KVR Audio Forum - Best keyboard midi controller for Ableton? - Hardware (Instruments and Effects) Forum More on kvraudio.com

Novation SL Mk3 More on reddit.com

Hey u/Humble_Visual7739 , I'd like to give some insight since I have a bunch of these devices! I'm still learning how to use each one, but having a good time. They all have distinct uses. Right off the bat, I'd say that the Circuit series of products may not be exactly what you're looking for if you're most interested in Ableton integration. The Circuit Tracks can send MIDI out to your Korg synth, and the Circuit Rhythm has some really cool performance effects and I think it's a neat little standalone sampler. You can record the output from the Circuit devices using Ableton, but they're just honestly not made to control Ableton the way other MIDI controllers are. The Launchkey Mini MK3 is honestly the very best mini MIDI controller you can buy if Ableton is your DAW. No other 25-key MIDI keyboard will give you better Ableton control, plus it has tons of fun features to keep you interested: an arpeggiator, velocity sensitive keys and pads, fixed chord mode, rotary knobs (which you can easily use to control devices and track parameters), and a boat load of free software included. Even though you said you already have your Korg keys to send MIDI notes to Ableton, I think you'd still benefit greatly from the other features of the Launchkey Mini MK3. You say you're more interested in a controller with pads; if that's the case, I absolutely think the Launchpad Pro MK3 is the best option for you! It is more expensive than the Launchpad X, but those extra features are 100% worth the extra money. The Launchpad X gives you note mode (chromatic and scale), drum mode, control over Ableton's Session View and the mixer page (vol, pan, sends), and four custom modes you can program and map quite easily. The LP Pro has all that, plus so much more: A sequencer much like you'll find on the Circuit devices. It has 4 tracks instead of 8, but all the same core features (scenes, mutate, probability, pattern settings, etc.). Chord Mode, which lets you play complex chords incredibly easily based on scale More custom modes than the LP X (8 versus 4) Far more Ableton control than the LP X Short version: I really think the Launchpad Pro MK3 is what you're looking for! I did see in another comment here that you're also considering a used Ableton Push 1; that should have many of the same features, if not more. If you want a new device, the LP Pro is great, but if you can really find a used Push (1 or 2) for a great deal then that's also a great choice! More on reddit.com

Get something with more than two octaves. I'd go with Arturia's 49 key controller. You'll want to be able to voice chords in different inversions eventually. Or play chords and their bass notes. Best of luck to you! Edit: Sorry, I just realized you want portability. I still stand by what I said. I have the minilab 3, and it's good, but its two octaves are limiting. It is a nice tool, but it depends on what you were planning to use it for. Pads and knobs are okay. More on reddit.com