Most MIDI keyboards include starter production software to get you making music quickly: a basic DAW, virtual instruments and synth bundles, sampled instrument libraries, and effect plugins. Many also include lesson apps and workstation-style sound tools so you can start composing and learning right away.
Typical connections are USB-MIDI (increasingly USB-C) for Mac/PC, plus mobile-device cables for phones and tablets. Some controllers are bus-powered over USB, others run on batteries or require an external power supply.
Key audio-interface features you’ll see are 24-bit/96kHz converters, balanced stereo and headphone outputs, combo mic/line inputs, and 48V phantom power for condenser microphones.
Common key counts are 25, 37, 49, 61, and 88 keys, covering compact to full-size playing options.
Portability varies widely. Some controllers are very light and battery-capable or bus-powered over USB, while full-size units can be much heavier. Available weights range roughly from about 4.3 pounds up to around 49.55 pounds depending on model and features.
Many keyboards include musical aids such as scale and chord modes, arpeggiators with step editing, chord detectors, and split/layer functions to speed composition and enhance live performance.