Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The Microkey demonstrates that Korg learns from its failures and its successes. The Microkey's predecessor, the Nanokey, had some advantages: it was cheap and you could throw it in a laptop bag. Users soon found out that the Nanokey was too cheap. It wasn't sturdy, and the button keyboard did not win awards for usability. On the other hand, The Microkorg and Microkorg XL synthesizers have been hits with their mini-sized keys. Korg basically took the keyboard fromt eh Microkorg, put it in a no-frills controller case, and gave it a reasonable, [...] price tag. In short, the formula works.
With 37 mini-keys (3 octaves C-C), the Microkey is too big for a laptop bag, but it fits nicely in your lap or on a table. It plugs directly into your computer via USB. In my case, it was plug-and-play with Windows-7, with the computer automatically loading the driver; however I had to download a driver (no problem) for Mac OS-X. The small keys are easy to get used to, have a good feel and good velocity response. The Microkey does not transmit aftertouch. Other than the keys, the only controls are lighted octave shift + and - buttons (shifting up to 3 octaves in each direction), a spring-loaded pitchbend wheel, and an un-sprung modulation wheel. I knocked off a star for failure to include a jack for a sustain pedal, much less an additional jack for a volume pedal or continuous controller.
KORG LEGACY COLLECTION SPECIAL EDITION - This is what I really want to talk about. The Microkey is bundled with light versions of several software packages, the most notable being Korg's own M1LE. M1LE contains most of the sounds of Korg's bestselling hardware synthesizer/workstation of 1988, the Korg M1. Approximately 100,000 M1 synthesizers were sold for almost at almost [...]. In other words, the M1LE is pretty worthwhile on its own, but it really becomes worthwhile after you register your copy of M1LE online at [...], because registered M1LE owners qualify to buy a special edition of Korg's Legacy Collection software synthesizers for $99.00. The Legacy Collection Special Edition includes BOTH the analog edition and the digital editions of the Legacy collection. It includes the MS20, Polysix, Mono/Poly, Legacy Cell, Wavestation, and M1 (expanded). Recently Korg unbundled these software synths and started selling them individually for $49.99 each. So with the Legacy Collection Special Edition, you're basically buying all of these synths plus the hardware controller for $50.00 less than what you'd pay for just the software synths. Buying the Legacy Collection changes the Microkey from a good buy to a great buy. You have to download the synths one at a time from korguser.net, and the registration procedure is a bit of a pain. The license allows you to download the software on more than one computer that you own, but you can only use one at a time. Each computer that you install the software on must be individually registered. http://www.amazon.com/review/create-review There is no dongle or USB key needed for this version of the Legacy synths.
THE COMPETITION: For my money, the closest competition is Arturia Analog Experience - The Factory Hybrid Synthesizer, which, like the Microkorg plus Legacy Collection, gives you a compact controller plus thousands of sounds. Arturia's product, for just a little bit more than the Korg, Arturia gives you a more full featured controller (with aftertouch). It's a viable option that I almost bought (and might buy yet.) Another option (especially for Windows users) would be M-Audio's M-Audio Keyrig 25 25-note Synth-Action Keyboard and Midi Controller or M Audio KeyRig 49 49 Key USB Keyboard Controller I bought the Key Rig software separately several years ago. Here's a link to my review of the Key Rig Software, http://www.amazon.com/review/R1ZNFX9NE271ES. If your needs are simple, Key Rig may be all the software you need.
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