10 Best Small Midi Keyboard 2025 in the United States

The AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 is a compact MIDI keyboard controller that is highly suitable for music production, especially for beginners and home studio enthusiasts. With its 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys, this keyboard offers a responsive playing experience, making it great for creating melodies and chords. The standout feature is its 8 backlit drum pads, which are perfect for beat making and triggering samples, enhancing your music production workflow.

One of the key strengths is its portability. Being USB powered, it’s easy to connect to your computer and take it anywhere, which is fantastic for musicians on the go. It also includes a built-in arpeggiator and a 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control, giving you more creative options during your sessions.

The keyboard comes with 8 assignable knobs that allow for detailed control over virtual instruments and effects, making it suitable for mixing and adjusting sounds in your digital audio workstation. Plus, it offers a complete music production starter kit with software and sound content, which is a great value for those just starting out. The mini keys, while good for portability, may not be ideal for everyone, especially those used to full-sized keys. Additionally, the learning curve with the software and features might be steep for absolute beginners. Lastly, while the drum pads are responsive, some users may find them slightly small for extensive beat production. The AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3 stands out as an excellent choice for aspiring music producers and beat makers looking for a versatile and portable MIDI keyboard controller.

The Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus is a compact and versatile MIDI keyboard controller that is well-suited for music producers, especially those working in electronic genres. With 37 mini keys, it provides a solid range for melodic and harmonic performance, making it easy to compose and play across three full octaves. One of its key strengths is its advanced connectivity options that include MIDI and CV/Gate I/O, allowing you to integrate with a variety of sound modules and synthesizers. This feature is fantastic for those looking to explore new soundscapes or incorporate modular gear into their productions.

The keyboard also boasts a built-in 64-step sequencer, which is a great asset for users who want to record and compose without needing a computer. This is particularly useful for live performances or when inspiration strikes away from the studio. Additionally, the eight responsive RGB MPC pads and eight assignable rotary knobs offer considerable control for beat making and mixing, making it easy to adjust parameters in your DAW seamlessly.

For users who are serious about music production, the included MPC Beats software and access to a month of Splice can enhance creativity and streamline workflow. This combination works particularly well for beginners and seasoned producers alike looking for a robust tool to energize their music creation process. The Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus excels in portability, control, and connectivity, making it a solid choice for those engaged in music production, especially in the electronic realm.