Even if just for demos, having the ability to lay down tracks with samples is increasingly becoming one of the most valuable tools for producers and composers. And, thanks to better and better samples becoming available, many producers see MIDI programming as one of the best ways to make music with their DAW.
If you don’t already have a solid MIDI controller, chances are you’re missing out on much of the functionality and capabilities of your DAW. On top of that, many of the newer controllers feature programmable knobs, faders and pads that can be utilized to boost your mixing workflow.
Here are three of the best 61 key MIDI controllers on the market right now.
M-Audio Axiom 61
Probably the most straightforward, and affordable, of our group, the M-Audio Axiom 61 is an all around excellent MIDI controller. The semi-weighted keys offer enough action to allow your expression to shine through in your samples and the pads are top quality. With eight knobs, eight pads and nine faders, it has more than enough features to accommodate the workflow of most DAWs and producers.
Novation Impulse 61
The Novation Impulse offers similar features to the Axiom and is equally reliable for programming MIDI samples. Some musicians have preferred the action of the Impulse to others and the new model has improved faders, which feel more professional.
With several knobs and faders, there are countless possibilities with DAW integration.
Akai MPK 261
Akai’s MPK 261 is the newest model of the group and represents a nice upgrade from the original MPK 61. It has an excellent action, eight faders and 16 pads with programmable RGB lights, which could be used for more extensive drum/sample sequencing and live performances. (Ableton users, rejoice!)
There are some extra programmable features on the MPK 261, as well, that allow more extensive DAW mapping of the buttons, which could have even more benefits to your workflow.
If you don’t have a MIDI controller yet, any of these three will make an excellent addition to your studio and can enable you to make the most of today’s amazing sample libraries while streamlining your workflow.
Make Pro Songs
There are 6 unique value-points inside the Sage Audio membership, so let’s go over each one so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
1. 20 Free Mastered Songs Per Year
- 20 free mastered songs per year with your own dedicated professional mastering engineer so you can get all your mixes sounding like professional songs.
- You’ll get your own dedicated Sage Audio mastering engineer to create custom masters that are specific to you and sound exactly how you want.
- Unlimited revisions with your dedicated Sage Audio mastering engineer. As a standard of our service, we are not happy until you are happy with the sound of your masters.
- All masters are delivered as commercial, industry-standard high-resolution 24-bit HD WAV masters so they will sound clean and clear on every platform.
2. Unlimited Mixing Feedback
- Unlimited mixing feedback so you can quickly improve your mixes fast.
- This is highly valuable - giving you access to a thriving community of mixing engineers who can provide you with feedback about what you can improve first before sending your mix to be professionally mastered.
3. Sage Audio University™ (SAU) — (Mixing and Mastering Education Platform)
- SAU is a modern audio engineering education platform that includes in-depth mixing and mastering course curriculums that match the new music industry.
- SAU is designed for every experience level, ranging from first-time mixing engineers to advanced engineers. The techniques and concepts taught can be applied to any DAW to create industry-leading mixes without expensive software or plugins - and free plugin alternatives are suggested throughout every course curriculum.
- SAU course curriculums include Start-to-Finish session walkthrough lessons for multiple genres so you can follow along with your preferred genre.
- SAU Certification Document, which can be downloaded and showcased on your website, social channels, and portfolio for as long as you remain a member.
- Get first access to all future SAU course curriculums to continually build and refine your mixing and mastering skills as the industry evolves.
4. Sage Audio Community
- The Sage Audio community is a tight-knit community of passionate audio engineers that can provide you with real-world mixing feedback, discussions, mix competitions, networking, collaborations, and more.
5. 700+ In-depth Sage Audio Mixing and Mastering Videos
- Access 700+ in-depth Sage Audio mixing and mastering videos - curated and organized into playlists so you can take a deep dive into all aspects of audio engineering with thousands of hours of concise, expertly crafted Sage Audio videos to continually improve your mixing and mastering skills at your own pace.
6. 70+ GB of Curated Sage Audio Downloadable Content, Including:
- 36 multitrack sessions spanning multiple genres for mixing practice.
- 57 un-mastered mixes spanning multiple genres for mastering practice.
- 62 Recommended Free Plugins List (vetted, tested, and approved, so you don’t have to).
- 39 Recommended Paid Plugins List (vetted, tested, and approved, so you don’t have to).
- 58 Sage Audio custom plugin presets to improve your mixes and masters.
- Sage Audio Membership Badge to showcase on your website, social channels, and portfolio.