Top Music Producer Reveals BEST MIDI Controller ever created

Last week, Reloop reached out to me about reviewing the Keypad Pro. Even though I am not a hardware review channel, I was curious because of its Bitwig integration. The Keypad Pro is an affordable controller, but it does not feel flimsy or fragile. It seems just right for use in a club, where gear can take a beating. The keys are velocity sensitive and a bit small, which actually works well for tight spaces like my Linux desk.

The controller is packed with features, including finger drumming pads, sliders, knobs, DAW controls, modulation and pitch bend options, MIDI out, a USB hub, and the option to power it by battery if you want to use it away from USB sources or with analog synths. Keypad Pro Top View Integration with Bitwig is straightforward. Bitwig usually recognizes the device automatically, but you can also add it manually. Controls like the master fader and track faders work right away.

The keyboard is velocity sensitive by default, but you can switch that off if you prefer all notes at maximum velocity, which is great for drums. The device also features an arpeggiator and a scale mode, letting you quickly set it to play in major, minor, pentatonic, or blues scales. There are octave switches, and the pads can work as either MIDI triggers or a clip launcher, which is especially handy when recording in Bitwig. You can easily remap controller knobs to control other parameters in Bitwig beyond the default panning and sends.

Switching between modes for finger drumming and clip launching can be a bit fast-paced, and it might be easier with a foot controller to start and stop recording, but these are issues I have with most controllers, not just this one. Overall, the Keypad Pro offers a lot of flexibility and integration for its price. It is a great portable and affordable option, especially for Bitwig users, and while I am not a hardware reviewer by trade, I found it easy to set up and fun to use. I will be testing it with my Linux setup soon and can share how that goes next time:

• The Reloop Keypad Pro is a budget-friendly DAW controller with good build quality and solid Bitwig integration.
• Features include velocity-sensitive keys, finger drumming pads, sliders, knobs, pitch and modulation controls, MIDI out, foot controller input, battery or USB power, and a USB hub.
• The device is suitable for both club and desktop use, being affordable enough for riskier environments but sturdy enough for regular performance.
• Bitwig integration allows plug-and-play functionality, automatic controller recognition, and specific controls such as master and track faders.
• Includes performance features like an arpeggiator, scale selection (major, minor, pentatonic, blues), octave switches, and velocity on/off toggle.
• Clip launcher and pad integration enable easy recording, quantization, and performance of clips and drum patterns, with additional quantize and scale mapping features on the controller.
• Custom mapping of controls is possible for personalized workflow, such as remapping pan or send knobs to pitch or filter adjustments.
• Some workflow challenges exist, especially when quickly switching between clip launching and finger drumming, but workarounds like the foot controller are suggested.
• The controller works well on Windows, with planned testing on Linux for future updates. Overall, the Keypad Pro is recommended for Bitwig users seeking a compact, feature-rich, and affordable controller.