If you want to be a serious musician, it is important that your equipment never stops evolving. A new keyboard for the computer will help boost your skills and expand what can do as well! However, there are so many models out on market these days which makes finding one not easy at all especially if you’re not sure about what kind of instrument should work best with however much music-making experience or talent level someone has got under their belt already… Afterall- no matter whether they plan on becoming professional+or amateur-)the instruments MUST evolve too in order to make room enough for creativity to grow which is why it’s NOT always realistic for you to expect which music keyboard will work the best only after having your skills tested through “trial and error” sorts of methods.
Before buying one, then, here are some tips which you can use as a guide in finding out which sort of instrument would help boost up your talent level which will in turn- make learning more fun!
Table of Contents
The best music keyboard for starters:
Alesis Q49 is a 49-key synth that works well with both digital+software instruments which make it easier to connect to your computer as well as easy to sync up the sounds which come from internal as well as external 3rd party sound libraries. In other words, this can be termed as a “universal controller” which will work well with pretty much any sort of modern-day piano or synthesizer application that you might have installed into your computer already. Like most MIDI keyboards today (around the market)- it’s got USB and MIDI connections which make working with software and hardware combo very easy and convenient however the great thing about Alesis Q49 is that- not only does it have a backlit which makes it easy to use in low lighting conditions which is helpful for people who are serious about their music but- being GHS weighted which means that the keys have got a heavier touch which is perfect for musicians of any level.
The price of Alesis Q49 which is around 100$US makes it also one of the best buys especially if you want something which can work well with both software instruments as well as hardware keyboard so getting this one instead will help save you money which you could have spent buying different MIDI keyboards instead. As far as the sounds go, on the other hand, playing anything from string+brass ensembles to keyboard pads that sound similar to those used on top 40 songs these days will be possible which is why this comes highly recommended when it comes to which music keyboard to buy if you are starting out.
Of course, in order for you to make the most of this MIDI controller which is compatible with all sorts of music software which work well on both PC+Mac laptops and computers- you need either a DAW which will allow creating/recording your own MIDI tracks OR at least have an application which can be used in triggering samples which you can then layer into the mix later on.
Finally- Alesis Q49 has got its very own feature set which makes learning more fun due to the fact that it comes with built-in arpeggiator modes which can vary from plain old volume control settings+to ones with lots of rhythmic variations which is why it’s great to have if you are serious about learning music.
The keyboard which works well with only software instruments:
Nektar Panorama P4 can be said as one of the best music keyboards for creating and producing music which works well in both recording+mixing projects which come to life once you get your hands on this particular MIDI controller which has got an excellent 4.3-inch color screen that displays all sorts of details regarding which synth or virtual instrument will come next during a live performance. In other words, no matter whether you’re playing back via sequencing software present in your computer already or just working out ideas directly into it+the Nektar Panorama P4 will still display relevant information which is great if you want to simplify and enhance your workflow which will make it easier to create music which sounds like a professional made it- every single time.
One of the best features which come with this keyboard which can be said as one of the best music keyboards for beginners is that- there’s no need for mapping (or assigning) as well as saving various shortcuts as everything which you’ll need to do in order to control certain parameters such as volume level, panning, effects, etc. during a live performance has been pre-configured which means that all you have to do is simply turn knobs/faders which are large enough so that they are not fiddly plus- the color screen makes it very easy even in low lighting conditions which means that you can focus more on which music keyboard to buy which could work well with your DAW of choice.
Of course, this 28-key MIDI controller which works well with both Windows+MAC comes with a full version of Bitwig 8 which is a powerful DAW that allows recording+mixing projects which can then be shared online by using SoundCloud or uploaded into YouTube as if it was a standard video file which is great news for many beginners out there nowadays. In other words- once you get your hands on Nektar Panorama P4 which is one of the best music keyboards for beginners, you won’t have to purchase any software separately since everything which you need will be pre-configured and ready to go right from the start which means that you won’t have to waste which is the best music keyboard to buy which can be said as one of the best music keyboards for beginners which comes at a price which many might consider being too high which is why knowing which keyboard work well with both software instruments+MIDI hardware controllers can be pretty useful.
Of course, Nektar Impact LX isn’t just a series of MIDI keyboards which- when connected to your computer via USB input will allow you to control all sorts of parameters from the comfort of your sofa while sitting in front of your laptop/computer which means that there’s no need for jumping around trying to find out which MIDI controller works well with your DAW which has got lots of virtual instruments which can then be mapped to which is the best music keyboard to buy which works well with only software instruments as Nektar Impact LX which comes in 61 as well as 49 key versions will do all of the work for you.
The first thing which you’ll notice about these MIDI keyboards which come equipped with LCD screens is that each one of them has got a full version of Bitwig 8 which is a powerful DAW that allows recording+mixing projects which can then be shared online by using SoundCloud or uploaded into YouTube as if it was a standard video file which makes them even more attractive since they don’t require any additional software whatsoever unlike most other midi controllers out there on the market such as Akai Pro (requires Ableton which is a bit expensive). In other words, these MIDI keyboards which work well with both Windows+MAC will allow you to start recording completely from scratch which means that having a full version of Bitwig 8 which comes pre-configured with both Nektar Impact LX61 as well as 49 key versions is what makes them one of the best music keyboards in 2022 in terms of value for money in my humble opinion.
Another thing which I’ve noticed while reading various reviews online about these MIDI keyboards which work out of the box when connected to your computer via USB input is that they’re pretty light which makes them suitable for on-stage performances which can be said as one of the best music keyboards for beginners who need something portable yet sturdy which won’t get damaged which is why Nektar Impact LX which comes in 61 as well as 49 key versions not only look great but they’re also highly functional which is the reason why I’ve decided to include these MIDI keyboards which work well with both Windows+MAC on my list of ” which are the best music keyboards to buy “.
Nektar AXS-L61 and Nektar AXS-L49:
One of the main advantages which comes with both Nektar AXS-L61, as well as Nektar AXS-L49, which makes these MIDI keyboards which work great on both Windows+MAC stand out from most other manufacturers’ products which can be found for cheaper prices is that they come equipped with touch-sensitive controls which comes with 4 LED modes which can be configured out of the box which means that you will be able to play various virtual instruments using aftertouch, velocity as well as 3 separate pad sensitivity levels which is a huge advantage which makes these two MIDI keyboards which work perfectly fine on both Windows+MAC stand out from most other competitors’ products which come equipped with half-ass controllers which don’t allow customizing LED displays, etc.
In addition to having highly responsive aftertouch plus 3 different sensitivity levels for playing drum triggers/pads, Nektar AXS-L also allows multi-color backlit which further enriches overall user experience which isn’t something that can be said about a lot of other MIDI keyboards currently on the market which are more expensive which is why I decided to include Nektar AXS-L which comes in 61 as well as 49 key versions on my list of ” which are the best music keyboards which work perfectly fine on both Windows+MAC “.
> Check how much Bontempi MIDI keyboard costs.
Which are the best music keyboards which work great for home recording studios?
Nektar Panorama P4 which can be said as one of the most affordable 4-octave range controllers which come equipped with velocity-sensitive pads plus 8 assignable faders, it also has 19 LED illuminated buttons which allows navigating through various parameters while playing virtual instruments within DAWs without taking your eyes off-screen which means that you will be able to create music which comes in both hands-on as well as eyes-free which is something that’s definitely worth paying attention to which is why I’ve included it on my list of ” which are the best music keyboards which work great for home recording studios “.
Nektar Panorama P4:
Because Nektar Panorama P4 is a 4-octave controller which doesn’t have any touch-sensitive sliders or pads, this MIDI keyboard which works perfectly fine with Windows+MAC can also be used to control Ableton Live which has already become one of the most popular DAWs currently available on the market.
Other than being portable & lightweight which makes it easy to pack up and go, this MIDI keyboard which offers 19 LED illuminated buttons which can act as Ableton Live controls is also pretty affordable which makes it even more attractive to musicians which are looking for decent MIDI keyboards which work perfectly fine with both Windows+MAC.
Nektar Panorama P1:
> Find out more about Nektar Panorama P4 controller keyboard.
Nektar Impact LX25+:
Nektar Impact LX25+ which comes in 25 key versions, along with 49 key versions which I’ve already reviewed here, offers an unprecedented level of integration between hardware and desktop/mobile software applications which allows using most popular virtual instruments within various DAWs without installing any drivers which means that buying this MIDI keyboard which works great on Windows+MAC’t be a waste of money which is why it’s worth considering which is especially true when you take into consideration that most other MIDI keyboards which are more expensive don’t offer such level of integration which makes me suggest checking out Nektar Impact LX25 which can be used with both Windows+MAC.
> Find out how Jack Joseph Puig thinks about the Nektar Impact LX25+.
Lakland Skyline 44-02:
If you’re looking for a semi-hollow body 4-string electric bass which comes loaded with 2 custom designed CMT passive soap bar pickups which allows achieving deep, fat & rich tone which can be further refined via onboard 3-band B15 preamp which has plenty of built-in controls, then Lakland Skyline 44-02 which is currently available in 3 finishes might be just what you’re looking for which is why I decided to include it on my list of ” which are the best music keyboards which work great for home recording studios “.
> Learn more about Lakland Skyline 44-02.
With this MIDI keyboard which comes with semi-weighted 88 key design, Nektar offers a high-quality control surface that allows using various synthesizers as well as virtual instruments within DAWs such as FL Studio without having to purchase separate MIDI controller or sound modules which can end up becoming pretty expensive which is why buying one device instead of two ends up saving a lot of money which is definitely worth checking out especially if you think about the fact that this MIDI controller which has 8 faders which are touch-sensitive allows you to not only create various sounds which can be further tweaked using Nektar DAW integration, but it also gives you the ability to play virtual instruments which means that you won’t have to buy another keyboard which doesn’t make buying other expensive equipment necessary which is why I encourage all musicians who are looking for decent MIDI keyboards which work great with Windows+MAC to consider checking out Nektar Impact LX88+.
Nektar Impact LX25+:
Take a moment and check out my review of Nektar Panorama P4, one of the best music keyboards which offer great value for money.
> You can find many reviews on various types of electronic music equipment which I’ve done.
Nektar Impact LX49+:
> Get more info on Nektar Impact which is one of the best music keyboards which work great for home recording studios.
– which is the best music keyboard to buy
s which can also be used as a control surface which allows controlling various parameters such as those coming with virtual instruments within DAWs without having to invest in separate hardware which can end up being pretty expensive especially when you consider that majority of affordable MIDI controllers don’t offer such amazing integration which makes me suggest checking out Nektar Impact LX49+ which works perfectly fine with Windows and Mac and offers 8 faders which are touch-sensitive and 49 semi-weighted keys which offer a high level of response which makes using the device very easy which is why I believe that this MIDI keyboard which has an additional feature which allows adding another 4-fader unit to it can be a great addition to any home recording studios which work with both Windows+MAC.
– which is the best music keyboard to buy
which offer touch-sensitive controls and provide amazing integration between hardware and software which means that no additional drivers are required – simply plug & play. If you’re looking for decent MIDI keyboards which don’t cost too much money, then I suggest checking out which come in 61 and 49 key variants which are both capable of handling various tasks even though the latter one comes with a smaller number of keys might be a better option to consider especially if you’re looking for something which offers amazing value for money. If you’re interested in which model to consider, then it’s definitely worth taking a look at which I recently reviewed and which has 8 faders that are touch-sensitive and 49 semi-weighted keys that come with aftertouch which makes using the device pretty easy.
