IK Multimedia has introduced iRig KEYS, a portable universal MIDI controller keyboard for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac/PC.
iRig KEYS connects directly to the iOS device 30 pin dock connector or the USB port on Mac/PC. It features 37 velocity-sensitive mini-keys — 3 full octave range plus one note, that takes up minimal space when used on a desktop, and can easily fit in a backpack or a carry-on bag.
iRig KEYS is Core MIDI and USB class compliant for a plug-and-play experience both with iOS devices or Mac/PC, with no additional app, software or drivers to be installed to have it go and running.
Price and availability
Rig Keys will be shipping in Fall 2012 for $99.99/€74.99 (ex. taxes).
I rig is a mere toy…
i like my musical instruments to feel like toys. 😛
i cannot find anything about this design which lends itself uniquely to ipad synthesis. i would prefer it had some knobs and a mechanism for the ipad to directly latch onto the keyboard stably.
“iRig KEYS connects directly to the iOS device 30 pin dock connector or the USB port on Mac/PC.”
It would be nice if it would hold the ipad as well.
Personally, I’d rather use the screen instead of knobs.
ahh you’re right about that. good point. it seems most manufacturers view knobs and ipad screen as replacements for one another but in fact they complement each other well as each has its strengths for specific applications. furthermore in some apps you might want to control a parameter with a knob while working in some other page where the parameter is not accessible.
The only problem is that you cannot charge your ipad at the same time. So far I use the irg midi interface (non usb) that allows to connect the 10W ipad charger via mini usb.
LOL
Would like to have a controller, with some controllers, and audio interface to get sound from my iPhone!!!!!!
For that price I would get a Korg Microkey not some iRig rubbish!
This thing is just totally uninspiring. It’s as if IK Multimedia collectively let out a sigh of resignation and produced the saddest, most depressing controller ever. Even the marketing folks, “jesus christ this thing is plain.”
It is plain, but 3 octaves is nice to have. I’ve been looking at the line 6 Mobile keys but it only comes in 2 (too few) or 4 (getting a bit big for portability) octaves. Anyone recommend a good small 3 octave keyboard for iPad use?
Korg Microkey 37. This also has an extra USB port so that you can add other Korg modules.
according to this review the korg microkey draws too much power to work with ipad: http://beta.musicradar.com/gear/all/keys-synths/microkey-401692/review
Apparently the Korg unpowered Nanohub fixes this issue.
http://iosmidi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=122
Not only korg really, I’m plugging AKAI LPD8 for example. I think anything USB MIDI will work.
no knobs and no audio i/o also the big question is ..
can you plug it in to a computer and the ipad at the same time ?
I am having the same problems. First of all the CCK is not accepted any more by my iPAD 2 (I think since the iOS 5.1 or 5.1.1 upgrade). Anyway, because of that I purchased the Korg microkey37, which worked right away with my iMac desktop. Then I tried, as suggested, to hook it up to a Belkin powered USB 2.0 hub through tha usb B port. But that darn keyboard doesn’t even light up. Obviously connecting the iPAD to one of the two usb A (using is 30 pin cable, the one used for charging). Now I read that it would work with the Korg nano-hub… !? How is that possible, and even without power…. is it magic ?
Please HEEEEEELP
Thanks
PS: is the nanokey controller working for sure with the iPAD ? Has anyone tried it with iOS 5.1.1 ?
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