Many are familiar with MIDI controllers for virtual instruments and synths by linking the sounds from your DAW to the controller. MIDI guitar controllers perform the same function, but resemble a guitar.
Choose between a guitar-shaped MIDI controller or a MIDI pickup that transforms your guitar into a MIDI controller. Play a variety of sounds like piano, saxophone, or drums from your guitar.
My top pick is the Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar. This high-quality electric guitar offers full MIDI capabilities, perfect for the studio.
My second choice is the Sonuus i2M MP. This budget-friendly audio-to-MIDI converter is highly affordable.
The 7 Best MIDI Guitar Controllers (2026)
Let’s compare them in more detail.
1. Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar
The Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar is a high-quality choice that offers an authentic guitar feel. This headless, 24-fret electric guitar has full MIDI capabilities and delivers exceptional studio performance in a compact package.
Pros
- Authentic guitar feel
- Full MIDI capabilities
- Bluetooth connect
- Purchase bundle included (gig bag, cables, strap locks, manual, guitar pick)
Cons
- A bit pricey
- The tuning mechanism could have been done better
The Jamstik Studio features six color choices and a left-handed option. The purchase includes all essential accessories, such as a gig bag, Allen keys, and the important manual.
The Jamstik Studio is an electric guitar featuring two humbucking pickups, a coil tap switch, a three-way switch, and a standard 1/4” output. Its standout feature is the rare Bluetooth connection option.
| Type | MIDI Guitar |
| Material | Wood |
| Connection | Bluetooth, USB-C to USB-A, 3.5mm TRS to MIDI |
For a great MIDI guitar companion in the studio, the Jamstik Studio is an excellent choice. It delivers quality sound and includes all necessary accessories.
2. Sonuus i2M MP
The Sonuus i2M MP is a straightforward device that converts your instrument’s audio to a MIDI signal through your computer. You can easily use your favorite DAW and turn your instrument into a MIDI controller. It’s USB-powered, plug-and-play, and operates with low latency.
Pros
- Affordable
- Ability to use your own instrument as a MIDI controller
- Works with many instruments and vocals
- Simple and user-friendly
Cons
- Not much
The device is small and has a simple, user-friendly system. It works with guitars, 4 and 5-string basses, wind instruments, and vocals. It delivers fast-tracking and high-quality sound, but note that it only works monophonically, allowing you to play one note at a time.
| Type | MIDI audio interface/converter |
| Connection | USB to ¼” jack |
The Sonuus i2M MP is an affordable and easy-to-use device for musicians who want to turn their instruments into a MIDI controller.
3. Expressiv MIDI Pro 2
The Expressiv MIDI Pro 2 is one of the best MIDI guitars available. This advanced studio companion includes numerous features that surpass the competition. Naturally, this high quality comes at a steep price.
Pros
- Highly intuitive MIDI guitar
- Traditional guitar feel
- 16Mhz processors
- Full MIDI capabilities
- XY pad
Cons
- Very pricey!
The MIDI Pro 2 provides an authentic guitar feel with powerful specs. It boasts a 16MHz processor to eliminate latency, an intuitive XY pad for enhanced control and creativity, and a fretboard scanner that converts strings and frets into 144 unique, velocity-sensitive switches.
This instrument seems complicated initially due to its numerous options and controls. However, the intuitive 32-character LCD display menu system lets you fully customize it to suit your needs. Best of all, it looks and feels like an actual electric guitar, making the transition smoother.
| Type | MIDI Guitar |
| Material | Wood |
| Connection | USB out, 5-pin DIN MIDI out |
This pricey gadget boasts all the features needed for a perfect studio companion. Unleash your creativity with its many sounds to craft something beautiful.
4. Roland GK-3 Divided Pickup
The Roland GK-3 is an external MIDI guitar pickup that attaches to your electric guitar, giving you access to Roland Guitar Synthesizers. This boosts creativity and control while making music.
Pros
- Practical design
- Built-in controls for Roland Guitar Synthesizers
- Easy to install/mount
- Comes with all the necessary hardware
Cons
- May not fit ALL guitars
- Some sounds aren’t up to par
The GK-3 mounts easily on your guitar. First, ensure your model has enough space for the pickup under the strings. The package includes all needed hardware and instructions for proper setup.
| Type | MIDI Pickup |
| Connection | Standard 1/4″ jack |
Overall, if you want a practical and versatile MIDI pickup, the Roland GK-3 is an excellent choice. It grants access to Roland Guitar Synthesizer sounds, includes a 1/4″ jack, and best of all, it’s reasonably priced.
5. TriplePlay Fishman
The TriplePlay Fishman is a small device that transforms your guitar into a MIDI controller. This hexaphonic MIDI pickup creates a wireless link between your guitar and DAW on your computer or smart device with low latency and accurate processing. You can assign various sounds to your guitar and play any instrument through it.
Pros
- Low latency accurate processing
- Playing a real guitar as a MIDI controller
- Versatile and practical
Cons
- A bit of a learning curve to get clear results
The TriplePlay Fishman fits on your guitar easily without causing any damage. Its lithium rechargeable battery powers it for long sessions. Use the Fishman app to access loopers, sequencers, virtual instruments, and effects. However, some users find the installation process a bit complicated.
Though the pickup captures your playing nuances well, you’ll need to adjust your style and technique to maximize its potential.
| Type | Hexaphonic MIDI Pickup |
| Connection | Micro USB |
This tool is great for boosting creative practice and performance. It offers a variety of cool sounds to enhance your guitar playing during live shows.
The Artiphone Instrument 1 is a unique guitar/MIDI controller hybrid. Shaped like a plastic guitar neck, it features an innovative design that lets you play various instruments with a single button through its built-in speakers, headphones, or amp.
Pros
- Multi-instruments in one package
- Highly portable and lightweight
- Built-in speakers
- Solid build
Cons
- Android is not officially supported (though it is USB-class compliant, so might still work)
The plastic fingerboard offers a fun, pressure and velocity-sensitive experience. Users can strum, bow, tap, slide, and drum with ease. It features 6 digital strings with 12 frets, which can be turned off to use the device as a fretless instrument.
You can connect the device to a computer as a MIDI controller or use it as a stand-alone digital multi-instrument. It has a USB, ⅛” output jack, and Bluetooth with low latency connectivity. It works with iOS, Windows, and Mac. It does not officially support Android yet, but being USB-class compliant, it might still work.
| Type | MIDI Guitar Controller |
| Material | Plastic |
| Connection | USB, ⅛” Output, Bluetooth, In-Built Speakers |
Although the Artiphon Instrument 1 doesn’t provide a traditional guitar experience, this futuristic design is user-friendly, highly versatile, and portable for musicians wanting a modern digital instrument.
7. Behringer FCB1010
The Behringer FCB1010 is a highly popular MIDI foot controller because of its versatility and valuable features. It has 10 programmable MIDI switches, 2 expression pedals, and 2 footswitch jacks. The sturdy stompbox gives you excellent control over your MIDI effects and plugins.
Pros
- Sturdy build
- Versatile with 10 MIDI switches, 2 expression pedals
- 2 programmable footswitch jacks
Cons
- A little bulky
The Behringer FCB1010 is a large controller that doesn’t connect via USB, but you can use a MIDI converter to plug it into a computer. You can then use your DAW to remap it with third-party software. The LCD panel isn’t user-friendly for mapping.
| Type | MIDI Foot Controller |
| Connection | MIDI In/Out, |
In short, the Behringer FCB1010 is an excellent and budget-friendly MIDI foot controller that lets you control your MIDI effects and plugins easily on stage or while recording, provided you have the space for it.
Can a Guitar be a MIDI Controller?
Yes, there are MIDI guitar pickups and audio-to-MIDI converters that capture your guitar signal and convert it into MIDI for processing in your preferred DAW. If you want to use your guitar as a MIDI controller, consider these devices.
Guitar-shaped MIDI controllers mimic the feel of playing a guitar, allowing you to use techniques like legatos, bends, and slides. While they offer a close-to-real-guitar experience, you’ll need some time to get comfortable with them.
How do you Make a Guitar MIDI?
With a MIDI guitar pickup like the TriplePlay Fishman or an audio-to-MIDI converter like the Sonuus i2M MP, you can turn your guitar into a MIDI controller. These gadgets convert guitar signals to MIDI, letting you make your guitar sound like any instrument set up in your DAW.
How do I Make my MIDI Guitar Sound Real?
Though MIDI Guitar Controllers are still developing, impressive devices like the Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar and Artiphon Instrument 1 stand out. These electronic devices, similar to MIDI keyboards, replicate the guitar playing experience realistically. You can use any guitar technique—bends, slides, legatos, and strumming chords—to achieve a lifelike sound.
The realism of the sound in your VST Instrument is crucial. You need the right virtual instruments and plug-ins to achieve lifelike electronic device sounds. Many excellent options work with various DAWs or as standalone software to produce hyper-realistic guitar sounds.
How does a MIDI Work with Guitar Pedals?
Many MIDI-enabled guitar pedals work with MIDI instruments. You can also use MIDI foot controllers with your guitar to switch between plug-ins and effects.
You can use your MIDI guitar controller with MIDI-enabled guitar pedals. These pedals let you change presets and control parameters such as knobs and switches via continuous controller (CC) and program change messages.
Connect the MIDI out port of your MIDI controller to the MIDI in of your guitar pedal. The controller sends commands to program the pedal with endless settings options.
Though it might seem tricky, it’s easy once you take a few steps in the MIDI world. Check out this video to learn more about using MIDI with guitar pedals.
MIDI foot controllers function like blank canvas pedals. You assign the effects and plug-ins you choose from third-party software or a DAW, allowing you to use these on your real guitar.
Summary
MIDI guitar controllers offer guitarists greater control and creative options through advanced technology. By using a MIDI guitar controller or a MIDI pickup/converter, you can transform your guitar into a MIDI controller and enjoy the extensive possibilities of MIDI while playing.
My top pick is the Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar, a premium electric guitar with complete MIDI functionality, perfect for studio use.
My budget pick is the Sonuus i2M MP, an affordable audio-to-MIDI converter for those on a tighter budget.