Korg nanoKEY

When playing into a computer, direct access to notes and playing aids is often important, without a large keyboard taking up workspace. The Korg nanoKEY is a compact USB-MIDI keyboard with 25 velocity-sensitive keys, suitable for song sketches and entering notes into music software.

The octave buttons shift the playable range up or down in steps of up to four octaves; pressing both simultaneously resets the shift. You can choose from three velocity curves and a fixed velocity setting. This lets you adapt the keys’ response to your playing style or to sounds for which a constant velocity is useful.

In normal playing mode, the keys send notes. In Control Change mode, they become MIDI buttons whose assignments can be configured using the Korg Kontrol Editor. You can also set the velocity curve, transposition and MIDI parameters for the modulation button there. The Korg USB-MIDI driver is required to use the Editor.

Separate pitch buttons send pitch-bend messages, while the modulation button sends modulation by default. The MIDI settings must match the music software you are using; you also set up the controller’s assignment in the relevant application. Under Windows XP and Vista, the Korg USB-MIDI driver may be required to use the keyboard with multiple applications simultaneously. A passive USB hub may not provide sufficient power.

It connects via Mini-USB and is powered by the computer. At 320 mm wide and weighing 220 g, the slim keyboard fits on small work surfaces and in mobile computer setups. It is designed for systems running Mac OS X 10.3.9 or 10.4.7 and later, as well as Windows XP SP2 or Vista SP1; PPC computers are also supported on Mac. An Intel USB chipset is recommended for Windows.

This makes the nanoKEY suitable for music makers who want to record compact melodies and MIDI notes on a computer or use keys as a controller. Its key advantages are its small footprint, velocity sensitivity and additional pitch, modulation and octave functions.