Who these controllers suit

Standing-desk DAW songwriter

You want to enter and edit chord progressions in a digital audio workstation (DAW), with room to try two-handed voicings but without keeping a large keyboard on the desk.

Chord-writing beginner seeking guidance

You want chord and scale tools to help sketch harmonic ideas before recording the resulting MIDI into software. Check how those tools work on the particular controller rather than assuming every chord mode behaves alike.

Hybrid hardware music maker

You want a compact keyboard for both a DAW and compatible external equipment, making physical connections and onboard sequencing important to the choice.

What to check before buying

Start with the space and playing range you need, then decide whether chord tools or connections to external equipment will shape how you record.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Range and desk space Measure usable desk width and depth with your computer in place; check whether the 37 keys are mini, slim or full-size. If I want to try wider or two-handed chord shapes, I need enough playing range without crowding my standing desk. Around 42% of consumers put that balance first.
Chord tools and DAW control Compare the exact chord and scale functions, then check your DAW’s supported control setup. When I am sketching progressions in software, I want help entering chords and recording the MIDI without interrupting the idea. For around 33% of consumers, that workflow is the primary need.
Sequencing and connections List the equipment you will connect; check the required MIDI, CV, gate or sync ports and whether you need onboard sequencing. If I also work with an external synth or modular equipment, I need the controller to fit those connections, not just my laptop. That is the first concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming all 37-key controllers feel alike

    The compact models discussed here use mini or slim keys. Key count tells you the playing range, not the width or feel of each key.

    Confirm the exact key type and, if playing feel is decisive, try the controller before buying or check the retailer’s applicable return terms.

  • Expecting every chord mode to work the same way

    Novation’s Launchkey documentation distinguishes Chord Map, User Chord and Fixed Chord, while Akai describes chord-selection and inversion functions for the MPK Mini Plus. A shared feature name does not mean a shared workflow.

    Decide whether you want to transpose a fixed shape, assign chords to controls or explore chord choices, then check the manual for the exact model.

  • Choosing hardware connections you will not use

    The MPK Mini Plus and KeyStep 37 mk2 include sequencing and connections aimed at external equipment. Those features do not by themselves improve chord entry into a computer DAW.

    Write down the devices you intend to connect and choose the ports and sequencing functions that setup actually requires.

  • Overlooking the USB setup

    Arturia advises connecting the MiniLab 37 directly to a computer USB port. If your standing-desk layout needs a hub, its power arrangement matters.

    Begin with a direct connection; if you need a hub, follow Arturia’s guidance on Power Delivery or a dedicated power supply and check operation in your intended layout.

    A suitable powered hub may be an additional accessory for a layout that cannot use a direct computer port.

Relevant brands to consider

Novation

The Launchkey Mini 37 MK4 is relevant to software-first chord writing. Novation lists 37 mini keys, 16 velocity-sensitive pads, eight encoders, Scale mode, chord modes and an arpeggiator.

  • Novation’s guides describe three distinct built-in chord modes, giving buyers specific workflows to compare against their DAW needs.
  • Its mini synth-action keys are a compact-key choice, not full-size piano keys.

Akai Professional

The MPK Mini Plus combines 37 mini keys, chord and scale functions, eight pads and a two-track sequencer with connections for compatible external equipment.

  • Akai Professional lists MIDI, CV, gate and clock connections alongside the onboard sequencer.
  • Those hardware-focused functions are less relevant if your intended setup connects only to a computer DAW.

Arturia

Arturia offers two different compact approaches here: the DAW-oriented MiniLab 37 and the more hardware-focused KeyStep 37 mk2.

  • Arturia describes chord tools for both models; its KeyStep 37 mk2 support information also lists MIDI DIN, sync and CV connections.
  • Both use compact slim-key formats, so check key size if full-size spacing matters to you.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 37-key controller a sensible size for recording chords while standing?

It can be if you want more range for two-handed shapes than a 25-key controller while keeping the keyboard compact. The 37-key models discussed here have mini or slim keys, so check their dimensions and key feel rather than treating the extra range as full-size-key spacing.

What do I need to set up before recording MIDI chords in a DAW?

Connect the controller and select its MIDI input in the DAW, enabling a model-specific control-surface setup where required. Also check the software instrument and audio output settings: recording MIDI notes alone does not ensure you will hear the instrument.

Can I connect a compact controller through a USB hub?

Check the guidance for the exact model and the power available from your hub. For the MiniLab 37, Arturia advises a direct computer USB connection; if a hub is necessary, it recommends Power Delivery capability or a dedicated power supply.