The best MIDI keyboard controller with 88 keys is going to bring to the table the most ideal playing experience that isn’t a complete piano. We’ve used pretty much every single type and style of MIDI keyboard, whether it comes to the key count, brand, quality of keys, and more. In our experience, nothing gets better than having the same key bed as a piano as well as keys that just feel ‘real’. We understand there are quite a few options out there when it comes to buying MIDI gear in general, so today we wanted to focus on one of our favorite topics in the MIDI keyboard controller world — finding a model with 88 keys that best suits our needs.
Guide to MIDI Keyboards with 88 Keys
- What is your budget? There’s quite a range we’ve found in the 88 key MIDI keyboard world. Some hover around a few hundred bucks while others can almost hit a thousand. The higher the price, the better quality build and keys, more features it has aside from just MIDI capability, as well as most likely a more solid software bundle.
- What types of keys do you want? Picking a MIDI keyboard always outlines in our opinion the most important factor of it all — keys! The MIDI keyboards with 88 keys tend to come with a higher-end key-bed and overall “make” of the keys. This is always a hot topic when it comes to MIDI gear in our opinion. You can go for something called ‘synth-action’ keys, which are the most popular types in all of MIDI keyboards. They’re essentially a (not too cheap) plastic type of keys that are a little cheaper to make and are usually suitable for those who don’t care “too” much about key make (such as home studio producers or people who don’t play too seriously). Others, especially in the 88-key world (since pianos are this count and most who look for articles like this are at least a little more advanced than others), want the best emulation as possible when it comes to mimicking those ivory keys all of us piano lovers crave. This is where hammer-action and fully-weighted key beds come in to play. Our best fully-weighted MIDI keyboards guide highlights more of these types of controllers, so be sure to check that out. Otherwise, we have a few of those in this article as well.
- Anything besides just keys? As seen in the photos, MIDI controllers can do quite a few more things aside from just playing notes with keys. What other functions you need will depend on quite a few factors aside from just budget (typically the more knobs and faders you get, the higher the price). If you’re a pianist or producer who just needs to hit some chords or jam out with synth or piano sounds, grabbing a more simple model will save you some money and won’t be overkill with additions you don’t need. Otherwise, if you’re let’s say a live performer and need to sync some software functions with faders, knobs or even some controller pads, find a model that suits your desires.
- Is a software package important? We’re always in the middle when it comes to software packages. Sometimes it feels like brands throw in as much stuff as they can to justify their price or try to compete with others, while some seem like great additions to our toolbox. If you’re new to producing or just simply want some sounds to play around with and practice your playing skills, a package with some VST instruments and effects will do. Otherwise, some of these come with entire DAW (digital audio workstations) to start creating music in (most are their ‘lite’ or ‘trial’ versions unfortunately). We wouldn’t say base your purchase off of software packages alone (that’s why we have it last here), but at least keep in mind what you absolutely need or what may be overkill. If you’re in need of as much sounds, effects and software as possible, spending a few extra dollars on a higher-end model may actually save you some money.
The Best 88-Key MIDI Keyboard Controllers
Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII
- Key type: Fatar TP100LR hammer-action
- Software package: Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Software
- Connection: USB-B
- Velocity sensitive and aftertouch
- Pitch bend and mod wheel
- Sixteen (16) assignable pads (RGB backlit)
- Nine (9) assignable rotary encoders
- Nine (9) assignable faders
- Pedal Inputs: One (1) 1/4″ sustain, One (1) 1/4″ expression, Three (3) 1/4″ aux pedals
- Ins and Outs: CV, gate out,pitch out, mod 1 and 2
- Weight: 32.5 lbs.
Up first was a no-brainer for us as the best 88 key MIDI keyboard, despite there being quite a few solid choices out there in the music gear world. The reputation on this one is just too good to not be our safe number one pick, let alone the quality it brings in many realms of the MIDI keyboard arena. The only downfall many would say is the price here, so no we didn’t necessarily factor that completely. We do have some budget-friendly models later down the line, so scroll on if dropping a grand or so on a MIDI controller isn’t in your near future.
To highlight just a few of our favorite features here, we have a very nice Fatar keybed with weighted hammer-action keys, followed by having velocity-sensitive and aftertouch. You also have a ton of assignable additional controls, such as the faders, encoders and performance pads (good for drums). Combine it with some CV ins (we know many who need that for some other gear, such as synths, especially if you’re performing live or want an organized studio), and the software package is one of our favorites with Analog Lab (we still use this basically every other song we make). Simply the best 88 key MIDI keyboard here with the Arturia KeyLab 88 if money isn’t a big deal for your investment.
You can also look into our recent KeyLab 88 Essential review which is a cheaper version if you need to save some cash.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88
- Key type: Fatar weighted hammer-action
- Software package: Komplete Kontrol, Komplete Select bundle
- Connection: USB-B
- Velocity sensitive and aftertouch
- Pitch bend, mod wheel, touch strip controller
- Dedicated transport control
- Pedal Inputs: Two (2) 1/4″ (for sustain, expression, and assignable)
- Weight: 29 lbs.
Native Instruments, if you weren’t aware, brings us higher-end gear that offers more ‘advanced’ technology when it comes to transport controls, help with playing and other little tricks of the trade in the ‘new age’ of music equipment. For example, this particular keyboard syncs up with their own Native Instruments DAW to give us a lot of hands-on control with the keyboard itself. Whether that is important to you or not (it may be for those performing, or who like to record and produce in the studio with less computer work and more of a work flow than involves buttons and encoders).
They also have an absolutely monstrous software package that includes their Komplete Select bundle (more sounds and effects than we can count, such as vintage organs, pianos, retro synths, drums, and more). If you have the cash, you’re getting what you pay for with the Komplete Kontrol 88 as the best 88-key MIDI keyboard — a high-end MIDI keyboard with advanced features such as auto-chords, light guides, integration with software, and a ton of sounds and effects.
M-Audio Hammer 88
- Key type: Fully-weighted hammer action
- Software package: Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand acoustic piano, AIR Velvet electronic pianos, AIR dB-33 organ, SONiVOX Eighty Eight Ensemble (piano)
- Connection: USB-B
- Velocity sensitive and aftertouch
- Pitch bend, mod wheel
- Octave/transpose buttons
- Data buttons
- Multiple zones for laying and splits
- 4-note chord mode
- Pedal Inputs: Three (3) 1/4″ (expression, sustain, soft)
- Weight: 38.5
Here’s a great option as the best MIDI keyboard with 88 keys if you were looking for a model that lied somewhere in the middle of this collection. It doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as some of the previous models but for many (including us, typically at least) that just isn’t really necessary in this day age.
When we record and produce we just use the keys and use our DAW for all other parameters; however, when we do some live stuff, we’ll maybe mess around with the performance pads but other than that, our personal style when it comes to our MIDI keyboard is just simply playing. M-Audio has a great bundle here with the Hammer 88 as well, coming with plenty of sounds (mostly piano) as well as the trial version of Ableton in case you need a DAW.
Korg D1 88
- Key type: Real-weighted hammer action (RH3)
- Software package: None, but built-in sounds and effects
- Connection: USB-B
- Five touch control types
- 30 on-board sounds
- Built-in effects: Reverb, chorus, brilliance
- Built-in metronome
- Outputs: Two (2) 1/4″ (L or mono, R)
- Pedal Inputs: One (1) 1/4″
- Weight: 35 lbs.
This 88-key MIDI keyboard controller doesn’t have bells and whistles but still costs a decent penny due to the key make. What we have here is something called hammer-action RH3 which is Korg’s spin to a Japanese-built, very natural key make that are close to feeling like a real piano, the reputation around the net will back this up but you do have to keep an eye on them because they can feel a bit lose after playing with them a lot.
There isn’t a hefty software package with this but instead some built-in sounds and effects, so that may turn off some of you if you were looking for sounds in your computer to control, or even trying out a DAW like some other models in this guide offer. The Korg D1 88 is a simple yet essential MIDI keyboard. There are always free VST you can find around the net.
Studiologic SL88 Grand
- Key type: Weighted hammer-action Fatar TP/100LR
- Software package: SL Editor software for Mac/PC
- Connection: USB-B
- Velocity-sensitive and after-touch
- Three (3) function buttons
- Rotary encoder (controls for navigation)
- Two (2) MIDI ports
- TFT Color Display
- Three (3) X/Y programmable toggle sticks
- 250 programs (12 groups, 4 programmable zones)
- Pedal ins: Four (4) 1/4″
- Weight: 35 lbs.
Let’s stick to the middle in regards to price-point. SL is a reputable brand when it comes to some fancy features. In the SL88 Grand, they have something called a ‘triple-switch detection system’ that allows for a fast repeating rate and some nice dynamic control. There is a lot of flexibility in regards to programming as you can use their X/Y sticks (three of them surprisingly) as well as four total ins for your pedals.
Again not a crazy software bundle here but they have something called the SL Editor software that allows you to store sounds, program data, save presets and more. If you were in to high-quality keys with a great build and some nice controls at your fingertips, the Studiologic SL88 Grand is one of the best 88-key MIDI keyboards.
Nektar Impact LX88+
- Key type: Semi-weighted
- Software package: Bitwig 8-Track
- Connection: USB-B
- Eight (8) programmable pads (backlit)
- Eight (8) encoders/pots
- Eight (8) programmable faders
- Velocity-sensitive
- Full transport controls
- Pedal inputs: One (1) 1/4″ (assignable)
- Weight: 18 lbs.
Last but not least we are going to end on an affordable note, but don’t let the price-tag fool you when it comes to this 88-key MIDI keyboard’s power. Nektar is continuing to climb up the ladder in regards to hanging with the heavy-hitters. The Impact LX88+ is a popular for choice for those who want balance — a lower price but all the programming in the world (faders, encoders/pots, pads) in regards to control however, only semi-weighted keys. Don’t get us wrong — the better the keys the more we’re going to really urge to buy it; however, some people don’t necessarily need super heavy keys but instead just need to play around with their MIDI keyboard controller. Not to mention hammer-action and fully-weighted keys really up that price-point up. The Impact LX88 is the last pick as the best 88-key MIDI keyboard controller in case you wanted something a bit more simple.