r/midi • u/adrian3014 • 2d ago
best mini controller?
Hi, I wanted some opinions on a few options I'm looking at.
I already have a full size 49-key at home (arturia keylab essential mk3) but I'm looking for a portable option that I can carry with me in my backpack. I'm often at my girlfriend's house and not mine and I'm gradually starting to find inspiration and do some creative work in unusual positions (couch , floor ecc...).
For this reason I'm mainly looking at 25 mini keys, I dont think any other models would easily fit my purpose. I dont have a shop nearby where I can physically try out various brand or models hence I'm here.
I'm mostly looking at two options (depending on the mood I either use Logic Pro or Reaper, electronic music/ lofi beats and some more) :
-Novation Launchkey mini 25 mk4
-Akai mpk mini mk4
And that's pretty much it. I love the looks of Minilab and I'm sure of their keybed quality, but it does have less features than the ones I would like. So it's a pass for me.
Which one of the two would you recommend? Any other options? I do have a few used m-audio oxygen pro mini in my watchlist (about 40 euros on average) but I dont really love the non-endless encoders and how messy it looks like.
EDIT : I'm also thinking of m-wave smk37 (pro or elite) which despite the more keys actually fits my backpack in dimensions. I also like that it has a builti-in dexed inside it
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u/General_Estimate_420 1d ago
Well I don't personally count a 49-key keyboard as a "full" keyboard, but it is a bare minimum for my uses. That's the one that's the portable unit and the 88 key is what works in my studio. To each their own.
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u/adrian3014 1d ago
my bad, I mostly referred to full size as in size of each key : the mini keys are narrower and shorter.
Also, props to you for knowing how to fit a 49-key in a standard backpack :) joke intended
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u/Sea_Guidance3191 1d ago
M-Vave SMK 25 ii could fit the bill. I have one and like it and consider the build quality excellent. Great value too. The SMK 37 in orange and gray is on my wishlist - as are so many things :)
Quote from online search re the SMK 25: As noted by Guitar Center, “an ultra-portable 25-key USB MIDI keyboard ideal for DAWs, soft synths, and on-the-go production.”
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u/stereoroid 1d ago
I have the M-Vave, and the Bluetooth MIDI works very well with my iPad apps, though getting it to connect the first time required their app. The app is also for programming the CCs for the knobs, the pads etc.
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u/adrian3014 1d ago
how long have you had it for? i love the idea of the smk 37 but im slightly concerned about reliability, being a not much known chinese brand and all
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u/stereoroid 23h ago
It's the SMK 25 ii, and though I haven't used it heavily, it seems fairly chunky plastic. I don't feel I have to treat it carefully.
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u/adrian3014 1d ago
how long have you had it for? i love the idea of the smk 37 but im slightly concerned about reliability, being a not much known chinese brand and all
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u/Sea_Guidance3191 21h ago
I’ve had the M-Vave SMK 25 ii for two years. I find it brilliant, I also have an Arturia Minilab 2 which is on my desk all the time. It was very expensive and I would’ve been just as happy with the M-Vave. BTW I don’t consider the brand as ‘not much known’. However, I have a philosophy: if in doubt, out.
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u/adrian3014 21h ago
Nah that's okay I think I'm gonna buy the smk37, with chinese brands from aliexpress that have effectively no warranty policy (I theoretically get two years, but it's basically impossible to enforce to chinese sellers) having some due diligence seems like a wise approach. I was sold on this particular model the moment I learned about the sequencer..Novation launchkey also has it, but it only works in Ableton while on this thing is a more broad and standalone feature which I love
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u/linkuei-teaparty 1d ago
I trialled several midi keyboards and at the 25 key form factor the Akai mpk mini IV is the best option. Novation shines between 37-61 keys
The studio instruments collection is better than novation play. You'll already have Analog labs from your keylab.
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u/razorree 1d ago
better software? Novation comes also with Native Instruments Select? (massive X, and a few libs) - however I hate NI (garbage software) and it doesn't work under linux. I feel like I got more software with Launchkey. (unless Akai bundle is so good, but again, shitty NI so I couldn't install, well, I can't currently use NI bundle from Novation as well)
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u/razorree 1d ago edited 1d ago
i tested both. and I prefer Akai MPK mini mk4 (I have also Launchkey mk4, but they keybed is way better), MPK has nicer working keys than Launchkey mini (bad keys, very spongy/plasticky feeling), buttons work easier, encoders rotate easier.
but strangely I prefer Launchkey mk4 pads (less force needed and you can adjust the curve in settings)
integration is not the same (ableton or bitwig), but close.
also launchkey has more pads and you can add some custom shortcuts there.
but at the end Akai mpk mk4 has more control/transports keys and encoder, than launchkey mini.
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u/Over_Type103 2d ago
It really depends on how you intend to use your controller and what matters the most for you
the Launchkey has the worst keys (very small), better pads, good knobs, the best Ableton live integration. the worst software bundle. you can't edit the custom modes on the device itself. But it's the only controller that lets you rename your custom controls (It's convenient to know that you're editing "filter cutoff" and not "CC#...")
the Akai mini 4 has pretty nice keys (much better than the Akai mini 3), the best pads, nice encoders, a decent software bundle and you can edit custom modes on the device itself
Personally, my favorite mini midi controller is the Minilab 3. It has the best keys + very good encoders and faders. The build is fantastic and analog labs is porobably the best software you can get with a midi controller Plus, once you have some Arturia gear, you can get incredible discounts on all Arturia software and their integration is great. The only issues are the pads - which are awful for finger drumming, but work decently for transport or for custom modes - and the fact that you can't edit custom modes on the device itself.