


Arturia KeyStepīy subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget's Terms and Privacy Policy. So while having other connections is nice, it's not essential. My reasoning: I assume most of you are working with a computer to some extent anyway, especially while traveling. (They're a different beast.) We're also focused on USB-MIDI controllers. While pads are a bonus, we'll be ignoring pad-only controllers like the Novation Launchpad. For one, we're only considering keyboard-style controllers.

So I've laid out the strengths and weaknesses of what I think are the five best options currently on the market.īut before we get to the nitty-gritty, let's be clear about what we're looking at here. None of these controllers rises head and shoulders above the rest to make it the clear winner. Similarly, you'll need to figure out which one best addresses your specific needs, with the fewest trade-offs. There are some very good ones out there, but none has ticked every box for me. (You don't want to lose or break something expensive while you're traveling, after all.) But honestly, there is no perfect controller. I've been on the hunt for the perfect portable and affordable controller. Whether you're a musician always on the go or just tight on space, there are plenty of reasons to pick up a portable MIDI controller.
