Best MIDI Keyboard Under 300 dollars are a great way to learn how to play the piano and they can be used as an electronic substitute for real pianos. They range in price from $100-$300, with some brands offering more features than others. For those who don’t know what a midi keyboard is, it is basically a device that allows you to connect your instrument or computer through USB and use it as an interface so you can record music or playback songs.

There are a lot of factors to consider when buying one, so you want to be sure you purchase the right one for your needs. Some people are just looking for something that they can use to play their favorite songs with Auto-Tune on it, and this is where the MIDI keyboard comes in.

If you’re just producing music or if you’ve been doing it for years, there is a good chance that in time, someone has told you “Hey! You should buy a MIDI Keyboard!” The thing with these instruments is they can be quite expensive (especially if they come from Roland or Korg). This is because they require an initial investment which could be anywhere from $50-$300.

Producers of electronic music often use these keyboards because of their compatibility with software like Ableton Live and FL Studio. They also come with a variety of features, such as touchpads and knobs, that allow for better control over the sound during the production process.

This makes them an excellent choice for people who want to produce intricate sounds or work in over one DAW simultaneously. You just need to think about what kinds of features and functions will work best for your style and needs. There are many benefits associated with using MIDIs instead of actual pianos, so if you want more information on them, check out the article.

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7 Best MIDI Keyboard Under 300 Dollars In 2022

The V61 is a controller Best MIDI Keyboard Under 300 that gives you hands-on control of your music software. Its 61 velocity-sensitive keys, 8 assignable backlit pads, and 4 assignable knobs and buttons let you play and perform with your computer in ways that are simply impossible with a mouse or touchscreen alone.

The V61’s eight illuminated drum pads are velocity-sensitive so they can be used to trigger samples just like the pads on an acoustic drum kit. The four knobs, buttons, and D-BEAM allow you to manipulate virtually any function within your music software and the arrow keys and Octave controls give you extra abilities that simply don’t exist on any other controller in this class.

Octave Up and Down buttons let you access the full keyboard range. Pitch and modulation wheels deliver expressive, creative control. Premium Software Included – Includes ProTools: First Alesis Edition, Ableton Live Lite 9 and Eleven Lite, plus Mini Grand, DB-33, and Xpand! 2 virtual instrument software by Air Music Tech.

USB Connectivity for Mac & PC. Class Compliant with Windows 10, 8, 7; Mac OS X 10.7 or later; iPad (requires Apple Camera Connection Kit). 32 Velocity-sensitive keys with a synth action provide a responsive feel. Lighted LED buttons and dials provide pro control of transport, mixing, instrument parameters, and effects.

Transpose features eight positions to accommodate different songs or sounds. The joystick moves notes input from the keyboard to other octaves. An extensive selection of Factory Sounds offers full access to the entire back panel for sound creation. 3-digit LED display keeps you informed of octave/program status even in dimly-lit conditions. It provides 3 years warranty by Alesis Australia, which can be extended to 5 years upon product registration within 30 days from the date of purchase (conditions apply).

Pros

  • 61 keys

  • 4 assignable knobs

  • Premium software included

  • 8 Assignable backlit pads

Cons

  • Keys are not dynamics

  • Software not upgraded

The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A49 is the perfect keyboard controller for all your virtual instruments and effects. It features a semi-weighted, custom keyboard with an after touch. The informative OLED display shows at-a-glance what you’re controlling, while eight touch-sensitive control knobs give you hands-on control of every parameter in your software.

Play for hours without pain or discomfort. Relax your neck muscles and avoid the dreaded ‘drummer hunch’. Sit comfortably for longer periods of time. You’ll be the envy of every musician around you. Never worry about losing power again – just plug in and go! It’s like playing real drums!

The keyboard features Komplete Kontrol integration via its colored keys. This means it comes preloaded with essential key patches right at your fingertips – no more plugin hunting. It’s also ready to be mapped to any other software you like, with assignable buttons and faders, MIDI mappable controls that allow full flexibility over your entire setup. Controls for pitch bend, mod wheel, aftertouch even transport controls are all clearly laid out on the A49.

The stik is a 4 octave (F1 to C3) foot-switch control that you stand/sit on while playing your virtual instruments. It is a 9 inch by 4.5-inch platform that provides wireless MIDI control to any iOS or USB-based virtual instrument software, giving you the power to unleash your creativity without worrying about hitting the wrong keys, turning knobs, or twisting faders.

An iOS device (iPad/iPhone) is required for wireless operation and to run third-party virtual instrument apps. A computer is required for MIDI control of some DAWs and Virtual Instruments.

Pros

  • USB 2.0

  • 8 touch-sensitive control

  • 49 keys

  • English, German and French languages

  • A-series style

Cons

  • Hardware registration problem

  • The latest version of Ableton is missing

The Novation 49SL MkIII is a Midi controller that has an integrated USB interface. It can be used to control external synths and other MIDI devices, as well as to send CV/Gate signals for controlling analog synths or modular.

It lets the user control almost every parameter of an external synth or software through 7 fully automatable touch-sensitive motorized faders. The keyboard is made of 25 velocity and pressure-sensitive buttons that let the user play chords, drums, or melodies with just one finger. Also, 4 banks of 8 backlit performance pads allow the user to launch clips, play drums and instantly trigger samples.

A built-in arpeggiator with an extensive range of sync and club-style modes lets the user make complex patterns in a second without ever touching a mouse or keyboard. The Novation 49SL MkIIIalso has 9 fully automatable buttons that can be assigned to any of the 116 knobs on the controller.

In terms of connectivity, this controller comes with a USB hub that allows 4 MIDI interfaces to be plugged at once for easy access to external hardware and software synths as well as computers. This piano keyboard has been designed alongside Ableton Live and works seamlessly with it. In fact, 4 pads can trigger clips and scenes, while the 9 buttons and the touch-sensitive knobs can control almost any parameter of Live. It has a solid controller that lets you work faster and more creatively with Ableton Live. It’s also compatible with any other DAW.

Pros

  • 49 keys

  • 6800-gram weight

  • Ableton live music-making software

  • 8 internal track patterns

  • 11.8 x 3.94 x 32.15 inches dimensions

  • Keyboard controller

Cons

  • Keys pivot when pressed hard

  • No iOS software configuration support

At first, sight, even before actually reading about it or going through its specifications, it’s pretty obvious that the Alesis VI25 is designed to be a very capable controller keyboard, considering that it has 25 velocity sensitive keys and after touch. At least on paper, there aren’t many other keyboards that can offer you so many features without having to spend thousands of dollars and one might expect it to perform numerous functions as well.

This USB MIDI Keyboard Controller is a 25-key, velocity-sensitive keyboard controller that features high-quality piano-style keys. The Alesis VI25 is a compact and portable controller that’s perfect for creating music with your computer-based DAW or virtual instruments. The Alesis VI25 also supports the Mackie Control Universal protocol, so it can be seamlessly integrated into any existing setup. With its 25 full-sized square front keys and aftertouch, the Alesis VI25 gives you an expanded layout and more playing area than the very similarly sized M-Audio Oxygen 25.

The Alesis VI25 is essentially a smaller version of the MIDI controller keyboard which means that if you’re just starting out with music production or would like to have a second setup to play around with virtual instruments but don’t want to spend too much money, this might be a good choice for you. But as always, let’s see what else we can expect from this midi controller keyboard if it turns out to not live up to our expectations in terms of performance and features.

It comes in a simple box with almost nothing written on it other than the company name and the model number of this MIDI controller keyboard. However, before even opening the box you’ll quickly realize that this is no toy because there are already 2 separate parts inside it – an AC adapter for the power supply and the actual keyboard itself, along with its attached USB cable.

Pros

  • 25keys

  • 16 velocity-sensitive trigger pads

  • 24 assignable buttons

  • Adjustable volume levels

  • Ableton live lite

  • USB powered

Cons

  • Quality product but not a complete package

  • No instructions book supplied with the product

Compact, ultra-portable performance keyboard controller with 49 full size, synth-action velocity-sensitive keys, and onboard pitch bend and modulation wheels for expressive performances; 8 velocity-sensitive trigger pads for beat production and clip launching; 8 assignable knobs and 9 assignable faders for manipulating virtual instruments, daw parameters and plugins onboard LCD screen provides instant parameter feedback.

Designed for professionals, aspiring producers, and musicians looking to take their music-making capabilities to the next level, Oxygen 49 features all the tools you need to create amazing tracks. Take full advantage of this portable keyboard’s impressive number of controls–with eight assignable knobs, faders, and buttons plus dedicated transport controls, you can mix your clips without ever reaching for the mouse.

A selection of nine assignable pads expands the creative possibilities even further. Intuitively assign pads, buttons, and encoders to key parameters within your favorite DAW including Ableton Live Lite which is one of the most popular performance software packages in music production today.

With its multi-faceted compositional tools and a massive selection of sounds to choose from, Oxygen 49 is a powerful addition to a budding producer’s collection. In addition it also have built in factory presets that work with popular virtual instruments right out the box – all ready for immediate use in your favorite host application.

Made for professionals making music on the move! M Audio’s Oxygen range of controllers has become a firm favorite amongst laptop musicians looking for tactile control over their software music-making. The pitch bend wheel provides expressive melodic control while the mod wheel gives you immediate access to performance-ready effects. This latest iteration of the popular keyboard MIDI controller range features a host of enhancements that make Oxygen 49 stand out from its siblings.

Pros

  • Multicolored

  • 49 keys

  • USB powered

  • 9 assignable faders

  • Software package for Mac and Pc

Cons

  • Buttons need more pressure

  • Velocity sensitivity is not good

The Midiplus MIDI Keyboard Controller is a great, low-cost option for those looking to use their keyboard as an external controller. It has good-feeling keys and some really pleasant features that make it easy to map the buttons and knobs to the functions you want them to control. The power supply can be annoying because it’s not USB powered, which means you have another cord hanging around but overall this is a very solid product.

Midi plus X6 mini MIDI keyboards are hot Plugs supported. No driver is needed. It is powered by a USB and no external power supply is needed. There are 61 velocity-sensitive mini-keys respectively on the X6 mini MIDI keyboard, which can be used for playing, recording, and controlling your music software or hardware instruments.

X6 mini MIDI keyboards are small with 61 keys, but it is powerful with MP3/WAV pre-loaded drum rhythms. The huge knob to the left of the keys gives you control over your modulation. Give it a spin and watch your synth waveform animate. This is great for creating some cool filter effects that are perfect for EDM music. The buttons surrounding this knob can be mapped to other parameters in any way you wish, but if you want me to follow suit here are my suggestions:

Button 1 = Effect On/Off

Button 2 = Effect Bypass

Button 3 = Filter Cutoff (turn clockwise) or Resonance (turn counterclockwise)

Button 4 = Volume/Panning/Gain for Module #1 Left Channel

Button 5 = Volume/Panning/Gain for Module #2 Right Channel

It is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OSX, which means you can use it on various computers. The price of these midi keyboard controllers for computer music production is only €36,33 (about $40).

Pros

  • X6 mini style

  • MIDI keyboard

  • 61 velocity-sensitive mini keys

  • USB supported

  • No driver needed

Cons

  • Pitch variation faults

  • Mechanic design is not good

The U-CONTROL UMX610 gives you all the tools you need to create a professional home recording studio. The 61-key USB/MIDI controller keyboard features eight assignable knobs, plus faders and buttons for real-time control of your DAW software. It also includes a built-in audio interface with two XLR/quarter-inch combo inputs for mics or instruments, as well as an output for monitoring on headphones or speakers.

The Behringer U-CONTROL UMX610 has 61 velocity-sensitive keys with after touch, 8 assignable rotary knobs plus 4 switches, 9 assignable buttons plus shift key, and fader. It features both USB and traditional MIDI connectivity for compatibility with Mac or Windows-based systems and the iPad using Apple’s iPad Camera Connection.

Besides standard MIDI In and Out ports, the controller includes USB connectivity for increased flexibility. The device acts as a MIDI interface for any USB-equipped computer without requiring a separate power supply. It included exclusive data transfer software that lets you backup settings to your hard drive.

The UMX610 comes with everything you need to make music right out of the box, including a set of headphones, two dynamic mic/instrument combo inputs, an external switch pedal input for sustain or tap tempo capability on stage, or in the studio. A pair of speakers complete this studio package along with a USB cable, MIDI cable, and power supply.

It features eight rotary controllers, including volume, pan, pitch bend, modulation wheel, and three assignable switches. These are all on the left side of the controller to provide easy access during performance. On the right side, there are ten assignable switches that can be used to switch presets or controllers to provide easy access during performance. On the right side, there are ten assignable switches.

Pros

  • MIDI keyboard

  • Free audio recording

  • 61 high-quality keys

  • Flexible master keyboard

  • Podcasting software

Cons

  • Some keys are clanky

  • Some keys not responding in terms of velocity

Best MIDI Keyboard Under 300 – Buying Guide

The first thing we’ll do is identify the different kinds of Best MIDI Keyboard Under 300 since it’s crucial for you to understand the differences between them. MIDI keyboards are great for playing, recording, and even sequencing music. You can assign different ‘zones’ on the keyboard to trigger specific sounds from a selection of samples loaded on your computer/sound module.

For example, a typical set-up would be one where each zone is assigned a certain drum kit sample or some other kind of instrument. You can then play different drum patterns or even entire songs by just pressing the correct key on your MIDI keyboard. This is a fairly simple example but the possibilities are basically endless.

As you can see, a MIDI keyboard can do a lot of things for you that a normal piano cannot. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic and how it works, we’ve written an extensive guide article which covers everything from velocity curves through to after touch and polyphony.

Before you look for the best midi keyboard under $ 300, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • First off, it is crucial that the keys on the keyboard are velocity-sensitive. This means that when you press down on them harder or softer, they produce unique sounds. The sensitivity will also allow you to create complex sounds much easier.
  • Next, the keyboard should have at least 16 pads to help you produce beats during your productions. This will help you stay on time while creating music much more quickly.
  • Producers of electronic music often used best Midi Keyboard Under $300 because of their compatibility with software like Ableton Live and FL Studio.
  • The best midi keyboards under $300 will also come with touch pads that can be programmed for different effects or controls.
  • They come with a variety of features, such as touch pads and knobs, that allow for better control over the sound during the production process. This makes them an excellent choice for people who want to produce intricate sounds or work in over one DAW simultaneously.
  • Make sure they fit into your budget and that you can afford them right now; doing “payment plans” can be a hassle when it comes to this.
  • If you are looking for a full-sized MIDI keyboard, you should consider that it will have a full set of keys in a row, which is better for control and playing compared to smaller keyboards with fewer keys. It’s also best to find a model that comes with at least 16 pads on the drum machine side.
  • It’s a good idea to find a midi keyboard that has at least 16 knobs for control over your music production software. This will make controlling the many effects and parameters much easier.
  • Last, it’s important that you research the connectivity options of your prospective keyboard. This will help you determine if it is compatible with your current hardware and how much you can expand it in the future.

Conclusion

No matter what type of music you like, there’s a Best MIDI Keyboard Under 300 for everyone. From beginner to pro, these keyboards are the perfect foundation for any musician looking to start playing their favorite tunes on an electronic piano or synthesizer. They can help musicians learn new techniques and styles by providing different levels of sound quality that fit each person’s budget.

If you are looking for an easy way to add MIDI keyboards into your music-making experience, then you should look at the various different models that we have here on this page. There is a lot of variety in terms of what you can get when it comes to these types of keyboards and there is no one set model or brand that is better than another.

There are tons of keyboards on the market, but not all midi keyboards are created equal. If you’re wondering what some of the best midi keyboards on the market are, Alesis V61 – 61 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 8 Backlit Pads is a great option for people who need an affordable keyboard with plenty of features.

You can set up your favorite presets for different genres of music and switch between them quickly while performing live onstage. It also includes 16 real-time controls like pitch bend and modulation wheel so you don’t have to spend time assigning these manually in your DAW application. If you’re looking for a MIDI controller under $300 this would make a fantastic choice!