CME XKEY AIR 25 Electronic Keyboard

Product Information

The information obtained through cookies allows us to compile ad performance statistics and serve retargeting ads on The Trade Desks advertising network. I think of the Xkey as more than just a mobile solution; its compact dimensions and slick functionality make it an ideal studio keyboard, too. Despite these kinks, it plays beautifully; the keys are remarkably sensitive considering they don’t really go anywhere when pressed down – like an Apple keyboard. CME is coming out with the new Xkey Air, the latest addition to their lineup of Xkey models that works wirelessly.

This means that you can use an XKey Air with an older iPad, MacBook, Windows computer…you get the idea. Unsurprisingly, it’s a similar picture with the poly aftertouch: it certainly works, but there is a limit to the amount of worthwhile sonic nuance you can control in 3mm of pressure variation. For last week, she started her post-university job for a video production company, which is most definitely the best news ever.A series of rather oddly labeled buttons arranged down the left-hand end of the 'board handle octave up/down, modulation, pitchbend and sustain on/off. These discounts are usually communicated through newsletters, which are created and managed by us with the tool "Emarsys". A light keyboard, solid build, however, I would like to see a redesign with a clip to protect the USB connection to stop the issue with a defunct internal USB port happening again. It can be used with any music apps on various devices, as well as free Xkey Plus application for custom configuration of the keyboard. And remember…on Chrome OS, the best apps require a subscription to get all of the features that you want to use (Noteflight requires a subscription to even use MIDI recording).

With some tweaking here, you can customize your playing experience on the Xkey, giving you the ability to lower down the sensitivity of certain keys or crank them to a higher sensitivity level if you like. Generally, these cookies are only created based on actions you take in response to a service request, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling out forms. The Xkey’s compact dimensions — it measures just 388 x 135 x 16 mm — have been achieved in part by dispensing with conventional controls for pitch-bend and modulation, which are both dealt with via pressure-sensitive pads. All in all, I was incredibly pleased with my purchase and may invest in the 37 key model on down the line.Using it in a static installation, however, it doesn’t take long before you start hankering after another octave, if only to be able to get your bass notes further away from the rest of your chord voicings. Aside from the latency and connectivity issues, it's a horrible little unit, certainly to play with minimal travel and no dampening. They are high quality portable keyboards and a far better solution (in my opinion) than mini keyboards like my old Akai LPK 25, my old M-Audio key stations, and even the Miselu C. A compact USB MIDI keyboard controller for the musician on the move, but with full-size keys and polyphonic aftertouch too! The XKey Air is an ideal device for anyone wanting a portable MIDI keyboard interface without wires.

In the right hands, polyphonic aftertouch can be a great addition to the expressive possibilities of certain synth sounds, but there are many situations where it just adds another data stream whilst conferring no benefit at all. Even if you have a main keyboard that you’ll always choose for serious playing, the Xkey is small enough to be kept always sitting right in front of you for easy data entry for step writing or editing. Otherwise, this is a really great lightweight and portable keyboard, however another problem is that it doesn't work really well with some (especially music notation) applications, e. When a note is pressed, the whole key depresses rather than angling downwards like a traditional keybed. When I opened the package from CME, my initial reaction to the WIDI BUD, packaged in a small blister card with minimal instructions, was, “HO HUM.This is a long review, and I apologize for the length, but I am very fond of these items and they deserve some coverage. I followed the instructions and paired the keyboard with my iPad Pro and received a warning from garage band that there may be some latency. PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH. I tested CME’s first Xkey compact keyboard for our March 2014 issue and found it to be not only an “elegant and affordable solution” for the mobile music-making market, but a very playable keyboard in its own right.

If all my talk about Xkey's compactness has you thinking it might be kind of flimsy, you'd be wrong.

i don't really get on with the micro's capacitive keyboard, but would like to take advantage of the micro's poly aftertouch capabilities, and also have more than two octaves to play with. For a pro player the ability to use a sustain is an absolute must and therefore this is a much-welcomed addition.