Korg has introduced the new microKey – a lightweight USB-powered MIDI keyboard.
The microKEY features 37 velocity-sensing mini keys, using the same Natural Touch keybed found on the Korg microKORG XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer/Vocoder and microSTATION Music Workstation.
Features:
- USB MIDI keyboard – thin, lightweight, and USB-powered
- 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys
- Comfortable and easy-to-play Natural Touch keyboard
- Octave Shift and Key Transpose features access the full MIDI note range
- Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels add expression to your performance
- Dual USB ports are ideal for adding Korg’s nanoPAD or nanoKONTROL (or other USB devices) to your setup
The microKEY serves double-duty as a USB hub. The two USB ports (Type A) allow you to expand your custom control center by adding on a Korg nanoPAD or nanoKONTROL.
The Korg microKey is expected to be available in November. Pricing is TBA.
Suddenly Korg's gauge goes "Clueless ——> Gets it"
Akai must have been killing them.
I love all these new korg nano products. I am hoping that eventually they release some sort of hub that will connect all these great little devices together and allow us to play without the use of a computer.
The hub could connect all these input devices together, then maybe plug in a seperate usb oscillator and other modular usb bits. I would dream of something like this. a usb modular synth on the cheap.
The mini-key trend bothers me, as I started out on piano. We are physically built a certain way and mini-keys sort of deny you the full experience of playing in a more, um, comprehensive, immersive manner. I have been a consistent n' happy Korg user for years. I currently use 2 of their keyboards and a NanoPad, which I see as A+ tools. I am just "worried" that people who use only the compacted instruments will miss something vital in their work/play. My request: Don't lean exclusively on mini-tools and grid or pad devices. Use a controller with full-sized keys part of the time. You gain and maintain something special that way. I've been playing synths for years and made my newbie mistakes, so I'd never tell someone NOT to use what draws them. Just give yourself the option of as many approaches as possible. It really opens you up to more fun and better work flow over time. (As I speak, some kid in Nebraska just landed a MicroStation which he will control from an M-Audio 61-key controller. GO BOY GO, heh!)
I completely understand what you mean… but… not everyone can shell out hundreds even THOUSANDS of $$$ on a piano or synth. Even your cheapest synths cost at a minimum of about $600+ after taxes and all…
However, if you had one of these and already had a computer of any type with all the free VSTs or cheaper packages one could easily get up and running for the same price as picking up a cheap Fender Squire guitar & amp. Maybe even less.
On top of which, who knows how people want to play. Maybe they don't want to play like a conventional keyboardist or just want to play bass synth for their band or who knows… All I'm saying is why "worry" about stuff like this. Just let kids & people do what they do and hope for the best, they're going to either way so deal 😉
Although, I guess you could pick up a full-size keyboard/synth like my Alesis QS6 for about $100-150 on eBay or something but then you'd have to have an audio unit with midi connections to really even USE it truly… which again bumps you into the HUNDREDS of $$$ range for any decent cheap solution like an M-Audio Fast Track Pro (USB)…
So, again all I'm saying is unless someone really WANTS to learn piano or that style of playing and is fine with the stock sounds of whatever old keyboard like my great Alesis QS6 has… Then these mini solutions are a cheap and most of all fun way to get started or just fool around with music in general. No need to get serious about things unless you really want to get serious. Ya know?
Definitely gonna check this out. my studio is full to the brim with 61 key synths and keyboards from various manufactures so this would be great for having in front of me at the computer workstation for programming beats etc also this would be great for travelling. much much much better than the cheapo nanokey. well done KORG for listening and getting it right this time (well looks and features anyway) 🙂
I would have got one if it had aftertouch. Otherwise, it's useless for me. They almost got it right this time.
Small, inexpensive controllers are great but I'd love to see a little bit more creativity. How about 4 x-y pads on a mini controller or a midi compatible ribbon controller. I Crash Kings style whammy bar or something like that. Something like that would make me open up my wallet.
this is awesome, and akai mustve been owning, i know when i went in to pickup a nano pad and nano key, the guy at the store pointed me out to a way better akai midi controller, this seems to be a 1 up on that one, woo korg!
I agree with Fungo, but I wish someone would make a three octave controller with full size keys. There isn't a single one on the market.
I agree, but more options are never a bad thing. [I have an M-Audio 88e, it's great, massive though … a 37-key controller would be great, but I may have to be reduced to using my Alesis Micron as a slave]
To the poster above – Novation do a 37 full size key controller
^ Not anymore, for the MkII's of Novation's SL series they dropped the 37-key version (whyyyy).