15 best midi keyboards from Aliexpress

Those who write music sooner or later have to think about how to digitize it. It is possible to record each instrument separately in the studio, but it will take a lot of time and money. It is much easier to create melodies on a computer. To do this, you do not need to get a higher education, buy expensive synthesizers and drum machines. One compact midi keyboard is enough.

By itself, the midi device does not make sounds. It acts as a controller, transmitting a signal to a computer or smartphone. Thanks to this, you can recreate the melody of any instrument, even if the musician does not own it. Also, using the keyboard, you can quickly record a musical part. Some instruments are equipped with additional controls: pads, levers, and sliders. You can assign a specific sound, short melody or effect to each of the controls.

When choosing the best midi keyboard, it is important to pay attention to the number of octaves and additional controls. Not everyone needs an abundance of pads and faders, but for a live performance, such elements are very useful. Another important criterion is the quality of the keys. Even if the controller has a flimsy case, it's forgivable. But the keys should be pleasant and not slippery, sensitive to speed and pressing force. Only in this case, the musician will be able to feel the instrument as much as possible and take advantage of all its capabilities.

Best midi keyboards for beginners from AliExpress

It makes no sense for novice musicians to spend a lot of money on a multifunctional midi controller or open a full-fledged home studio. To play the instrument and record melodies, a simple keyboard of 2 or 3 octaves will suffice.

5 Za-o Piano3s

Flexible silicone keyboards are very popular on Aliexpress. They are very light and look great when folded. Despite the original design, the electronic piano is great for creating music. It is convenient to carry such a tool in a travel bag without fear of damaging the fragile keys. The device is equipped with a small speaker. In this it differs from analogues, the sound of which is reproduced only when connected to a computer. Thanks to this, you can immediately play and record a melody anywhere, as soon as it comes to mind.

Of course, this model cannot be called a full-fledged midi keyboard, but it is quite suitable for beginners. It is best to store Za-o Piano3s unfolded. Some users report that over time the keys become unresponsive at the folds. There may also be a slight delay between the press and the appearance of the sound.

4 Za-o ZC-0013

Za-o ZC-0013 is not exactly a midi keyboard, it's more of an electronic piano with a MIDI interface. There are 88 unweighted keys and 20 control buttons. With their help, you can record a melody, turn on the metronome, adjust the volume, tempo and tone. The dimensions of the piano are 126*21 cm, it weighs about 6 kg. The bright red body looks stylish. It is made of aluminum alloy, the keys are plastic. During the ordering process, you can choose a model with backlit keys during the game. This option is suitable for beginners who find it difficult to remember the sequence of notes.

The most significant disadvantage of Za-o ZC-0013 is the price. Buyers from AliExpress rarely spend such amounts on a keyboard for training, and other models are more suitable for professionals. But it is important to consider that there are 88 keys here, a pedal, a cover and instructions are included. The quality of the instrument fully corresponds to the price: it is convenient and easy to play on it, even beginner musicians can handle it.

3 Worlde Mini Midi Controller

A successful copy of the first generation Arturia Minilab is offered to customers by the Worlde brand. And although the original midi keyboard is most often chosen by professionals, the budget analogue is quite suitable for beginners. Thanks to the abundance of controls, you can easily and quickly learn how to create interesting beats and arrangements. Of course, for learning to play the piano, you should choose simpler models or electronic pianos.

The store is one of the top trusted brands on Aliexpress. The reviews usually praise the product, the site users were pleasantly surprised by the packaging with the branded box. The range of adjustment is amazing: 16 pads and knobs each, 8 built-in programs, touch strips and buttons for changing the octave. You can even connect a midi keyboard to your iPad. Buyers had complaints only about the wooden edging and connectors located on the side of the device. Much more convenient when they are on the back of the case.

2 Worlde Easykey 25

This keyboard from Worlde was created specifically for beginners. There are no pads, additional knobs and other controls.Therefore, the tool turned out to be very compact and light. It sticks firmly to any surface thanks to its silicone feet.

You can play the electronic piano as soon as you connect it to your computer. Drivers are installed automatically, you do not have to make unnecessary gestures. The disadvantages include the small size of the keys and the rigidity of pressing. But you can get used to it, given the low cost of the device.

1 YTKYQ Fold Piano

YTKYQ is another foldable midi keyboard, this time a little more solid and high quality. The seller from Aliexpress immediately warns that the model is designed for beginners, professional musicians will be bored working with it. But beginners will appreciate the 49 velocity-sensitive keys and the compactness of the device. The weight of the tool is only 1 kg. As for creating music, the keyboard is also suitable for this. It can be connected to any DAWs or iPhone apps.

The kit includes a USB cable for connecting to a PC and a user manual in Chinese. The reviews note the high-quality assembly and nice YTKYQ keys. They are really sensitive, fingers do not slip, it is convenient to play melodies of any complexity. If we talk about the minuses, the main one was the long delivery. Also, not everyone likes the inscriptions in the form of hieroglyphs, but this is the specificity of many products from Aliexpress.

The best midi keyboards for professionals from AliExpress

Those who have been fond of music for a long time should pay attention to professional keyboards. With their help, you can not only record simple melodies, but also adjust the sound settings.As a rule, such devices have additional levers, knobs and pads. Each button can be assigned a specific piece of melody, effect or single note.

5 Arturia Minilab MKII

On AliExpress, you can buy not only cheap copies, but also the original Arturia Minilab MKII. True, there are no reviews about this model on the site yet, but the seller's rating is quite high. A 2-octave midi keyboard with pads and rotary controls is suitable for both practicing and performing. Instead of the traditional Pitch and Modulation wheels, smooth touch strips are used here. All controls are conveniently located, there is enough space for a comfortable game.

In reviews on the Internet, this model is praised for its velocity-sensitive synthesizer keys. Buyers like the large tuning range and high build quality. The obvious drawback of the tool was not the best price compared to analogues sold on Aliexpress. Novice musicians are unlikely to want to spend such a sum on a keyboard, but professionals will appreciate its compactness and technical capabilities.

4 Worlde Tuna Mini 25

Worlde Tuna Mini 25 - budget analogue Arturia Minilab MKII. For novice musicians, this model may seem too complicated to set up, but professionals will be pleasantly surprised. There are only 25 keys, 16 of them can be assigned to any instrument and parameters. There are also 8 multi-colored pads, "endless" knobs and faders.Not without classic controls: the manufacturer has provided buttons for quickly changing the octave and switching between MIDI channels. It connects to a computer via a USB cable, there is no need to install drivers.

The reviews note that the keys are elastic, they are pressed with effort. The pads are quite sensitive, reacting to the slightest touch. Buyers praise the work of the seller: he quickly sends the ordered midi keyboard, delivery does not take much time. Among budget models for professionals, Worlde Tuna Mini 25 is the best option.

3 AKAI MPK MINI MK3

This model looks simply chic: it is made in black and red colors, has bright backlighting of the pads and buttons. A distinctive feature of AKAI is a joystick designed to control the "Pitch" and "Modulation" functions. It has four positions to which you can assign any parameters.

The midi keyboard is easy to operate, even beginner musicians can handle it. And professionals will be delighted with the capabilities of the tool. With the joystick, knobs and pads you can control absolutely all the parameters of the software. But some users note that the arpeggiator is only suitable for certain genres of music. The melodies constructed by him always begin with the first beat. But this trifle in no way interferes with the creation of high-quality compositions.

2 Worlde PANDA49

Worlde PANDA49 balances between professional and amateur models, but due to the rather high price and abundance of additional features, beginners rarely choose this midi keyboard. It has 3 octaves (49 keys), has pitch and modulation wheels, 8 assignable pads, knobs and faders, as well as an impressive set of buttons for different tasks. To work in different DAWs, it is enough to connect the instrument via midi-input, no driver installation is required. The keyboard itself is compact - 76.5 * 26.5 * 6 cm and weighs a little more than 3.5 kg.

Ali Express users were satisfied with the build quality and operation of the midi keyboard. She performs well in various programs for creating music. The pads are pleasantly illuminated in different colors and are easy to press, there were no problems with assigning controls. In the reviews there are complaints about the packaging of the goods. It is not sufficiently reliable, so that the risk of damage during transport cannot be completely excluded.

1 Worlde Panda Mini 25

All musicians talk about this small keyboard, video reviews of it regularly appear on the net. The budget model is liked by novice artists and professionals. It has the basic necessary functions, nothing more. The midi instrument weighs quite a bit, it is convenient to take it with you to performances.

The keys and pads respond to the force and speed of pressing. Thanks to this, the sound is obtained as close to the real one as possible. The display is quite large, it clearly shows the values ​​of the regulators and settings. The pads may feel a bit stiff at first, but you can get used to them with time.

Best midi keyboards to perform with Aliexpress

Keyboards are not always enough to perform on stage. They require the purchase of additional midi controllers and a pedal. Thanks to these devices, it will be possible to independently play all the elements of the melody, fully control the sound. Using the controller, you can add the desired effects, loop playback or play the parts of several instruments at the same time. The pedal is designed to create an echo, sound delay. Consider the most interesting tools from AliExpress.

5 Worlde EasyPad.12

The device is one of the most compact on Aliexpress. Its dimensions are 34 * 10 * 2 cm, weight is no more than a kilogram. Below are 6 rubberized legs. Already from the name it is clear that Worlde EasyPad.12 includes 12 silicone pads. But the possibilities of the controller are not limited to this, there is also a fader and 6 assignable buttons. The pads react to the force of pressing, are highlighted in red during the game.

There are no reviews about this product on Aliexpress yet, but in other online stores it is constantly praised. Worlde EasyPad.12 differs from similar models (for example, Akai LPD8 or MPD18) in its low weight and the presence of additional pads. This makes the controller great for performances, especially if you're used to playing with your fingers. Not without drawbacks: among them, buyers note the small size of the pads and the flimsy case. Because of this, playing with drumsticks will be problematic.

4 Worlde ORCA PAD48

Worlde ORCA PAD48 looks great in dark rooms: it's impossible to take your eyes off the 48 pads, which are highlighted in different colors. There are also 8 assignable knobs, 8 sliders and 16 auxiliary buttons. Such a number of controls provides complete freedom of creativity. The quality of the controller is on top: the pads are pleasant to the touch, elastic, the sensitivity is good. The manufacturer claims that they recognize 127 gradations of pressing force. The dimensions of the device are 25.6 * 25.6 * 2 cm, its weight is 870 grams.

Like many Chinese midi instruments, the Worlde ORCA PAD48 has certain drawbacks. For example, you can set the multi-colored illumination of the pads only with the help of a special program. But in the process of creating music or performances, problems should not arise, the controller is compatible with all known DAWs. There are also no complaints about the work of the seller in the reviews: the packaging is reliable, the delivery is fast.

3 Korg Volca Sample2

The Korg Volca Sample2 is yet another performance midi controller that doesn't have standard keys, but that doesn't limit its capabilities. Initially, the model was created specifically for beatmakers. It greatly simplifies the work with samples. To do this, there are many controls, two filters and a digital reverb. With the iOS app, you can create your own sounds and upload them to your project.

Reviews praise the Korg Volca Sample2 for having more memory and more connectivity options than the previous version.There's a micro-USB port, a state-of-the-art library of 100 sounds, and additional real-time performance options (up to 11 playback options). The device is compact and easy to use, it is convenient to take it with you. It should be borne in mind that for the minimum cost, the midi controller comes without batteries (6 pieces are needed) and an adapter for connection.

2 Korg nanoPAD2

This model immediately attracts attention due to its unusual design. Sometimes it seems that Korg manufacturers are already living in the future. They introduce new technologies, create completely black, white or gray synthesizers and midi controllers. Much attention is paid to the sensitivity of the keys. They respond to any touch, accurately conveying the power and character of the sound. Such a tool is useful in the home studio. It is well suited for programming percussion instruments. A total of 64 different functions can be assigned to the pads.

If we talk about the shortcomings, users note the lack of backlighting. Because of this, there may be difficulties during a performance in a dark club hall. Also, the pads do not always work correctly on an uneven surface, but this problem can be easily solved.

1 Worlde Panda200

This baby will not be equal during the performance. The controller combines all the best that has been created by Worlde. For example, there are 16 backlit soft pads that are pressure sensitive. They have improved accuracy.There are also eight assignable sliders and five knobs that rotate 360°. The LCD display shows all the information you need to set up the instrument.

The disadvantages include the complexity of configuring the controller. Some velocity cannot be adjusted right away, you will have to spend time “grinding” to midi. Over time, the sensitivity of the pads decreases quite a bit.

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