Unlike in the past, the only thing that may stop you from producing good music may be motivation. A good studio setup must have a good keyboard alongside other musical instruments, for efficient music production.
Cheap midi keyboards were hard to come by in the past, but the moment they started popping up, they developed a competitive niche in the market. The challenge that most buyers face is choosing the best out of the many different varieties available in the market.
Midi keyboards come in different varieties and a notable feature is that you do not need to break the bank to own one. Remember, you do not need to compromise on the features and quality of the keyboard just because their price is cheap.
From our article, we have outlined the 8 best midi keyboards under 100 with regards to pricing, functionality and other features.
Best Midi Keyboard Under 100 – Top 8 Available on the Market
Is it Worth Getting a Midi Keyboard Under 100?
The discussion on whether having a midi keyboard or not in your studio setup is something that leaves most producers at cross roads. There are people who like them while there are others that don’t.
They are not a must have production instrument, you can still produce quality music without a Midi keyboard.
However, there are several advantages that come with using a midi keyboard in producing your beats. Whether you are an expert or a beginner having a Midi keyboard is worth every shot. Here is why:
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Used for Drafting Ideas
In music production, having a midi keyboard enables you to play some notes, trying some chords here and there for your bass while coming up with a melody for your song before recording into your software.
A keyboard helps you to play, experiment, play the music ideas in your head and hear your production immediately.
It is really time-consuming to produce music without a keyboard as this requires you to draw notes with your mouse.
This will limit your creativity and experiment as you will need to hear how they sound by hitting the play button. Having a physical keyboard inspires your creativity.
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Allows You to Get Better At Piano
One of the major reasons that makes more people use a midi keyboard is that it helps you get better at playing the piano. If you are considering playing the piano in future, then having a keyboard helps you build on that.
Knowledge is very important when it comes to composing music. Ensure that you also learn some theory, as this will help you get better at playing. Kindly note, for you to be creative and develop more ideas, you will need to practice more.
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Improves your Beats Creation
Using your midi keyboard regularly enables you to become a good music producer and enable you to be more than just a computer based producer.
In as much as using a computer software as a keyboard is okay, it is more fun and cool to use a physical keyboard.
Also, a midi keyboard is important because it uses it to add a human feeling, you can use it for automation and furthermore, isn’t the piano roll just boring!
Top 8 Best Midi Keyboard Under 100
Here is a compilation of the top 8 best midi keyboards under 100 available in the market;
1. Best Overall – M Audio MK3 Mini Midi Keyboard
Brilliant features
- Comes with premium software.
- Octave buttons.
- Plug and play.
- Portable.
- Customizable response keys.
Watch out for
- No control for velocity sensitivity
The M Audio MK3 mini midi keyboard is the best overall keyboard in our sampling. The device is an easy to carry USB enabled MIDI keyboard that comes with a slim line footprint and a 32 key mini piano style feature.
Another notable feature is the customizable response mini keys that come with a selectable velocity curve for any music playing style.
The keyboard allows you to play the synthesizer, the traditional piano, make beats with the keys, and pitch bend while adding expressions immediately.
It comes with octave buttons for extending the keyboard range up and down, a volume knob for smooth output control and a sustain button for adding expressive ability. Additionally, it features a premium software package.
2. Best Compact – Korg 25 Key Midi Keyboard Controller
Brilliant features
- USB power
- Korg Kontrol editor software
- Control of software synthesizer
Watch out for
- All black looking
If you are looking for the best compact in size mini keyboard, then this is the model for you. This is a product that comes in a compact control surface and is conveniently easy to set up.
It is designed to easily and perfectly fit in front of your computer desk. It features 8 channels for the controllers that aid you in controlling your music software.
Also, it features a dedicated transport area and buttons that are effectively selected for proper use with your software.
The software feature supports most software titles including the major DAW programs. For each of the 8 channels, a fader, a knob and three switches are assigned. This helps with automation during recording for multiple channels.
3. Best Budget – MidiPlus 32 Key Midi Keyboard Under 100
Brilliant features
- Octave buttons.
- Pitch and modulation wheels.
- USB interface.
- Sustain pedal unit.
- USB powered.
Watch out for
- Works with computers that builds Mac OS X or Windows XP and above
The MidiPlus 32 key keyboard is a controller that features velocity sensitive keys, with the basic functions being easy to operate and understand.
The interface design is also very simple and clear with a body that is thin and light in weight. This ensures that the area it covers is less. It is also very portable and can be conveniently carried and used outdoors.
It comes with a UDB MIDI out, you do not require to install any drivers before use. It is a plug and play device. This model features a pitch and modulation wheel, octave buttons for up and down, and up and down transpose buttons.
It does not include a sustain pedal but comes with a sustain switch interface. It has a USB interface that enables you to connect it to the computer and another USB port for power.
4. Best Weighted – Samson Carbon 49 USB Midi Controller
Brilliant features
- Volume slider.
- Comes with a native instruments Komplete Elements software.
- Assignable data encoder.
- MIDI output.
- iPad slot.
- LED real time display.
Watch out for
- Doesn’t include software.
This is a model that features a 49-key velocity-sensitive, compact design and size. Also, it is semi-weighted and works well for a studio or a live performance.
This product has been manufactured to give you the right feel when using it. It comes with 14 control parameters editing keys that allow you to easily adjust the keys for quality editing. Every function’s behavior is easily displayed on a 7 segment LED display in real time.
It comes with the traditional MIDI output, sustain pedal output, an integrated iPad slot, and USB connections.
5. Best 25 Key – Alesis VMini Midi Keyboard Under 100
Brilliant features
- 25 velocity-sensitive keys.
- 4 pads.
- 4 assignable knobs.
- Octave buttons.
Watch out for
- Only 25 key options
This product has made music production on the go very simple. It is an instrument that is designed for music producers that are willing to have a total control of their work stations and virtual instruments.it is a very powerful, spontaneous, easy to carry MIDI keyboard controller.
The keyboard features, keyboard supports, that include, the octave buttons, pitch bend, modulation wheels, and sustain buttons.
Also, it comes with a USB inspired design, 25 velocity-sensitive keys, 4 velocity-sensitive pads with back lights, and 4 assignable knobs, the manufacturer features the popular Xpand!2 virtual instrument software.
6. Best 49 Key – Nektar SE49 Midi Controller
Brilliant features
- Plug and play
- Keyboard and performance controls
- Large pitch bend and modulation wheels
- USB class compliant
Watch out for
- Not really compact
This is the best 49 key midi keyboard available in the market from our analysis. This is a product that will give you value for money while allowing you to expressively produce music.
For a beginner or experts, this is a model that comes with features to aid you in being creative and produce outstanding content. It features a 49-key full-size velocity sensitive keys with the option of adjusting the velocity curves to match with the response you are playing.
One notable factor about this device is that it is compatible with any MIDI music software or DAW. It also allows you to change how instruments sound, record, play or rewind without having to touch the mouse.
7. Best 61 Key – MidiPlus i61 Midi Controller under 100
Brilliant features
- USB-B interface.
- USB bus powered MIDI out.
- 61 full-size dynamic keys.
- LED display.
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels.
- Optional sustain pedal
Watch out for
- Weighs 3 kg
The MidiPlus i61 midi keyboard is an under $100 instrument that features a full size sensitive 61 keys that are able to simultaneously produce 61 notes.
It comes with pitch and modulation wheels, a MIDI mode clasp button and a data entry wheel. The interface includes a USB-B interface that is used for sending MIDI messages or providing power.
Other notable features include two MIDI out USB-powered interfaces and a sustain pedal edge. It comes with a USB cable for use in connection with your computer/laptop.
8. Best for Multimedia – IK iRig Keys Midi Keyboard
Brilliant features
- Octave buttons.
- Comes with lighting, USB and MicroUSB cables.
- Assignable knobs.
- 25 velocity-sensitive knobs.
- Powered by your device.
- Comes with free apps for Android and iOS.
Watch out for
- A little bit pricy than the others in the list
For any music producer, musical ideas come anywhere and anytime. For this reason, you need o be ready anytime something comes to your mind.
The iRig keys mini, is a 25 key very portable midi controller that can be easily used with your iPad, iPhone, Android, and Mac/PC. The keys enable you to produce a 2 octave range. It can easily fit into your backpack and leave some room for other things.
Notable features include a SampleTank 3 SE and 6 expansion libraries for your Mac or PC. It also includes a core MIDI that perfectly integrates with all your favorite apps or software.
Tips for Buying a Midi Keyboard Under 100
Before settling on a certain keyboard, try considering the primary features. These are the features that you can’t live without. There are keyboards that come with secondary features that are really not important.
Choose what is important, and ensure that you don’t impulse buy.
Before you buy a midi keyboard, here are tips of what to consider;
1. Budget – There are a variety of midi keyboards available in the market all with varying prices. What determines the price of a keyboard is the number of keys, the higher the number of keys, the higher the price.
Notably, a keyboard that comes with other software packages, may have a higher price.
2. Number of Keys – Midi keyboards have several options, with the most popular being the 49 keys keyboard. Other varieties include, 25 keys, 32 keys, 37 keys, 49 keys, 61 keys and the 88 keys that are the same as a piano.
A good midi keyboard comes with octave shift buttons that enable the instrument to access full range note pitches even on a 25 key midi keyboard. With this in mind, you can choose one that best suits your needs.
3. Size of the Keys – If you are looking for a device that will help you in producing simple chords, simple bass , drum beats and modest melody lines, then having a smaller instrument with mini keys will work out well for you. They are considerably cheap and portable compared to the larger versions, and take up a smaller space.
Notably, mini keys controllers are just as receptive and easy to play as the larger editions.
Remember, for users who develop “sausage fingers” from playing small keys, you may want to stick to full-size key instruments.
4. Connectivity – Most producers have opted to work from one computer/laptop. This means that the need to have a MIDI output is unnecessary, not unless you need to connect to a MIDI synth hardware.
Remember, there are other midi keyboards that come with 5 pin MIDI out ports. With the growing popularity, small minijack TRS MIDI outputs are a common feature in these keyboards.
Also, to properly play the midi keyboard, a sustain pedal input is a requirement.
5. DAW Integration – As a producer, the ability to control your DAW transport while adjusting your software’s parameters from the midi keyboards rather than your computer always comes in handy.
If you are on a budget, having a full DAW integration is an added advantage simply because this is a preserve of high end keyboards in the market.
6. Midi Pads – Most midi keyboards feature a drum pad. Is this really necessary? Yes it is. It helps you play the different sounds assigned to it. However, you may choose to go for a separate drum machine all together.
Wrapping Up
It is important to mention that getting the best cheap midi keyboard instrument solely depends on the buyer. Simply because, needs vary and it’s all a matter of what works best for you.
Additionally, the guide above will help you choose the best instrument with regards to your needs and budget below 100. Consider going for a midi keyboard that suits your style, easily fits into your current setup and the keyboard’s output.
Also, choose a midi keyboard that has a good DAW preference, workflow, functionalities that best suit your needs, awesome build quality and integration.
With all this bagged, your path towards good music production will be set.
Top 8 Midi Keyboards Below 100
Luckily, the options available are so many. Work with a specific budget, say under $100, stick to it and enjoy your purchase.
