Korg - nanoKEY Studio MIDI Controller - Black

I'm really impressed with this. I wanted a portable controller with knobs, pads, and keys (and the XY pad was a very alluring bonus). I got so much more. Korg squeeze every bit of functionality out of their beautiful backlighting array. I didn't expect to find things like scales useful, but combined with a highly customisable arpeggiator (for which you can tap tempo on the fly) and note bending/XY parameter control, things really take off. The backlighting is also used to great effect as visual feedback for various settings and options, from selecting pattern banks to transposing. People mention the toy-like construction of the keyboard, so I wasn't expecting much but also didn't require much. Actually, I really like the feel of the keys. A full keyboard it ain't but they have a pleasing bounce to them and their velocity response is pretty nice. The pads (which I use mainly for launching clips) require a bit too heavy a touch to trigger for my tastes, but then most drum pads do. The whole thing is compact, thin, and extremely light, without feeling too flimsy. The bluetooth functionality is great - anything to take the strain off my limited USB ports. My main quibble is the responsiveness of the XY pad. It takes a bit of pressure to register touch, which also makes it prone to error about position some of the time. Now that we're all used to incredible capacitive touch screens, this feels like a bit of a step backwards. (Perhaps if it was super-sensitive we'd be moaning about accidental touches though.) I've also found that sometimes there is simply some noise in its transmission. Finally - it's in the wrong place! It should really be in the top left corner, where you can get at it with the left hand in an instant without craning over the knobs. But despite all that, it is really promising for what I can accomplish with it, especially given all the XY parameter controls Live offers. My secondary small quibble is that the bluetooth connect software Korg offers isn't available for Yosemite, and in lieu of that I have to manually reconnect it every time I turn it on. But hey, I guess they did their best... The customisation software is a whole other portal that I haven't had time to wade into yet. I can't wait.

First of all - bluetooth and windows PC? Forget about it. But I didn't get it for that reason. I wanted a small controller with decent keys - this is the best part, the keys are more-so like buttons which make it unironically better than low quality plastic keys you'd find on other smaller keyboards of the same class. Much more comfortable to use, better to press and it's easier to control for the velocity. All knobs and sliders are assignable and so is the small touchscreen - I'm not using it much as I prefer physical sliders. Connectivity issues? Yes, though it may be related to my laptop. If you leave the keyboard plugged into USB and turn off and turn on your computer, you may find the PC buttons, the 8 ones on the top right, to not work properly though in all other respects the keyboard works. If you're interested in an extremely portable WIRED controller with decent tactile control - this is the best I have tried so far, and I tried several others. Outside of it, it's lacking due to the issues I described.

So why am I so enthused about a slightly expensive 2 octave keyboard that feels a bit like a toy? I needed an all-in-one 2 octave midi controller keyboard with drum pads and pots as I don’t have a lot of space and I’m running low on available usb ports. I also wanted to be able to use it with Logic X Pro and my iPad — especially with Korg Gadget. I have had it for a 2-3 weeks and these are my early impressions. I will update them if I encounter any issues. Pros: • It is small and lightweight (see the photo attached to this review) • It does not require wires, and the bluetooth setup is hassle free for iPad and Mac • The Chord pad and Arpeggiator modes are useful and fun to use • The integration with Korg Gadget on the iPad is amazing, if you are working a a certain key, e.g. F minor, the notes from that key are illuminated on the keyboard (backlit) — ideal for musically challenged people like myself • It has a Kaos pad!!! • It integrates into Logic X just as well as any other cheap keyboard that I have tried (they mainly seem to be about Ableton integration) • All I need is this, my iPad, headphones and favourable weather for a great day on the beach Cons: • It does feel a bit like a cheap toy, the keys do not feel like a normal keyboard • It costs a bit more than the alternatives from other manufacturers • If feels a bit flimsy • No channel volume slider (unless you buy its sibling the nanoKONTROL —which is an appealing prospect) In summary: I have really enjoyed using it. It has been hassle free and enhances rather than obstructs the business of having fun making music.

Looked at Akai and a few others before settling on this. Works really well for writing during my travels.

IMHO AVOID. I could have lived with the plastic feel of the keys and the functionality is quite good although the settings only seem to be saved if you also use batteries). But the micro C USB connector is worthless after a few weeks. And there's nothing worse than an intermittent keyboard, because of a seriously bad choice of connector. I always thought Korg was a quality brand, but this TOY range is worse than most made in China tech. Maybe I can sell it to someone who can stand Bluetooth only connection? I bought it because of the size (it almost sits over my Macbook qwerty), but a 25 FS key Novation, is not much bigger or expensive. I bought it July and it's already dead in August. I used it almost every day for the 4 weeks, but still NilL points for Korg!

I have only given 3 stars as unfortunately this didn’t work with Bluetooth on an iPad Air 3. I spent 5 hours trying to get it connected but eventually gave up. It’s a great machine and well built but if it’s not able to connect to what your playing then it’s no use.

This is great, so lightweight too

A bit plasticy I didn't think k I'd like the buttony keyboard but actually it's better than the Akai MPK Mini Returned due to insufficient native mapping to Korg Gadget, but otherwise a nice controller

Wanted it to work with iPad Pro so had to do the upgrade. Had fun trying to get the upgrade to work on a pc. Found I had another keyboard in an the upgrade program did not like it. It all worked fine when I plugged the Nanokeys into the same usb port that the other keyboard was in. Works a treat on the iPad talking to Gadget 3 is really good.

Non avrà il feeling di una tastiera, ma per chi è abituato a lavorare con i synth è un controller comodissimo per suonare con l'iPad: la connessione Midi bluetooth è molto stabile e l'uscita usbC o lightning rimane libera per la scheda audio o per le cuffie... Per me è geniale.

Si te gusta producir música con el iPad, usando Korg Gadget, este controlador es perfecto. Puedes tocar melodías y acordes, especialmente útil lo de las melodías, que intentar improvisar una tocando una pantalla del iPad es bastante incómodo.

Perfect midi controller, easy to use.

Awesome