If you've ever browsed for a new keyboard and felt overwhelmed by the options, you're not alone. With endless gear promising creativity, choosing where to start can be tricky. The two most common choices you'll come across? Synth keyboards and MIDI keyboards.
Some may look alike. Some might even feel the same under your fingers. But these instruments play very different roles in how music gets made.
So—how do you decide which fits your setup, your goals, and the way you like to create?
This guide is here to walk you through it. Not with jargon or gear snobbery, but with practical insight you can actually use. We'll help you understand the difference between synths and MIDI controllers, so you can pick the right tool to unlock your musical potential.
Let’s start with the basics. A synth (short for synthesiser) is a unique instrument in its own right. All its sound is made internally meaning, you can plug it in, turn it on, and start making music without needing a laptop or any extra software.
Synths are ideal for those who want to shape and design their own sounds. They offer a range of built-in tones—anything from rich analog pads to gritty basslines and shimmering leads. Many modern synth keyboards also include effects like delay, reverb, and filters, giving you even more creative control.
Some even let you stack multiple sounds, sequence patterns, or save your favourite patches.
Now, MIDI keyboards are a bit different. They don’t create sound on their own. Instead, they act as a controller—a bridge between you and your computer-based instruments.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a device that sends digital messages. Press a key on your MIDI keyboard, and that data is sent to your digital audio workstation (DAW) or virtual instrument. The sound? That comes from your software.
MIDI keyboards are often more lightweight and affordable than synths, making them perfect for bedroom producers, mobile setups, and learners who are diving into music production with a DAW like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or FL Studio.
Let’s break it down further with a side-by-side comparison:
Synth keyboards have their own sound engines built in. This means they can produce a wide range of tones without needing to be plugged into anything else—ideal for standalone play or live sets. They often emulate classic analog sounds or offer digital patches with modern textures.
Artists like Jean-Michel Jarre and Hans Zimmer have built signature sounds using hardware synths like the Roland Jupiter or the Moog Sub 37. These tools give them hands-on control over tone sculpting without relying on software.
MIDI keyboards, on the other hand, are silent without a connected device. They send MIDI signals to your software (like a DAW or a virtual instrument) which then produces the sound. Think of it as remote-controlling your instrument library.
Producers such as Metro Boomin or Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator Finneas use MIDI keyboards in their digital setups to control plugins and VSTs, often in a compact home studio environment
Synths are best if you’re performing live and want fewer devices to manage, a synth’s self-contained design is a huge advantage. No need to worry about software glitches or interface issues mid-performance.
Take someone like Gary Numan—his synth-based performances showcase the raw power of analog and digital synthesisers, live on stage, with rich pads and biting leads that need no laptop backup.
MIDI keyboards shine in studio environments or portable setups. They’re typically lighter and more compact, making them ideal for beatmakers, producers, or anyone working with virtual instruments and sample packs.
Deadmau5 is a great example of this approach: he relies heavily on MIDI controllers integrated with complex DAW setups for both composing and performance preparation.
Synths often come with deep sound design features—oscillators, filters, LFOs, and effects that you can tweak directly from the hardware. You can sculpt your sound from the ground up.
Artists like Aphex Twin or Grimes often dive deep into synths to build textures no preset could replicate. For them, custom sound design is part of the artistry.
With MIDI keyboards, customisation is more about control mapping. You can assign knobs, pads, and faders to control parameters in your DAW or plugins. It’s about shaping your workflow rather than the raw sound itself.
Many modern producers—like Flume—use MIDI mapping creatively during live sets, triggering samples, automating effects, and controlling loops on the fly.
Synths generally offer more diverse output options: audio out, headphone jacks, MIDI in/out, and sometimes USB. This gives you flexibility whether you’re recording, playing live, or syncing with other gear.
Performers like Moby often link multiple hardware synths using MIDI and audio connections to build live rigs that run independently of computers.
MIDI keyboards usually connect via USB and sometimes include MIDI out, but they lack audio outputs—because they don’t produce sound on their own.
Bedroom producers or mobile creators like Kenny Beats can simply plug a USB MIDI controller into a laptop and start building tracks without the extra cables or outboard gear.
In Synths, you’re paying for the hardware and sound engine, which makes them pricier. Expect to invest more upfront.
MIDI keyboards are typically more budget-friendly. You can get a solid one at a low price, especially if you’re already using a DAW and plugins.
Synths can be complex if you’re unfamiliar with sound design. All those knobs and menus? Powerful, but potentially intimidating.
MIDI keyboards are often more straightforward, especially when paired with beginner-friendly software. They’re a great starting point if you’re learning music production or just want to get playing fast.
Honestly? It depends on you. Your style. Your goals. And how you like to create.
If you’re into live performance, or want an all-in-one instrument you can take anywhere, a synth keyboard might be the better pick. You’ll get expressive playing, onboard sounds, and tactile control without relying on anything else.
But if you’re mainly producing in a smaller, home studio style set-up, experimenting with plugins, or starting your music journey from scratch, a MIDI keyboard is a brilliant first step. It’s affordable, easy to use, and incredibly versatile.
In fact, many musicians end up using both.
Here’s the thing. No matter which one you go for—synth or MIDI—practice is what makes the real difference.
That’s where Melodics comes in.
Melodics is a music-learning app designed for your real gear, whether you’re tapping away on a synth or controlling your DAW with a MIDI keyboard. It transforms your practice into play, with interactive lessons, real-time feedback, and structured paths that help you grow your skills session by session.
Got a MIDI controller? Perfect. Plug in and explore everything from finger drumming to chord progressions.
Using a synth keyboard with MIDI out? You’re covered too.
And if you’re still deciding? No stress. You can try out both worlds with Melodics to see what suits your vibe.
When it comes down to it, the synth vs MIDI keyboard debate isn’t really a competition. It’s about choosing the right tool for your creative flow.
Love tweaking knobs and shaping tones? Go for a synth.
Prefer flexibility and the endless world of virtual instruments? MIDI might be your thing.
Both sound good? Well load up a virtual synth on your MIDI keyboard or get both!
And remember: the gear doesn’t make the musician. Practice, patience, and passion do.
So wherever you’re starting, and whatever keys are under your fingers—stay curious, keep exploring, and don’t forget to enjoy the process.
With Melodics, you’ll learn by playing. Our highly interactive app takes musicians through lessons note by note, beat by beat, giving them specific feedback on how they're doing.
Melodics is the only app for music producers and creators that tracks performance & progress, giving you specific feedback on how to improve. It’s a highly interactive experience: Simply plug in your midi keyboard or pad controller start building your skills. Melodics will provide guidance on how to play songs & techniques with specific feedback on how to level up.
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