9 Best MIDI Keyboards for FL Studio – Create Wherever You Are!

With the Arturia Keylab Essential series, the French manufacturer Arturia is expanding its range of USB/MIDI controller keyboards. The Arturia Keylab Essential is available in two sizes, with 49 or 61 keys.

The 49-key version is equipped with all kinds of control elements for screwing, pulling, turning, and playing. Beginning on the far left, the Arturia Keylab Essential 49 offers a pitch bend and a modulation wheel. In this case, a bit smaller than with other keyboards, but with a good grip and with sufficient counter pressure.

Above it are four buttons, two of which are responsible for octaving, the other two for transposition and chord. The chord function allows you to play polyphonic chords with just one finger.

It continues with eight velocity-sensitive pads. In addition to actually playing on it, this – in combination with the Map Select button – can be used to switch all control elements including various basic settings. Setting 1 and 2 are permanently saved as Analog Lab and DAW settings, the other six are designed as user presets.

In addition to being used as a conventional MIDI controller, the Keylab Essential can also be used with all common DAWs, but the degree of implementation depends heavily on the DAW.

The controller keyboard-only develops its full potential together with the Analog Lab 2 software, which is included in the scope of delivery.

Why did it make our list?

• It's ideal for home studio and performing
• Can be used with all common DAWs
• Velocity-sensitive pads
• There are controls for screwing, pulling, turning, and playing

What is not ideal about it?

• No arpeggiator
• No sequencer

Whether you are looking to perform on stage or produce music in your home studio, you can always rely on the Alesis V25 for an excellent and dynamic performance. It is a robust and reliable midi keyboard.

The 25 full-sized keys are semi-weighted, and so playing on the V25 will feel like playing on a real piano. Its drum pads have a nice touch that is ‘gummy-like’ and not stiff.

The octave up and down buttons together with the sufficiently sensitive keys will let you access the full keyboard range so you can play different melodies, chords, and bass lines. The pitch and modulation wheels will help you to achieve an expressive and creative control in your beats.

As if that’s enough, the V25 is one of the best affordable midi keyboards for FL studio. It’s primarily all-rounded and a perfect choice for any musician.

Why did it make our list?

• Easy to set up
• Affordable
• Lightweight
• Durable

What is not ideal about it?

• Readjusting velocity settings requires software installation

Not only the technical but also the optical diversification seems to be the focus of the manufacturers at the moment. Not only Behringer, who will be offering their RD-6 in ten different colors, but AKAI also seems to be following this trend, because the company offers the MPK Mini Mk3 in three technically identical but visually different versions.

The classic version with red side panels and black housing has always been on offer. Also, AKAI offers a completely black version (the keyboard is also completely black) and a version with an inverted keyboard color and white housing.

The dimensions of the MPK Mini Mk3 are very compact. The keyboard is a mini version that is relatively light-weighted (even for a mini keyboard). According to AKAI, the keyboard has been completely redesigned compared to the previous model.

With the third generation of its USB controller keyboard, AKAI is doing everything right. The keyboard has been completely redesigned and, despite the small version, enables very dynamic play.

The pads are identical to those from MPC X and Live 1/2 and can be played very accentuated. A new addition is an OLED display, the impression of which, however, is somewhat clouded by the very small font. The eight endless knobs are also new. In earlier versions, AKAI still used non-endless controllers.

All in all, with the AKAI MPK Mini MK3, you get a solid and well-made controller keyboard that can perform very well in the studio, on the stage, or in a mobile environment.

Why is it special?

• It is a compact, versatile keyboard controller
• We love the keyboard
• It has a large area of application
• Has a beautiful construction, despite the small size

What are the flaws?

• The display has too small a font size
• There is no MIDI output

Nektar is popular among musicians, and their products are best known for reliability and solid performance. The LX88 is currently one of their best offers.

The keyboard has a sturdy build and tight controls that work well, have a nice feel, and are easily triggered with a light touch.

Although not very affordable, it is one of the best midi keyboards for FL Studio 12, as it is designed with intelligent performance control with a range of keys. The keys are semi-weighted, and velocity-sensitive with medium tension, thus, easy to use.

Why did it make our list?

• Compatible with iOS, PC, and Mac
• Comes with 8-Track DAW
• Quick and easy to program

What is not ideal about it?

• Does not come with a software preset editor
• Pad colors cannot be personalized

This is the smallest of Novation’s keyboard controllers, and although it hasn’t enough space for all the sliders and buttons like the others, its functionality is otherwise similar.

With its top-notch features, like the 16 multi-colored pads, you can play drums, launch loops, tweak virtual instruments, and control basic DAW functions. Its plastic design is not the most rugged, so it won’t hold up good if you hit the road with it too often.

If you don’t have time or knowledge for finding compatible software, this should be your prime pick because it not only handles FL studio 12 but all the other available DAWS.

What makes it stand out?

• Easy to set up
• Compatible with PC, Mac, and iPad
• 16 multi-colored pads

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Has no standard MIDI port
• Has a fixed configuration that might not suit everyone
• The keyboard has no aftertouch

This is another compact-size design midi keyboard with impressive features. It is pretty basic when it comes to controls, but as small as it is, it features pitch and modulation wheels for in-depth sound and expression.

You will be able to cover more octaves and keys with fewer controls, thanks to its transpose and octave buttons. What you will love the most is the plug and play feature, which saves you the trouble of complicated set-ups. Beginners can benefit the most from this feature. In fact, it’s a great USB midi keyboard for FL studio.

Why did it make our list?

• Plug and play
• Compact size
• Lightweight
• Portable

What is not ideal about it?

• Stiff keys
• Difficult to play more complex compositions
• Inefficient volume slider
• No software included

This is another leader among the pack of low-budget midi controllers. Arturia MiniLab MkII offers a wealth of compelling features, including 16 rotary controls and 8 drum pads that have a great feel and do more than just trigger drums colorfully.

The midi controller includes intelligent macros for customizing your patches, and it sounds great, as well. It also features a useful selection of bundled software that integrates well with its various control options.

Beatmakers would make the most out of this midi controller because it has 16 rotary controllers and 8 multi-colored drum pads.

What makes it special?

• Portable
• 16 rotary controllers
• Modern ergonomic design
• Affordable

What cons did we find?

• Touch strip controllers suit not all players

Just like other Akai controllers, this is nothing short of a gem. It has a fantastic layout and is mostly focused on functionality in a powerful and flexible way.

It has a high-quality build with controls that work well and have a nice touch. The controller seamlessly integrates with various DAWs, including FL studio. You will fall in love with the few affordable premium soft synths it comes with.

This midi controller is such a powerhouse with so many superior features that fit into its compact size. Since it is super lightweight, it is well suited for creating or producing music on the go.

What makes it stand out?

• Quality build
• Flexible thumbstick control
• Lightweight

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Fragile because of its small size
• Mini keys

This isn’t the cheapest midi controller out there, but its features make it worth the buy. It is also not the best midi controller to move around with given it weighs over 6 pounds, and it has 49 keys.

The keys are full-sized and highly responsive to touch that even the default velocity curve is good enough. The 8 velocity drum pads feel and work great. The knobs also have a nice feel to them, and you can tweak their sensitivity to assess how different effects impact sounds.

The 9 faders come in handy when mixing a track or playing live. They are made with soft rubber-like caps that work well, but they are somewhat loose and short. On the bright side, they make dynamic performance an achievable dream, and that’s why this is one of the best midi keyboards for FL Studio for live performance.

Why is it special?

• Flexible configuration
• Easy to set up and use
• Versatile
• Multiple drum pads

What are the flaws?

• Sometimes the velocity curve lags
• Stiff keys
• No volume slider