Korg today introduced two new MIDI control keyboards, the microKey and the microKey Air.
- The microKEY can be completely powered by an iPad or iPhone and now offers a pedal input for sustain (micoKEY25 offers a sustain button). There’s also a new 49-key version for the two-handed player that still wants compact.
- The microKEY AIR features Apple’s Wireless Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) standard, which provides long battery life and low latency! .They also have standard USB connections.
Here is there official video intro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViNMmNz6SXc
Korg microKey
The second-generation microKEY lineup adds iPad and iPhone support, plus a damper pedal jack for improved playability. Korg has also added a 49-key model.
Since the microKEY is USB bus-powered, you only need a single USB cable to connect it to Mac or Windows. There’s no need to install a driver; just connect it to your computer and start playing.
The second generation newly supports connection to iPad and iPhone. Add an Apple Lightning – USB camera adaptor and one USB cable and your setup is complete, allowing you to access apps such as KORG Gadget, KORG Module, and GarageBand.
Four models are available:
- microKEY-25
- microKEY-37
- microKEY-49
- microKEY-61
Korg microKey Air
The microKey Air – also available in 25, 27, 49 & 61 key models – enhances the capabilities of the updated microKey line by adding Bluetooth & Apple Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI support, which lets you connect wirelessly to iPad, iPhone or Mac.
You can connect wirelessly to iPad/iPhone music apps such as KORG Gadget, KORG Module, and GarageBand, as well as any MIDI-capable music production software on your Mac.
Here’s an example of the microKey Air in action with Korg’s Module app:
The microKey Air can run wirelessly for about 30 hours on a pair of AA batteries. And you can also connect it via a traditional USB cable.
See the Korg site for more info.
” traditional USB cable”? What’s traditional about it? Give me real (eg DIN) MIDI out!
i think the market was for those who DON”T have midi in
They should have incorporated a mini jack -> DIN MIDI adapter like the ones in Arturia’s Beatstep series. What with the the ongoing “hardware revival” and all…
Of course. Apple should also build iPads and iPhones with DIN input for pros like you. It’s very obvious that Korg is targetting the DIN mobile device market.
atari ST had them
Do we really need it?
Here are a few helpful notes:
1. If you already have a microKey 25, you might be able to use it with your iOS device. (Mine works.) However, the 37 doesn’t work directly.
2. A useful workaround is that you might be able to use your 1st-gen microKey with a powered USB hub.
3. Regarding the damper pedal, there is a hack out there for adding a sustain pedal jack (that basically borrows from the mod-wheel contacts.) You can program the mod-wheel to be any CC# using the config software.
I’m glad they revised this product to work with iOS more reliably. It has very nice action & response for a mini keyboard– much better than the Akai.
USB Midi only…so fine for phones, tablets and computers but will not connect to midi synths.
i do wish people would call these USB MIDI not “midi” as they do not have ANY standard midi ports at all.
Thats a very valid point, jusr call it USB.
“MIDI’ is independent of physical cabling, by design. That’s why it works over wireless, USB, Ethernet, etc though the MIDI standard hasn’t changed since it was introduced.
Observe closely and you can detect a very slight delay using Bluetooth to play the app. Not sure what it does for you in your overall experience using them.
why are these kinds of controllers still coming out are there not a plethora of available controller to do the same exact thing?
Most of them are pretty awful. The microKey’s have decent build quality and response.
I have a full-sized controller that I use for most work, but I do like having a nice playable mini-key rig.
Plenty of controllers doing the same thing ?
I’m actually not aware of any other bluetooth MIDI controllers, but I would really like to hear about them.
And actually, how much latecy will be introduced considering the amount of data to be transmitted for MIDI as opposed to audio. But we will have tonsee about that.
At least beeing able to charge while playing is a great plus.
considering you have to spend 30 bucks to get a way to connect a midi interface to apple products (CCK kit), the bluetooth one sound neet
HEY GREAT IDEA HERE
A midi and audio interface that uses bluetooth fro connection to devices.
Probably is one somewhere just not well known
Is it just me, or are people getting tinier?
Most people look larger to me these days, but synths???
What happened?
Korg! STOP WITH THE MINI KEY STUFF!!!!!
Please! In the name of humanity!
This is a good product. If you don’t like mini keys, pretend these are giants playing regular keyboards.
one good question
does the mini usb come with the lightning adapter?
Of course, not.
I love my Korg Microkey. It does everything I need it to do. Decent price and does exactly what it says it should.
Xkey air is out soon and it has Poly AT
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/xkey-air-the-bluetooth-mobile-music-keyboard#/
Roland should do a version where the keys are optional, do a USB to bluetooth MIDI adapter minus the keys.
Perfect Xmass present for 8 year olds. I bet these keys will sell very well at your local Toysrus store.
They’re essential where space is limited.
If space is limited, get a mouth organ.
Be great if piano keyboards came widely available in smaller ‘standard’ sizes ! (7/8 – 15/16)
http://www.smallpianokeyboards.org
DO NOT PURCHASE ANY KORG PRODUCT AND EXPECT IT TO WORK WITH WINDOWS.
Korg does NOT know how to make USB/MIDI driver for windows. They never have and they really dont seem to care.
I have a MicroKey 37 and I’ve spent the ownership life of this product constantly updating and trouble shooting its connectivity to Windows XP, 7, and now 10.
The korg drivers for windows are never signed or certified as compliant, and Korg doesn’t seem to give a shit about it.
I am now using my Korg Micokey 37 as an attractive door stop and I will NEVER CONNECT ANY korg product to my pc. Simply not worth the hassle and Korg doesn’t give a shit about Windows users.
Interesting. I’m using a Korg Microkey with Windows 10 (previously with Windows 7) with zero problems. Welp.