AudioFu

Best Other Controllers for Specialty Applications 2025

Perfect other controllers for specialty-applications - 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 Max Core Station - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
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 MTi MAX - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Presonus Atom SQ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Nektar Pacer - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Arturia Beatstep Decksaver Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
IK Multimedia iRig BlueTurn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
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
Pageflip Dragonfly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
AKAI Professional LPD8 MKII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

AKAI Professional LPD8 MKII

by AKAI Professional
Unique Workflows Custom Control Alternative Control
Key Feature:
• Specialized control solutions available
✓ PROS
  • • Creative control applications
  • • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
  • • Uncertain software integration
  • • Limited documentation available

AKAI Professional LPD8 MKIILaptop Pad Controller8 Velocity-sensitive MPC pads with RGB backlighting8 Assignable knobs...

⭐ 4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 552527
$53
Buy at Thomann View Details
Airturn BT500S-6 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Airturn BT500S-4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Airturn BT500S-4

by Airturn
Specialty Applications Alternative Control Custom Control
Key Feature:
• Custom workflow possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Specialized control solutions available
  • • Alternative interface options
✗ CONS
  • • May require custom configuration
  • • Limited compatibility and support

Airturn BT500S-4Wireless MIDI controllerpage turnermedia and light controller with Bluetooth 5 in footswitch form.Sends...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 541303
$127
Buy at Thomann View Details
Vidami Original Video Foot Controller - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
AKAI Professional midimix - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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