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As the weather warms up and travel season finally returns, many people are excited to spend some time in the sun. But for many musicians, writing, performing, and recording are part of how we relax.
While connecting with nature can be great for your mental health, it can be tough to travel with your usual recording setup. That’s why we put together a list of the best keyboards, synthesizers, drum machines, and beat production tools for making music on the go.
Whether you’re at the beach, the park, or even in the middle of the woods, these tools have everything you need to capture your creativity wherever inspiration strikes.
Up first on our list is the legendary MPC lineup—a family of standalone samplers and sequencers that have defined beat-making for decades. For creators who want to make full songs from start to finish on one device, Akai's MPC ONE+ and MPC Key 37 are obvious choices. Both models deliver the brand's iconic MPC workflow, allowing you to write and record without a computer. The included MPC3 software offers powerful sequencing tools, sampling capabilities, and DAW-style production features.
While both models share some similarities, such as 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, a multi-touch display, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity, the Key 37 includes a built-in 37-note synth-action keybed for writing melodies, basslines, and chords. No matter which model you choose, the MPC series remains the gold standard for standalone production, blending classic beat-making with modern connectivity.
It would be hard to have a conversation about making music on the go without mentioning Teenage Engineering. From the early Pocket Operators to the TP-7 portable field recorder, Teenage Engineering offers a wide range of portable studio tools.
When it comes to mobile music production, Teenage Engineering’s most popular products are the OP-XY workstation, OP-1 synthesizer, and EP-133 K.O. II sampler. All three of these battery-powered devices share the brand’s core tenets: simple sampling and sequencing, comprehensive I/O, and built-in speakers for creating on the go. Here’s how they differ:
Up next on our list is the Polyend Synth, and while it may look like a simple MIDI controller, it’s actually a powerful multi-engine polyphonic synthesizer capable of playing three synths at once. Perfect for sculpting complex soundscapes, Synth features eight distinct synth engines that all offer their own unique character.
More than just a standard synthesizer, Synth features three independent polyphonic sequencers and arpeggiators for dialing in intricate rhythms and grooves. Tailor-made for live performance, Synth comes loaded with advanced features like Smart Grid, live scenes, and polyphonic aftertouch.
To top it all off, Synth’s customizable modulation, delay, and reverb effects are perfect for polishing your mix. Plus, a versatile 3 x 3 Knob Matrix makes it easy to quickly tweak key parameters.
As for rhythm, Polyend’s PLAY groovebox is an incredibly fun and flexible way to build beats and sequence gear, offering 8 audio and 8 polyphonic MIDI tracks, 3000 samples, and 35 different play modes to explore. It’s a sample-based sandbox built for experimentation, complete with deep performance tools and powerful sequencing options.
If you're looking for even more firepower, the new PLAY+ delivers the best of both worlds, combining Polyend's signature workflow with four expressive synth engines, multitimbral stereo tracks, and seamless audio-over-USB for next-level production.
The Moog Labyrinth takes a fresh approach to the brand’s classic synthesizers. At its core, Labyrinth uses dual generative sequencers to create intertwining melodies that evolve over time.
With two oscillators, state variable resonant voltage-controlled filters, and a smooth West Coast-style voltage-controlled wavefolder, Labyrinth is perfect for creating unique patterns, layers, and textures. Plus, with a comprehensive patch bay, you can quickly and easily connect all of your favorite creative tools, like the next device on our list…
Building on the legacy of the original, the Elektron Digitakt II takes sampling and beat-making to a whole new level. With 16 stereo-ready tracks, swappable filters, and three assignable LFOs per track, it offers serious flexibility.
Onboard effects like reverb, delay, and bit reduction keep things creative, while the updated modular workflow makes it easy to move from inspiration to full compositions. Portable, powerful, and packed with memory, Digitakt II is perfect for building studio-quality beats anywhere the mood strikes.
The Mellotron Micro delivers the unmistakable magic of the classic Mellotron in its most portable form yet. This bite-sized version packs an impressive library of 100 original 24-bit Mellotron and Chamberlain tape samples, including the legendary flutes, strings, and choirs that defined countless classic recordings.
Don’t let its size fool you, though. While the Mellotron Micro may be small, it’s packed with a 25-key keyboard, pitch adjustment, tone control, and even A/B mix control for blending sounds. Built-in MIDI connectivity ensures the Micro plays nicely with all of your gear, making it a solid choice for recording in the studio, performing on stage, or creating on the go.
The Erica Synths PĒRKONS HD-01 blurs the lines between drum machine, synth, and drone instrument, delivering four hybrid voices built for deep, dynamic sound design. Each voice pairs a digital engine with an analog multimode filter, overdrive, and eight controls to sculpt your sound.
Best of all, PERKONS’ velocity-sensitive trigger inputs, individual outs, and full MIDI support make it easy to sync up with synths, drum machines, and other creative tools. Whether you’re looking for pounding rhythms, grooving basslines, or ambient drones, PĒRKONS brings the thunder.
A faithful reimagining of the iconic E-Mu SP-1200, the Isla Instruments S2400 brings that unmistakable 12-bit crunch into the modern era. Perfect for beatmakers chasing gritty, lo-fi vibes, it features a "Classic" mode on the stereo input for true-to-the-original analog preamp saturation and 26 kHz sampling.
With eight independent audio outputs, versatile I/O (including four 1/4" inputs and dual stereo RCAs), and a streamlined workflow, it's tailor-made for sampling purists. Built like a tank with MPC-style pads and broadcast-grade faders, the S2400 is perfect for making beats on the go.
Another unique device from Erica Synths, the Steampipe ditches traditional oscillators entirely and uses physical modeling to emulate the way sound is produced in wind and string instruments. Built around a heavily reworked Karplus–Strong algorithm, this 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer offers everything from airy flute tones to metallic, bell-like textures, and more.
It's optimized for use with wind MIDI controllers but is just as expressive when paired with a keyboard, making it a solid choice for artists looking to add fresh new sounds and textures to their productions.
Inspired by classics like the Roland Juno and Korg Polysix, the Vongon Replay brings vintage polyphony into a modern, compact form. This six-voice virtual analog synth features 22 hands-on controls, a versatile multi-mode arpeggiator, and a smooth 4-pole resonant low-pass ladder filter that adds warmth and movement to your patches.
Perfect for creating on the go, Replay has a slim footprint with 22 dedicated sound controls and a genuine Cherry MX keyboard. Plus, with full MIDI I/O via 3.5mm jacks and USB connectivity, it integrates seamlessly with all of your favorite creative tools—even your pedalboard!
Need an affordable portable ideastation that doesn’t cut corners? The Yamaha SEQTRAK is an all-in-one music creation system packed with drums, synths, sequencing, sampling, and a massive sound library.
Perfect for creating on the go, SEQTRAK features a compact, lightweight design with a built-in speaker and microphone, as well as a rechargeable battery. Plus, you’ll find everything you need to interface with your favorite gear, including built-in Bluetooth, WiFi, MIDI, USB, and AUX connectivity.
The Roland TR-08 packs the iconic sound of the TR-808 into an ultra-compact format that’s built for modern workflows. It delivers the same punchy tone, gritty character, and classic interface that defined generations of music, with hands-on control over level, tone, tuning, and decay.
Extras like added compression, gain, tune, and pan bring extra flexibility without sacrificing the vintage vibe. For producers who want 808 authenticity without the vintage price tag, this Boutique remake hits the spot.
One of the more affordable standalone beat machines on our list, the Novation Circuit Rhythm makes sampling feel fluid, fast, and fun. You can record audio directly to the hardware, then slice, sculpt, reverse, loop, and play your samples chromatically—all without touching a computer. It’s built for beatmakers who love hands-on control, whether you're chopping vinyl or resampling your own creations.
Don't let its compact size fool you—the HiChord Chord packs surprising power into a pocket-sized design. With a 12-oscillator synth engine, onboard drum machine, and innovative chord-mapping joystick, Chord makes it easy to sketch out ideas. Plus, with a rechargeable battery and AUX-out for external speakers or recording, Chord is perfect for creating music wherever inspiration strikes.
Not a synth or drum machine, but every bit as essential to a modern studio, the Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control is a motorized MIDI controller that bridges the gap between software and hardware.
With eight touch-sensitive motorized knobs offering haptic feedback and instant parameter recall, plus nine high-res displays and 16 RGB backlit buttons, ROTO-CONTROL gives you total control over all of your creative tools.
Last but not least, you need some way to connect all of these synths, drum machines, and creative tools, right? The Heritage Audio Synth Buddy is a 10-to-1 line-level stereo switch that lets you instantly toggle between up to 10 stereo sources.
Its fully passive design means no power supply, no noise, and no added color—just clean, transparent signal flow. Simple, solid, and built for speed, the Synth Buddy keeps your studio running smoothly so you can stay focused on the music.
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