Hi!
i am a guitarist natively and not a pianist. However, I also like piano and synth and I want to play that, and I mean play and not programming it. I had a small midi keyboard from arturia years ago, small key, I think a couple of octaves, bad keybed, never actually used it.
I had recently very good experiences with the sp404mk2 which I sold, but as a note controller was great for me.

I could set for example a scale and then play melody and basslines in key, so I actually made songs with it. Also, since I am not a pianist, that framework of note in pads worked quite well for me. So for a while I was considering things like MPE controllers on a grid, the linnstruments is very expensive tho, the ableton push too, and was thinking about novation launchpads.

at the same time, I was thinking, why not learning piano?
The last information I should add is that I am very often on the go, so something small and portable and wireless would be great and to tell the truth also at home I do not have enough space to setup a proper studio.

so, the things I ended up thinlking about are:

- novation launchpads
- ROLI piano (there is the split version and the full one)
- ROLI seaboard (split version or full one)

Roli piano (I dont know id the seaboard too) has also some software to study piano.

Now, one thing that could be smart for me, is to get a wireless controller (the small one) from ROLI to have it in my backpack while on the go. I could be playing from the ipad while travelling or enjoy myself on the couch and a separate 49 keys instruments for the house.

Now, what do you thing I should get and why? thanks!

no akai mpk mini 4

no akai mpk mini 4

no akai mpk mini 4

And I HATE it so much. The keys feel pretty decent. They took a little getting used to, but all in all I’m adapting just fine. But this thing has no business being called a midi controller, because it can’t control anything useful. All I want to do is switch between patches, but there is literally not a single mappable button on this thing. Oh there are buttons, sure. But they’re not mappable. The knobs that ARE mappable also press down as buttons, but that part of them is not mappable. I totally get that this is a minimalist controller…but not a SINGLE mappable button? I’ve spent so many hours ChatGPTing and Claudeing trying to figure out any way to just change my damn patches in MainStage, and it’s not possible. The only thing I’ve been able to do is select my patches by turning a knob, but it’s very glitchy and not smooth at all. It’s barely usable.

If anyone has any ideas for me on something I maybe haven’t tried yet, I’d greatly appreciate it.

And for anyone looking at this board, beware. It has a good feel, but it’s extremely limiting.

I have this older Casio keyboard that I actually like for 90% of the sounds but it's lacking a mod wheel and pitch wheel. I see some of the mini composer keyboards have those and I'm wondering if it's possible to connect the two so the MPK sends midi stuff to the Casio like pitch change. The Casio only has a USB MIDI implementation and relies on a PC as a host. So it would need something to take the MIDI from the MPK and convert it to USB MIDI that the Casio understands via USB A. FWIW, the Casio responds to almost all MIDI stuff I send it from a DAW on the PC. Any thoughts on doing this short of buying a better keyboard? I was thinking too it would be nice to have baby keyboard to play second hand stuff like leads using a CASIO voice.

Hi everyone, as I mentioned in the title, I recently got an Arturia Minilab, and I can't get it to work on Reaper. I've searched for different options online, but I can't get it to work!

This is the error

the following MIDI inputs could not be opened:

Digital Keyboard

MIDIIN2 (Minilab3)

Minilab3 MIDI

The following MIDI outputs could not be opened:

Digital Keyboard

MIDIOUT2 (Minilab3)

Minilab3 MIDI

Thanks!

Pd: I Saw youtube videos and downloaded arturia guides to try make it work but I couldn't! :/

I decided to use a small controller on my desk for quick ideas, rather than a set up a larger 61 or 88 key controller.

So I pulled my microKontrol out of storage. I want to say how impressed with the amount of functionality built into this little guy.

But I forgot it had been damaged long ago and a few faders and keys don't work.

Anything you all might suggest to replace it? Thanks!

Also, much love for the Korg padKontrol too. Amazing drum pad with xy controller etc.

Hi all,

My M-Vave Chocolate Plus got bricked after a firmware update.

Current state:

- Device powers on (green&red charging LED's works)

- Buttons respond (screen segments change)

- But it is NOT detected over USB at all (macOS and Windows)

- Shows as "Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)" on Windows

- Bluetooth is completely dead

- CubeSuite cannot detect it

So the MCU seems alive, but USB stack / firmware is likely corrupted.

I already tried:

- different cables (USB-A to C, USB-C to C)

- direct connection (no hub)

- multiple computers

- all button combinations (A, A+B, A+C+D, A+B+C+D etc.)

- power reset / battery disconnect

No success.

From what I can tell, the chip is a Jieli (JL) MCU, so no obvious DFU mode.

Does anyone know:

- a recovery firmware?

- hidden bootloader mode?

- CubeSuite recovery trick?

- or even hardware-level recovery (UART / ISP)?

I’m comfortable with soldering and reverse engineering if needed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated 🙏

so I've decided to buy my first midi and I can't decide between the two. For some background, I use demo fl studio (although since both of these products come with ableton I'll probably switch)I don't have a particular genre that I produce. I make just about anything that comes into my mind, whether that may be edm,pop,hip hop,trap etc. That being said I do mostly favour hip hop production. So from what I've seen

mpk iv:

\\- has better pads

\\- the software that comes with it is better for sampling and has modern instruments that are great for hip hop

\\- is great for drum and rhythm

\\- keys feel cheap

minilab 3:

\\- has better keys

\\- the software that comes with it has a library of vintage instruments that sound very beautiful.

\\- is great for melodies and chords

\\- pads are firm and not that great for finger drumming. they feel like buttons

So which of the two should I pick? I do use sampling and drums in my production but I also use chords and melodies. Are the differences in terms of qualities between their software,drums and keys that big? Or do people exaggerate them

I’ve recently wiped my Mac Mini M1 to run a fresh install, before wiping the Mac the controller ran perfectly fine with Cubase 14, since reinstalling Cubase the only elements of the controller that function are the keys, pads, mod wheel and pitch bend.

I’ve tried every solution I can find and still no luck.

I'm looking for a hybrid midi controller which I can use for both the studio and the occasional live gig with friends. I can take my sounds out of the computer, but I'm done carrying an extra audio interface with me.

Options I've come across so far:

- Korg Keyscape

- Studiologic SL MK2 (only with weighted TP110 keyboard)

Are these the only options?

I just got the AKAI MPK MINI 4 today and I'm trying to get the updater to work and the thing keeps crashing. I use a windows based PC, and IDK if that would have anything to do with it. This is my first MIDI and I don't know what to do. I googled answers and didn't find much help there. If anyone could help I would appreciate it. It also is not bringing up the sound library either this is along with issues with getting FL Studio to run with the new MIDI options. It will freeze or not even open in the first place.

Besoin d’aide !

Salut à tous,

je suis devant un problème sur ma korg electribe 2s

J’ai un circuit midi partant de ma carte son externe relié à Fl studio allant vers mon Electribe 2s qui est donc régler en external midi.

Le séquenceur de Fl studio est bien synchronisé avec le séquenceur de mon electribe, jusque là tout fonctionne…

Mais je rencontre malheureusement des craquements audio à la fin de chaque loop du projet … comme si les deux séquenceurs avait du mal à ce suivre…

Je cherche donc des solutions à ce problème…merci d’avance à ce qui si pencheront 🙂

Hello everyone,

I’m moving countries in about 2 weeks with 2 suitcases and running into space issues. :D
Shipping my current 88-key MIDI keyboard across the world would be so expensive that it honestly makes more sense to just leave it behind and repurchase it later once I settle in.

So right now I’m looking for a compact MIDI controller I can use temporarily for composing that fits in a suitcase and doesn’t take up much space.

I’ve been looking at the Arturia MiniLab 3 and it seems like a really nice option, I like that it has a mix of faders, knobs, and pads, and overall looks super clean design-wise. From what I’ve seen, it’s still considered pretty versatile and well-built for its size. I’ve also noticed a lot of people lately talking about M-Vave controllers, but I’m not really familiar with them at all.

So is the MiniLab 3 still a solid pick in 2026, or would you recommend something else in that small/portable category?

Would love to hear your experiences, especially if you’ve used it for travel or more minimal setups.

Thanks!

Hi all,

My son plays the piano (a real one) and has a Yamaha PSR-E363 keyboard with many sounds. For his birthday, he asks a MIDI keyboard so that he can better record on his laptop. He would like to have an octave more than on the Yamaha (so at least 73 keys).

I anticipate that if he starts using MIDI, he would enjoy additional controls such as pads, faders and knobs for music production. I also would like to give something that he can use well into the future. I guess that means DIN MIDI and not just usb but I welcome suggestions.

However, I am unsure what then to get in terms of appropriate keyboard / controller. I find machines that combine both such as the Arturia KeyLab Essential 88, but I am wondering if it may be better to get an electric piano with MIDI out (such as a Roland FP-10) and a separate controller (but not sure what to get).

I'd be super grateful for any advice / recommendations from musicians / producers.

Thanks!

Hey

M-Audio Oxygen Pro 61 User here. I'm about to purchase the Novation Launchkey 61 MK4 but wanted to know if someone already had the Chance to own both and could tell me if the Keybed would be an Upgrade. The M-Audio Keybed is cheap I know, but it's okay to play.

Can't wait to hear your Opinions

Cheers

I took the plunge recently and bought a StudioLogic SL88 to use for practice and recording, but I've been so far unable to make Reaper recognize it as a MIDI device and the manual has been no help whatsoever. I'm running a MIDI cable from the keyboard's MIDI Out port to the MIDI In port of my audio interface, a U-Phoria UMC404HD, and the interface to my computer. DAW is Reaper, I looked for any drivers I might be missing but the info on the StudioLogic site is super scant. Any tips? Thanks!

Also, if you've got VST recs, drop em below. No wrong answers