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livewidmusic « "Making music on the road? Grab one!" »
Published on 07/18/14 at 14:08I am a musician who constantly writes music on the roads, and the Korg nanoKEY2 was a great addition to my backpack. This 25- key USB powered midi keyboard is tiny, cute and responds to your finger tips in a much more better way than its predecessor nanoKEY.
Having used the old version nanoKEY that I was not quite happy with, I wanted an upgrade for this. Having gone through several other options, finally was happy to see the release of the nanoKEY2. Weighing only 0.54 Ibs, this tiny midi keyboard is easy to program with and make music. "Plug n Play" would be the right term I give to this "smaller than your keyboard" device that attracted me always.
Using Logic 9 and Logic X, The nanoKEY 2 immediately gets recognised as a new midi device. The new sustain add-on was a very good thought, as this was not there in nanoKEY1 (Also note that the CC feature in nanoKEY1 is not available in this version anymore).
Connectivity to an Apple's iPad (supports from iOS 4.2.1) using Apple's iPad camera connection kit is very handy for musicians on the go these days. Imagine you have the nanoKEY2 and your iPad (Make sure to have a music application that supports Apple Core Midi) and you want to write some music. Its possible now with the nanoKEY2 and only you would see playing the keyboard, because it is that tiny!
This is also a perfect addition if one has the dual USB ported MicroKey (another product by Korg). I usually connect the nanoKEY2 to the latter when in need of more keys while writing music.
UTILIZATION
The nanoKEY coming in two colours white or black, can be plugged directly onto your Mac (OS X 10.4 or later) or PC. Open up your favourite DAW and start using it. The manual is clear and to the point. Though I must say that it is a bit geeky.
There are two buttons for shifting the Pitch up/down. An Octave shift up/down with octave ranges up-to +4 or -4. The modulation button is similar to the previous version, though I have not found this feature useful unless one is performing live.
For those who are into extreme and advanced midi features, this also integrates with the Korg Kontrol Editor software, that comes as a free download on the Korg website. One can choose from four different velocity settings provided, which in-turn affects, reacts and responds with the modulation and sustain buttons of the nanoKEY2.
OVERALL OPINION
Pros
1) Soft key-bed and strong keys.
2) More velocity friendly than the nanoKEY1.
3) Easy Plug and Play. No driver needs to be installed.
4) Sustain button is very helpful.
5) Light weighted and gets into your work backpack.
Cons
1) The Keys could be more softer and a little longer. Some fingers might find it hard to get used to playing.
2) No free additional - bonus software licenses.
3) Be careful not to give this to a 5 year old kid. This is going to break.
4) No LED's displaying the Octave shift range.
I would say that for $68, the nanoKEY is a bit overpriced. Given the fact that one can't perform extreme musical and advanced writing nor put this inside a heavy tight luggage (as it would break), I wish this was priced a little more less.
But having said that and having a previous experience with its predecessor and using other midi devices like the Axiom keyboards etc, the precision and quality while playing the nanoKEY2 is worthwhile.
If you travel a lot and if you are looking for something small that could fit in to your quick midi-input needs, then this is a quick and easy solution. The Plug and Play feature makes it easy to connect to any system you need, wherever you go.
Lastly, while thinking about the price at this moment, I would have gone for a better and cheaper option that time, even though if it is more larger in size and weight than the nanoKEY2.
Having used the old version nanoKEY that I was not quite happy with, I wanted an upgrade for this. Having gone through several other options, finally was happy to see the release of the nanoKEY2. Weighing only 0.54 Ibs, this tiny midi keyboard is easy to program with and make music. "Plug n Play" would be the right term I give to this "smaller than your keyboard" device that attracted me always.
Using Logic 9 and Logic X, The nanoKEY 2 immediately gets recognised as a new midi device. The new sustain add-on was a very good thought, as this was not there in nanoKEY1 (Also note that the CC feature in nanoKEY1 is not available in this version anymore).
Connectivity to an Apple's iPad (supports from iOS 4.2.1) using Apple's iPad camera connection kit is very handy for musicians on the go these days. Imagine you have the nanoKEY2 and your iPad (Make sure to have a music application that supports Apple Core Midi) and you want to write some music. Its possible now with the nanoKEY2 and only you would see playing the keyboard, because it is that tiny!
This is also a perfect addition if one has the dual USB ported MicroKey (another product by Korg). I usually connect the nanoKEY2 to the latter when in need of more keys while writing music.
UTILIZATION
The nanoKEY coming in two colours white or black, can be plugged directly onto your Mac (OS X 10.4 or later) or PC. Open up your favourite DAW and start using it. The manual is clear and to the point. Though I must say that it is a bit geeky.
There are two buttons for shifting the Pitch up/down. An Octave shift up/down with octave ranges up-to +4 or -4. The modulation button is similar to the previous version, though I have not found this feature useful unless one is performing live.
For those who are into extreme and advanced midi features, this also integrates with the Korg Kontrol Editor software, that comes as a free download on the Korg website. One can choose from four different velocity settings provided, which in-turn affects, reacts and responds with the modulation and sustain buttons of the nanoKEY2.
OVERALL OPINION
Pros
1) Soft key-bed and strong keys.
2) More velocity friendly than the nanoKEY1.
3) Easy Plug and Play. No driver needs to be installed.
4) Sustain button is very helpful.
5) Light weighted and gets into your work backpack.
Cons
1) The Keys could be more softer and a little longer. Some fingers might find it hard to get used to playing.
2) No free additional - bonus software licenses.
3) Be careful not to give this to a 5 year old kid. This is going to break.
4) No LED's displaying the Octave shift range.
I would say that for $68, the nanoKEY is a bit overpriced. Given the fact that one can't perform extreme musical and advanced writing nor put this inside a heavy tight luggage (as it would break), I wish this was priced a little more less.
But having said that and having a previous experience with its predecessor and using other midi devices like the Axiom keyboards etc, the precision and quality while playing the nanoKEY2 is worthwhile.
If you travel a lot and if you are looking for something small that could fit in to your quick midi-input needs, then this is a quick and easy solution. The Plug and Play feature makes it easy to connect to any system you need, wherever you go.
Lastly, while thinking about the price at this moment, I would have gone for a better and cheaper option that time, even though if it is more larger in size and weight than the nanoKEY2.