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Best midi keyboard for travelling?

utopia

utopia

Senior Member
Hey everyone,
I'm looking to buy a midi keyboard that I'd use with my mobile working rig.

So basically I'd want:

1) Portability
2) Preferably 37 keys. Need to be able to play piano parts on that
3) Good velocity response. I understand keyboards that size won't be excellent at that. Just looking for the better option in that category.

So far I looked at the cme xkey 37 but they're apparently out of stock in the whole town.

Any recommendations from you guys?
Thanks!
Click to read more...
 
Disagree.. the velocity response on the CME's is all over the place and the cc1 button is useless.
I have a 2 octave one but it's a glorified keyswitching device, It's (nearly) impossible to play

Get yourself something that's at least semi-weighted,
might eat up a bit more space (depth) but you'll thank me for it.
 
Hi own a Korg microKEY Air 37. It's small, light, and the keybed is surprising pleasant to play (not spongy; maybe springy). Not really a piano keyboard, nor a synth one, but reasonably precise.

Note: I work for Korg, so I'm the last one to be able to give an impartial opinion.
 
ptram said:
Hi own a Korg microKEY Air 37. It's small, light, and the keybed is surprising pleasant to play (not spongy; maybe springy). Not really a piano keyboard, nor a synth one, but reasonably precise.

Note: I work for Korg, so I'm the last one to be able to give an impartial opinion.
Click to expand...

I have the 61-key version of the microKEY Air, and I prefer its action to many USB controllers with full-sized keys that I've tried, including the IK Multimedia iRig Keys 37 USB and the Nektar GX series. I was looking at the CME XKey, but I decided something with a bit more travel would be preferable, even if the keys are short (as a side note, the width of the keys is not much narrower than a full-sized action. I keep it on my desk above my Studiologic Acuna 88, and I use the microKEY for quick tracking/overdubs all the time.
 
ptram said:
Hi own a Korg microKEY Air 37. It's small, light, and the keybed is surprising pleasant to play (not spongy; maybe springy). Not really a piano keyboard, nor a synth one, but reasonably precise.

Note: I work for Korg, so I'm the last one to be able to give an impartial opinion.
Click to expand...
Great line of keyboards. I have the 37 first gen and also a 49 key second gen. great boards. I wish Kong would release a full sized 88 note controller with this synth weighted action to compete with the M audio key station 88. I'd buy that in a heartbeat
 
T.j. said:
Disagree.. the velocity response on the CME's is all over the place and the cc1 button is useless.
I have a 2 octave one but it's a glorified keyswitching device, It's (nearly) impossible to play

Get yourself something that's at least semi-weighted,
might eat up a bit more space (depth) but you'll thank me for it.
Click to expand...
I'm selling my xkey25 with bag because I agree it's velocity is a hot mess. Totally unplayable
 
utopia said:
Thanks a lot guys! Ordered the microkey 37. Let’s see if it’s good :)
Click to expand...


How has your experience been with the micro key 37? I will be traveling a need to pickup something mobile, I'm between this and the CME. I'm not sure i like the idea of the CME being more of a computer keyboard action apposed to a more traditional, albiet mini, midi controller keybed like the Korg. I also dig the pedal input.

Id love to hear how it has been working out for you.
 
Nmargiotta said:
How has your experience been with the micro key 37? I will be traveling a need to pickup something mobile, I'm between this and the CME. I'm not sure i like the idea of the CME being more of a computer keyboard action apposed to a more traditional, albiet mini, midi controller keybed like the Korg. I also dig the pedal input.

Id love to hear how it has been working out for you.
Click to expand...
It’s been quite nice actually. Much better than my previous akai mpk 25. Just don’t expect it to be anything like a proper large midi controller. You do get a bit of control over velocity but it’s not anywere as precise for sure. For travelling-recommended!
 
utopia said:
It’s been quite nice actually. Much better than my previous akai mpk 25. Just don’t expect it to be anything like a proper large midi controller. You do get a bit of control over velocity but it’s not anywere as precise for sure. For travelling-recommended!
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing!
 
I own Korg MicroKeys in 25, 37, and 49-key versions. They sit by my desk, I pull them out as needed and have happily traveled with the 25 and the 37 (one or the other, depending on whether I'll have a duffelbag or just a backpack). That plus my nanoKontrol2 and my laptop and I'm set.
 
MaxOctane said:
I own Korg MicroKeys in 25, 37, and 49-key versions. They sit by my desk, I pull them out as needed and have happily traveled with the 25 and the 37 (one or the other, depending on whether I'll have a duffelbag or just a backpack). That plus my nanoKontrol2 and my laptop and I'm set.
Click to expand...
Do you consider the 37 to be significantly more productive than the 25 key? I have a 25 key and it feel it to be limiting at times? Just curious, the 37 key seems to be the way I'm leaning.
 
This is an age old question for which I have never found an answer to. Therefore I STILL carry my D-50 around with me. lol...
 
Thank you for all of the input guys. I picked up the Korg microair 37 for my my next few weeks of travel. Love it so far! Super impressed with the Bluetooth, no performancing affecting latency, and with the MacBook Pro dongle mess the Bluetooth is fantastic. The keys feel great for being mini. I recommend it, Way better then my Akai 25 key.

The pedal input is fantastic as well
 
Nmargiotta said:
Do you consider the 37 to be significantly more productive than the 25 key? I have a 25 key and it feel it to be limiting at times? Just curious, the 37 key seems to be the way I'm leaning.
Click to expand...
2 hand playing is really impossible on 25 keys, you need 37 for that...
 
Someone has tried the Acorn 61 ?? I'm a undecided between that and nektar GX61.
They are both under 100$ but how is the key's feeling? And materials?
 
There's also the iRIG Keys and the iRIG Keys Pro depending on whether or not you want full sized keys
 
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