88 Key MIDI Keyboard Controllers

Some people say size doesn't matter, but when you're looking for a keyboard controller and you want the complete range of a grand piano at your disposal, it certainly does! Only full-sized 88 key MIDI keyboard controllers can provide 100% of that range natively, and although these are the biggest models and a bit of a challenge to transport, they're the way to go for musicians who want the widest range possible. This is also the place to go for controllers with hammer actions like the Kawai VPC1 Virtual Piano Controller, which is designed to feel just like a real acoustic piano when you play it - especially once you connect the included trio of grand piano pedals.

If you're leaning more toward the electronic side of things, the options here are even more wide-open for you. The Arturia KeyLab 88 Keyboard Controller is a solid choice for example, and it includes Analog Lab software that comes pre-loaded with 5000 TAE synthesizer presets. Looking for a powerful workstation on a tighter budget? No problem: just check out keyboards such as the Studiologic SL-990 PRO 88-Key MIDI Controller. Or, if you'd prefer a simple, no-frills 88-key controller that gets the job done without a lot of hardware overhead, consider something like the M-Audio Keystation 88 MKII or the Alesis Q88 88-Key USB/MIDI Controller.

From hammer-action controllers designed for virtual pianos to high-end workstations for audio producers to straightforward performance-oriented controllers, it's safe to say the lineup of 88 key MIDI keyboard controllers offers a pretty wide variety. And since they're MIDI controllers that work with tons of different hardware and software instruments, that variety is more than just skin-deep. With one of these keyboard controllers in your toolbox, there's really no limit to what you can do musically - it's just a matter of learning and experimenting to find out just how much it can do for you and your sound, whether that's in live gigging, studio work or both.