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A Versatile and Rugged MIDI Mini-Keyboard (Video)

Posted by Roblimo on from the Willy-and-the-poor-boys-playing-that-MIDI-can't-be-beat dept.

The K-Board won a "Best in Show" award at CES 2015. Plus, as Timothy said, "I always like pour and stomp demos." And it's totally cross-platform. If your computer, tablet or smartphone has a USB port and (almost) any kind of music software, it works. In theory, you could hook a K-Board to your Android or iOS device and use it to accompany yourself while you sing for spare change on a downtown corner. Or noodle around to get a handle on a theme you'll use in your next major symphony. Or...?

11 of 56 comments (clear)

  1. Look at this guy! by ArcadeMan · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Can you say "It's-a me, Mario!"

    pro: the video doesn't auto-play anymore
    cons: the godamn ad doesn't a volume or mute control and neither does the main video

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    1. Re:Look at this guy! by Roblimo · · Score: 2

      Yes, all videos should have a volume control/mute function. Same as with the autoplay horror, those of us who actually work on the site agree with you and will keep hammering on management until it gets done.

    2. Re:Look at this guy! by s.petry · · Score: 2

      Here is a Youtube link to a demo (long). A short intro here, and a longer speech here. No such thing as "safe" content, but safer content and includes volume control.

      --

      -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

  2. Great keyboard by Orpheus+Liar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I have the qunexus, which is the $149 version of this (it adds a few more connection options). I use it all the time and highly recommend either to anyone needing a keyboard for music apps. Responsive and nigh-indestructible.

    Now back to grading papers and beginning a new nine-year span before commenting on Slashdot again.

    1. Re:Great keyboard by harrkev · · Score: 2

      So, what is so great about it? I see that it lights up, but what else? The rugged part seems nice too, but not quite worth the money.

      I used to have a Korg Nanokey, but I once slid a magazine on top of it and the cover of the magazine actually ripped keys off, so the Korg, while having a nice software bundle, gets an "F" for durability.

      I also have the Akai LPK25 which is VERY nice since it has REAL (if tiny) keys. The only real drawback of that is that it is thicker, but worth it for the something that begins to feel like a real keyboard.

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  3. Is this really news? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just about all USB midi keyboards/controllers are cross platform. I fail to think of one that isn't, to be honest. So save yourself a few bucks and pick up an Akai MPK or something like that... just as versatile, costs less and you'll even find a ton of options for more knobs/sliders/pads. The only downside is minikeys but if you're not freaked out by chicklett keys you can't lose.
     
    Just another Slashvertisement.
     
    Oh, and if you're serious about knowing what's "best in show" or whatever when it comes down to all things MIDI? Pay attention to NAMM, not CES.

    1. Re:Is this really news? by BenFranske · · Score: 2

      This, x1000. I would like to hear what use case this product has that is not already served by the many existing MIDI controllers. No serious keyboardist is going to play on a keyboard with a design like this.

  4. Great product bloodlines by PopeRatzo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Keith McMillan Instruments is the company that makes the QuNEO board, which I've been using in the studio and live performance for over a year now and it's one of my favorite controllers.

    My only suggestion is to wait until the 2nd iteration. It's a small company and I had trouble with my first QuNEO, which had some bugs. The ones they're selling now are really great though, with top build quality.

    Oh yeah, the K-Board is going for $99, which probably means it would be soon showing up for less at Guitar Center if Mitt Romney's Bain Capital (nka "Ares Capital") hadn't run Guitar Center into the ground and stripped its assets and turned it into a smoking crater of a company (for which Bain Capital was paid handsomely).

    In summary: Keith McMillan Instruments is a good company that makes good, reasonably priced products. Bain Capital makes absolutely nothing and is as evil as a company can be without directly poisoning people. Any questions?

    http://www.keithmcmillen.com/p...

    http://www.nakedcapitalism.com...

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  5. Its a Waterproof NanoKey 2 by Andy_R · · Score: 2

    So, it's pretty much exactly the same as the $40 Korg Nanokey 2 I've owned for years, but it's waterproof and costs $99?

    Why exactly am I meant to be impressed?

    --
    A pizza of radius z and thickness a has a volume of pi z z a
  6. Why This? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Why buy this when you can spend about the same amount of money and get a real MIDI keyboard? One with real piano keys. Such as http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Keystation49?adpos=1o2&creative=55642031881&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CLqu9bWgjcQCFQ-raQodpSEAEg

  7. Re:What is special about this one? by aaaaaaargh! · · Score: 2

    Nothing is special about it, except that it's ugly. For the same money or even less you could get easily an Arturia Minilab or a Korg Microkey or one of the dozens of other, better options.