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Sonic LAB: M-Audio Keystation Mini 32

iPad compatible Mini midi keyboard with extra notes 23-Sep-11
M-Audio Keystation mini 32 5:56 mins
Streaming:
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Just what the world needs right? Another flippin' mini MIDI controller - we’ve had a slew of them. And though perhaps they started off a little shaky, this particular area of tech is improving.
Thats why we’re looking at the new M-Audio Keystation Mini 32, a bag friendly, USB powered (via mini USB port) keyboard with pitch and modulation buttons plus a single knob. And of course, the real immediate difference being that it has 32 keys - yes that’s seven more than most and actually makes what is usually a pretty unplayable device,  somewhat more musically  useful.
 
But first things first, at around an iPad and a half long (in landscape mode), or about two inches wider than a MacBook Pro,  the 32 keys (two and a half octaves) are small, with short travel but with a pleasant damped feel - reminds me of the old Edirol PCR-M1, but smaller.
There’s also no exposed key edges to catch and break on stuff - important when tossing into a bag with your other kit.

Top Of The Class
Needless to say its class compliant, assuming OS X 10.4.8 and later, or XP SP3 and up (Vista, Win7)- but c’mon you really should be considering an updgrade by now..
Also, its coreMIDI savvy, meaning with an Apple Camera Connection Kit and any device running iOS 4.3 or higher, you can hook it up to your iPad to use with coreMIDI Apps.

Backlit Buttons
Right, very simple operation, seven buttons - from the bottom up:
PB +/- pitch bend (assignable - defaults to pitch bend)
Mod - modulation (assignable defaults to control 0)
Oct/Data - large backlit -/+ buttons colour changes with shift of octave
Sust - sustain pedal equivalent - backlit blue, easy to get to, toggles.
Edit - enter edit mode for assigning values to PB, MOD and Knob
Knob - small knob, assignable - defaults to control 7 (volume)

It uses a simple edit system familiar to many M-Audio controller products. In Edit mode, hit keyboard with corresponding value - eg: VEL ( Lower G key), then a value from the keyboard - in this case to select a velocity curve from 1-4, then ENTER (top D key). Simples.
All are backlit, which makes them easy to see in dark places - although to use the keyboard edit system, you’ll need some more light.

Whats Up Dock?
Not much to say about this device, its built well enough, it performs its function - the position of the buttons are pretty easy to get to with a spare finger while playing. It allows for velocity curve changing - eg: drum curve has a more compressed velocity curve for more consistent  volume.
Actually its quite playable - though of course you wont be practising your scales or Rachmaninoff workouts, at least you can get closer with those extra 7 keys.

Overall, quite a delight to use and something I could easily find myself reaching for when without the full size equivalent.
Nicely done M-Audio.

Pricing: £55 UK / $99.99 US List Price

 

More From: M-Audio




3 Comments...  Post a comment    original story
halo    Said...

is a M-Audio Keystation Mini 25 coming? for small bags?

26-Sep-11 08:15 AM

halo    Said...

nice test! thanx!

26-Sep-11 08:16 AM

Benedict Johnson    Said...

Excellent!! Low and behold, Garageband on the iPad is complete!

29-Sep-11 06:29 AM

Post a comment 
46 comments | Watch Video on Youtube |

istillfeelikerioting 24-May-12 06:56 PM

oh, okay okay, i'll buy it, just stop doing that hypno-magic with your reviews ;)

IcarusTuga7 23-May-12 12:55 PM

People MIDI is universal!! with all daw and synths depends of specifications..midi usb or normal midi ports.. :|

MRkamz2 22-May-12 07:26 PM

thank you... helped a lot.... :D

arvid torres 20-May-12 10:49 AM

works in FL studio for me

xXNickPXx 16-May-12 05:46 AM

The question is not "is this MIDI controller compatible with MAGIX," but rather "does MAGIX support MIDI controllers?" Check that out in the MAGIX software and you'll have your answer

ArtKosarev 02-May-12 11:16 AM

yes, it's plug and play, it works in every program.

TheMcUnbekannt1 01-May-12 10:34 AM

Is it compatible with the MAGIX Samplitude Music Studio 17 ? i will be very happy if you answer this thanks :)

YesILoveMe2 24-Apr-12 03:22 AM

$66.16 Amazon.com

amulday 24-Apr-12 01:20 AM

According to Korg the MicroKey 25 does run on the Ipad as it draws less than ~100mA, however the MicroKey 37/61 only work if they are used in conjunction with a powered USB hub as they draw ~500mA

spruitjes10 20-Apr-12 04:05 PM

hee, i'n netherlands and you do it great! into the netherlands cost it surround the 60 euro's. haha my englisch is very bad:(

nameynameusername 18-Apr-12 02:38 PM

Just bought it. It should be here in 2 days. Pretty excited actually.

tellafew 07-Apr-12 09:29 PM

that was helpful, thank you. 

TheDJKurd1 03-Apr-12 08:15 AM

Yes it does work with every major music production software

MrPlaystationboy 31-Mar-12 09:46 PM

the korg microkey is superior to the m-audio keystation mini 32 , the keys on the microkey are the same keys used on the korg microstation, BUT the microkey can not run on ipad power, so dont buy it if you are planing on using it with a ipad

rippinsingles14 31-Mar-12 04:19 PM

would i be able to use this with garageband on my iphone?

Nkatsikanis 28-Mar-12 02:39 PM

i have a dell xps and I'm having bad lag with sub 6, any tips mate?

ezrashanti 26-Mar-12 06:17 PM

I meant how big is the 37 key microstation compared to this 32 key keystation. It's 22" vs 16.5" in length. Pretty long but I'm going for the micro as the keys are bigger.

MrPlaystationboy 26-Mar-12 12:52 PM

korg just anounced microkey 25 key and 61 key version. the the 61 key version has the exact same keyboard as the microstation. and the 25 key is identical to the original microkey. but with 25 keys and no mod wheels

MrLucifer92 26-Mar-12 11:38 AM

ah thanks for telling me that i forgot that the biggest piano`s got 88 keys

ezrashanti 26-Mar-12 09:51 AM

Plus the microkey has usb ports on the side so you can plug in an LPD8, nanopad, or similar. I just wonder how much bigger it is than this one.

ezrashanti 26-Mar-12 09:49 AM

A full piano is 88 keys lol.

MrLucifer92 22-Mar-12 08:04 PM

if its a home studio i suggest you find a "full" 61 keys keyboard as you most likely will be unhindered by travel if you are gonna travel alot with the keyboard i suggest this or another light 32 keys keyboard (ps a real full keyboard is 71 keys but 61 keys will work for you unless you are working in classical music)

WooferAttackTV 20-Mar-12 12:04 AM

Yes.

pauley5 06-Mar-12 10:12 PM

Single...NOB.

MrPlaystationboy 05-Mar-12 08:09 PM

korg microkey is THE BEST travel controller. it has a full 3 octave keyboard (37 keys) pitch bend and mod wheels. (yes they are actual wheels) and the keys are the same as the microkorg xl wich is great

sergiosalvatore1 02-Mar-12 11:07 PM

looking for a good travel controller. i already have an axiom 49 at my home studio. checked the 25 key version out but i dont know its just 25 keys... do you know any options for me ? :)

MRkamz2 26-Feb-12 11:34 AM

hi im looking to st up a mini hoyuse studio and im looking for a cheap keyboard or controller something like that that will work with fl studio... would you recommend it for me to buy??

anibalbastias 09-Feb-12 10:50 PM

Viejo qlo, trata como el hoyo el pobre teclado nuevo !

ElectrikBear 03-Feb-12 02:47 AM

M-audio, akai lpk25, or korg microkey?

PaperParachuteTV 30-Jan-12 01:01 AM

hey I've already using my own home studio, and I'm thinking about getting this for a friend who is barely starting out with GarageBand and he does kind of folk-y music with the GarageBand patches, would this be a good idea for him?

FunKCX 16-Jan-12 10:10 PM

It's about 53 euros in the Netherlands. I love producing music and I'm trying to find a midi-keyboard which should be very easy to carry in my backpack. Are there any better midi-keyboards with a price range till 100 Euros?

HighAssGamer 15-Jan-12 06:24 PM

would it be wise to pick up an interface with this if im using it with fl studio?

imacomputer101 15-Jan-12 03:58 AM

look at all the nice electronics behind him...you think he really uses that cheap midi board?

blackskuII 14-Jan-12 07:24 PM

Does it work in FL, Cubase and Ableton?

dubmonkeyaudio 09-Jan-12 01:08 PM

Can you please, please help me? i tried to change the velocity of my keys and now the Oct + & - is not working. i have tried "edit"\0-9\Enter and no resluts. thank you!

xIMOG3Nx 07-Jan-12 12:56 AM

yea I have mine rigged up to one.

demodeiowa 06-Jan-12 09:43 AM

Can you plug it into a rack mount synthesizer? Like the motif for example?

paddypb 27-Dec-11 12:46 PM

Yup, just plug it in and it works with pretty much anything that accepts MIDI :)

paddypb 27-Dec-11 12:46 PM

Yeah, that's what I'm running and it's works fine. Just plug it in and play :D

flask123100 25-Dec-11 06:59 PM

You can connect it to a MacBook Pro

THEDJPREM 22-Dec-11 11:31 PM

I know this sounds like a stupid question but... Are u able to use this with a mac book pro??

resonantfilterblog 21-Dec-11 12:17 AM

according to wikipedia he's the same bloke.

cheif80 14-Dec-11 02:03 AM

akai allday as far as something this small, plus akai is cheaper

Dimelo23 11-Dec-11 07:12 AM

Akai mini** vs M-audio 32 ???

Dimelo23 11-Dec-11 07:11 AM

Akai mijo or this one .. Anyone tried them and could tell me which one feels better

03886974927695785684 27-Nov-11 05:38 PM

does it come with software to programme the keys when using with software like cubase?

 
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