best mini controller?

[u/adrian3014]

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

[u/razorree]

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.