49 vs 61 Keys: Which Should You Choose?
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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49 keys and 61 keys differ in key count: a 61-key board has more keys than a 49-key board, so it covers more notes without shifting octaves. The 4 keyboards here are all 61-key boards, with pads, knobs, faders and software. Pick 61 keys for the wider board, and 49 keys when the desk space is tight.
What the key count changes
The key count is the number of keys on the board. A 61-key board has more keys than a 49-key board, so it covers more notes at once and needs less octave shifting. All 4 keyboards here have 61 keys: the M-AUDIO, Arturia, Nektar and Samson boards each list 61 keys.
Compare pads, knobs and faders
Pads, knobs and faders are the controls beyond the keys. The M-AUDIO lists 8 beat pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders, and the Arturia lists 12 pads and 9 encoders. The Nektar lists aftertouch, pitch bend and modulation wheels, and the Samson lists an assignable data encoder and a volume slider. Count the controls you will use, since a board with pads suits beat work and a board with faders suits mixing.
Check aftertouch and pedal inputs
Aftertouch and pedal inputs change how the board plays. The Arturia and Nektar boards list aftertouch. All 4 boards list a sustain pedal input, and the Arturia adds an auxiliary pedal input while the Nektar adds an expression pedal socket. Check the pedal inputs on the board you buy, since the sustain pedal is the input every board here shares.
Look at the software in the box
Software comes with each board, and the bundles differ. The M-AUDIO lists Ableton Live Lite, MPC Beats and 2 virtual instruments, the Arturia lists Analog Lab Pro and Ableton Live Lite, the Nektar lists Cubase LE and Retrologue 2, and the Samson lists Native Instruments Komplete Elements. Check the software list before you buy, since the bundle decides what you can record with from the start.
What you need
M-AUDIO Oxygen 61 MKV USB MIDI Keyboard
A 61-key board with 8 beat pads, 8 knobs and 9 faders, plus Ableton Live Lite, MPC Beats and 2 virtual instruments for music production.
- Keys: 61
- Pads: 8
- Knobs / faders: 9
- Software named in listing: Ableton Live Lite
- USB-MIDI
- 1-year warranty stated
Arturia KeyLab mk3 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
A 61-key board with aftertouch, 12 pads, 9 encoders and sustain and auxiliary pedal inputs, with Analog Lab Pro and Ableton Live Lite.
- Keys: 61
- Pads: 12
- Knobs / faders: 9
- Aftertouch
- Software named in listing: Ableton Live Lite
- USB-MIDI
Nektar Impact GXP61 61-Key Keyboard Controller
A 61-key board with aftertouch, semi-weighted keys, MIDI 5-pin Out and Cubase LE with Retrologue 2 for Mac and PC.
- Keys: 61
- Aftertouch
- Software named in listing: Cubase LE
- USB-MIDI
- 2-year warranty stated
Samson Carbon 61 USB MIDI Controller
A 61-key semi-weighted board with an assignable data encoder, a volume slider, MIDI Out and an iPad slot.
- Keys: 61
- USB-MIDI
- 1-year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best 61 Key MIDI Keyboard, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Is 61 keys better than 49 keys?
It depends on the board you want. A 61-key board has more keys than a 49-key board, so it covers more notes at once. The 4 keyboards here all have 61 keys, so pick 61 keys for the wider board and 49 keys for a tighter desk.
Do all 4 keyboards here have 61 keys?
Yes. The M-AUDIO, Arturia, Nektar and Samson boards each list 61 keys, and a 49-key board has fewer keys than each of them.
What else differs between these 61-key boards?
Pads, knobs, aftertouch and software. The M-AUDIO has 8 pads and 9 faders, the Arturia has 12 pads and aftertouch, the Nektar has aftertouch and Cubase LE, and the Samson has an iPad slot.
Ranked MIDI keyboards lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.