Korg - microKEY-25 USB MIDI Controller

I bought this 61 noter as a supplementary USB connected keyboard to mount on my desk whilst using Ableton Live on my Mac Mini - you can never have enough midi keyboards!! :-)Now, just to clarify, for those that might not know, this keyboard does not make any sounds on its own. It relies on other devices to make the noises like computers etc running the right software to make your music happen. This keyboard generates signals called midi as you press the notes etc and these are understood by specific software running on the computer you've connected it to as musical notes to pass on to 'virtual instruments' running on the computer or perhaps other hardware 'synths' etc also connected to the computer.This keyboard does come with a download code for some music making software courtesy of Korg.Anyway, to have 61 keys in this footprint is really useful!The keys are, of course, mini (or micro) but you soon get used to their size and they are very playable with a nice feel.The pitch bend and mod wheel have a great feel too!The velocity sensitivity is excellent. You can tweak the velocity sensitivity 'curve' (amongst other things) using the excellent Korg Kontrol Editor app, available as a free download from Korg.I would advise getting this app anyway for this keyboard - there's all sorts of exciting settings that can be tweaked!It works natively out of the box without any additional drivers on Macs so I also use it as a convenient keyboard for my Mac Book Pro too.A nice midi keyboard at a great price!

Basic, but perfect for my needs. USB connection recognition was immediate. No fuss, no frills, no bother. Just plug in and play. Build quality

if you want something to throw in a bag and head off with a laptop to make music, then this is perfect. its naturally v plasticky, and the keys are small, but I have adapted my large hands to make it work. it won't replace your main studio/bedroom keys but for quick plug and go capturing of ideas etc, then its good.

I've a digital piano for proper playing, but when it comes to entering simple tracks into sequencer or scoring software, nothing's better or more immediate than a little keyboard on your desktop. Whether using Sonar, Sibelius, or something else, multi-part orchestrations and synth tracks and vocal notes that don't need the full span of an 88 note piano are quickly and accurately executed on the microKEY. The keys are small but not painfully so (though I have small fingers!). The velocity sensitivity is good on the default and adjustable to 10 settings in software. The stick provides a valuable XY interface for many synths and instruments to get the most from them. Build quality is pretty robust. There's nothing I can fault it on. This little device is perfect for the job and at a very reasonable price, especially when you factor in the few quality audio packages it comes bundled with, including the Kork M1 virtual instrument, AAS Lounge Lizard Session Rhodes electric piano instrument, and AAS Strum Accoustic Session instrument that authentically recreates strummed and fingered guitar tracks on a keyboard.I read around a good few reviews of microkeyboards before I settled on this, and I continue the recommendations. If you're after a desktop keyboard, you'll not be at all sorry with this choice.(Used with Windows 7 32 bit, Sonar X1, and Notion 4)

Pros:Well built, feels solidFor the size, very nice keys with deep travelJoystick allows simultaneous mod + pitch bend for cool funky effectsIn arpeggiator mode, pressing the joystick gives a latch; the y-asis controls the arpeggiator gate, and the y-axis the scale direction. So you can latch a chord and wiggle the joystick for some very nice effectsEasy to configure through free Korg Editor software, can assign cc values to joystick, can change velocity curves and arp defaultsCons:Arp can be up or down, can change octacve amount, but no random or custom modesNo sustain pedal jackNo controllers other than joystick and sustain button

I have wasted far too much time trying to get the bluetooth to work with my ipads. Updates, everything. The action is also poor. The key travel is restricted. DO yourselves a favour and check out the iRig Keys 2 Pro. This has full sized keys and a far better action IMHO. I purchased the iRig after the problems with the Korg and I love playing it.

I find this MIDI Controller to be just the thing I needed for my music production. :) I can get my ideas down quickly and then fine tune them in my DAW's MIDI Piano Roll. Typically I can have an idea, then lose it because it would have took too long just to manually draw in the notes and length, and it's just so much faster with a MIDI Controller. It's got 2 octaves, a Modulation/Pitch Shift analogue stick, octave shifting buttons, a simple single note arpeggiator and a sustain button with tap functions to control the rate of the arpeggiator. It's got a fairly good feel, despite it's small size. It connects through USB, and supports anything that uses MIDI input. Feels better to use than some Yamaha keyboard I once played on too. All of the aforementioned details does justice enough for my 5 stars.But wait! There's more! You get a license key with the MIDI controller which works as a login to access a bundle of music software for free, apparently totalling up to the value of $1100 dollars. I recommend accessing the included software bundle and registering the products. It's going to save you money. The software included is quite a generous offering, and would make me want to rate it with an extra 5 stars. It's a huge saver. I love Korg products in general but the inclusion of this was a great move for Korg. 5/5 stars. :)