Does this keyboard even exist?

[doughelo]

Hi, I'm looking for a portable keyboard (25 or 37 keys) that can do the following:

- Battery operation
- A lot of built-in sounds, or downloadable, quickly selectable via direct buttons or presets
- Transpose & octave shift on the fly
- Drum pads would be nice, perhaps doubling as sound selector buttons
- OK if programmable through a PC interface, but has to be able to play offline

For travel I currently have a Yamaha PSS-A50 which is not bad, but has limited sounds and is a little bulky. I thought the Akai MiniPlay Mk3 was the answer, and it's a neat little unit, but the sounds are not that great, and it cannot transpose except through a PC, which is a deal-killer. I've even contemplated getting a full-size keyboard with the features I want and physically modifying it in a smaller package, but I imagine that would be impractical. Can anyone help?

 

[Chris Laarman]

You could divide your wish into the sounds and the keyboard. You could use your smartphone or tablet (notably if by Apple) for the sounds. (GarageBand app included with iPhone/iPad.) You could then think of the hardware you want to access these sounds with: that keyboard (with no built-in sounds needed), maybe some interface, maybe some footswitch. You'd also think of how the sounds get from your mobile device to whatever loudspeaker. Bluetooth could be the answer to these interface questions.

If you should consider roll-up keyboards, mind the (unlikely) presence or (likely) absence of velocity sensitivity.

 

[anotherscott]

The closest thing I can think of that is self-contained would be the Yamaha Reface DX.

But picking up from what Chris said, I'd also consider a small controller to connect to an iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or iPad Mini.

 

[Briggy]

I have a Juno DS 88 which does all of this, there is a 61 key option too and reasonable priced. Perhaps not as small and portable as you're looking for but it ticks all the boxes and 61 key is fairly portable.

 

[doughelo]

I have a Juno DS 88 which does all of this, there is a 61 key option too and reasonable priced. Perhaps not as small and portable as you're looking for but it ticks all the boxes and 61 key is fairly portable.

Thanks, that's a nice one, and might be a good upgrade from my current 61-key I bring to jams. I wish there was a 37 or 25 key that did something similar.

 

[Briggy]

Thanks, that's a nice one, and might be a good upgrade from my current 61-key I bring to jams. I wish there was a 37 or 25 key that did something similar.

I think as mentioned above, an option could be a small midi controller to use with an iPhone or iPad using garage band. You would need an interface that supports midi in which would probably need a power supply - which defeats the point of the solution I suppose. I use iConnect 4 interface but these are quite pricey.

There may well be other options.

 

[Chris Laarman]

I think as mentioned above, an option could be a small midi controller to use with an iPhone or iPad using garage band. You would need an interface that supports midi in which would probably need a power supply - which defeats the point of the solution I suppose. I use iConnect 4 interface but these are quite pricey.

There may well be other options.

Such an other option might be in Korg's microKey Air range, using Bluetooth.
Note: "MIDI over Bluetooth" requires a "driver" (Windows speak) loaded on the iPhone or iPad. The link is on the webpage mentioned. I think I have another one, too. Do familiarize yourself with the set-up before you go on stage! It's not at all difficult, but this Bluetooth connection just requires one or two extra steps.

 

[happyrat1]

You just reminded me of the 20 year old Microkorg. I almost bought one back then.

Maybe scout one out on ebay?

Gary

EDIT >>> It wasn't the Microkorg but named similar. It had 49 mini keys and a bunch of Triton voices and sold for around $500 back then.

Anyone remember the name?

 

[happyrat1]

Actually an Arturia Keystep and an iphone are pretty much all you need.

 

[happyrat1]

And for travel I bring one of these

https://www.amazon.ca/Rise-Sawtooth-ST-RISE-MEL-32-BLUE-Piano-Melodica/dp/B01K8KRY1O/

 

[Chris Laarman]

And for travel I bring one of these

https://www.amazon.ca/Rise-Sawtooth-ST-RISE-MEL-32-BLUE-Piano-Melodica/dp/B01K8KRY1O/

I bought something similar through Ali. I don't dare play it in my apartment...

In the 60s, my mother bought an original Hohner with a wide mouthpiece , and the small white keys to the right and the small black keys to the left. 25 keys in total, I guess. It must have gone elsewhere in the family.

 

[happyrat1]

I just realized the Roland JD-Xi pretty much fits the list of demands.

Gary

 

[anotherscott]

EDIT >>> It wasn't the Microkorg but named similar. It had 49 mini keys and a bunch of Triton voices and sold for around $500 back then.

Anyone remember the name?

Sounds like you're thinking of the Triton Taktile, which came in 25 and 49 key sizes.

 

[happyrat1]

Nope. This was around 3 or 4 years before the Taktile.

And the Taktile had full sized keys.

Gary

 

[anotherscott]

Nope. This was around 3 or 4 years before the Taktile.

And the Taktile had full sized keys.

Well before the Taktile, there was the Micro-X, but that was 25 full size keys, not 49 mini. There was also a Microstation, which had mini-keys, but it was 61.

 

[happyrat1]

That was it. The Microstation.

Korg MicroStation | Vintage Synth Explorer

Korg released their MicroStation in 2010 as a continuation of their "micro" series. The purpose of this music workstation was to offer users something that is feature packed, but also compact enough to make it very versatile. Whether for studio control, as a songwriting tool or even to to use...

www.vintagesynth.com

 

[Viscount]

Hi, I'm looking for a portable keyboard (25 or 37 keys) that can do the following:

- Battery operation
- A lot of built-in sounds, or downloadable, quickly selectable via direct buttons or presets
- Transpose & octave shift on the fly
- Drum pads would be nice, perhaps doubling as sound selector buttons
- OK if programmable through a PC interface, but has to be able to play offline

For travel I currently have a Yamaha PSS-A50 which is not bad, but has limited sounds and is a little bulky. I thought the Akai MiniPlay Mk3 was the answer, and it's a neat little unit, but the sounds are not that great, and it cannot transpose except through a PC, which is a deal-killer. I've even contemplated getting a full-size keyboard with the features I want and physically modifying it in a smaller package, but I imagine that would be impractical. Can anyone help?

ALESIS HARMONY 32 32-KEY MINI KEYS PORTABLE ARRANGER KEYBOARD I SEAMUSICIAN

Don’t let the Harmony 32’s small size fool you – there are 300 high-quality tones packed into this pint-sized piano. There is an assortment of traditional piano and orchestral instruments, but also guitars, drums and sound effects. The built-in speakers p

www.seamusician.com

Available at different shops worldwide - its about 66euros

 

[Viscount]

That was it. The Microstation.

Korg MicroStation | Vintage Synth Explorer

Korg released their MicroStation in 2010 as a continuation of their "micro" series. The purpose of this music workstation was to offer users something that is feature packed, but also compact enough to make it very versatile. Whether for studio control, as a songwriting tool or even to to use...

www.vintagesynth.com

Not ben available in years, other than used, but it has 61 keys, not 32-37 as he asks for, there are better options now, Levi

 

[kmkkeys]

The Roland Juno DS-61 is a great option. It’s on sale for 699.00. I paid 100.00 more for mine, but as far as bang for the buck, it’s hard to beat. Just my opinion…

 

[Perilous]

What about the Roland Jupiter XM?