Best Other Controllers for Intermediate 2026
Perfect other controllers for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
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
(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
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
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
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Nektar Pacer
by
Nektar
Alternative Control
Creative Setup
Unique Workflows
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Custom workflow possibilities
- • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
- • Uncertain software integration
- • May require custom configuration
Nektar PacerMIDI Footswitch ControllerRobust metal housingTrack and transport control with Nektar DAW...
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 436177
$226
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
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
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
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
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
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
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
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
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Playtronica Playtron MIDI Controller
by
Playtronica
Problem Solving
Alternative Control
Unique Workflows
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Creative control applications
- • Custom workflow possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Uncertain software integration
- • Specialized knowledge needed
Playtronica Playtron MIDI ControllerPortable MIDI-ControllerAllows playing on different surfaces such as...
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597427
$123
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.
