Keyboard Amplifier, 49-Key (MICROKEY249),Black

I'm rookie in writing music, and just wanted a simple keyboard to improvise with GarageBand on my iPad. This one swiftly caught my eye as it was simple, compact, didn't have all the bells and whistles which I wouldn't know how to use anyway. Besides, in addition to being compact it was available in 3-octave variant, which was the most optimal for me in order not to take too much space and have enough range to not switch too often. The only issue I worried about was potential problems with registering key hits and build quality. But it was on big sale, so I decided to take a risk. It definitely payed off! Build quality is great, and all the keys are very sensitive and register everything from the lightest touch to heavy strokes just fine. The only disadvantage for some people might be shrunk down key size, but it's another side of being compact. With just a little practice you'll get use to it and won't have any discomfort. I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants a simple and reliable instrument!

On my big computer, I use an Akai MPK 261. It's a large controller for playing large symphonic sweeps, pads, and melodies. (I don't have the desk space for 88 keys even there, though.) On my little laptop, trying to use that MPK261 isn't going to work. Meanwhile, the 25-key two-octave controller don't get me enough space to play the full chords or drum sets I want. It seems like a 37-key mini controller would be just right for noodling with the laptop on the kitchen table. I looked around for various options, and this one seemed to be the best fit for my needs -- I just need piano key input to a DAW. And this certainly delivers! It's lightweight, but not flimsy. It plugs in and configure with no fuss. It has no fancy bells or whistles that need special configuration, which is great, because I seldom have the patience for those kinds of things. I play this with Native Instruments Komplete. However, as the laptop doesn't have disk space for the large symphonic instruments, I use it mostly for the Reaktor-based soft synths and various drum kits and effects, and the 37 keys are enough for this. I've used it for a couple of weeks, and I love it. There are two things that I would improve if I were a Korg hardware engineer: 1) I don't use most controllers on keyboards, but a "program select up/down" button would be nice, and DAW play/stop/rewind buttons would be nice, too. 2) The old-school large square USB-B connector is robust, but it sticks out to the side in a way that is likely to break off if some force comes at it from the side or from above. A recess in the plastic that protects the actual connector would probably be a good design improvement. These things aren't enough to drop the fifth star, though, because this little keyboard is just perfect to let me noodle around at times and in places where I couldn't otherwise do it. Thank you, Korg!

I got this used here. At first there were a couple of issues with my software when I tried installing the midi driver. After a computer system restore, the problem cleared up and got me right to the keyboard. I really like the keyboard it has a bit if a squishy feel to the keys almost like a plastic underlay but it's something I got use to quickly and it actually feels kind of posh. The key size was my next concern (being a micro keyboard) but this was not an issue either, the keys are responsive and appropriate sized for smaller keys. I have a yamaha pss 270 from back in the 80s and the keys are definitely larger and more workable than the yamaha's. The only thing I would warn against is using it for performance, i wouldn't recommend it, it is good but not quite that good. The octave buttons are easy to use and understand and the pitch and modulation wheels work great with a good resistance feel to them. For music creation it is great very portable,light and to the point without being complicated yet effective!

Couldn’t download software. Otherwise, lightweight with diminutive keys - smaller than I thought.

The good points: 1) having a full 3 octaves available means not having to switch octaves as frequently as a 2-octave or 2.5 octave keyboard; 2) it's plug-n-play -- works perfectly as is, although with the freely downloadable Korg Midi driver more can be done with it in different apps; 3) the keys are small enough to make wide interval entry easy, yet large enough that (with care) you're not always hitting 3 neighboring keys at once; 4) the place where the USB cable attaches is at the end of the keyboard, not in the back (like the Arturia Keystep37), so the Korg MicroKey237 can be place right up next to the front of you computer keyboard; 5) this is powered completely by the USB bus so there's no need for batteries or for a power supply; The not-so-good points: 1) as with many inexpensive keyboards, they're not built the best so it takes a firm press to ensure that the note is entered into the notation program. Once you've learned this using the keyboard is easy, but until you've learned it (or when you forget and don't press as hard) you can find a note or two didn't actually register with the software so any notes entered after that will be in the incorrect spot. Using copy/paste and then entering the correct note in the correct spot isn't too big a deal, but it does interrupt the work flow. 2) Just a bit too long to fit into many computer backpacks; Overall this is a very good product -- I just wish they would improve the response of the keys so that a lighter and quicker touch could be used and still have the keypress registered.

It is light-weight and very portable which is why I bought one, however, there was very little documentation. Korg states, "Plug and play computer connectivity; no need to install a driver." They also say, "A generous assortment of licenses and discount coupons for popular software titles is included. A license is included for the "Korg Collection Legacy Bundle," containing software versions of Korg's classic synthesizers (61-key model only) It was not plug and play. I plugged it in to my computer via USB cable but nothing happened. I tried to find some direction on-line but I only found some reference to a license key for software that should have been included with the keyboard. There was nothing. It is possible that it may work but I sure could not figure it out and do not want to spend countless hours on-line trying to figure out how to work it.

I was scared at first, I thought it would feel like toy. I also didn't really like the mixed reviews. So I held off on buying it for many months. Then one day out of the blue I ordered it because I did need a large keyboard with a small form factor that's portable. This blew me away from the minute I got it. If you compare it to the popular Akai LPK 25 for example, each key is roughly the same size, but the keys on the Korg have much less resistance it feels like they're twice as easy to press. In fact, it's easier to press than any of my midi controllers. And this is major point, because of this light key action, combined with small keys, it's just so easy to play and maneuver around, especially on 61 keys. So it's much different than any controller or synth I've seen. Anyway, Korg did a really good job here. Just an awesome controller.

Great feel super convenient and lightweight but sturdy to keep on the desktop for your main controller. The keys are a bit on the smaller side but for me it feels great. Highly recommend!!

Realmente não existe um controlador de 61 teclas mais compacto. Sensibilidade das teclas me surpreendeu. Estou bem satisfeito

The instrument is quite good...but I am returning it as the keys are too small for me...

Ottimo compromesso tra qualità e prezzo. Versatile perché di tre ottave e non troppo ingombrante visto che i tasti sono mini.

This keyboard is small enough to keep by your computer desk, and yet large enough to get some decent usage. Would definitely recommend for the form factor alone. Simple in design, with no whistles or bells to distract, but most importantly - no more playing notes from my computer keyboard. EDIT: Depending on other USB instruments, the default Windows X driver may silently fail for the Korg Microkey, but is easily fixed with grabbing the latest driver from the Korg website and restarting your PC.

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!