MIDI Controllers

Arturia have pared down their hybrid drum controller. It's cheaper and more compact — but does the Spark spirit remain?

At first glance, the Max49 seems much like other controller keyboards, but it’s got a surprise up its sleeve...

The new Launchpad is brighter, faster and more powerful than the original, but costs the same. What’s not to like?

Akai’s slimline follow-up to their Renaissance hybrid MPC aims to claim some territory from a certain competing machine...

Few product launches have attracted as much attention as Slate’s touchscreen controller. Is the Raven the future of DAW control — or an oversized iPad?

Miniature controller keyboards can be incredibly useful for making music on location. The new Korg MicroKey family of velocity...

Live 9 has been a long time coming, but, along with Ableton’s new Push controller, has the potential to revolutionise music-making.

Maschine’s MkII hardware gets a Technicolour make-over, while its software increments to v1.8...

Keith McMillen’s idiosyncratic controllers go from strength to strength — and in this case do so with a spectacular blaze of colour...

The Graphite is Samson’s first foray into the world of keyboards — and it’s an impressive debut.

Propellerhead’s Reason gets its first dedicated MIDI keyboard and control surface. What can it offer that your mouse can’t?

Tired of navigating complex audio software with just a mouse and keyboard? Then a control surface might be just what you need. Here’s our selection of current models, with links to the SOS review where available.

Pedalboards and foot controllers are usually seen as the preserve of guitarists rather than of DJs and keyboardists — but if one man has his way, that might just be about to change...

Steinberg’s new CMC Series gives you the building blocks for creating your own custom Cubase control surface.

CME go minimal with their new controller range. But is less really more?

The Impulse controllers are cost-effective, yet seem generously specified — so where’s the catch?

It’s cheap, but is it cheerful? We examine the latest controller keyboard from Alesis.

Mouse-free, wallet-friendly groove production is the order of the day as Native Instruments miniaturise their Maschine.

Sonuus’ nifty gadgets make real-time audio-to-MIDI conversion easy and affordable — as long as you only play one note at a time!

French synth experts Arturia get their groove on with a hybrid software/hardware drum machine. Zut alors!

It looks like something that should be plugged into a games console, but Inspired Instruments’ You Rock Guitar just might be the MIDI guitar controller you’ve always wanted!