MOTUnation.com

Hello!

I'm interested in recommendations for a MIDI controller small enough to sit on my desk to the left of my computer keyboard and monitor. (My main 88-key controller is at 90 degrees, beside my desk.) I'd use this to audition patches, enter short/simple parts, enter basic drum parts, etc. I'll turn to my main controller to enter anything complex. Bonus if the controller has pads that are good enough and touch sensitive enough to enter drum parts. Knobs and sliders would be a bonus, but not necessary (I have the basic Monogram kit for that.)

Novation LaunchKey Mini Mk3 (25 keys) seems like a good option. Keys, pads, knobs, more. Most of these seem to be under $200, but I'd pay more than that for the right option.

Any recommendations?

Thank you so much.

The challenge with many of them is that they are meant to be budget/entry-level keyboards-- and so corners are cut. Might not matter as your application is not project-critical.

To me the most egregious corner-cutting is that the velocity sensing is often low resolution so you don't really get very accurate/smooth velocity response (many of the values from 1-127 are not attainable because the clock scan rate is too slow). The other challenge is that the most useful specs are not published as they once were.

I have a Korg MicroKey (discontinued), which might be ok for your purposes. I have a Nektar GXP, the keys feel pretty good. Nice firm action, but a little noisy. The velocity response is excellent. However, the pitch wheel is only 7-bit (128 actual values) and not the 14-bits required from the MIDI spec. Apparently, that's pretty common.

My setup is like our OP's... main controllers (Yamaha P-255 and Arturia Keyscape 61 mkII) off to the side at 90 degrees. I love having thesese great-feeling weighted and unweighted controllers at my disposal when I am playing piano, EP, organ, clav, orchestral and other parts that demand a real performance.

But I also have a 49-key controller (M-Audio Axiom, kindly sold to me by our esteemed moderator, James Steele) on my desk, between my QUERTY keyboard and Display, and I find myself using it A LOT. It has pads and faders and rotary controls that get used, too. I don't find the (less-than-ideal) distance to the controller an issue when playing simple parts.

So many of the things we do in putting productions together are really "Pseudo-performing", like @ceedub describes. We don't need a fantastic keyboard to do these jobs more than adequately. I don't have a specific recommendation, but am certain many of the available small controllers will fit your bill.

Love my Akai MPK225. A sturdy build with full size, semi weighted keys and aftertouch. You can always find open box deals for under $200.

I still use my Line 6 Mobile Keys. These came in a 25 or 49 key configuration. Yes, bare bones but if they have the original cable, they can be bus powered from the USB port or a 30 pin or Lightning (with the Apple Converter) iPad in addition to a USB out. They weigh next to nothing.

Here's a Mobile Keys 25 under $22 at Guitar Center. No idea if it has the Mobile cable.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Line- ... troller.gc

Live, I use mine to play the built-in GarageBand instruments. Bus power draw is quite low.

I like my little iCON Platform Nano. Works great with DP.

Thank for these informative replies. "Pseudo-performing" is about right.

Maybe I'm overthinking this. If I have pads on a small controller, will I actually use them to enter drum parts instead of playing the keys? Are they better somehow? I didn't grow up using drum machines. I've played thousands of drum parts from keyboards. Maybe just 2-3 octaves of keys is all I need.

I like the pads and use a Korg PadKontrol for playing in my drum parts. I can throw my hands at 'em. My PadKontrol sits on a Cajon, wedged in place with felt pads; perfect height.