Korg and 37

Reviews | Korg microKEY 25 & 37
94
T
he product designers over at
Korg seem to enjoy the
challenge of making everything
smaller. Over the past few
years we’ve seen the Monotron and
microKorg synths, the miniKP 2 effects
unit and the nanoSERIES of controllers.
Korg seem intent on building the
world’s biggest range of little products,
so the arrival of another diminutive
addition should come as no surprise.
Little brother
The latest offerings are two new versions
of the microKEY series, which fall
somewhere between full-size MIDI
controller keyboards and the
ultra-portable nanoSERIES. They aim to
give you slightly more control than
laptop keyboard options, while still
offering a small desktop footprint.
Until now, the only model in the
range was the 37-key version released
in late 2010. It’s now been joined by a
smaller 25-key option, which isn’t much
longer or deeper than the tiny nanoKey,
but slightly thicker and significantly
heavier. Both models are USB-powered
and send MIDI over USB only (there are
no five-pin DIN sockets).
The microKEY models are based on
Korg’s ‘Natural Touch’ mini keys, as
found on the likes of the microKorg XL.
I criticised the light, plasticky action of
the Natural Touch keybed when I
reviewed the £300 XL+ a few months
ago, I’m more forgiving when it comes
to a £50 controller. The velocity curve
can be edited using the Mac or
PC-based Korg Kontrol Editor but, as
you’d expect at this price, there isn’t a
great deal of feel to the keys.
Both units were recognised instantly
by both my Mac and PC and worked
without fault. One of the major selling
points of the microKEY 25 is its
compatibility with the iPad. Again,
connection to my iPad (via the Apple
Camera Connection Kit, not supplied)
was instant and the unit worked
flawlessly with every app I tried.
Unfortunately, the 25 draws too much
power for the iPhone or iPod Touch, as
does the 37 with all iOS devices.
The newly designed 25-key version
differs slightly from its older, bigger
brother. There’s a new arpeggiator, and
the 25 also highlights a significant
weakness of the 37: its pitch bend and
modulation joystick is tactile and
responsive, easily beating the
disappointingly cheap-feeling mod
wheels on the 37.
The microKEY 25 is a valuable
addition to this line-up (there’s also a
new 61-key version). Other than the
extended range, the only significant
advantage of the 37-key version is the
inclusion of a two-way USB hub.
Both units come bundled with a
small selection of software including
Toontrack’s EZDrummer Lite and
Applied Acoustics’ Lounge Lizard
Session electric piano plug-in. Whether
the extra octave and USB ports on the
37 are enough to make it a better
option, we’re not sure.
Chances are, if you’re buying a two
or three-octave miniature-keyed
controller you’re not expecting to play
two-handed. The improved portability,
better pitch/mod control and useful arp
on the 25 will probably give it the edge
for most buyers.
WHAT is iT?
Miniature-keyed USB MIDI
controller keyboards
ConTACT
Who: Korg UK
Tel: [phone]
Web: www.korg.co.uk
HiGHLiGHTs
1 ‘Natural Touch’ mini keys
2 Two-way USB port on 37
3 Arpeggiator on 25
priCinG
microKEY 25
£49
microKEY 37
£69
speCs
Controllers:
microKEY 25 Joystick,
arpeggiator button,
sustain/TAP button
microKEY 37 Pitchbend
wheel, modulation wheel
Octave shift: -4~+4
Connections:
microKEY 25 USB Type B
(x1)
microKEY 37 USB Type A
(x2), Type B (x1)
Power: USB buss
Dimensions:
microKEY 25
395 x 131 x 53mm
microKEY 37
565 x 139 x 54mm
Weight:
microKEY 25
650g
microKEY 37
1kg
Korg microKEY
25 & 37 | from £49
Two mini keyboards from Korg. Greg Scarth finds out
if the best things really do come in small packages
VerDiCT
BUILD
❚❚❚❚❚❚
VALUE
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
EASE OF USE
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
VERSATILITY
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
RESULTS
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
Plug-and-play simplicity at a
reasonable price. The 25 has the
edge over the 37, though.
FMU262.rev_korg.indd 94 12/21/12 4:02 PM