Yeah that makes the difference.
Actually I find useless 25 keys (unless you use it as key switch), and even 32 most of times are not enough to play efficiently.
However I purchased an M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 that fits easily in a 15" laptop backpack, included PC, not too shabby, cheap (about 50$), and it allows to play one hand chords and in a limited way solos.

 

I would go for Minilab 3 only couple of Euros more than MK2, it has an Display, better Keys (Version 2 was already great but they got even better) and DAW Integration has improved.

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2022

For my setup, I have multiple inputs, being a Push 2, Native Instruments M32, Korg nanoKontrol 2, Behringer Motor 49, and a fully weighted digital 88 key piano. They serve different purposes, so figure out what you need, specifically.

There is also the ease of use factor. I've gone through far more MIDI controllers than I'd like to admit, but the one thing that's always resulted in me getting rid of one fairly sharply is the lack of ease of use. By this, I mean that the device's manufacturer simply provides a MIDI controller that's capable, but with very little support or mappings available, if any. I don't want to spend hours or days trying to map a device and get it to work, and just need it to work fairly effectively out of the box. That's part of the reasoning why I have ended up with what I have and my suggestions below.

For me, the Push 2 is a quick way to get ideas down and sketch ideas to kick off the workflow of making a track. The Motor 49 has the motorised faders that I use for mixing, as well as drum pads that I use for track marker navigation, as well as obviously 49 keys. The piano is a full length piano, so useful if the full octave range is needed. But out of all of them, the M32 and the nanoKontrol 2 are probably what gets used the most. They sit on my desk as they are compact, and the M32 has 32 keys in a compact form factor with 8 rotary dials that get auto-mapped to most useful functions of most instruments (and are customisable if needed, obviously), and then the nanoKontrol gives me 8 rotatry dials too, along with 8 faders to ride things like expression in certain Kontakt libraries.

For anyone wanting a portable, compact, and lightweight solution, I'd always recommend the Native Instruments M32 as a keyboard, along with a Korg nanoKontrol 2 for the faders. They take up very little desk or backpack space, and give you a full solution.

 

Whatever you buy get full size keys because in my experience mini keys on the long run will damage your hands they are unplayable for me.If you dont have much space make some if you are serious about music making

 

(biased opinion) :I would go with anything except novation.
I know it's a good brand, but they've pissed me off big time when they discontinued the development of their Automap software for the 25SL MKII which became (almost) useless to me because of that, when it would have been a great use with Ableton Live and logic for live performance.
I know it remains a midi keyboard, but I don't know shit about midi and the fewest I've tried with logic makes it a pain in the ass; I want to spend my time doing music and not figuring out how to make things work : $300 in the trash-bin because I wouldn't be able to sell it now because of the new controllers.
My 2 cts: the cheaper the better.
I've heard some good things about Arturia and Akaï, but I'm pretty sure some basic Behringer keyboard would do the job.
the ROLI is absolutely badass, but it's nothing compared to a classic keyboard due to its expression capabilities, it's more a one-of-a-kind controller and definitely on my Christmas list.
Good luck and be wiser than me in your choice

P.S: sorry for this bit of a " moohoo poor me"-time, but I had to spit my disappointment
enjoy your Holidays season, guys

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2022

There is another issue on small keyboards: they don't reach the switch keys required for many libraries/intruments, unless you shift octave, making difficult if not impossible to play properly in real time with the default mapping.
There are switch keys starting even deep as C1...

 

I got a NI M32 for two reasons.

1. NKS
2. Midi mode works well.

I mostly use it as a sketchpad with Scaler to knock up some new ideas wherever I am, e.g. in bed late at night, or sitting on the sofa. All of my best harmony/melody ideas originate from this little thing.

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2022

I don't think mini keyboards should be used as a main keyboard. They are made to be portable, so they can be played on the move, or you can use them as a NI/Arturia software controller alongside a larger keyboard.

 

Last edited: Nov 28, 2022

32 keys and backpack friendly, also got everything thing you might need or want to learn about!

https://www.m-audio.com/oxygen-pro-mini

 

Right, but even 49 and 61 keys (the most used for the hobbyist daw player) are sometimes out of range for switch keys.
I personally use an 88 keys weighted piano, and when not available, the 32 keys just for transcribing or testing vst sounds.

 

Well the sliders are great for controlling 2 or more automations simultaneously using just one hand or any other vst knob you might want to play around with while playing the keys which by the way actually works ok, not great but not bad at all. Gets the job done!
If you feel that the pads are what you are in too and really rely on them to be good the there is I think pretty new one from Akai, 37 keys so maybe a bit to big for every backpack but great pads and features. Didnt fit my bag so that is way i went with m audio! https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-plus

 

Last edited: Nov 29, 2022

You just need a bigger backpack!