The Block isn’t for the experimentally reluctant as it does take some getting used to, and at over $100 you’ll pay a premium for its different form. The unit also has embedded grids of LEDs to allow for interactive play-along functionality and some clever sync features. The fabric-topped, soft-touch keyboard allows you to strike notes with the touch of a finger, but then bend or warp those notes by pressing down harder or sliding your finger around. Where the controller really stands out is in its build and design.
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This square block seamlessly connects to your device using either Bluetooth or simple USB, with a suite of software that comes bundled with the device. We chose the Lightpad here because it is the smallest option that still gives you some keyboard-esque functionality. These Blocks are modular, allowing you to snap them together with a keyboard-style block and a control block to create a mini studio on the go. A few years back when it launched the Lightpad Block as part of its mobile-friendly Blocks line, ROLI created an interesting category from a portability standpoint. ROLI is just as much an electronic design company as they are a MIDI controller manufacturer. This whole offering comes in at well under $100, which from a price-to-feature perspective is pretty impressive. The unit does connect via USB and comes with a USB-A cable, so you’ll have to purchase an adapter to expand compatibility to your iPad. This joystick allows you to add a bit of pitch-based expression to your performance, which isn’t often seen in controllers this small. There are some interesting on-board controls, including a few toggle switches and an analog joystick. And, even though there is some volume sensitivity that occurs, it’s not not nearly as full-featured as a true MIDI controller. It’s important to note that the keys are significantly smaller than the average piano, which will take some adjustment when you actually sit down to start playing. Korg calls its miniaturized keys “Natural Touch,” meaning they’re designed with a decent amount of velocity sensitivity. It also weighs less than a pound and a half, making it great for those who want to keep a lightweight music bag. This small-format, 25-key controller measures just 19 inches long and only 7 inches tall, meaning it will slip into a backpack with ease. The Korg MicroKey was one of the original “micro” MIDI controllers. And, for $129, considering you are getting a keyboard and a synthesizer, the price is just about right.
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There are plenty of assignable knobs, plus a few inputs and outputs, including a micro-USB port and even true MIDI in/out ports. It's extremely versatile, eliminating the need to program step sequencing on your DAW or enlist the help of a separate device.
This means you can control synths and plugins using arpeggiated sequences or custom patterns. The keys are quite a bit smaller than full-sized ones, but for the footprint, this is likely a trade-off that makes sense for on-the-go iPad musicians.īut, while it does present a lot of the features you’d expect from a keyboard-based MIDI controller, the KeyStep also functions as an eight-voice polyphonic step-sequencer. Even though it measures only 19 inches long, Arturia has managed to fit 32 keys onto the bed. Its KeyStep packs a lot of the features that MIDI musicians look for in a supremely small package. This keyboard is completely in the “portability” camp, so you won’t find features and controls such as pitch wheels or several different control knobs.Īs a musical instrument brand, Arturia brings a host of digital and analog devices that fill out a lot of electronic musicians’ studio needs. It’s not without its limitations, though.
It does operate via battery, but the included micro-USB charges everything quickly. And thanks to a few programmable buttons on the side, you’ll have outboard control of your production software.
It connects via Bluetooth, offering plug-and-play compatibility with any iPad software right out of the box. The whole thing measures just over half an inch thick and weighs less than 2 pounds, meaning you really won’t notice it in your travel bag. The keys themselves offer a full-sized footprint, though they feel more like large buttons, not offering quite the key travel of standard MIDI controllers. And that’s by design-the thin, unibody aluminum bed feels rugged and premium. The ultra-slim keyboard looks just as much like a MacBook accessory as it does a piece of studio gear.
What CME's Xkey Air 25 lacks in music industry brand recognition, it more than makes up for in features and convenience.