AudioFu

Best Other Controllers 2025

Top-rated other controllers 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Custom Control For Specialty Applications For Unique Workflows For Creative Setup For Alternative Control For Problem Solving
BRANDS: Airturn
Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128

by Roger Linn Design
Unique Workflows Alternative Control Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Unique setup capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
  • • Specialized knowledge needed
  • • May require custom configuration

Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128Multi-touch Performance Controller with USB/MIDI Connection128 Sensor pads: 16 X 84...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 402396
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Roger Linn Design LinnStrument - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Roger Linn Design LinnStrument

by Roger Linn Design
Custom Control Problem Solving Unique Workflows
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
  • • Alternative interface options
  • • Creative control applications
✗ CONS
  • • Specialized knowledge needed
  • • Limited compatibility and support

Roger Linn Design LinnStrumentMulti-touch Performance Controller with USB / MIDI ConnectorIntegrated illuminated...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 360492
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Embodme Erae 2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Embodme Erae 2

by Embodme
Specialty Applications Alternative Control Unique Workflows
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique setup capabilities
  • • Creative control applications
✗ CONS
  • • May require custom configuration
  • • Limited documentation available

Embodme Erae 2Combined Polyphonic MIDI CV Controller and LooperStandalone-capableflexible controller and live looper...

⭐ 4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621056
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Steven Slate Audio Raven Max Core Station - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Steven Slate Audio Raven Max Core Station

by Steven Slate Audio
Specialty Applications Problem Solving Alternative Control
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique setup capabilities
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Limited compatibility and support
  • • Specialized knowledge needed

Steven Slate Audio Raven Max Core Station*Bundle offer comprising*, Steven Slate Audio Raven Core Station*Production...

⭐ 4.7/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 602797
$4,619
Buy at Thomann View Details
Steven Slate Audio Raven MTi MAX - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Steven Slate Audio Raven MTi MAX

by Steven Slate Audio
Problem Solving Creative Setup Custom Control
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
  • • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
  • • Limited documentation available
  • • Uncertain software integration

Steven Slate Audio Raven MTi MAXMulti-Touch DAW and Software Controller27" Touchscreen with dedicated Raven 4.0...

⭐ 4.9/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584863
$1,528
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hornberg Research hb1 Midi Breath Station - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Hornberg Research hb1 Midi Breath Station

by Hornberg Research
Unique Workflows Problem Solving Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
  • • Creative control applications
✗ CONS
  • • May require custom configuration
  • • Limited documentation available

Hornberg Research hb1 Midi Breath StationBreath ControllerBreath to MIDI and breath to USB MIDI standalone controller12...

⭐ 4.9/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 345491
$978
Buy at Thomann View Details
Intuitive Instruments Exquis - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Intuitive Instruments Exquis

by Intuitive Instruments
Creative Setup Unique Workflows Problem Solving
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Specialized control solutions available
✗ CONS
  • • Limited documentation available
  • • Uncertain software integration

Intuitive Instruments ExquisMulti-Touch MPE ControllerIlluminated 61-key hexagonal keyboardEach key processes velocity...

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585051
$318
Buy at Thomann View Details
Presonus Atom SQ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Presonus Atom SQ

by Presonus
Custom Control Creative Setup Alternative Control
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
  • • Unique setup capabilities
  • • Specialized control solutions available
✗ CONS
  • • May require custom configuration
  • • Limited documentation available

Presonus Atom SQHybrid MIDI Keyboard/Pad Performance and Production ControllerVersatile controller for production and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 497744
$237
Buy at Thomann View Details
Vidami Blue 3 in 1 Video Controller - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Vidami Blue 3 in 1 Video Controller

by Vidami
Custom Control Unique Workflows Creative Setup
Key Feature:
• Unique setup capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Specialized control solutions available
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Uncertain software integration
  • • Limited documentation available

Vidami Blue 3 in 1 Video Controller3-in-1 Bluetooth Foot PedalFor wirelesshands-free control of music and mediaVideo...

⭐ 4.4/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 567829
$252
Buy at Thomann View Details
Vidami Original Video Foot Controller - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Vidami Original Video Foot Controller

by Vidami
Alternative Control Problem Solving Creative Setup
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique setup capabilities
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Limited compatibility and support
  • • Specialized knowledge needed

Vidami Original Video Foot ControllerUSB Foot PedalFor hands-free control of the most popular music and educational...

⭐ 5.0/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 573918
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Arturia Beatstep Pro - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Arturia Beatstep Pro

by Arturia
Creative Setup Problem Solving Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • May require custom configuration
  • • Specialized knowledge needed

Arturia Beatstep ProMIDI Controller and Step SequencerCompatible with devices using MIDICV/Gate or DIN Sync...

⭐ 4.4/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 357506
$272
Buy at Thomann View Details
Arturia Beatstep - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Arturia Beatstep

by Arturia
Alternative Control Problem Solving Unique Workflows
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique setup capabilities
  • • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
  • • May require custom configuration
  • • Limited documentation available

Arturia BeatstepUSB MIDI pad controller16 Velocity sensitive pads (illuminated)16 Encoders16 MIDI Controller Presets16...

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 336093
$120
Buy at Thomann View Details
Playtronica TouchMe MIDI Controller - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Playtronica TouchMe MIDI Controller

by Playtronica
Creative Setup Problem Solving Unique Workflows
Key Feature:
• Creative control applications
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Specialized control solutions available
✗ CONS
  • • Limited compatibility and support
  • • May require custom configuration

Playtronica TouchMe MIDI ControllerPortable MIDI-ControllerAllows playing on different surfaces such as...

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597425
$120
Buy at Thomann View Details
Pageflip Firefly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Pageflip Firefly

by Pageflip
Alternative Control Creative Setup Problem Solving
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
  • • Alternative interface options
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Limited compatibility and support
  • • May require custom configuration

Pageflip FireflyBluetooth USB PedalEnables convenient and delay-free turning of digital content such as sheet...

⭐ 4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 333692
$140
Buy at Thomann View Details
Presonus Atom - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Presonus Atom

by Presonus
Unique Workflows Specialty Applications Problem Solving
Key Feature:
• Specialized control solutions available
✓ PROS
  • • Specialized control solutions available
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Limited documentation available
  • • May require custom configuration

Presonus AtomUSB Pad ControllerVersatile controller for production and performancePerfect integration with Presonus...

⭐ 4.4/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 449185
$116
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Other Controllers

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced other controllers typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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