I'm already using the Osmose as a midi keyboard for Ableton, but looking to spend 200 or less on a midi controller that has 16 pads, faders also. No keyboard needed.

Any suggestions of that type of midi controller that works well with Ableton? Definitely open to secondhand gear or possibly spending more if the budgets too tight

The best MIDI controller for Ableton is... You guessed it... The Push. However, it comes with a high price tag and before being an Ableton user I got the Maschine Mikro MK3. It doesn't feel smooth to work with it in Ableton, but there are workarounds and you learn your ways.

Now, when it comes to the best MIDI keyboard controller for Ableton, which one would you suggest?

Hello, I am a beginner MIDI guy. I want to buy a midi controller(keyboard type, like the one in the picture) for my ableton live. I'm planning to make some game music with it. Budget is (usd) $200 ~ $300 I'm new to MIDI, so I can't decide which keys would fir for my use.

And these are my extra questions..

1. For making game music, are 25 or 37 keys are enough for it?

2. I heard that Novation Launchkey mk3 is the best for ableton users. Is this right?

3. For my use, which keys are better? 25? 37? 49? 61?

I have an akai mini mk3 currently but i am looking for a drum pad based controller. I have been looking into a launchpad (push not in my budget). Only concern I have is that Im not interested in using it in session view, mainly just for playing melodies and drums. Would the basic lauchpad s work good? Or is there another option that would be suitable? I plan to buy a push later in the year so am not looking to spend alot.

I'm a TOTAL beginner, wanting to have a creative new hobby including music production, DJ, synthesizers, etc. I may take piano lessons as well.

I don't have any hardware. Do you think I need a hardware controller for Ableton? Ideally, I like the workflow of Simon Posford (Shpongle, Hallucinogen, Younger Brother). He uses a huge mixing board, which apparently costs > $100,000. This seems a *little* excessive as a first purchase. But my understanding is that he essentially starts with the equivalent of a huge Session view with lots of pre-loaded sounds in different channels, that he then layers together. Obviously, this is eventually put into a formal arrangement.

Is there an Ableton controller that can mimic this workflow? Perhaps Push 3, APC64 and APCmini mk2? Other options I haven't considered? Or would it be better to just get a synthesizer, to practice keyboard skills, and do all of the controlling just with a mouse on Ableton?

I'm interested in anyone's thoughts, regardless of skill level. You basically can't be as much of a beginner as I am. Any opinions greatly appreciated.

I suppose my MAX budget is $5000 for this entire project. That includes studio monitors, a subwoofer (can that be connected via the Push3 audio interface?), an Ableton license, whatever controller/synth/keyboards I end up with, and critically, lessons on how to do all of this. I don't need or want to spend this much.

EDIT: I like the advice someone below gave... I think I'm going to wait to buy any controller, until it's clear I have a specific need. I bought Ableton Suite, but that's it so far. I'm about to order some headphones, and I may stick with just that for now. Then I'm going to spend my money on lessons. I have been watching lots of free content, but I may try one of the paid packages of lessons like Seed to Stage.

I'm saving up to buy a Push, but in the meantime all I have is my laptop, which is not very productive for me because I feel like using my trackpad to click and drag is cumbersome and limiting my creativity. I was just looking for my best available option for under $100 that I can get in the meantime until I can afford something better

These days I've been playing with a Maschine Mikro as a groovebox: the device is super cheap, small and most important with a fun workflow. I can add tracks, record drums live and with the step sequencer, it has insta chromatic for drums, a few effects ready available to pimp the groves...

And yet while Ableton is probably the most used DAW that has a point for loops there's nothing like it.

I mean sure, there's Push yet that is waaaaay more expensive, it's huge, it's not even that useful in arrangement mode.

Why after like 10 years there's still no decent - fun - cheap - small controller for Live? Something like a Mini Push, portable cheap with no display, or like a Novation Circuit that is based on workflow not like the Launchpad that I can't wrap my mind around why they don't implement the most basic features for performances like a touch strip for bend / modulation or 8 knobs for synth jerking.