
Updated by Bobby Kittleberger
Updated on May 31st, 2023
Added MIDI controllers by Preston Pedals, Maxkie, Paint Audio, and Six Eight Sound. Also added a ton of MIDI hubs from all over the place. Big thanks to Kim Jung in the comments section.
This page is meant to work in tandem with our roundup of MIDI guitar pedals, which has been incredibly well-received and popular.
MIDI controllers are the devices that we use (as the name would suggest) to control MIDI devices. This can include guitar pedals, DAWs, and other MIDI compatible gear and recording equipment.
Note that there is a ton of variety here, and the way each controller will work with each device isn't always totally uniform.
You usually need to spend at least a little time in the user manual.
But, MIDI is also very simple technology, that will work well in most cases. Enjoy the list below, and leave a note in the comments section if you have something that should be added.

A listing of all the MIDI controllers we can find. Updated regularly. The Nektar Pacer is pictured here and included in our list.
For most of our product reviews we take our own photos, in-house. Thank goodness for portrait mode. For those interested in using these photos, that is completely fine with us as long as you give us credit and don't claim the work as your own. Simply linking to guitarchalk.com near the photo is totally fine.

Pure MIDI Controllers
These are pure MIDI controllers only, without any effects loop or additional functionality. There are a ton of different brands to choose from.
- Morningstar MC3
- Morningstar MC6
- Morningstar MC8
- JET MCX
- JET Micro (for HX Stomp)
- Disaster Area Designs DMC.micro PRO
- Disaster Area Designs Midi Baby
- Disaster Area Designs Midi Baby 3
- Disaster Area Designs qCONNECT
- Disaster Area Designs DMC-3XL Gen3
- Disaster Area Designs DMC-4 Gen3
- Disaster Area Designs DMC-8 Gen3
- Disaster Area Designs DPC.micro
- Source Audio Soleman
- Fortin Hydra
- Singular Sound Midi Maestro
- Tech 21 Midi Mongoose
- Tech 21 Midi Mouse
- BOSS FS-1-WL Wireless Multifunction Footswitch
- BOSS FC-50 Midi Foot Controller
- Roland FC-200 MIDI Foot Controller
- Roland FC-300 MIDI Foot-Controller
- Roland GFC-50 Midi Foot Controller
- Blackstar Live Logic MIDI Controller
- Line 6 Helix Guitar-controller for Helix Rack
- Harley Benton MP-100 MIDI Foot Controller
- Harley Benton MP-500 Interface/Foot Control
- Hughes & Kettner FSM 432 MK IV
- Hotone Ampero Control
- Musicom Lab MTX-5
- Behringer FCB-1010 Foot Controller
- Xsonic Airstep Smart Controller
- Nektar Pacer
- Engl Z9
- Engl Z12
- Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro
- Diezel Columbus
- Matthew Effects The Futurist; Midi Controller
- M-Wave Chocolate
- Nobels MF-1 Midi Footcontroller;
- Nobels MF-2 Midi Footcontroller;
- Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro Programmable MIDI foot controller
- Yamaha MFC-10 MIDI Foot Controller
- Rocktron Midi Mate Foot controller
- Rocktron Midi Raider
- Rocktron MIDI Mate Control Pedal
- Randall RF-3
- JOYO Pxl-live
- Selah quartz V3
- Peak2005 FCB4N2;
- MeloAudio Tone Shifter TS
- MeloAudio MIDI Commander
- FAMC Music Liquid Foot+ Junior
- FAMC Music Liquid Foot+ Pro+
- FAMC Music Liquid Foot+ 12
- FAMC Music Liquid Foot+ 12+
- FAMC Music Liquid Foot+ Mini
- Looptimus Foot Controller
- Looptimus Mini
- Looptimus+
- Logidy UMI3
- Studiologic MP-113 or 117
- Fishman TriplePlay
- Cicognani Midisex24 Controller
- Midiflorian
- Free The Tone MC-3
- Matthews Effects Futurist
- HotOne Ampero Control
- Keith McMillen Instruments SoftStep 2
- Keith McMillen Instruments 12 Step
- Step Audio Pilot Wave
- Positive Grid BT4 MIDI Controller
- Morningstar MC6 Pro
- Pirate MIDI RIDGE6 Foot Controller
- Pirate MIDI BRIDGE4 Foot Controller
- Preston Pedals the Deputy
- Preston Pedals the Deputy PLUS
- Microdesignum MIDI Grande 6F1D 1P
- Rocktron All Access MIDI Controller
- Maxkie Pedal X-MIDI 6U
- Maxkie Pedal X-MIDI PRO 8U
- Maxkie Pedal UHD5N1L
- Maxkie Pedal USBH-5LB-LITE
- Maxkie Pedal UHD5LB
- Maxkie Pedal UHD10P
- Maxkie Pedal UHD6LB
- Six Eight Sound Control VC-Touch
- Six Eight Sound Control VC-mini (RGB)
- Six Eight Sound Control VC-mini (monochrome)
- Paint Audio MIDI Captain
- Markbass Multiamp MIDI controller
MIDI Controller / Effects Looper
- Musicom Lab MKVI
- Musicom Lab EFX LE II
- Musicom Lab EFX ME
- Musicom Lab Parallelizer
- Costalab Labyrinth
- MLC Mark L Custom FX25 ACE MKII
- MLC Mark L FX25 MKII
- Moen GEC5
- One Control Gecko MKIII
- One Control Basilisk
- One Control Crocodile Tail Loop OC10 (OC-OC10)
- One Control Crocodile Tail Loop Wing OC10W (OC-OC10W)
- One Control Caiman Tail Loop (OC-CAV)
- Providence PEC-2
- RJM Music Mastermind PBC / 10
- RJM Music Mastermind PBC/6X
- RJM Music Mastermind LT
- RJM Music Mastermind GT / 10
- RJM Music Mastermind GT / 16
- RJM Music Mastermind GT / 22
- Step Audio Pilot Wave MIDI Sequenzer
- Step Audio Riff-Step DigiTech Whammy Enhancer
- Step Audio One Trick Pony
- The Gigrig G2
- The Gigrig G3
- The Gigrig G3 Atom
- The Gigrig G3 EXTENSION KIT
- The Gigrig G3 HUB
- Vinteck V-10 Clipper
- Vintek V6-Laser
- Vinteck V-8.2 Cutter
- Vinteck V-5
- Voodoo Lab Pedal Switcher PX-8 plus
- Voodoo Lab Ground Control Pro
- Voodoo Lab Commander
- Free The Tone ARC-4
- Free The Tone ARC-53M
- Boss ES-8 Effects Switching System
- G LAB GSC-4 (no longer available)
- Harley Benton FXL8 PRO
- EHX Super Switcher
- Boss ES-5 Effects Switching System
- Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher
- Boss ES-8 Effects Switching System
- Disaster Area Disaster Area DPC-5 Gen3
- Disaster Area DPC-8EZ Gen3
- Preston Pedals the Sherriff
- EM Custom Step MIDI Controller and Looper
MIDI Controller built-in Pedalboard
MIDI Hubs
- Morningstar ML10X Switcher
- Morningstar ML5 MIDI Controllable Loop Switcher
- Jet Pedals Traffic Control
- Morningstar MIDI Box
- Disaster Area MIDI Box 4
- Disaster Area qCONNECT 4
- Disaster Area DPC Compact Loop Switching Controller
- Disaster Area Micro.Ghost
- Strymon Conduit MIDI Hub
- pandaMIDI Solutions midiBeam v2 Wireless
- pandaMIDI Solutions midiBeam 4Control
- Empress Effects MIDI Box 2
- Meris MIDI I/O
- Kenton USB to MIDI Converter
- MIDI Tech USB MIDI Interface
- MIDITECH MDI Thru7 V2
- MIDITECH USB MIDI Host
- Audiofront MIDI Expression Hubs
- Free the Tone MB-3 MIDI Thru Hub
- Minimal Series MIDI Dual Stereo Loop (OC-M-MDSL)
- BASTL Instruments MIDI Looper MIDI Hub
Any MIDI controllers we've missed?
We're consistently adding to this list whenever we come across MIDI controllers that we haven't yet included. If you have a suggestion for this list, or even just a question about MIDI controllers, use the comments section below and we'll jump in.
Related Articles
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on MIDI & Reviews
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on MIDI & Roundups
EM Custom, Step Midi Looper
Midi Controller and looper,
https://emcustom.eu/looper-step.html
Bastl Instruments, Midi looper;
Midi Hub;
https://bastl-instruments.com/instruments/midilooper
Got it.
Free the Tone, MIDI Thru Box;
Midi Hub;
https://www.freethetone.com/en/products/detail50/
Markbass, Multiamp MIDI Pedalboard;
Pure MIDI controller;
https://www.markbass.it/product/multiamp-midi-pedalboard/
Got it. 🤘🏻
OneControl, Pedal Board MIDI JB Splitter 1 By 3X Out
Midi Hub;
OneControl Pedal Board MIDI JB Splitter 1 By 3X Out
One Control Minimal Series MIDI Dual Stereo Loop (OC-M-MDSL);
Midi Hub;
https://one-control.com/products/oc-m-mdsl
🤘🏻
Midi Expression;
Midi Hub;
https://www.audiofront.net/MIDIExpression.php
🤘🏻
miditech, USB MIDI Host;
Midi Hub;
https://miditech.de/portfolio/usb-midi-host/
miditech, MIDI Thru 4 / Filter;
Midi Hub;
MIDI Thru 4 / Filter
miditech, MIDI Thru 7 v2;
Midi Hub;
https://miditech.de/portfolio/midi-thru-7/
miditech, USB Midi Interfaces;
Midi Hub;
https://miditech.de/produkte/usb-midi-interfaces/
Kenton, MIDI USB Host mk3;
Midi Hub;
https://kentonuk.com/product/midi-usb-host-mk3/
Meris, Midi I/O;
Midi Hub;
https://www.meris.us/product/midi-i-o/
empress effects, Midibox2;
Midi Hub;
https://empresseffects.com/products/midibox2
Nice. Didn’t know they made these.
pandaMIDI Solutions, midiBeam 4Control;
Midi Hub;
http://pandamidi.com/store/tcycpxhsy0tex69scjsfokt43gtj24
pandaMIDI Solutions, midiBeam v2 Wireless;
Midi Hub;
http://pandamidi.com/store/midibeam-v2
Strymon Conduit;
Midi Hub;
https://www.strymon.net/product/conduit/
🤘🏻
Disaster Area, micro.ghost;
Midi Hub;
https://www.disasterareadesigns.com/shop/p/micro-ghost
Disaster Area, DPC.micro;
Midi Hub;
https://www.disasterareadesigns.com/shop/p/dpc-micro
Disaster Area, qCONNECT;
Midi Hub;
https://www.disasterareadesigns.com/shop/p/qconnect
Disaster Area, MIDI Box 4;
Midi Hub;
https://www.disasterareadesigns.com/shop/p/midi-box-4
Morningstar Midi Box, Midi Splitter;
Midi Hub;
https://www.morningstar.io/midi-box
👌🏻
Morningstar ML5 Midi controlled switcher;
Midi Hub;
https://www.morningstar.io/ml5
Jet Pedals, Traffic Controll;
Midi Hub;
https://jetpedals.com/products/traffic-control
Hi Bobby, may be a new category should be added: Midi Hub
There are some in the market, like the Jet Traffic Control, the Morningstar ML10X and others. What do you think?
Yeah, I think that’s a good call. I’ll add it with those two hubs.
Couldn’t find the Jet Traffic Control.
Paint Audio Midi Captain;
Puer Midi controller;
https://paintaudio.com/collections/midi-captain
Added.
Six Eight Sound Control VC-mini (monochrome);
Pure Midi controller;
https://sixeightsoundcontrol.onlineweb.shop/product/vc-mini-monochrome
🤘🏻
Six Eight Sound Control VC-mini (RGB);
Pure Midi controller;
https://sixeightsoundcontrol.onlineweb.shop/product/vc-mini-rgb
Six Eight Sound Control VC-touch;
Pure Midi controller;
https://sixeightsoundcontrol.onlineweb.shop/product/vc-touch
Maxkie Pedal UHD6LB;
Pure Midi controller;
http://www.maxkie-pedal.com/product/162/uhd6lb
Maxkie Pedal UHD10P;
Pure Midi controller;
http://www.maxkie-pedal.com/product/159/uhd10p
Lots of these.
Maxkie Pedal UHD5LB;
Pure Midi controller;
http://www.maxkie-pedal.com/product/158/uhd5lb
🤘🏻
Maxkie Pedal USBH-5LB-LITE;
Pure Midi controller;
http://www.maxkie-pedal.com/product/155/usbh-5lb-lite
Maxkie Pedal UHD5N1L;
Pure Midi controller (USB Host;
http://www.maxkie-pedal.com/product/150/uhd5n1l
Got it.
Maxkie Pedal X-MIDI PRO 8U;
Pure Midi Controller;
http://www.maxkie-pedal.com/product/156/x-midi-pro-8u
🤘🏻
Maxkie Pedals X-MIDI 6U;
Pure Midi controller;
http://www.maxkie-pedal.com/product/123/x-midi-6u
🤘🏻
Rocktron All Access;
Midi Controller;
https://reverb.com/item/1315399-rocktron-all-access-ltd-limited-edition-midi-foot-controller-with-hex-expression-pedal
Added.
MIDI Grande 6F1D-1P;
Midi Controller;
https://www.microdesignum.cz/EN/eshop/product/MIDI-Grande-6F1D-1P-1.html
🤘🏻
Preston The Sheriff is a looper and a Midi controller. It must be in the other list.
Ok, got it.
Preston Pedals The Deputy Plus;
Pure Midi Controller;
https://reverb.com/item/64006438-preston-pedals-the-deputy-plus-2022-arctic-white
Got it.
Preston Pedals The Sheriff; Looper and Midi controller;
https://reverb.com/item/57627885-preston-pedals-the-sheriff-looper-and-midi-controller-2022-galaxy-black
🤘🏻
Preston Pedals The Deputy; Pure Midi controller;
https://reverb.com/item/53141306-preston-pedals-the-deputy-2022-galaxy-black
Got it.
I maade a small mistake. I forgot the brandname for Birduge 4 and Bridge 6. It must be called
Pirate Midi BRIDGE4 MIDI Foot Controller
Pirate Midi BRIDGE6 MIDI Foot Controller
Yeah I threw it in there.
There is no change up to now…
Hmm, weird. Added. Should be in there now.
Disaster Area Disaster Area DPC-5 Gen3; Midi controller and looper;
https://www.disasterareadesigns.com/shop/p/dpc-5-gen3
Disaster Area DPC-8EZ Gen3; Midi controller and looper;
https://www.disasterareadesigns.com/shop/p/dpc-8ez-gen3
🤘🏻
BRIDGE4 MIDI Foot Controller; Pure Midi controller;
https://piratemidi.com/collections/controllers/products/bridge4-midi-foot-controller
🤘🏻
BRIDGE6 MIDI Foot Controller;
Pure Midi controller;
https://piratemidi.com/collections/controllers/products/bridge6-midi-foot-controller
🤘🏻
Brand-new:
Morningstar MC6 Pro; Pure Midi controller;
https://www.morningstar.io/mc6-pro
🤘🏻
positive grid BT4 BLUETOOTH MIDI PEDAL;
Pure Midi Controller;
https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Positive-Grid-BT4-Bluetooth-MIDI-Pedal/art-GIT0040104-000
🤘🏻
Stepaudio Pilot Wave;
https://stepaudio.net/products/pilot_wave/Pilot_Wave_-_MIDI_Effect_Sequencer_-_by_StepAudio_net.html
🤘🏻
Keith McMillen 12 Step;
https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/12-step/
🤘🏻
Keith McMillen SoftStep 2;
https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/softstep/
…and yes… it is a foot-controller. I first thought it is for hand-controlling because it looks like. But it is for feet. 🙂
Looks good. 🤘🏻
HotOne Ampero Control – 4 expandable up to 8.
Added 🤘🏻
Boss ES-8 Effect Switching System; MIDI Controller / Effects Looper;
https://www.boss.info/global/products/es-8/
🤘🏻
Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher; MIDI Controller / Effects Looper;
https://www.boss.info/global/products/ms-3/
Nice.
Boss ES-5 Effect Switching System; MIDI Controller / Effects Looper;
https://www.boss.info/global/products/es-5/
🤘🏻
ELECTRO HARMONIX Super Switcher; MIDI Controller / Effects Looper;
https://www.ehx.com/products/super-switcher/
👍🏻
Harley Benton FXL8 Pro;
Midi Controller / Effect Looper;
https://harleybenton.com/product/fxl8-pro/
🤘🏻
Boss ES 8;
Midi Controller / Effect Looper;
https://www.boss.info/de/products/es-8/
🤘🏻
G Lab GSC-4 System Controller;
Midi Controller / Effect Looper;
https://www.thomann.de/de/g_lab_gsc_4_system_controller.htm
Added. Looks pretty hard to find though.