world of Budget midi keyboard Competitive to say the least. There are countless companies making keyboards for under $300, ranging in size from 25 keys to 88 keys. There are mini controllers to put in the bag. Controllers with tightly integrated software to simplify sound design. Keyboards with MPC-style drum pads. Honestly, it's a little hard to go wrong choosing any of them – they'll all get the job done.
Still, there are a few that rise to the top, depending on your specific needs. If you're a user of Arturia or Native Instruments plugins, your best bet is their respective KeyLab Essentials and Complete Control A series. But if you're not locked into a particular company's ecosystem, or if your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) of choice is ableton liveSo Novation's Launchkey series is a clear standout. And, with the new MK4 revisions, it makes a solid case for the best budget MIDI controller period.
Photograph: Terrence O'Brien
hardware
There are really no surprises on the hardware front. The Launchkey MK4 is a budget MIDI controller. The larger 49- and 61-key models have semi-weighted keybeds that are decent, but not great. (The 37- and 25-key models have synth-action keybeds that are even more meh.) It's mostly plastic. And connectivity options are basic but adequate: just one USB-C port, sustain jack, and five-pin MIDI out.
There are plenty of practical controls here. Nine faders (on larger models), eight endless encoders, 16 pads, and countless buttons. The faders and pads are pretty mediocre. The faders feel a bit cheap and loose, and the pads can't compete with Akai controllers. They're fine for launching clips, but I wouldn't want to point a finger at them. However, the buttons are pleasantly clicky, and the move from potentiometers to encoders means you don't have to deal with the chaos of parameters jumping around unexpectedly when you turn a knob.
Photograph: Terrence O'Brien