I swear you must have had to cut out 3 hours of (questionably) witty banter to get this video so concise and smooth. Fun hang!!!

Cool tip for those with ableton but don't have pads. Record tapping on the table with mic. Right click, convert to midi. Turns out to be way more responsive than most pads.

STATS: -------------Keys--------------- AKAI MPK - 6/10 Alesis V25 - 8/10 Aturia Minilab MK2 - 9/10 (Winner of Keys) Novation LaunchKey Mini MK2 - 7/10 Korg Nanokey Studio - 7/10 Axiom Air Mini 32 - 5/10 -----------Pads---------------- Axiom Air Mini 32 - 5/10 Novation LaunchKey Mini MK2 - 8/10 Korg Nanokey Studio - 9/10 (Winner of Pads) AKAI MPK - 7/10 Aturia Minilab MK2 - 7/10 Alesis V25 - 8/10 -----------Knobs-------------- AKAI MPK - 6/10 Alesis V25 - 9/10 (Tied for Winner of Knobs) Aturia Minilab MK2 - 9/10 (Tied for Winner of Knobs) Korg Nanokey Studio - 7/10 Axiom Air Mini 32 - 6/10 Novation LaunchKey Mini MK2 - 6/10 --------Pitch/Modulation--------- Akai - Joystick Alesis - Wheels Arturia - Touch Strips Korg - X/Y Pad M-Audio - Buttons Novation - None -----Sustain Pedal Inputs----- Akai - Yes Alesis - Yes Arturia - Yes Korg - No M-Audio - No Novation - No -----Bonus Features----- Akai - Arpeggiator, Looper Alesis - 4 Reassignable Buttons Arturia - None Korg - Bluetooth, arpeggiator, chords, scales M-Audio -Transport Controls, more keys Novation - Ableton integrated buttons -----Build Quality----- Akai - 7/10 Alesis - 9/10 (Tied for Winner of Build Quality) Arturia - 9/10 (Tied for Winner of Build Quality) Korg - 8/10 M-Audio - 6/10 Novation - 7/10

Andrew: Hey I blind test some new keyboards! Stevie Wonder: Hold my beer

Hey Andrew!! Thank you for having me over to hang and check out keyboards with you! It was great fun. I’ve been carrying that Korg keyboard literally around the world since you gave it to me when shooting this and have gotten great use out of it! Turns out that Bluetooth is the most convenient thing ever.

Imagine some EDM producer doing a live performance and you bluetooth connect your Korg to their Ableton and play your own solo lmaoooo

To anyone still looking for advice - go with the Arturia. The main purpose of these types of midi controllers will be the keys in >90% the situations, and you really want to have nice keys. I hurried up and went with the Launchkey mini MK3, because of the fancy utilities and many pads, and it has dog shit keys, you can't even play what you want with it. The 8 pads on the Arturia are more than enough, and the keys are the best out of all of these controllers

best review on KZfaq. everybody talks about plugins that come with the midi keys but the keys and pads feeling and build quality is most important. thanks guys

"But also, like, you're not going to bring a sustain pedal to an airport or coffee shop." "Yeah. Actually I would." "Oh. OK" *Laughs*

This was super helpful. I love the plain and simple decision at the end. A lot of people we’ll say “well the best one depends on what you’ll do with it” and yeah, obviously. But it’s nice to get a straight up answer on which one is your personal favorite.

The best place to get a midi keyboard is Goodwill, the employees don't know how much they're worth, so some really nice ones sell for around $30.

I think it should really be mentioned that the Arturia comes with Analog Lab Lite, which is a FANTASTIC program with a ton of desirable keyboard sounds of all types. Also, *Pro Tip* : As an existing Arturia customer, you will get a ton of good deals on both software upgrades and new software. I upgraded to a full version of Analog Lab for $30.

Arturia Is definitely the one that gets more department covered, it's a seriously versatile keyboard.

"Do I get to enter the giveaway?" "Yeah" "Seriously?!" "No" 😂😂😂

Grant: you can’t live without MIDI keyboards in a production world Skrillex: lol

I’ve been using an Alesia v49 for 2 years, it’s fantastic and everything still works great. Totally worth it for someone on a budget.

Fun fact: 3 of these keyboards are from the same parent company Akai, Alesis, and M-Audio

My alesis' pads often trigger twice and apparently I'm not the only one having this issue

Shocked (in a good way) at how quickly you guys ran through these midi keyboards. Happy to see Arturia Minilab mk II do so well. Thanks!

*He brings sustain pedal to coffee shops and airports*

I have had the Arturia since like 2 months and it’s great. I highly recommend it.

I'm not sure if you've done a video like this Andrew but, a great video would be taking a controller with a number of pads and knobs and show how you personally go about mapping those controls in Ableton to best suit your producing.

“Honestly on some of my hardware synthesisers I’m like, that is a nice knob” As a British person, I’d ask you to reconsider your phrasing.

Alternative title: “two guys talk about knobs for two minutes”

A thing you forgot to mention was the included software. I got the arturia keyboard just a few weeks ago, and I'm seriously impressed with analog lab lite. This keyboard and software single handedly made me become an arturia fan boy

I got a Keystep last year and I'm never going back, it just feels so good to play. Arturia really knows how to construct their hardware.

MIDI keyboards are one of those things that you never really get to demo in the store, especially budget ones. This video saves me a lot of money. Not really, since I'll be buying 2 of these, but I didn't have to keep buying, hating, and replacing them.

One important thing that they missed is that the akai has 2 banks per its 4 different modes so it’s like u have 32 drum pads and knobs but u need to switch banks.

Don't forget the software that's included with the Arturia, including Analog Lab Lite. That was the deciding factor for me.

Really appreciate comparative reviews like this from an experienced perspective. Thanks!

Such a great video. LOVED the blind test! You sold me on the Arturia. I've been agonizing between that one and the Akai!

I own the Minilab and I'm absolutely in love with it, but Novation have really stepped up their game with Launchkey Mini Mk3, it has touch strips like Arturia's Minilab and also some impressive DAW controls

Thank you man, I finally made my decision between minilab mkii and launchkey mk3 just from hearing this 9:53

I loved this video, is super honest. I purchased my first midi controler a month ago and I opted for Arturia (the exact one you have in this video). What I actually like about it, beside being superb in design and features, actually it is sold along with other 3 things included in the price, the Analog Lab4 (which is amazing) Ableton live 10 lite and UVI Piano. Oh, and the wood inserts are so modern. 👍🏻

I bought a V25 a couple of years ago, because it was the cheapest and also I had heard good things about the Alessis drum kits, seems to have done pretty well in the shoot out, and being that I am a keyboard noob...still I think it was a good choice. Good to hear some more competent Keys musicians affirm my choice, thanks guys

I think the clickiness of those Korg keys would drive me nuts. The Arturia looks really nice though, and I think I'm going to make that my first MIDI controller.

8:04- I have had the Novation Launchkey for a while now, and due to certain circumstances, i did run over it with a car (accidentally). Suprisingly, it does still function like I got it new.

You should make a whole song by sampling only “you suffer” by napalm death.

As someone who owns two Novations Launchpads, I don’t have to worry about the pads on my Arturia MiniLab MKII. I’m extremely happy with my choice of MIDI keyboard over a year later and it was cool to see Andrew liked it the best. Also, the Analog Lab software included is pretty awesome.

Just bought alesis v25, its a solid product I would say. So far so good to play with. Its not portable, but with all the features (full, semi-weighted key, mod wheels and large knobs) its worth the price. With tax and stuff its around 1,500,000 rupiah ($99) in my country. Its still budget-friendly, probably that explains why all the stores near my house always have this out of stock lol

Thanks so much for making this. I've been wanting to get into music production for years, I just never had enough money to start. Now that I'm able to get everything I need, this was super helpful! It was overwhelming trying to figure out which controller to start with on my own, so thanks again! :)

I'm quite happy with my Arturia MiniLab MkII. The keybed is really good for such a small one and the knobs, pitch and mod works great. The only thing I'm not all that happy about is the pads. They miss a lot of triggers. But overall it's a really good keyboard! I still prefer the keybed and build quality of my old Roland PCR-1. But the Arturia has so many more useful features. Plus it looks great!

When your still rocking an Axiom 25 from 10 years ago along side your newer equipment... (it was my first Midi keyboard controller and it holds a special place in my heart, also still works perfectly).

Liked this vid! Btw I'd recommend Arturia Keystep, its my favorite. Its the only small one with aftertouch.

New insult: "You're a shallow knob! The shallowest knob I've ever met!" LOL.

I got the alesis 49 key awhile back when my m-audio stopped working. I’ve been really happy with it.

This is my first time watching one of your videos, I smiled at the very first 10 seconds. Love the vibe, voice and vid structure. 👏🏾🔥

I have an Alesis and the Arturia, and midi mapping in Ableton is instantly usable with the Alesis, but with the arturia knobs they are a little more of a pain! :)

Best free midi device. My laptop keys😅

FYI if you have an AKAI pad like that, you can mod it to get way better responsiveness and it literally takes half an hour and like a single sheet of paper. Just spreading the good word because that mod saved my life after I thought I made a bad purchase. Turns out it was totally fine hahaha.

I was looking some time ago for my first MIDI keyboard and decided to buy Arturia Minilab mk2. What also is good to mention, Arturia gives you Ableton Live Lite, Arturia Analog Lab and UVI Grand Piano for free. So the value of all stuff together is way more than ~100$ and reaaally good gear for start

I wish you would've posted this a day earlier, I just bought the arturia.

4:17 Somewhere before that, you ate the cookie... I see you Andrew!

This is a nearly 3 year old review of these keyboards. Since then the Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 has added pitch and modulation touchstrips, a sustain peddle connector and the knobs are taller. The black keys are also no longer a funny shape but are much nicer. Quite an improvement over mk2. I'm sure the other keyboards have all had improvements. Many people like the Novation Launchkey due to its excellent Ableton Live integration. But it does depend what you want to get out of the keyboard.

I think I'm in love with that Alesis, I love the design, it seems to be the perfect beginer keyboard, I think I'm buying it!

That thumbnail makes him look like a CGI PS3 character with perfect plastic skin, I mean Andy is a beautiful man. 😘

Can you make like addition to this video with Novation Launchkey MK3? It has: -Touchstrip mod and pitchwheel -Sustain pedal input -Arpeggiator with "deviate" and "mutate" -Fixed chord -Midi output with jack And amazing Ableton support

You have quickly become my favorite KZfaqr and have helped so much in my understanding of music. I appreciate all the hard work you put into your videos keep it up man! You're a legend

The thing I didn't like about the Arturia keyboard was their peculiar design decision to have the Octave button BLINK when it is activated. It wouldn't be so bad, but it's really bright. It's the same on my MicroFreak, but it's not as bright, and well, I love the MicroFreak enough that it's easier to overlook. Buttons should only blink when they are awaiting another input. The bright button blinking bothered me enough that I returned the keyboard and got an Akai instead. I got the red and black-key limited edition, so it looks really cool anyways.

me today: finally, my midi keyboard arrived Andrew: good for you, these are probably better value I mean ok I ordered a 61 key keyboard, but still

The Arturia is the best one I've ever tried. I love playing it.

For those trying to decide between Akai and Arturia... Arturias Minilab MK2 (Owned 1 year) Pros: *Solid build quality *Metal backplate *Superb knobs *Ok keys (sturdy, but takes a while to get used to) Cons: *Pitch bend/mod strips are a joke, unusable in ANY situation, there is no way you can write smooth automation with those *Knobs are preset only to Arturias instruments, limited with other instruments by default *Stiff pads (Have to hit hard to achieve higher velocities) Akai MPK Mini MK2 (Owned 2 years) Pros: *Keys action and velocity *Nice pads (Great velocity) *All knobs function with most intruments out of the box *Arp Cons: *Very toy-like feel to it *Flimsy keys *Poor build quality-one year in pitch bend/mod toggle started glitching. Two years in USB port came loose and broke IC chip that was right behind it.

Nerding out is always great when it comes to music tech. I’m currently building my studio desk to fit the Alesis VI61 which is the big brother of the one you reviewed. It’s currently on my Amazon wish list so it was great hearing your thoughts since I want I for composing work, video games etc...

yo Andrew! first time i've been this early so hopefully you'll see this! watching your videos has really helped me continue being motivated in producing! thanks for everything!

Why does Grant looks like he is having a breakdown? Lol

I have the Alesis V49 and it's great! I don't play the piano, but this MIDI keyboard makes music production much easier and fun!

Steve - can I enter the giveaway? Andrew - Yeah! 😃 Steve - Really? Andrew - No 😐

I'm still living without a MIDI board.

4:47 THAT WHEEZE

From my point of view, I'd want to but the Arturia, and then _if I could afford it_ , the Korg. The Korg has a lot of good little features but it seems like the Arturia would be good for a beginning producer. That X/Y pad is so cool.

Bought an Arturia Minilab MK II last week. Your channel is seriously reviving my curiosity and interest in the music world again. In middle school I used to play saxaphone, and actually was allowed to play first chair for the high school band (while still in middle school.) Once I hit 8th grade we were allowed to choose band, choir, or tech. I made the massive mistake of choosing tech (which I was already excelling at.) Anyway, long story short...your content, personality, and great way of describing things REALLY wants me to get back into this lost interest. Being 31 years old now...would your course be good for someone that has forgotten everything about music? My tinkering around with the minilab was a ton of fun, but I can see how I need to learn my DAW and actual music theory/piano. I guess TLDR, you're an inspiration.

I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality of the Arturia Minilab MK2 It's one of the few times in my life that I feel I actually got more than I paid for.

As someone that composes orchestral stuff, that Alesis looks really nice, especially for that price.

I have an alesis qs7, it has wheels, modulators, half weighted keys. Seriously, if you want a midi controller, look at old synths that have good action that you can either use a midi adapter (qs7 is midi plug to usb adapter, works perfectly, no lag at all ever). Qs7 itself has some maybe interesting stock sounds, but I use it for a midi controller as it's perfect for that. The built in sounds, maybe not so much - you can apply this to other synths from back in the day that maybe today sound like trash, but have a good feel to the keys (half weight, full weight, etc).

I bought the Arturia MiniLab MKII a while back mostly for those 16 encoders! Pretty ideal for controlling volume and panning for 8 channels of while mixing in a DAW (or for live performance). Though not ideal for finger drumming the horizontal layout of those 8 pads make them perfect to act as mutes per channel.

Welp time to go impulse buy a midi controller that i may never produce anything with(im an indie game developer)

also, the Arturia software package is great.

I would love to see OUt Takes/bloopers on this one!! PleasE!!

Sounds like my Necktar Impact LX49+ would have kicked butt. 49 keys with adjustable velocity, 8 knobs, 8 pads, and a full 8 channel mixer faders with mute/solo buttons for $160. And it integrated with my DAW instantly. It would be interesting to see how keyboards compare if you added $50 more than the ones reviewed here.

I'm using that Akai one - your' review is pretty spot on :P Not the best but pretty decent / got fairly quickly used to the feeling of the keys & pads / the short knobs I don't mind :)

Grant should do audio books. Smooth voice, my dude

"as far as how they feel like they're solid, but they're not like *oh my gosh this knob* " 🤣🤣😭

Deoends on purpose. I see your point with alesis however if you already have full keys then smaller keys is best as second keys on desk or for on the go. I just ordered the novation but mk3 which pretty much fixed the missing features. Cool review though. Thanks

After watching this, im really happy that i bought an Arturia yesterday.

Meanwhile I'm here using my 88 key digital piano as a midi controller

What an fun way to test these out! Definitely made it more entertaining to watch. I think also when you remove how you see it versus the sound and feel of it that it can bring a different persective than what you would have had before. Great video!

Bro that first edit of the guy other guy popping into frame is so smooth that’s amazing.

That alesis is surprising, it's definitely on my radar now

I won't take this slander to my akai mpk mini mk2

I have the Korg. Love it. And Bluetooth midi has surprisingly low latency... though, it seems to get the best results on Apple devices. I just thought I’d point out with the XY pad that when it is in Pitch/mod mode that it is ‘relative’, so you actually can’t really do the quick jumps in position you mentioned. But it does make it pretty stable for doing pitch or mod with better precision than if you hadn’t had ‘relative’. The Arturia is the only one that gives me gear lust. Your reaction to the quality of the keys. I have all I need right now, but finding room for improvement in quality is where I look now. The Alesis might be better suited in the higher key count department for me. 2 octaves is fun to do but it’s very agitating in even some basic scenarios.

I think I really lucked out with the first [well 2nd but I don't even count the first one haha] midi keyboard [the M-Audio Oxygen 49] I bought as it has really responsive keys and all the features I would want even today [pitch bend etc.]

This is literally the most convenient timing for posting this. I am literally looking right now for a budget keyboard.

This is an awesome giveaway, wish I had been here a year ago! Also this is a great video, perfect for people just starting to produce

This couldn't have came at a better time, I'm looking to buy a used 49 key alesis but couldn't find any good reviews about their midi keyboards, this has sold me on it!

Sure glad I bought the Arturia MiniLab Mk2 Deep Black Edition a few weeks ago for my first MIDI board after seeing this.

I was actually fairly surprised at your thoughts on the Alesis. It was my first midi keyboard (outside of full size keyboards) and when i went into guitar center, I bought it because if was the cheapest of the keyboard that fit my regulations (which was literally just full size keys). but i was always curious if i would have preferred one of the slightly more expensive keyboards. but hearing your thoughts made me a little more confident in what i chose

Noone: Andrew: oooooo, that is a nice *knob*

if you're interested in the Arturia Minila mkII, note that it comes with Analog Lab lite which gets you a TON of great sounding vintage virtual synths

Cool video. I own the Arturia for a year now and totally love it, it's the size of a old laptop, so it fits perfectly in the laptop pocket of my backpack, since I use the ipad to make music I don't need that pocket for anything else anyway. I'm glad to see that my month of research on 2 octave keyboards brought me to the same conclusion as andrew.

You can edit Arturia pads sensitivity with controller soft