MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) keyboards are a great way to explore sound and integrate music digitally.
Whether you’re experienced or green in music, midi keyboards blend right into the crux of your ergonomic education.
While they offer the full range of keys that you need for musical production, midi keyboards are typically thinner, more compact, and provide you with greater convenience when you create.
If you’re a composer, another great advantage of buying a midi keyboard is that they only work when you hook them up to a computer.
These days, instead of manually recording music, professional musicians prefer to input their sounds directly into mixing software programs like fruity loops for a more integrated creative experience.
Also, because most midi keyboards come complete with velocity sensors, you get the option to use sound modulation, sound switching from notes to beats, and trigger-looping musical combinations in real-time.
If you live in Japan and are looking for a great way to expand and extend your musical competence, midi keyboards provide a natural solution.
To this end, find below a well-curated list of some of the best midi keyboards you can buy in Japan.
Best Midi Keyboards to buy in Japan: A Quick Look
Korg Midi Keyboard Controller
Power: USB BUS Keyboard: Natural touch Connections: USB Type B/A Velocity Sensors: Active
AKM322 32-Key MIDI Keyboard Controller
Connection: Direct Velocity sensors: Active Proprietary editing software: Active DAW control: Active Supports: MAC, Windows
Roland MIDI Keyboard Controller
Keyboard: 32 keys DAW software: Active LCD: Active Synthesizer: Active Supports: Windows, MAC
Akai Professional MPK Mini keyboard
Power: USB BUS Velocity sensors: Active Sound Source Software: Active Supports: Windows/ MAC
M-Audio USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
Keyboard: 8849 key Connection: USB cable Proprietary editing software: Supports: Windows 7, MAC 10/11
Best Midi Keyboards to buy in Japan: More Details
Korg Midi Keyboard Controller
The Korg midi keyboard is incredibly lightweight, and perfect for the upstarting musician because of its mobility and ease of use.
As a result, the Korg midi keyboard is powered by a USB bus which makes it compatible with all computer-based music software.
Velocity sensitive natural touch keyboard
The microkey is a great way to create your production setup as it features the velocity-sensitive Natural Touch mini-keyboard: A feature which is considered to be sacrosanct in the world of instruments.
Also, the proportions of the black and white of this keyboard have been adjusted for optimal playability. This way, you enjoy clarity, and convenience as you stroke away at your keys and create pure beauty.
Ergonomic design
In addition, special care was paid to engineer the aesthetics and ergonomics of its keys to give it the best feel for optimal playability, easy chording, and rapid phrase work.
The special “waterfall-type” keyboard input makes it easy for playing glissandos. This keyboard will accurately convey the dynamics of your performance on the keys to your software.
Wide range of models
For better sound and experience a 25-key model and 61-key model lineup had been added to the preexisting 37-key model.
The 25-key model features excellent portability, allowing you to enjoy playing and producing music even when you’re away from home.
The 37-key model provides good playability while allowing a compact production setup. The 61-key model offers full five octaves, satisfying the performing musician while fitting in the same horizontal dimensions as a full-sized 49-key model.
On this keyboard, you’re sure to find the microkey model that’s the perfect fit for your music production setup or style. This keyboard is perfect for beginners and for skilled musicians as well.
AKM322 32-Key MIDI Keyboard Controller
The AKM322 midi keyboard is designed with a DAW solution and dimensions that makes the controller lightweight and portable for easy mobility.
Also, this midi piano keyboard is a specially developed MIDI editor that allows for you to customize the controller to your individual needs either on your PC or your MAC.
32 key design for speed and sensitivity
This keyboard is fitted with 32 keys for extra speed sensitivity and velocity. As a producer you can use it’s high pitch wheel, and modulations for seamless transposing and modulating.
But there’s more.
This keyboard features a tap tempo, arpeggiator, chord mode and a button to change the velocity. It also functions on USB power and has a built-in interface, so you can directly pin it in on your laptop and use it with your DAW.
Easy record features
The play, record and stop buttons ensure an easy and fast recording process. It has an input for an external sustain pedal at the rear.
In addition, this midi keyboard supports the Apple system and Microsoft Windows XP/7/810 systems, and can directly identify the MIDI USB device.
This keyboard is fitted to handle and sustain pedal input for more music making options. A cubase LE download access code (DAC) card is also included for full experience.
The AKM322 midi piano keyboard is great for you because it has keys for composing, transposing, reverberation, velocity curve, arpeggiator time and scale mode selection.
Unlike many other models on the Japanese market, this keyboard will provide you with all the functions you need to create magic with your music.
Roland MIDI Keyboard Controller
The Roland keyboard controllers company has over 30 years of experience in music manufacturing and the A-300PRO is one of their best submissions yet.
If you’re on the market for a midi keyboard controller you can use just about anywhere; in the studio, on-stage, or anywhere music beckons, then you should definitely buy this keyboard.
Easy to use
The A-300PR combines the best of Roland engineering with Cakewalk’s legendary ease-of-use. Also, this midi keyboard boasts of all the significant features you need to get the most out of your music performances and productions.
With the Roland midi keyboard, you get a superior key mechanism which provides aftertouch and increased sensitivity for a wide range of expressive dynamics in your performance.
45 assignable controls
Also, this keyboard comes with 45 assignable controls which includes knobs, sliders, buttons, transport and more. If you’re a skilled musician and producer, this keyboard controller instantly responds to your touch and immediately transports the sound to your system.
The keyboard controller is built with 8 Dynamic Pads for finger drumming and midi triggering and a sure-grip Pitch Bend/Modulation Stick.
For expanded playability, you also get sustain and expression pedals features which can be bought separately if you’re looking for a more dynamic physical experience.
Comes with production software
The Roland midi piano keyboard is also USB BUS Powered, and comes in a bundle with the famed Cakewalk Production Plus Pack including three incredible instruments and production software.
Intuitive design
This midi keyboard also comes in an intuitive design and has every knob and key in an accessible position that shortens the bridge between inspiration and execution.
Whether you’re mixing sounds in your home studio or blasting music in front of your fans and audience, the A-300PR midi piano keyboard comes with beautiful LED lights installed within it’s keys to give the soft light you need to find and pluck on your keys.
Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII
This keyboard from the Akai Professional keyboard makers is expertly designed for the travelling musician.
The Akai midi keyboard comes complete with a sustain-pedal input which is in-built for expressive playing, and recording which is invaluable when you’re creating and performing on the road.
Full melodic range
Also, its keys come with a dedicated octave-up and down buttons that have the full melodic range. The black-on-white MPK Mini MKII features twenty-five velocity-sensitive synth-action mini keys, a four-way thumbstick for pitch and modulation manipulation.
The Akai midi piano keyboard also features a velocity-sensitive MPC-style pads in two banks, and eight assignable Q-Link knobs. The MPK Mini allows for recording, composing, and performing with ease and fluidity with its wide range of hardware controls.
Wide range of features for ease of use
This midi keyboard also comes complete with an onboard arpeggiator that you can adjust it’s resolution, and range which makes it easy to create intricate melodic lines.
In addition, this midi keyboard comes with a Note Repeat and Full Level that allows users to access technologies from Akai Professional’s line of MPC workstations.
With this midi piano keyboard controller, the ease of production is taken a notch higher with an built production software and virtual instruments are included for immediate music creation
This keyboard comes with four memory banks that can store hardware/software presets for quick and easy setup.
Custom management software
The MPK Mini MIDI Editor is preset management software that lets you customize your hardware and software setup on a Mac or Windows computer; Create and tweak presets for favorite virtual instruments, plug-ins, and DAWs; and store them on the controller.
Also, It works perfectly with plug-and-play connectivity, features USB-MIDI, and powers up with a single USB connection to Mac or Windows computers.
If you’re travelling across Japan and making music, you should know that its controllers require no software drivers or external power adapter for operation. You should click on this link and buy this midi while you still can.
M-Audio USB MIDI Keystation MK43
The M-Audio Oxygen 88 USB MIDI controller delivers a melodious and highly expressive playing experience and good music.
This midi keyboard controller is designed to satisfy players who need the feel of a piano combined with the power of a modern MIDI controller.
It’s 8-note keybed offers an impressive feel and response while its 32 assignable buttons, knobs, and faders provide complete control over your music software.
Direct control mapping
Once it ships, you also get the direct link mode that automatically maps these onboard controls to common DAW functions including transport, mixer, track pan, and plug-in parameters.
Also, built-in presets offer support for popular virtual instruments right out of the box—no complicated setup required.
In conclusion, this midi piano keyboard is an unparalleled combination of perfect touch, unmitigated user control, and ease of use. All things considered, the Oxygen 88 is the perfect choice for both studio and stage performance.
If you’re on the market for a midi keyboard that guarantees control, seamless accessibility and high quality music production, the M-Audio midi keyboard is the one for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I consider first when buying a midi keyboard?
What should guide when you’re looking to buy your midi keyboard is what kind of music you’re looking to make.
If you’re looking to make electronica, rap, or any of the other musical forms that require fewer tonal combinations, then a 25-key/49-key keyboard might be sufficient.
On the other hand, if you’re composing for orchestra, you might prefer the 88-key midi piano keyboards as they offer a lot more range.
You should also consider how much travelling you’ll be doing. If you’re busking around the country, then the 49-key midi piano keyboard might be smarter as it’s compact and packs very well.
You should also pay attention to the thickness/narrowness of the keys as they come with weighting peculiarities that might impact your ability to play effectively.
Some of the midway options which you might be inclined to explore include 33 and 37-key, 73, and 76-key midi keyboards.
How does my keyboard play?
Some midi keyboards emulate the sound of choral classics (Waterfall), and others are engineered to blend sounds into one another by the aftertouch effect (Aftertouch).
Whatever you do, you should take the time to figure out how your piano plays, as that is likely to affect your experience immensely.
Once you figure out what brand you are looking to buy, you are always a few clicks away from their website and all the information you need.
How much does a midi keyboard cost on average?
Once you have between ¥6000 ($60) and ¥30,000 ($300), you are set pretty well to buy any of the models on this list.
While how much a midi keyboard costs is an important consideration, you should also know that as with everything else, you are likely to get as much value as you are willing to spend.
On the other hand, splurging is not the right approach either. Take some time to consider how you plan to use your device and how much time you intend to spend on it every day.
Once you have a sense of how much it contributes to your daily routine, you are likely to make a better-informed decision once you decide to buy.
Conclusion
Japan is a robust musical culture, and if you’re looking to make music while you’re here, buying the right midi keyboard can make all the difference.
Whether you’re looking for a small home office setup or a more extensive lineup of musical accessories, a midi keyboard can be the missing piece of your puzzle.
For the most part, midi piano keyboards are engineered to act in the same way that a manual organ or piano might. Unlike manual pianos, however, midi keyboards require a computer for sonic output.
Depending on the particulars of your use, midi piano keyboards pack well (25-key/49-key) and can be useful when you’re on the road.
If you decide to get the 88-key midi piano keyboard, you can also enjoy the full range of notes and keys for classic composition.
Also, if you’re a parent who is looking to give your children a musical education, midi keyboards provide the benefit of music education combined with cutting edge computational technologies that will propel the enterprise of music production into the future.
If you’re a musician, an enthusiast, or a hobbyist, midi piano keyboards buying one of the musical keyboards on this list can give you the edge and dynamism you need to express the best of your talents to the world.
Whatever you do, make sure to collect as much information as you can from this website and others like it as small differences in design and engineering can be meaningfully impactful during use.
Best Knives in Japan: If you live in Japan and spend anytime cooking, buying the right set of knives can enhance your experience greatly. Click this link to explore some of the best knives you can find in Japan.