Prime Day music hardware deals - looking for advice

AlexY

Sorry in advance for the annoying noob post.

I've been thinking for a while that I might want a midi keyboard. Prime Day is here and a couple of Donner midi keyboards are discounted (though not too deeply). Initially, I was capping my budget for it at $60 USD but might be able to stretch to a $100 USD.

According to some of the Q&A on the amazon page, they are ios compatible. Wondering if there are others that I should be looking into instead.

I am not sure if I should go for something really basic or if I'll regret later not having some of the other features like pads, knobs/faders, etc.

This is at the top of my list, but I'm not sure if it's overkill for a beginner like me:

Donner MIDI Keyboard Controller, DMK25 Portable MIDI with 25 Responsive Keys, 8 Great Tactile Backlit Drum Pads, 4 Assignable Knobs for Beginners & Music Composition Lover, Great Gift for Son, White

These are more pared down and cheaper, and I'm wondering if this is what I NEED since I mostly just play around with melodies and chords:

USB MIDI Keyboard Controller 25-Key, Donner N-25 with Velocity-Sensitive Keys & Light-up Rocker for iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC, Small Portable MIDI Keyboard as Gift for Son

I'm not even sure I need the 32 key version: MIDI Keyboard Controller 32-Key, Donner N-32 with Digital Tube Screen Display, Sequencer Function, Chord Play Mode, Bend Sound Effects By Light-up Joystick for iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC

These two seem like they are somewhere in between and supposedly works with an OTG adapter:

Midi Controller, lotmusic Worlde TUNA PANDA MINI 25 Keys Portable USB Midi Keyboard with 8 RGB Backlit Colorful Drum Beat

Midi Controller,Portable 25 Keys USB Midi Keyboard Controller Beat Maker with 16 RGB Backlit Drum Pads,8 knobs and Arpeggiator ,LIEKE Orca mini

Midi Controller,Portable 25 Keys USB Midi Keyboard Controller with 8 Drum Pad Beat Maker,LIEKE TUNA MINI

Honorable mention:

M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 MK3 - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with 32 Velocity Sensitive Mini Keys and Recording Software Included

gottfriedxy

I think M-Audio controllers are quite ok but Akai controllers are my favourites considering specs, price and quality…
If sou want to control hardware synths or stuff it would be very handy to have 5din connectors on the midi controller, not only usb-midi.
Also consider getting a controller that has some faders and pads, you‘ll definitely be happy to have those in the future…

pigdog237

In the UK the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 is reduced from £96 to £69.99, which is a bargain. It has a really nice arpeggiator and has proper MIDI out (although you need an adapter) for external hardware, as well as USB.

There are some really good demos and reviews on YouTube.

AlexY

Thanks all!

AlexY

So, Doug from the Sound Test Room had a nice video about the DMK25 and I almost ended up getting that since there were other good reviews. I also almost ended up getting the full size keys Starrykey since it also had good reviews and this one almost convinced me.

I ended up not getting them because I wasn't sure I would be able to program them effectively without a computer. I have one for work, but not for personal use.

I ended up being really conservative and getting their most basic one which was $40USD on Prime Day.

https://us.donnermusic.com/donner-n-25-25-key-pure-midi-keyboard.html

Hopefully this is enough to free up some ipad/iphone space for other things.

Thanks everyone for their input.