Novation Launchkey 37 MK4 Compact 37 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration Chord Mode Scale Mode

This is the smallest keyboard with usable keys, and all the features I need. I had been using a keystep, but found it lacking for fast idea input. It's not terrible, the launchkey mini is just better. It typically costs a little more so that makes sense. I was mad that a regular 3.5mm cable wasn't enough to get it working with a polyend tracker+, but that's polyend's fault for using a dumb midi standard. I needed to make an adapter chain, but I'm good now. I like being able to assign midi channels from settings. I like having the separate pads. I typically dislike mini-keys, but accept them as a compromise to get more keys. These are pretty great. I'm mostly worried about velocity. I use it a lot. This does velocity great. Feels good to use. It's just heavy enough that it doesn't feel cheap, but just light enough it doesn't feel poorly designed. Seems to work with everything I use. The price is fair. Good job Novation. The MK4 mini is a win. If you want extra credit, add a midi mode slider beside the port on the MK5. Read more

The Launchkey Mini is a solid, compact MIDI controller that I’ve really enjoyed using. It’s small, lightweight, and surprisingly versatile for its size. The 25 keys have a decent feel, and while they’re not as big as a full-sized keyboard, they’re still responsive and comfortable enough for playing melodies or chords. The velocity-sensitive keys work well, and there’s a nice balance between portability and functionality. The pads are responsive and great for triggering drum sounds or loops, and the sliders and knobs provide good tactile control when tweaking your DAW settings or mixing. I particularly like how easily it integrates with software like Ableton Live—once it’s plugged in, it’s ready to go, which saves time during setup. One of the best things about the Launchkey Mini is how portable it is. It’s small enough to toss into a bag, and I’ve found it super useful for mobile music production or when I don’t have a lot of space on my desk. It’s USB-powered, which is convenient since I don’t need an extra power supply or cables. Overall, it’s a great little MIDI controller for producers who want something compact but still capable. It doesn’t have the full range of a larger controller, but for what it’s meant to do, it does a great job. Would definitely recommend it if you need something portable and functional. Read more

I did a lot of measurements before I bought this keyboard controller. All my estimates were off, it's actually smaller than I thought! Perfect for me. I'm trying to make my "mobile command center" fit inside the backpack (pictured above it's the Lenovo hardshell something). As you can see, it fits beautifully. I included pictures in front of a computer screen, next to a 17" laptop, and next to a standard computer keyboard for reference. With the app downloaded, it was plug and play into Waveform Pro, and I imagine any DAW that can read USB MIDI will find the keyboard no problem. In my opinion having played with it and the drum pads is the hardware itself is worth the price and is a great deal. For the negative, it's all to do with the "extras" they bundled with it. "Oh wow, Ableton lite! Multiple expensive instruments! (the Orchestral thing is 300 euro), all for free what a deal!" Every. Single. One of them. Requires you to sign up for a separate account, give full permissions for web tracking, give them your address and purchase info (bank, credit card, paypal), download a separate app because their expensive software doesn't have just a VST plugin. It has to have that software up and running on your computer to work with your DAW, which means potentially Meta (Facebook), Google, and several others I stopped reading in the agreement could be watching everything you do on your computer directly. I started with the Orchestra one and signed up through the whole process before realizing that every other one was a different company and required all the permissions. If you don't mind the EU spying on you along with Big Tech (Yes, the Orchestra instruments one is from Germany and require you to give EU permission to view your data even if you don't live in EU), then the extra software packages are a great deal. But I'm suspicious of anything that goes from 300 Euros to free just cause I bought a keyboard controller and has no VST, no way to download and delete the account. TL;DR It's a great deal, very small, good price, decent quality, but the addons spy on you and require a different account with a different company for every one, and probably a different desktop app as well. Read more

In case that you are new with midi controllers, this is an excellent choice. It has nice software included and the look and feel is awesome. I really love the pads and the configurations included. It makes easier to play and create music with it (The drums and chords configuration are a nice feature). Read more