10 Reviews: Best Keyboard for Making Beats (Sep 2023)

Akai Professional MPK249 is one of the best keyboards for making beats. This keyboard gives you many workflow-enhancing features, such as MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing, and an arpeggiator for complex rhythm and melody manipulation. Consequently, its 16 performance pads, transport controls, LCD, and USB/iOS mode, give you absolute control over your software.

In addition, this Akai Professional MPK249 has become standard equipment in many professional MIDI rigs. It brings the latest improvements in every key area, from the RGB glowing MPC-style pads to the incredible action of the aftertouch-enabled 49-tone keybed.

"This keyboard looks great, feels great and is great. Theres a reason they're still in production, absolutely fantastic midi keyboard for the price."

by John

Experience first-class action with the Novation 61SL MKIII. This keyboard comes in 49 and 61 key varieties, and the hardware is the same for both. Additionally, this full-sized, semi-weighted keyboard is complete with the after-touch. Hence, it produces a keyboard feel with a classic synth style but is fast and comfortable to play.

Moreover, this keyboard features an adjustable speed curve with available fixed options. Furthermore, the pitch feels solid, making it great for creating beats. Not only that, but this keyboard is also complete with customizable mapping for easy setup and recall.

"Great controller with more features and functions then any I have owned before. Highly recommended and very satisfied."

by Arlo

Designed for Live, the Novation Launchkey 37 MK3 gives you unparalleled integration with Ableton Live. Consequently, this keyboard helps you with all the tools, including macro device control, track selection, record, MIDI capture, clip, scene launch, stop/mute/solo, volume, pan, and send.

In addition, the keyboard is velocity sensitive, and the 16 pads allow for expressive and dynamic performance at your fingertips. Also, the Launchkey Mini’s creative arpeggiator lets you change rhythms, beats, patterns, octaves, gates, and more to add diversity to your ideas and melodies.

"I've had many different MIDI controllers throughout the years, most recently a MPK Mini2 as I just didn't have the space. Well a lot has changed, and I got so tired of the mini keys so I bought this. I can't believe this is"

by Matt

If you are looking for the best keyboard for making beats, look no further than the Alesis VI61 Keyboard. It is one of the advanced USB/MIDI keyboard MIDI controllers, allowing you to control your music software with an array of pads, knobs, and buttons. Additionally, its 16 trigger pads are velocity-sensitive with illuminated RGB feedback for beat production and clip launching.

Moreover, this keyboard features 61 velocity-sensitive semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and Octave Up/Down keys. Thus, you can extend the keyboard to the full melodic range and play bass lines, chords, and melodies.

"Everything works fantastic! The best part is the ability to map anything I want at all to all the knobs and buttons. This is a very useful controller for any setting. I use it specifically for live, and it has not disappointed me yet."

by Matthew Wright

The Korg Nautilus 88 88-key Synthesizer has nine dedicated sound engines to realistically reproduce sounds such as piano, electric piano, organ, and more. Consequently, this 88-key uses a four-stage real weighted hammer action made in Japan, called RH-3, that pushes the limits of synth and workstation performance capabilities.

Moreover, this keyboard comes with new sounds through three broad categories. Likewise, it focuses on pushing the limits of sampling and programming to create a whole new classification of programs. Also, you can customize these knobs in real time to match the feel of keyboard playing required for each style and song.

"This board is like having the Grandstage, Prologue, Polysix, MS20, and Triton all rolled into one. The onboard sound engines allow you to recreate nearly any sound you could want. Note, with great power comes a great learning curve. Take your time learning this board."

by Sweetwater Customer

Whether a mobile player or a studio producer, Akai Professional’s MPK Mini MK III lets you control your music-making in exciting ways. Likewise, this keyboard features a USB-powered MIDI Controller with 25 mini MIDI keyboard speed-sensitive keys for studio production, virtual synthesizer control, and beat production.

Moreover, the keyboard is complete with an innovative 4-way Thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control. Also, the built-in arpeggiator with customizable resolution, range, and mode gives you total control of your production.

"Very solid construction. Easy to use. No accidental double triggering. I've used it exclusively in live performance situations. It's the perfect combination of midi triggers and keybed. I use it while playing drums to trigger tracks, pads, and loops. It just works."

by Jamie

Designed to inspire your creativity, the Yamaha Montage 8 88-key Synthesizer delivers a Synthesizer with advanced dynamic control, massive sound generation, and a streamlined workflow. Consequently, it is driven by a programmable gesture control matrix, giving you interactive and fluid command over two powerful synthesis engines.

Moreover, its motion control synthesis engine unifies and controls two iconic sound engines: AWM2 (high-quality waveform and synthesis) and FM-X (pure and modern Frequency Modulation synthesis.) Hence, it is fully tempo-synchronized, adjustable, and assigned to almost all synthesizer parameters to provide an incredible new way of creating sounds.

"The new Yamaha is amazing. Having played a Motif for well over a decade, I'm amazed not only at the new options, new voices, and new technologies, but even the original voices sound so much better. GREAT tone generator and audio output. A beautiful piece of music-making equipment!"

by Barry

Get a seamless music-making experience with the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 25-key. This keyboard lets you have all the tools at your disposal with deep and intuitive Ableton Live controls. Likewise, the keyboard has device macro controls, track selection, record, MIDI capture, clip and scene launch, stop/mute/solo, volume, pan, and send.

Moreover, the arpeggiator makes this keyboard easy to use and controllable. Likewise, it lets you change rhythms, beats, patterns, octaves, gates, and more to add a variety of diversity to your ideas and melodies. Also, its miniature shape makes it easy to carry to create new melodies, rhythms and sounds anywhere.

"Great MIDI controller for beginner and portable users Everything you need . Great software aswell. You won't find another MIDI controller at this pricing with amazing mapping in ableton and universal layout for other daw's. Also the arppegiator is superb along with the rubber velocity RBG pads also keys and knobs and touch strips feel good."

by Austin

The Kurzweil K2700 88-key Synthesizer Workstation features a full-weighted 88-note keyboard and several live controllers. Additionally, this keyboard comes with Kurzweil’s proprietary FlashPlay technology, which can load programs instantly. Likewise, it represents a considerable advantage when switching sounds during live performances.

Additionally, this keyboard also comes with an integrated USB audio interface for recording to your favorite DAW directly from the workstation. All in all, this keyboard comes with outstanding capabilities, highly recommended for composers, arrangers, sound designers, and musicians.

"Excellent. Superb all the way around. Here it is with my first K model, the 2000. Sweet."

by B Fox

The Roland JUNO-DS88 88-key Synthesizer is known for its incredible sound, ease of use, and exceptional value. This keyboard comes with 88 weighted-action keys for a versatile and intuitive premium feel, putting you in creative command. Hence, it makes it easy to produce fantastic music wherever you play.

In addition, this keyboard is filled with Roland sounds that are great for any style or genre. Likewise, the versatile battery or AC operation gives you the flexibility to play anytime and anywhere. Thus, this keyboard is ideal for all players, from professional music producers to touring musicians.

"I researched many keyboards and synthesizers but for the money I was blown away by the keyboard, polyphonies, easy to use features, and portability. The DS is the perfect gig keyboard and I have not been disappointed."

by JR Monti