Top 10 Best Music Controllers
for December 2023

The Donner DMK25 MIDI Controller is a portable, compact controller with built-in drum pads and knobs. It is powered by USB, so it requires very little power, and it feels very lightweight when you hold it. The pads are responsive and the knobs have click stops, and the faders have fluid resistance. The buttons are spaced well, so finding your way around the keyboard isn't difficult. The keys have a note range that is similar to a piano, and they articulate easily. The controller has 4 program presets, each with its own bank of controls, so you can easily switch between tasks. The controller is compatible with all music production software, and it includes drivers and software that make it easy to connect to your computer. The controller also has a headphone jack, so if you use it in a studio, you can monitor what it's doing. The controller is compact, lightweight, and easy to use, and it's compatible with most music production software.

The MPK Mini MK3, Akai's latest and smallest key controller, is a lightweight, portable 25-key USB 2.0 keyboard controller that is perfect for songwriters, producers and beat-makers looking for a simple, yet powerful, MIDI keyboard for their computer music production. The controller features eight velocity-sensitive MPC-style backlit drum pads, eight backlit touch-sensitive knobs and a 16-step sequencer. The pads and knobs are velocity-sensitive, so you can adjust the volume of the pads and add additional nuance to drum patterns. The 16-step sequencer features auto-detect mode, so you can simply load your project file into the sequencer and start playing. The controller is powered via USB, so it's suitable for both Mac and PC computers. The pad and knob colors can be assigned to different functions, so you can easily set up customized control schemes. Akai's included MPC Essentials software suite provides everything you need to start making music, including 1500 sounds, 180 loops, 28 drum kits, more than 450 MIDI grooves, over 150 MIDI patterns, Drums Akimbo, Chromatic Tuner, Tempo Clip, Split mode, MPC Essentials Mixer and MPC 2.0 Player. The MPC Essentials software suite is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux computers. Akai's MPK Mini MK3 is a robust, portable, 25-key USB MIDI keyboard controller that is perfect for songwriters, producers and beat-makers.

The RGBZONE wireless remote controller is an affordable and easy way to remotely control your RGB LED strips, but it's not quite as powerful or versatile as more expensive models. The RGBZONE uses standard IR technology, so it doesn't send radio frequency signals to control your lights, and IR signals can't be used to control audio equipment. But, it has plenty of features, including 3 levels of brightness, 3 levels of speed, 3 sound sensitivity levels, and 10 color changing modes. The RGBZONE is easy to set up, and the controller box is compact and small enough to fit on a desk. The RGBZONE comes with a remote, but it's a bit bulky, and it's cheaper and easier to buy a separate IR blaster than to use the RGBZONE's remote. The RGBZONE isn't backlit, so it's difficult and uncomfortable to use in the dark, and you can't set it to automatically turn off after a period of inactivity. The RGBZONE is an affordable and reliable option for controlling your LED lights, but if you're looking for a more powerful or versatile controller, it's a good idea to spend at least $25 more.

The APC Mini is the most compact USB MIDI controller on the market for Ableton Live, and it nails the compact, portable design that we were looking for. It's small enough to fit in a backpack, and it's comfortable enough to use for hours. It's also incredibly affordable, and the built-in clip matrix makes it ideal for DJing. The Mini's clip matrix is smaller and more limited than the clip matrix on the Akai APC40, which does have 64 buttons, but it's a good way to start, and you can use clips to launch clips, launch plugins, and perform other functions that you couldn't do with a 64-button controller. The Mini's faders are responsive, and the 1.8-inch LCD screen makes it easy to monitor and tweak your sound. And because it's USB-powered, it's quick to set up, and it works with Mac and Windows computers. The Akai APC Mini is a full-featured, portable USB MIDI controller for Ableton Live, and it's one of the best values on the market.

The WORLDE 25 is a portable USB MIDI keyboard controller. It features 25 full-size keys that are velocity and pressure sensitive, and 16 pads that can be assigned as 8 pads, 8 note buttons, and 2 pitch bend or modulation touch strips. The pads and keyboard can be switched between keyboard and pad modes. The keyboard and pads have RGB backlit. The keyboard has a standard sustain pedal jack, and the pads have 6.35mm standard sustain pedal jack. The keyboard also has a 3.5mm TRS MIDI Out jack, so you can use the keyboard with your hardware. The keyboard has 4 USB connections, and 2 ports are for USB MIDI, and 1 port is for USB power. The keyboard has 2 power switches, and 1 port is for USB power. The keyboard has a LCD display, and the clock and tempo display can also be edited. The keyboard has 20 banks of 16 presets. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 editable preset bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 random preset bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 global preset bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 user preset bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 MIDI channel bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 MIDI bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 program change bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 aftertouch bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 sustain pedal bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 expression pedal bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 auto accompaniment bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 bypass pedal bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 expression pedal bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 modulation pedal bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 assignable knob bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 assignable button bank. The keyboard has 2 banks of 8 assignable trigger bank.

The Alitove WS2812B controller is one of the best current Bluetooth music-syncing controllers we tested. It's easy to set up, and it supports both WS2812B and WS2811 lights, as well as other common addressable LED strips with 3-pin JST connectors. The controller has high sensitivity, and we were able to sync the lights with music with minimal lag. The controller has 12 different lighting effects, and you can set the speed of each effect, as well as how long each effect lasts. The controller has 9 lighting scenes, and the lighting effects within each scene can be named and called by the mobile app or RF remote. The controller has 3 RF remotes, and you can choose the RF remote you want to use. The controller also has 3 buttons that can be programmed to control the lights. The controller has 3 colors: blue, white, and green, and you can choose the color you want to use for each RF remote. The controller has a rechargeable battery, and after charging the controller for 2 hours, it has about 4 hours of music-syncing time. The controller has 2 modes: normal operation and standby mode. The controller supports wireless internet, so you can connect it to your home network wirelessly. The controller has an alarm function, and the lighting effects for each lighting scene can be scheduled and named. The controller has a time-out function, and the lights will turn off after a specified amount of time. The controller has reverse connection protection. The controller has built-in memory, and you can save up to 8 lighting effects to the controller's memory.

The RTNLIT LED Music Controller is a great, affordable option if you want to control the RGB lighting in your home. There's a good range of colors and modes (16 million colors, 16 preset colors, 16 color cycling modes, 16 split color modes, and 16 fade modes), and the controller is responsive and easy to adjust. It's also designed for RGB strips and LED lights, not for TVs or computers, so it's much brighter than the other options we've tested, and it's easily visible from across the room. The controller has a bright, dimmable IR remote, which we found easy to use, and it also has a wireless app, which makes it easy to control a lot of RGB lighting at once. The app also has a timer function, which can be useful if you want lights to fade out at night, or if you want to program color changes to take place automatically.

The Xunata 1500W Bluetooth Music IR Remote Control RGB Controller with 24Key Remote for 5050 2835 LED Neon Rope Strip Light is the perfect tool to light up your home. It is powered via an AC110V-130V power supply and is compatible with 5050 2835 LED Neon rope light strips. Our Bluetooth Remote controller supports IOS 6.0 or above and Android 4.0 or above, can be used in most intelligent devices like iPod, iPad, iPhone, iMac, Samsung, HTC, Nokia and so on. It is easy control and extremely convenient. Bluetooth music Control 20 keys wireless IR high-voltage RGB controller, cell phone control color changing, You can adjust brightness, lighting speed ,color changing effects and and set time via your smart-phone or the controller. AC110V Input, output 750W max. Applicable to 110VAC 50 Meters (164ft) RGB color changing high voltage flexible led light strips (Wire order: G, V+, R, B) With 16 millions of light colors and 20 built-in dynamic modes, you can choose Timer function, Music control function, MIC function, Group control function and custom color function. It has 20-key remote, you can control 24 led light groups at the same time. 24-key remote has 4 modes: color changing, single color, brightness and off. The color changing mode can adjust color about 16 million colors. Music control function, you can dial the music rhythm. Everything is perfect, and the price is very cheap, it is the best choice for you.

The 50FT 120LEDs/M IP65 Waterproof RGB SMD 5050 LED Strip Light Flexible w/ Music Sensed Controller & Power Supply (50) kit is an all-around solid choice for anyone looking for a kit with bright, adjustable, colorful LED lighting. The kit comes with everything you need to connect a string of lights to your wall, including screws, clips, double sided tape, and connectors. The strip lights themselves are bright, and come with RGB color-changing functionality. The controller on the remote is simple to use and has good feedback, and the strips are bright enough to use as task lighting in a garage or workshop. The strip lights are also IP65 waterproof, so they're suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The kit includes a 48-key remote, which features a 5-button layout and a decent OLED display. The remote also integrates with Amazon Alexa, so you can use voice commands to change the colors of your lighting. The included power supply and RF remote are both decent, if a bit basic, but they're not enough to merit a four-star rating. The strips are bright, the RF remote is user-friendly, and the kit as a whole is affordable. However, if your requirements are more high-end, check out our picks for the best RGB light kits.

The BTF-Lighting Digital Addressable Led Strip Music Controller X2(X1 Updated Version) for WS2811 WS2812B 6803 WS2813 WS2815 LED Strip DC5V-24V is an easy-to-use controller for WS2812B LED strips. The controller itself is very simple, and easy to set up. It has 27 music-controlling modes and 14 no-music control modes, and it's easy to switch between the two. It also has some advanced settings, such as different lighting effects for different music programs. The controller is very easy to use, and the instructions in the user manual are very clear. The controller is lightweight, and it's small and portable, so it's easy to take with you. The controller also has 3.5mm audio input and output ports, so you can connect an audio source to the controller, and connect the led strips to the controller. The controller also has a built-in mic, so you can easily turn it on and off with a tap. The BTF-Lighting Digital Addressable Led Strip Music Controller X2(X1 Updated Version) for WS2811 WS2812B 6803 WS2813 WS2815 LED Strip DC5V-24V has a wide range of applications, such as for Christmas, anniversary, wedding, party, bar, etc.