iPad USB MIDI keyboard controllers

Posted in iPad & iOS, Synths & MIDI

While browsing through the ipadloops.com blogposts, I got the idea to make a list of the most popular iPad USB MIDI keyboard controllers.

Two years ago I was one of the early adopters of the Korg Nano series (consisting of the keyboard, pads and mixer/faders). The Korg NanoPad was absolutely my favorite tool. The keyboard however wasn’t. Too mechanical, no ‘real keys’-feel. Let’s see how things have progressed.

Oh BTW, to connect any of these devices to your iPad you do need the Apple iPad accessory “camera connection kit“. Only then can you use it’s USB connection to connect any of the devices below.

As you’ve seen in the vid above? You don’t need lot of skill to make the connection.

2-octave keyboards (iPad powered):

AKAI LPK25
iCon iKey
Korg nano Series2

Other portable 2 octave keyboards:

AKAI MPK 25
AKAI MPK Mini
AKAI SynthStation25 | actually meant for the iPhone / iPod Touch, but worth to mentioning, ~ 60EUR
Alesis Q25
Arturia The Player AE25
Behringer U-Control UMA25S
Behringer U-Control UMX250
iCon Neuron 3
Line 6 Mobile Keys 25
M Audio Axiom 25 | Semi-weighted
M Audio Axiom Pro 25 | Semi-weighted TruTouch
M Audio Oxygen 25 3rd Generation
Novation Nocturn 25
Novation Impulse 25 (~ 250EUR)
Novation ReMOTE SL Compact
Novation SL MkII
Novation Xio | synth engine onboard

Other portable 2.5-3 octave keyboards:

Korg MicroKey | mini keys (~ 100EUR)
M-Audio KeyStation Mini 32 (~ 60 EUR)
Roland A-300Pro (~ 250EUR)
Roland PCR-300

I’ll probably be buying a Korg MicroKey and NanoPad2. Most functional, fun and affordable!

Update April 9th, 2012: added a few new models. And although familiar with the built quality of Korg series, I’ve decided to first walk a different route with the M-Audio Mini 32, and heavily discounted at the Dutch webstore Bax-Shop.NL (getting them both for 110EUR !)