AudioFu

Best Other Controllers for Creative Setup 2025

Perfect other controllers for creative-setup - easy to play and learn on

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
Steven Slate Audio Raven MTi MAX - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Intuitive Instruments Exquis - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
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
Arturia Beatstep Decksaver Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Arturia Beatstep Decksaver Set

by Arturia
Creative Setup Custom Control Alternative Control
Key Feature:
• Unique setup capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Specialized control solutions available
✗ CONS
  • • Limited compatibility and support
  • • Uncertain software integration

Arturia Beatstep Decksaver Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Arturia Beatstep*USB MIDI pad controller*16 Velocity sensitive...

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 406548
$147
Buy at Thomann View Details
AKAI Professional midimix - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

AKAI Professional midimix

by AKAI Professional
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Playtronica TouchMe MIDI Controller - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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 Dragonfly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Pageflip Dragonfly

by Pageflip
Creative Setup Specialty Applications Problem Solving
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
  • • Creative control applications
✗ CONS
  • • May require custom configuration
  • • Uncertain software integration

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

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 408490
$160
Buy at Thomann View Details
Pageflip Butterfly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Pageflip Butterfly

by Pageflip
Creative Setup Unique Workflows Problem Solving
Key Feature:
• Creative control applications
✓ PROS
  • • Specialized control solutions available
  • • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Uncertain software integration
  • • Specialized knowledge needed

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

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 400276
$120
Buy at Thomann View Details
IK Multimedia iRig BlueTurn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

IK Multimedia iRig BlueTurn

by IK Multimedia
Creative Setup Custom Control Alternative Control
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Specialized control solutions available
✗ CONS
  • • Limited compatibility and support
  • • Uncertain software integration

IK Multimedia iRig BlueTurnFootswitchAllows you to scroll through digital pages wirelessly via Bluetooth LE2 Soft-touch...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 381027
$83
Buy at Thomann View Details
AKAI Professional MPD 218 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

AKAI Professional MPD 218

by AKAI Professional
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Airturn Quad 500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Airturn Quad 500

by Airturn
Custom Control Creative Setup Alternative Control
Key Feature:
• Creative control applications
✓ PROS
  • • Unique setup capabilities
  • • Specialized control solutions available
✗ CONS
  • • Limited documentation available
  • • Specialized knowledge needed

Airturn Quad 500Wireless Bluetooth 5 ControllerWith 4 ATFS-2 pedals and pedal boardCan be used as a page turner to turn...

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 541316
$153
Buy at Thomann View Details
Airturn Duo 500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Airturn Duo 500

by Airturn
Problem Solving Creative Setup Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
  • • Specialized control solutions available
  • • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
  • • Uncertain software integration
  • • Specialized knowledge needed

Airturn Duo 500Wireless Bluetooth 5 ControllerWith 2 ATFS-2 Pedals and Pedal BoardCan be used as a page turner for...

⭐ 4.9/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 541291
$109
Buy at Thomann View Details
Midiplus X Pad - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Midiplus X Pad

by Midiplus
Creative Setup Specialty Applications Custom Control
Key Feature:
• Creative control applications
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Unique setup capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Uncertain software integration
  • • May require custom configuration

Midiplus X PadUSB MIDI Controller16 Touch-sensitive and illuminated drum pads - organised in 3 banks2 x Programmable...

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 470778
$79
Buy at Thomann View Details
Airturn PED Pro 500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Airturn PED Pro 500

by Airturn
Specialty Applications Problem Solving Unique Workflows
Key Feature:
• Alternative interface options
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Unique setup capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • May require custom configuration
  • • Limited compatibility and support

Airturn PED Pro 500Multifunctional Bluetooth controller with two foot switchesWireless page turner for turning over the...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 541295
$87
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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