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As someone who is a huge fan of dub music, you can imagine my joy when I decided to produce some dub music for a client
After getting everything setup in my home studio, you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that there were no good articles online for how to choose the best midi controller for dub.
All the ones I saw were either outdated or just plain dumb, or did not cover the specific details that I needed.
See…dub music is huge and if you are going to attempt to produce such music in your home studio then you definitely need the right gear and studio equipment to ensure you make awesome music.
And this is why I wrote this article… cos here I will be showing you the top 5 best midi controller for dub music, what you need to know before you make a purchase and how to ensure that you get the best bang for your buck.
Related: Here is an article I wrote showing you the 5 best midi controller for bitwig
Our Winner After Careful Research
- Hardware instrument for hands-on playability with Ableton live 10
- New sampling workflows: slice, play and manipulate samples from push
- Play or step sequence beats, notes, chords and automation
- Large multicolor display and 8 touch-sensitive encoders for controlling mixer, devices and instruments, and live browser navigation
- Includes live 10 Intro
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5 Best Midi Controller for Dub
1. Ableton Push 2 Midi Controller
- Hardware instrument for hands-on playability with Ableton live 10
- New sampling workflows: slice, play and manipulate samples from push
- Play or step sequence beats, notes, chords and automation
- Large multicolor display and 8 touch-sensitive encoders for controlling mixer, devices and instruments, and live browser navigation
- Includes live 10 Intro
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This is without a doubt one of the best midi controllers you can get for dub music.
It has a bright and colorful display which shows you exactly what you need to know at the right time.
This helps provide enough information so your creativity comes through at all times
It comes with improved pads and buttons which ensures that everything feels right no matter what song genre you are producing
The buttons are seamless, nearly flush and give off a noticeable click when pressed.
One unique thing about this controller is that it is slightly thinner and lighter than other controllers out there making it very easy to transport and move about
Its upper shell is a thick but lightweight plate of anodized aluminium ensuring that it does not get easily scratched or damaged while in use
Its pads are soft silicone pads that are well calibrated to respond to any velocity and still produce the right sounds when pressed
It also comes with high resolution encoders and displays that respond to touch with bright and clear viewing at any angle and under any lighting.
This is one midi controller that brings out your creativity and ensures that you make good dub music easily.
2. Akai Professional MPD218 Midi Controller
- Ultra portable, feature packed and USB powered pad controller with 16 Thick Fat MPC pads for triggering drums, melodic samples, effects and more
- Easily accessible dedicated controls for 3 pad banks provides a total of 48 assignable pads
- 18 fully assignable 360 degree potentiometers accessible via 3 banks for controlling DAW, virtual effect and virtual instrument parameters
- MPC Note Repeat and Full Level controls for immersive expressive performances
- Control your iOS apps and open up a world of pad control capability using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Next on the list is the legendary Akai Professional MPD218 Midi Controller
It is an intuitive blend of MPC controls and technologies that mesh with seamless USB connectivity to bring and give you the feel of classic beat making into the wonderful world of computer beat making.
This controller is an ultra, portable, feature packed and USB powered pad controller with 16 thick fat MPC pads that allows you trigger drums, melodic samples, effects and more
This ensures that you can easily create dub music using creative tools and pads at your disposal.
It has easily accessible dedicated controls for 3 pad banks which provides a total of 64 assignable pads for creating all the dub music ideas you have.
With its unique MPC essentials, you can charge your production with a powerful 64 bit music production package that has eight pads banks
This can give you a total of 128 tracks so you can be sure that you have enough storage space to make as many sounds as you want.
It comes with the Amazing SoniVox Drum Suite which has Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinematic Percussion virtual instrument
This allows you to start creating amazing dub music right out of the box
If you want something that is ideal and gives quality sounds, then this controller is the best choice for you.
Related: Check out this article I wrote showing you the 5 best midi controllers for cubase
3. Arturia BeatStep Pro Midi Controller
- 2 monophonic step sequencers
- Up to 64 steps per sequence
- Note, velocity and gate time settings per step
- 16-track drum sequencer (one track per pad)
- MIDI controller mode
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This is a 2 monophonic step sequencer that you can use to create dub music easily
This controller is designed for hands on hardware sequencing and combines two fully independent melodic sequencers with up to 64 steps per sequence
It also has onboard performance for giving your dub music that spark and bright that it deserves.
It has note, velocity and gate time settings per step which helps keep your songs in time and on track
With this controller it has a unique feature – MIDI controller mode that allows you easily switch to midi controller and create music anytime
It has complete and total integration with USB, MIDI in and out, CV/GATE outputs that allow you to connect to as many devices as possible
This is one portable and very durable midi controller that is ideal for dub music and very pocket friendly
4. M Audio Code 49 Midi Controller
- 49 full-size, velocity- and pressure-sensitive keys with aftertouch, an all-new custom keybed for a clean, precise action, and four assignable zones for splits and layering
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
While most people will not agree with this inclusion, I totally stand by the fact that M Audio Code 49 Midi Controller is an amazing controller for dub music
It features an all keybed with clean and precise performance.
It is a 49 full size, velocity and pressure sensitive keys midi controller with aftertouch all contributing to making awesome music when used.
It has 16 fully assignable velocity-sensitive trigger pads for beat production, clip launching and more; 8 assignable 360 encoders combined with 9 assignable faders and buttons for controlling your DAW and Virtual Instruments
It also has Fully assignable, Ableton-friendly XY pad for HID control and a unique way of controlling multiple parameters in virtual instruments
It is very easy to set up and is very compatible with all the popular DAWs out there.
One unique thing about this controller is that it is USB bus powered with onboard 5 pin MIDI in and out that allows you send MIDI data from the sequencers to your DAW easily
This is one fantastic midi controller that delivers awesome music quality and experience for creating dub music in your home studio.
Related: Check out this article I wrote showing you the top 5 midi controllers for pro tools
5. Roland Juno-DS 61 Keys Midi Controller
- Lightweight, gig-ready instrument with pro sounds, enhanced performance features, and battery-powered operation
- Includes all the sounds from the popular JUNO-Di, plus newly updated acoustic and electric pianos, additional organs, and other stage essentials
- Wave expansion slot enables users to download new sound waveforms, available for free at Roland’s Axial website
- Sample import function for playing user WAV files on the JUNO-DS61’s keyboard
- Intuitive eight-track pattern sequencer with non-stop recording for quickly developing song ideas; USB audio/MIDI and DAW Control model
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Finally on the list for midi controllers for dub, we have the Juno DS 61 Keys Midi controller.
This is a lightweight, gig ready instrument with professional sounds and enhanced performance features for quality music and audio sounds
It is also battery powered which ensures that you can use this controller on the road and not worry about battery life
One unique thing about this controller is that it Includes all the sounds from the popular JUNO-Di, plus newly updated acoustic and electric pianos, additional organs, and other stage essentials.
It has Wave expansion slot enables users to download new sound waveforms, available for free at Roland’s Axial website
It has Sample import function for playing user WAV files on the JUNO-DS61’s keyboard and Intuitive eight-track pattern sequencer with non-stop recording for quickly developing song ideas; USB audio/MIDI and DAW Control model
This is the ideal midi controller for anyone looking for something that is rugged, portable and also delivers quality sounds.
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