into a backpack or briefcase for mobile productions, live performance sets, or travel writing sessions.
Stepping up to 49 keys adds space but allows for playing more intricate two-handed piano parts. For studio-focused producers who value playability but still need some portability, 61 keys make a good middle ground.
Suppose you anticipate doing most of your editing, writing, and music production while seated at a single studio desk without frequent location changes. In that case, larger and heavier keyboard form factors make sense. These maximize creative sound design options by offering greater key ranges, more controls, and superior playability through weighted or semi-weighted actions. However, if working in tight home studios or aiming to produce music across multiple locations is critical, more barebones streamlined mobile keyboards with 25-49 keys offer major workflow and convenience advantages.
Conclusion
Finding your ideal keyboard controller means carefully weighing priorities ranging from playability, connectivity, controls, sounds, and mobility. Focus first on appropriately sizing your available space, playing style, and sound needs.
Ensure that whatever keyboard form factor is chosen offers suitable connectivity for hooking up to the rest of your studio gear. Make sure to evaluate onboard sounds, particularly if mobile production matters.
Finding the right place on the spectrum between portable controllers and fully featured workstations ultimately comes down to an honest assessment of creative needs. Identifying how you expect to use your keyboard makes choosing much more straightforward by focusing on what truly matters most.
