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Small midi keyboard, velocity sensitive, preferably with at least 1 built-in sound

des1303des1303
in Hardware

Looking for a 25 to 60 key MIDI keyboard with velocity sensitive keys. Other midi-controls like pads, wheels, and knobs optional. But I don't want to always feed it to a synth, sometimes I want to just try things directly on it, so would prefer it have at least 1 built-in sound, wired headphone output or a cheesy built-in speaker would be fine for that.

If not, then a unit that can do midi-over-bluetooth to a synth on, say, an iPhone would be my next choice.

It's for my daughter, she used to play piano, so decent key size (don't have to be full size) and key sensitivity (they don't have to be weighted etc) would be a plus.

Any suggestions / recommendations?

Thanks!

Comments

  • wimwim
    edited December 2023

    I don't know if an ex piano player would be OK with only 25 mini sized keys, but the MPK Mini Play comes immediately to mind.

  • zzrwoodzzrwood
    edited December 2023

    @des1303 said:
    Looking for a 25 to 60 key MIDI keyboard with velocity sensitive keys. Other midi-controls like pads, wheels, and knobs optional. But I don't want to always feed it to a synth, sometimes I want to just try things directly on it, so would prefer it have at least 1 built-in sound, wired headphone output or a cheesy built-in speaker would be fine for that.

    If not, then a unit that can do midi-over-bluetooth to a synth on, say, an iPhone would be my next choice.

    It's for my daughter, she used to play piano, so decent key size (don't have to be full size) and key sensitivity (they don't have to be weighted etc) would be a plus.

    Any suggestions / recommendations?

    Thanks!

    It’s a bit pricey, but the 37-key Yamaha Reface CP has the best feeling mini keys I have come across, with excellent velocity response - and can work well as a midi controller, with local control off capability and transpose. Also has speakers and can run on batteries. The onboard electric piano sounds and effects are excellent.
    No pitchbend or mod wheels, and no pads - however the dials do send midi cc out.
    I use a Bluetooth midi adapter, and run the iPad audio back into the keyboard. Works very well…

  • fisherrofisherro

    For me, a reface was the choice as well. I wanted something with batteries and built-in speakers to be able to just pick up and play. (And, yeah, they have a phones jack and MIDI—5-pin or USB—too. 5-pin MIDI requires a proprietary adapter, but at least it comes with it.)

    I went for the DX because it can make e-piano-ish sounds, organ-ish sounds, and analog-ish sounds. Not as good at any of those as the other refaces, but if I was only going to get one, it seemed like the best choice for my needs.

    And I have small hands and prefer mini keys anyway.

    (Of course, since then the others have continued to sing their siren song and since I noticed the CP & CS were on sale at Sweetwater for $150 less than I paid for the DX…I caved and have those on the way.)

    That said, I’m sure there are less expensive “portable keyboards” that could fill that kind of role as well, but I didn’t look into those options.

  • bluegroovebluegroove
    edited December 2023

    The Reface keys are indeed very nice, and 37 keys is the sweet spot imo.

    If you want something a bit cheaper, check out the PSS A50. which uses the exact same Reface keybed, but in a cheaper package. Don't be fooled by look; the built-in sounds are actually an assortment from higher-end Yamaha models, and there's a nice variety of sounds, FX and even some decent drum sounds. I have one of these that I use daily for couch jamming because it's so light, easy, and most importantly sounds and plays wonderfully for the price.

  • jamietopoljamietopol

    I recommend the Casio CT-S1. 61 keys. They are not hammer-action but very expressive and playable. It has 61 built-in sounds and perhaps a dozen or two sound very good. Built-in speakers sound great (and headphone jack). MIDI via USB or (optional) Bluetooth adapter. Really great.
    If portability is very important, try the Carry-on folding controller (Blackstar FC-49)
    https://www.andertons.co.uk/carry-on-49-key-folding-midi-controller? or perhaps the Xkey Air 37 https://xkeyair.com/xkey-air/

  • JerryJerry

    Another vote for MPK mini play. the new version is a legit mini keyboard and less of an experiment by Akai.

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