Just wondering what people recommend as being the best portable MIDI controller for using with a laptop when out and about or away from studio etc?

 

Well, not that I did much out and about before the pandemic, and even less now, but I'm partial to Arturia Keystep. I liked the original so much I upgraded to the 37 when it was first released.

 

The Akai MPK Mini is popular in my music producer group, many of the guys show up with one. But if you are a piano player like me, don't use drum pads & knobs much, and don't mind mini keys, the Akai LPK25 is an excellent travel midi controller. I like it so much I bought 3 over the years.

If space is not a problem, then check out this 88-key folding piano that just came out, it seems cool:

But you need to think about how much space you are going to have where you set up. Usually when I am producing away from home, I would be at an office after work, at a friend's house, at a library, at a coffee shop, in the woods, or in an airport/airplane. I used to park somewhere & produce in my car too but people called the cops on me so I stopped. In most of these situations, taking up less space is better, which is why I think LPK25 is the way to go.

 

Last edited: Nov 30, 2020

https://www.keithmcmillen.com/

 

Last edited: Nov 30, 2020

I like to use the older MPK25 . Awesome but a little bulky. I also use custom Lemur templates and Tuna Knobs.
https://www.pepperdecks.com/products/28-tunagear

 

^ https://www.m-audio.com/oxygen-pro-mini
^ wait a bit for this to be released,imho you can't go wrong for $119,have a great day

 

Never should have replaced that Mackie ...
But I do have a a QuNexus

 

Even the 61 doesn't have Expression pedal input.
Note Repeater and Arp on all is good though!

 

Here is a handy mixer / input for MIDI expression pedals and footswitches.
I have one and love it. I have the "io" because it has MIDI din input and output to mix / filter with.

https://www.audiofront.net/

 

@DoubleTake You have the one with "full size MIDI In / Out ports"! Haha. As if there is any other size!
Other than that, useful products.

Or plug a MDI keyboard into.
So you have something that can send CCs to "mix / filter with", why would you bother plugging in that external device to this when it will only act as a thru? I mean, if it was coming back out the MIDI out to another MIDI hardware, then yes. But it will just be going back to your daw via USB. So it would seem redundant.
Or do you just not have enough inputs for devices?

 

I think Arturia minilab mkII is a strong candidate too

 

Inputs is one reason. I haven't been able to use it for a few months, but I used to have more MIDI controllers (including a Casio horn).
I can't recall all the settings in the software that you use with it, but it's pretty amazing for such a small unit.
RE: the io routing:
Routing is only available on the MIDI Expression iO. The MIDI from each source can be freely
routed to either the USB host, the MIDI Out DIN, or both (or neither).

 

I use a KK M32. Not the most portable keyboard compared to novation, akai, and arturia and all, but its a nice keyboard for NI users. Other than pads, it's got everything.