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Find a good midi controller for Bitwig Studio this year. Updated for 2024
A Bitwig midi controller is a key part of any home studio setup. Let us help you find the best controller for Bitwig Studio. A Bitwig controller will aid your workflow and improve your music production techniques.
- Ableton’s clip matrix, mixer parameters, virtual instruments / effects and more
- Create, jam, produce – Trigger clips, loops and samples using a 5 x 8 clip-launch matrix with RGB feedback for clip status and colour coding
- Essential control – Take command of DAW parameters, virtual instruments and effects with nine channel faders, eight control knobs, and eight device controls that seamlessly maps with Ableton Live
- Assignable crossfader – Bitwig midi controller assignable A/B crossfader for dynamic DJ-style mixing on the fly
- Hassle-Free Setup – USB-powered plug-and-play connectivity for Mac and PC
- Production software included – Ableton Live Lite with Puremagnetik Effect Racks, Hybrid 3 by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Twist, Prime Loops sample packs, Toolroom Records artist launch packs (downloads)
A remake of the original Ableton Performance Controller—APC40, this product APC40 MkII features a 5×8 RGB clip-launching grid. It comes equipped with a nine faders and eight channel control knobs which are arranged in-line. All of these are reinforced for a sturdy performance in this little Bitwig midi controller.
Launch clips, use it as a drum pad, so many options in a powerful little box.
Integration to Bitwig Studio is possible using the scripts available on the Bitwig site.
Originally made for integration with Ableton, there are scripts available by Jürgen Moßgraber and now are compatible with Bitwig Studio 2 and its latest versions using the DrivenByMoss driver. This is my preferred device for smashing out riffs and melodies and is ideal midi hardware for taking on the road.
- Integrate immediately and seamlessly with Ableton Live, without any setup whatsoever. Additional software makes this compatible for use as a Bitwig midi controller in Bitwig Studio.
- 64 RGB pads light up to match the color of your clips in Live; see at a glance what’s loaded, playing, and recording
- Bright, colorful pads make the unit stand out just from USB power – when you’re on stage or creating an exciting Launchpad light show video for YouTube
- Use the grid to play drums and samples with pads pre-mapped to Ableton Lives drum rack
- Start and stop loops, arm tracks, and control volumes, pans and sends
This is one tough piece of kit and a really robust Bitwig midi controller. It features 64 buttons and is incredibly versatile with modes such as in key piano, drum pad and sequencer.
Nektar Instruments
Nektar Instruments are the UK partner for Bitwig Studio and offer a range of instruments available either on their own or bundled with Bitwig Studio. In two versions, Impact GX are performance and workflow ready. Available in either a 49-note (4 octave) or 61-note (5 octave) keyboard the Impact series also features:
- Pitch-bend wheel
- Modulation wheel
- Foot switch socket
In addition there are two multi-colored octave buttons enable shifting the keyboard range up or down -3/+4 octaves with the LED colours indicating the exact status. All USB driven so no external power supply is needed.
If that wasn’t enough you can easily hook your Impact GX keyboard to an Apple iPad using the iPad’s optional USB camera connection kit for performance on the move. Record your Bitwig Studio DJ sets and share with fans.
The Best 25 Key Midi Keyboards For Bitwig Studio
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![Novation Launchkey Mini [MK3] — Portable 25-Key, USB, MIDI Keyboard Controller with DAW Integration. Fixed Chord Mode and Arpeggiator — for Music Production](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA1MDAgNTAwIiB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUwMCIgZGF0YS11PSJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy53aGlwcGVkY3JlYW1zb3VuZHMuY29tJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDI0JTJGMDIlMkY0MUlBSEw4RkxoTC5fU0w1MDBfLndlYnAiIGRhdGEtdz0iNTAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjUwMCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Korg nanoKontrol2 nanoKontrol Studio & nanoPad
- Low-profile, multi-function control surface
- New track select and marker advance parameters
- Usb powered
- Compatible with ipad via camera kit
These are mighty little USB powered devices, the nanoKontrol2 and the nano pad from Korg are a midi must for an on the road musician. With 8 tracks and functions to mute, record and solo this little Bitwig midi controller provides an array of tools to help your Bitwig Studio workflow.
Another personal favourite of mine, although only used in the home studio this midi hardware allows my gain staging process to be tweaked quickly and easily. It is a piece of kit which when used as a Bitwig Midi Controller, knobs can be mapped to control devices and make your workflow more interactive.
- Excellent for playing or entering drum data
- Sixteen solid, responsive, and velocity-sensitive trigger pads
- Compatible with ipad via camera kit
- Dynamic trigger pads
- Create musical phrases using the X-Y touchpad, Touch Scale, and Gate Arp
- Bluetooth MIDI Controller Connectivity: USB
- Channels: 8
- Controls Per Channel: Mute, Solo, Rec, Select
- Faders: 8
- Portable device which is a simple plug and play.
Smaller than a letter sized sheet of paper, the Studio is designed for portability and is the perfect size to throw in your bag and use with your computer. The Studio Bitwig MIDI Controller is battery operated and can connect wirelessly with your iPhone/iPad or Mac/Windows.
The Studio midi controller can connect via USB and wirelessly. It can easily connect to iPad/iPhone music apps such as KORG Gadget and Apple GarageBand, or to your Mac/Windows music production software.
You have the all controllers you need to operate your DAW. The Studio comes with the incredible “KORG Software Bundle” that lets you start enjoying popular music software right away.
- Quality build
- 32 pads to smash out tunes
- Truly portable
Slim, Not strictly a keyboard, but playable non the less. The Arturia BeatStep is a Bitwig Midi Keyboard with extra trimmings.
How I have been doing music production for over 5 years and not bought one of these yet is beyond me. However as a drum pad, sequencer array of knobs and mixer, the Arturia Beatstep and its bigger brother, the Arturia Beatstep Pro offer excellent value for money.
This can be used as an on the road midi piece of hardware but would also not look out of place in the home music studio. USB powered and integration with Bitwig Studio using the Beatstep4bitwig driver from Jürgen Moßgraber .
BeatStep’s 16 pads are both pressure and velocity sensitive, capturing your performances to the last detail. Whether you use Bitwig Studio, Traktor, Serato or any other MIDI-compatible DJ/clip-playback software, BeatStep’s pads are perfect for launching samples or enabling effects.
The 16 encoders give you plenty of mapping options for EQs, filters, delays and other performance effects. If you want to be more hands-on, BeatStep can enhance your set.
The Best Midi Pad Controllers For Bitwig Studio
- Compact Beat making Controller and Software
- Use on its own or with any DAW
- Make beats, play melodies and build tracks
- USB Power
- Includes Massive, Monarch and Reactor Prism
Jam and get creative with your music production. The Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk3 is a more affordable, compact beat-making companion. Can be used on it’s own or with any digital audio workstation.
Includes Full MASCHINE software plus factory selection (Massive, Monark, Reaktor Prism).
Make beats, play melodies, and build tracks hands-on – in the studio or on the go.
Switch Modes Without Stopping
Easily switch between different playing modes with dedicated buttons. Drum, play like a keyboard, or step-sequence without interrupting your flow.
Responsive Pads are in play to allow you to step away from the computer and feel your music. Play with MIKRO’s all-new bigger pads ‘ inspired by the popular MASCHINE MK3.
Focused Visual Feedback – See what you need, and nothing more. A compact screen guides the multi-function encoder, so you know exactly what you’re controlling
Swap Sounds While Creating – Quickly change instruments, presets and sounds without stopping the music from MIKRO’s simple, straight-forward browser.
Groove Building Tools – Sample, swing, change the tune/pitch of sounds, and adjust volume ‘ get quick access with dedicated buttons
