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5 Best Software for MIDI Keyboard to Master Music Production

Try the most reliable music programs to use with your MIDI keyboard

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

AMIDIkeyboard is one of the essential pieces of equipment to have in your music studio. These ultra-portable keyboards work with your computer directly via USB connection allowing to increase your workflow as well as get creative with your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or notation software.

While having aMIDIkeyboardis an excellent addition to your studio, what’s equally important is to find a perfectsoftwareto use forMIDIkeyboard. Now if you are not sure what music production software to use with yourMIDIkeyboard, we got you covered.

We have created a comprehensive list of the bestsoftwareto use forMIDIkeyboardto bring your musical fantasies to life. These programs will also help you to optimize workflow and make the composition process easier.

Best software to use with MIDI keyboards

FL Studio– Well-designed interface

FL Studio is a big name in the music composition industry and for all the right reasons. It is one of the oldest in the business and offers a complete music production suite with composing, arranging, recording, editing, and mixing features to master pro-quality music.

On the bright side, FL Studio is beginner friendly. That said, the more advanced version offers more tools and features for professional and seasoned artists.

The user interface is well-designed keeping beginners in mind. For anything else, you can watch YouTube videos or use the community forums to get your doubts cleared.

FL Studio works greatly withMIDIKeyboard, Microphone, and other sets of music equipment. The Mixer allows you to create effects chains, audio sends, advanced automation, and plugin delay right fromthe software.

Furthermore, it has Piano Roll to send notes and automation data to plugin instructions, a detailed browser and playlist area, 80+ plugins, and more.

FL Studio is an excellent piece of music production software that offers enough features to get new users started with the standard pack and advanced features for professionals to do more.

FL Studio

Avid Pro Tools– Collaboration feature

Avid Pro is the industry standard in mixing and mastering work. It is also one of the affordable music production software for beginners while offering an advanced version for professionals.

Avid Pro offers multiple versions of its music composition software. Pro Tools First is thefree version of the softwareand provides a limited set of functionalities including the ability to create up to 16 audio tracks.

The premium version offers more features with up 128 and 256 audio track support in Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate version.

From virtual instruments, samples, and sounds to tons of track presets and MIDI enhancements, Avid Pro Tools offers everything to keep you on track.

The collaboration feature allows you to collaborate with other artists in the cloud or studio to maximize your efficiency.

Avid Pro Tools

ACID Pro– Advanced technology

Acid Pro from Magix is a professional music production software. The latest version comes with a modern and sleek user interface making it easier for both professionals and beginners to work with it.

It is a premium software and comes in only one version. The company offers a fully functional free trial with 30 days validity, which is good enough to testthe software.

The latest version now uses the more powerful 64-bit technology. It also comes with flexible multitrack recording, multiple new plug-in instruments and effects, advanced MIDI and Audi editing features improved loop-based composition, and up to 9 GB of new ACIDzied loops to get you started right off the bat.

Acid Pro is a fully featured professional music production software that works with MIDI keyboard and other instruments and offers professional recording, editing, and mixing features to keep your creativity flowing.

ACID Pro

Ableton Live– Various instruments

Ableton Live has no reason to be second on this list and is as good as FL Studio if not better. It is also one of the most popular DAW ( Digital Audio Workstation) that can please both beginners as well as seasoned professionals alike.

One big advantage of Ableton Live is the inclusion of the sound package that comes bundled withthe software. This package consists of 23 sound libraries which are a whopping 50 GB of sound files for you to use.

In addition, it also comes with 13 instruments to try including Wavetable, Operator, Sampler, Analog, and more. You also have 56 effects for audio processing andMIDI. It has an instant mapping feature that allows you to usethe softwarewithkeyboardand controller.

Ableton Live should be your go-to software if you want to perform live on the stage. Take the trial for a spin to see if it is something that can help you do more with your music.

⇒Get Ableton Live

Reason by Propeller Heads– Good edit functionality

Last but not least, we have Reason which is a Digital Audio Workstation that is easy to get started with yet can go deeper depending on the producer’s knowledge.

It is the ultimate tool to create, compose, mix, and produce the next chartbuster for audiophiles and casual alike.

Reason allows you to better organize the work area which is divided into four parts namely Browser, Mixer, Reason Track, and Sequencer enabling you to deal with instruments, sounds, effects, record, and edit functionalities.

It also has other essential features including Mixer, CV & Routing, Rack, and Layout that allows you to create the music from scratch and add a final touch to your music.

⇒Get Reason

Allthe softwarelisted in this article can be used with aMIDIkeyboard. However, what software to use strictly depends on your use, requirements, and experience with the music production software.

If you enjoy music so much, why don’t you take a look at thisgreat list of the best music production software. You’ll be pleased with their features and offers.

We have listed one of the most expensive as well as the cheapest music production software that you can use to create the next chartbuster for your studio.

5 Best Software for MIDI Keyboard to Master Music Production#

Best software to use with MIDI keyboards#

FL Studio– Well-designed interface#

FL Studio#

Avid Pro Tools– Collaboration feature#

Avid Pro Tools#

ACID Pro– Advanced technology#

ACID Pro#

Ableton Live– Various instruments#

Reason by Propeller Heads– Good edit functionality#