Best Other Controllers 2026
Top-rated other controllers 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Steven Slate Audio Raven Max Core Station
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
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Roger Linn Design LinnStrument
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
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Steven Slate Audio Raven MTi MAX
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
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Roger Linn Design LinnStrument 128
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
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Hornberg Research hb1 Midi Breath Station
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
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Intuitive Instruments Exquis
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
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
AKAI Professional MPD 218
Unique Workflows
Creative Setup
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Creative control applications
✓ PROS
- • Creative control applications
- • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Uncertain software integration
- • Limited compatibility and support
AKAI Professional MPD 218USB controller16 Touch and pressure-sensitive MPC pads with 3 banks6 Assignable 360 degree...
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 368332
$90
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
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
#9
⭐
4.4/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
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
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Nektar Panorama P1
by
Nektar
Specialty Applications
Problem Solving
Creative Setup
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
- • Unique setup capabilities
- • Creative control applications
✗ CONS
- • Specialized knowledge needed
- • May require custom configuration
Nektar Panorama P1USB Controller9 Faders: 45 mm16 Continuous rotary knobs8 LED buttons11 Transport buttons22 Navigation...
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 307804
$285
#12
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Airturn BT500S-6
by
Airturn
Creative Setup
Specialty Applications
Problem Solving
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Creative control applications
- • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
- • Limited documentation available
- • Specialized knowledge needed
Airturn BT500S-6Wireless 6-way Bluetooth 5 FootswitchRemote Control for TabletsSmartphonesPC and MAC with Bluetooth 5...
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 541308
$175
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
AKAI Professional midimix
Unique Workflows
Alternative Control
Creative Setup
Key Feature:
• Creative control applications
✓ PROS
- • Alternative interface options
- • Creative control applications
✗ CONS
- • Limited compatibility and support
- • May require custom configuration
AKAI Professional MidimixUSB DAW Controller8 Faders1 master fader24 Rotary knobs: 3 per channel16 Buttons: MuteSolo and...
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 365142
$96
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Playtronica Biotron Midi Controller
by
Playtronica
Specialty Applications
Alternative Control
Unique Workflows
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
- • Specialized control solutions available
- • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
- • Limited documentation available
- • May require custom configuration
Playtronica Biotron Midi ControllerPortable MIDI ControllerConverts electro-magnetic changes in plants into...
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 611770
$120
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
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
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.
