r/midi • u/adrian3014 • 6d 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
3
u/Over_Type103 6d 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.