If you’re buying your first MIDI keyboard, one of the biggest questions you’ll probably run into is whether you actually need drum pads.
After producing for years in FL Studio, I think most producers should get a MIDI keyboard with drum pads built in, even if you don’t use them right away.
I made a full video talking about drum pads vs no drum pads here:
Why Drum Pads Matter
Drum pads make beatmaking feel more fun, creative, and hands-on. You can tap out rhythms naturally instead of clicking every note into FL Studio with a mouse.
That matters because when producing feels fun, you usually create more. And when you create more, you improve faster.
Do You Actually Need Drum Pads?
No, you don’t absolutely need drum pads to make good beats. Plenty of producers make great music without them.
But I still recommend having them because your workflow changes over time. You might not use them much at first, but once you start experimenting with drum patterns, bounce, and finger drumming, they become really useful.
Why Drum Pads Work Well in FL Studio
FL Studio already has one of the best workflows for beatmaking, and drum pads fit naturally into that setup.
They’re useful for:
- Trap hi-hats
- Snare patterns
- 808 rhythms
- Percussion
- Finger drumming
- Testing bounce ideas
If you’re still looking into FL Studio, you can check it out here:
Akai MPK Mini
The Akai MPK Mini is one of the easiest MIDI keyboards to recommend for beginners. It’s small, affordable, beginner-friendly, and includes drum pads.
I like smaller MIDI keyboards because sometimes less is more. Fewer keys can help simplify your melodies, keep your setup clean, and make the process less overwhelming.
The drum pads are great for quick trap rhythms, finger drumming, testing bounce ideas, and building patterns faster.
Check out the Akai MPK Mini here
Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3
The MIDI keyboard I personally use is the Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 49-key.
To me, 49 keys is the sweet spot. It gives you enough room for serious melodies without taking over your entire desk.
It also has drum pads, knobs, controls, and a more premium feel overall. Even if melodies are your main focus, having drum pads available gives you more flexibility.
Check out the Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 here
Final Thoughts
You can make great music with or without drum pads.
But personally, I think drum pads give producers more creative flexibility, a more enjoyable workflow, and a more natural way to build drum patterns.
If you’re buying a MIDI keyboard, I’d recommend getting one with drum pads if possible. Even if you don’t use them right away, there’s a good chance you’ll be glad they’re there later.
