Maschine MK3 builds on the NI’s classic groove box workflow and offers more intuitive features in both hardware and software. Speaking of Maschine, next we have another popular MIDI controller from Native Instruments – their infamous Maschine MK3 pad controller and standalone instrument. Access Scenes, Patterns, and more directly from the controller, and it also comes bundled with Komplete 14 Select with 16 premium software instruments and effects. Of course, being a product of Native Instruments means the S88 MIDI keyboard has deep integration with Maschine – NI’s flagship beat production software. Moreover, the S88 features eight encoder knobs that are pre-mapped to Kontakt and NKS instrument parameters, though you can adjust these MIDI mappings yourself.Ĭonnect your S88 to your computer via USB, and you can connect the device to other MIDI hardware such as analog synthesizers, modules, and so on. More controls include rubberized pitch and mod wheels, an assignable touch strip, octave shift functions, and even velocity controls. In fact, you can even use the Light Guide to see where sounds, key zones, switches, scales, and more are sitting your on keyboard.įurthermore, you can use the two high-res color screens on the S88 MIDI keyboard to browse presets and instruments all without looking at your computer screen! A 4-directional push encoder knob allows you to easily navigate these screens while global transport controls to the left of the screens make it easy to record and edit in Ableton, GarageBand, Cubase, Nuendo, and more!

Oh, and two assignable pedal inputs make expressing yourself that little bit more fun. Coupled with its smooth integration with virtual instruments, VST plugins & DAWs, these keys will allow you to unlock creativity previously unimaginable.

In short, this is the best MIDI keyboard around right now because it’s one of the most versatile tools available to music producers and independent artists.įor example, its 88 hammer action keys offer a true piano feel, meaning you can write as if you were sitting behind the keys of a real concert piano. Up first our favorite MIDI controller in 2023 is the Komplete Kontrol S88 MIDI keyboard from Native Instruments.

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