Best MIDI Controller For Logic Pro (Top 3 Options)
For starters...
MIDI means “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”, and is essentially a language that allows computers, synthesizers and other electronic instruments to decipher inputs and transform them into musical sounds.
What is a MIDI controller?
A MIDI controller inputs MIDI data (via the pressing of a key or a pad) and the computer transforms it into sound. The sound that comes out depends on what virtual instrument is selected in Logic.
MIDI controllers come in a multitude of formats: keyboards, drum pads, guitars, flutes, electronic drum kits, etc.
However, the most common MIDI controller for music producers is certainly the keyboard. This is because the MIDI keyboard makes it possible to control any virtual instrument polyphonically (multiple notes at once) and in a musically expressive way. Wouldn’t be very easy to play a synth plugin with a MIDI flute, would it? Unless you play the flute, of course.
Besides musical notes, MIDI controllers can also input other values, such as MIDI CC. What this means in practice is that most MIDI controllers are able to control a variety of parameters inside of Logic and not only musical notes in your virtual instrument track. You can use a MIDI controller to control such as things as (e.g.): the volume of tracks, panning, do real-time fader rides as the track plays, control automation in real time, and much more. These type of features are usually performed with a set of knobs or faders that can be found in some MIDI controllers.
Important: MIDI controllers don’t produce any sound on their own. They’re only used to send data to musical instruments (either physical [“real”] instruments or virtual instrument plugins inside Logic).
Do I need a MIDI controller…?
Well… No. Absolutely not.
Out of all the Music Production studio gear one might need, the MIDI controller is certainly the least necessary one. But let’s not get it twisted: MIDI controllers are reeeeally useful tools - especially if you’re familiar with the shape of a piano key bed.
Me personally, I’ve owned dozens of different MIDI keyboards over the years. As of right now, I don’t own any. Why? Well, I frankly prefer to input notes in the Piano Roll with my mouse/keyboard and humanize them by hand when I’m writing MIDI parts. I’m also a guitar player, which means that part of my instrumentation requirements are always filled in. But maybe this is not the case for you.
Here’s some pointers that may help:
✅ You should GET a MIDI controller if:
You want to have tactile control over the notes you’re playing in your MIDI instruments
You want to learn piano/keys while learning production at the same time (for learning piano only there’s better options)
You want to speed up your songwriting process by playing the notes instead of penciling them in the piano roll
You’re a keyboard player who wants to play virtual instruments with your computer
You want tactile control over the parameters in Logic
You want to control Logic while away from your desk (e.g. Logic Remote)
❌ You should NOT get a MIDI controller if:
You prefer using your mouse and keyboard to program MIDI in Logic
You prefer changing parameters with your mouse and keyboard
You want to keep your setup as simple as possible
You don’t really use virtual instruments
Pick #1 - Logic Remote (iPad)
Best option for Apple users 👨💻
And while I said I don’t own a MIDI controller, I actually use Logic Remote quite a bit.
Logic Remote is an iPad/iPhone app made by Apple that turns your Apple device into a fully-fledged Logic Controller. From Logic Remote you can control lots and lots of parameters within Logic Pro by using your iPad/iPhone touch screen. This adds a lot of fluidity and speed to your workflow, especially if you use it a lot and start knowing it by heart.
What Logic Remote has that wipes the floor with everything else in the market, is the first-party integration. Logic Pro is an Apple product, and so is Logic Remote. The integration is superb, everything works pretty perfectly and the controls you get do offer a real extension of Logic’s features into the iPad, which makes the experience of making music a lot more fun and “tactile” - even though it’s a touch screen.
However, while Logic Remote is, in my opinion, the best option for a Logic controller, it’s not perfect. First off, there’s no physical key bed, which means you can’t really play music in the traditional sense. And while the touch screen transforms into a control surface more adequate to whatever instrument you pick, it’s not even close to the feeling of actually playing an instrument - it’s still a touch screen.
Also: sometimes the wifi connection between the iPad Pro and the Mac gets a bit iffy (I have a gigabit fiber optic internet connection at home), which means the experience gets unstable every now and again. There’s also the option of connecting a USB cable between your iPad and your Mac, but I’d say using a cable kinda worsens the overall experience - especially because even with the cable the connection isn’t always perfect.
So how bad are these connection issues really? 😟
➡️ In my experience, bad enough for me to not trust Logic Remote with use for a live music show.
➡️ At home or in the studio? No problem. Had some issues in the studio a few times but I always fixed them in a few minutes.
✅ What I like:
Best integration with Logic Pro in the market hands down
Lots and lots of useful controls
Adaptive touch controls for different instruments
Key command page is very useful
Interface is intuitive and easy to learn
Great to record while away from the desk
❌ What I don’t like:
Connection is sometimes unstable and not 100% trustworthy
Doesn’t give you the feeling of actually playing an instrument
You’re dependent on the iPad to be charged and at your desk
Only available to iPad/iPhone users
🤔 Who is this for?
Logic users who already own an iPad or iPhone
Producers who don’t mind not having the feeling of playing an instrument
Producers looking for the best Logic controller as opposed to the best MIDI keyboard
💰 Price: Free on the App Store
Pick #2 - Native Instruments Keyboards
Best option if you want great sounding plugins 🎹
Photo credit: Torsten Dettlaff (Pexels)
I’ve tried most of the entry-level MIDI keyboards on the market - as well as some of the pad controllers. The Native Instruments keyboards are still in 2024, the most “komplete” offering (see what I did there?) in my view.
In 2024, Native refreshed the “S” lineup of keyboards (the premium ones with screens and light guides) with their MK3 S49, S61 and S88. You’ll recognize the new models by the refreshed logo, bigger screen and slightly different layout. In the below section you’ll find a photo from Native’s website of the new S61 MK3.
The S series keyboards are brutally expensive, and probably outside the budget scope for most producers, but they’re a very compelling purchase, especially for those who, like me, are fans of the NI ecosystem.
But if Native Instruments appeals to you, don’t let the sticker shock of the S series stop you. Native also offers the “M” and the “A” series of keyboards. Let’s break down the 3 “types” of NI keyboards in a more visual way:
The “S” Series
© Copyright of this image belongs to Native Instruments. Used here only for illustration purposes only.
Very expensive premium range of keyboards
Includes a screen where you can what plugin you’re playing
Has light guides that show you where key switches are and how to play the selected scale
Premium construction and very nice key bed
Takes up a lot of space
Offered in 3 sizes: 49, 61 and 88 keys
The “A” Series
© Copyright of this image belongs to Native Instruments. Used here only for illustration purposes only.
Entry level range of keyboards - accessibly priced
Includes transport buttons to Play/Pause/Record/etc in Logic
Includes full sized keys in all models
Includes full sized pitch and mod wheels
Includes knobs, wheels and buttons to change/modify the plugin you’re playing
Offered in 3 sizes: 25, 49 and 61
The “M” Series
© Copyright of this image belongs to Native Instruments. Used here only for illustration purposes only.
Travel sized “micro” keyboard - competes with models such as Akai MPK Mini or Novation Launchkey
Includes transport buttons to Play/Pause/Record/etc in Logic
Includes mini sized keys to save space
Includes mini sized pitch and mod “sliders”
Includes knobs, wheels and buttons to change/modify the plugin you’re playing
Offered in 1 size: 32 mini keys
What you need to know: All three options are great for Logic users so long as you’re interested in getting into the Native Instruments ecosystem. To use all the paraphernalia that comes with the keyboards (namely the plugin related buttons and the screen on the S Series), you’ll have to use an NI plugin called Komplete Kontrol, which indexes all of your NI instruments in the same instance and connects to your keyboard. This works flawlessly (in my experience) and is a super nice experience. However, if you’re deeply invested into other virtual instrument ecosystems, this might not be the best choice.
All these keyboards still work without using Komplete Kontrol. You can still control Logic from the transport buttons, the keys still work and if you move the keyboard into “MIDI Mode” you can even map the knobs and buttons to control whatever Logic parameters you want using CC messages. This is not as joyous of an experience as the out of the box Komplete Kontrol one - not even close.
I invested significant time into the MIDI Mode capabilities of NI gear when I had the Maschine MK3 and desperately wanted to make it work for my Logic workflow. It was a very sucky experience that I don’t wish to repeat, even though it works. Kinda.
But when I turned on the Maschine software (not the plugin in Logic, the actual NI program) and used the controller ? Heaven. Too bad NI stopped delivering major updates to the software. Eventually I sold the controller.
On a final note, I would definitely recommend these keyboards if you have or plan on having the Komplete software bundle and want to make that the center of your production. The integration between the keyboard and the plugin is superb - really. If you have some misc instruments from other brands you also use, I wouldn’t worry about it, it’s pretty easy to do everything in Komplete Kontrol and then simply change the plugin once the MIDI is recorded.
✅ What I like:
Integration with Komplete Kontrol plugin is generally flawless
Includes a great selection of Komplete instruments for free
All keyboards are well built for their price
Integration with Logic is “plug-and-play”, no need to set anything up
Komplete Kontrol is very well maintained and has great features
❌ What I don’t like:
If you don’t want to use NI plugins, these keyboards are not a great choice
Integration with Logic is limited to transport functions mostly
MIDI Mode is very archaic and complicated (probably not NI’s fault necessarily)
🤔 Who is this for?
Producers who want to use NI plugins (especially if you already have Komplete and use it all the time)
Producers who don’t mind relying on a plugin wrapper such as Komplete Kontrol
Producers looking for a “plug-and-play” way of giving Logic a more tactile and integrated experience
💰 Price:
M32: 99$/99€
A25: 125$/ 129€
A49: 166$/166€
A61: 199$/199€
S49: 622$/629€
S61: 666$/675€
S88: 1055$/1058€
Prices sourced from Thomann and subject to change. For reference purposes only.
Pick #3 - AKAI MPK Mini Mk3
The DAW agnostic option 🙏
© Copyright of this image belongs to AKAI. Used here only for illustration purposes only.
If you’re looking for something that just works, this may be it.
The MPK Mini is one of the most well known MIDI controllers out there. I’ve seen it everywhere, and I’m sure you have too. And there’s very good reasons for it. First, at the price point that AKAI asks for it, this thing is very well put together. For under 80$? Seriously? It’s crazy what AKAI put together in that department.
I’ve owned one of these things for a little bit and I can tell you: it’s very much worth every cent. You plug it in, it works. That’s it. No setup, no plugins, no connection issues, no nothing.
And more: I’ve also owned the AKAI MPC Live (the flagship pad controller from AKAI) and I have to say that the pad controllers on the MPK Mini are pretty good. They’re not on the same level as the ones on the MPC (obviously), but they’re not as far as you’d expect.
The keys aren’t bad, but they aren’t impressive either. I’d say they’re as competent as any other mini keyboard. I’ve seen better mini keys in much more expensive products, yes. But I’d say for a sub 80$ product, these keys are perfectly acceptable.
The software package included here is decent, including MPC Beats (a “lite” version of the full blown MPC 2 software), 6 virtual instruments and 2GB of “sound content”.
I’ve spent a long time with the MPC software during my tenure with the MPC Live. The software is awesome for beat making, specially if you have the MPC controller. It can be used inside Logic as a plugin but I would advise against it because it creates too much hassle imo. The software instruments on offer here are from AIR, the company in charge of creating many of AKAI’s plugin offerings. While AIR’s instruments are very decent, some even very good, I’d say for most people Native Instrument’s included Komplete offerings will be more useful.
Lastly - one of the things I like about the AKAI is it’s DAW agnostic status, meaning it’ll work in any DAW and with any plugins. And while the NI will work too, it’s not the same. The NI are perfectly mapped for Komplete Kontrol/Maschine but in MIDI Mode the experience feels off. The MPK works better in that context. If you don’t care for NI plugins or will use a lot of different stuff and NI won’t play a pivotal role, you’re better off with this. Unless you want a large keyboard, then you could look into AKAI’s other offerings - I’m sure they have something for you.
✅ What I like:
Works with all DAW’s and plugins equally well
Plug-and-play, no hassle
Very simple layout to understand and use
Very well built for it’s low price
Pad controllers are surprisingly good
❌ What I don’t like:
The knobs need to be mapped to the parameters you want to control
The software bundle offered might not be for everybody
🤔 Who is this for?
Producers looking for an extremely simple, accessible and easy to use product
Producers looking for something transportable and reliable
Producers who want to use many different plugins from different companies
💰 Price: 77$/79€
Price sourced from Thomann and subject to change. For reference purposes only.
And by the way…
If you want to skyrocket your skills, check out my course. It’s 6 weeks, live on Zoom and 1-on-1 with me. I’ll teach you everything you need to know about Logic to start your career in the best way possible. And it’s pretty well priced too! Go check it out:
