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Donner DP-06 Folding Keyboard
I am always looking for ways to increase the portability of my setup and this keyboard caught my eye. I need 61 keys for the songs my band plays (and I usually add a 37-key Xkey Air). It is often on sale at Amazon for $99 USD but I found it refurbished for $75 USD so I went ahead and made the purchase. The built-in sounds are absolute garbage, but I purchased it as a MIDI controller. It has a built-in rechargeable battery and Bluetooth MIDI that paired instantly with my iPad. It also has 2 small, crappy, built-in speakers that can be useful when you are playing alone (run an audio cable from your iPad or interface to the "MP3" input on the keyboard). It includes everything in the picture. 5 lbs / 2.3 KG. Key action? Very firm spring action. It will take some time to get used to it. The keys have a very pronounced artificial grain texture. Keys are slightly smaller than standard size. Definitely worth $75, but just don't expect a $400 key action.
Comments
Link?
I knew I was forgetting something!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314739416420
https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Keyboard-Sensitive-Electric-DP-06/dp/B0BBV48479/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3J7P66QJFQ6KU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Gc8YOcO9GY-FWejAE9xOcjlFJGFe3xQwgavWR5Cu-dAKkSz7pt2TD5s4BmXG60SC9gi0OXzZuBCYN9wapWWpV1N70yHZ6Ue0oD60rBGSGzE4EP_T7IBZIyyBKQ1bzQzvqQ-afNnVerJYEtwpWZsyzyb7miJG6nKEmkIeBXe5c6FO0F_4STUTYNygfCzLuPYJ2YvvLwiRa1xjJqX6Kle53UKoxJewbcqB-cuf6GXfnpbEyhLryOy2e8H2KfR7V_W4xFg6eYfyp7kVpJTo_v0urmOaD3aSzU7xxrYQPtbIxsA.17WCOaYUrt-exUo2w2G0yrAw4VTgUrCZRM9ZH49H4gc&dib_tag=se&keywords=donner+61+key+folding+keyboard&qid=1717042910&sprefix=donner+61+key+folding,aps,119&sr=8-5
Interesting. I would need a smaller version of this - from 37 mini keys to half width.
There’s also an 88-key version. I like the Blue Tooth option and the USB-C option. It has Audio In labels MP3 in a mini-phono jack form. I’m not sure you could cable USB-C to USB-C and a USB Hub might be required. That’s a detail I’d appreciate understanding more about.
I think a Keyboard stand would be important to dial-in the proper height relative to the sitting or standing position.
Excellent thank you.
I only have an older iPad (Lightning port), so I can't check USB-C to USB-C, but it works with the camera connector kit (USB-C to USB-A).
I agree that a stand is needed (or a table, desk, etc.). This keyboard is only 7.9 inches deep (20 cm), but my stand is 16 inches deep so there is lots of extra room. Perhaps I should use an ironing board!
can it be used to play around corners
I guess it supports at least 1 split and 1 layer!
I don't think there's velocity with this. Also, a lot of these have a rather bizarre texture on the keys, I guess to be like wood (unfinished rough grained wood LOL).
Without velocity these are for kids really. Nothing wrong with Donner. I have their 25 key mini controller and it's really good. It HAS velocity. Go figure.
I did try one similar to the Donner from amazon so I know. Same grain plastic keys, and even though it claimed velocity over and over in the description, there isn't. Worse, I would get double notes, which made this thing worth nothing. So I returned it. I think it was around $60. 61key folding keyboard piano. THere's lot's of these
The idea is good, and I believe there are some 88 key folding keyboards that have velocity and are decent controllers. Of course the onboard stuff is worthless. These aren't like Yamaha and Casio, which even then, the onboard is junk compared to a simple iPad app like PurePiano, or the more expensive Painoteq, Lots of midi options. I blows my mind how good these sampled Pianos are, and the Pianoteq types. As good as VST, although VST and AU can be better (imho), with so many more options, What gets me is why they even bother with onboard sounds in 2024. It's hilarious. Actually, the only portable piano controller I've tired that had good sound was a recent release 'Pocket Piano 2" which has an Ivory VST port inside. For some reason the manufactures seem to be living in the past.
Fortunately, this keyboard does support velocity. I've used a MIDI monitor and can get velocity values as low as 20 and up to 127. The curve isn't great, but functional for playing rock music in a band.
Yeah, I guess it does. That's great!
I had to Google for details on “Pocket Piano 2” which breaks the keyboard into 8 parts (7 octaves and 1 control section with the 3 extra bass notes A0-B0 and a sustain pedal). It’s 1.300,95€ or $1400 USD. Ships from a company in Spain so shipping costs are added at purchase. Still, very innovative approach for a “real keyboard” that needs to be lugged around. I could see @LinearLineman trying one out and returning it is Sweetwater gets distribution rights.
I have one actually. It's rather nice but odd. The white keys are a little short and the key travel is shallow because of its thickness, but it's personal preference, really. Also, it has no structure so needs a surface like a table, although you can easily make something. The built in sounds are great. It's very expensive, and total niche. Try one, and return it if it's too strange. I would give it some time though, as I'm certain your feelings will be all over the place, depending on how you can handle the cost, and everything else. The quality of it in general is very high, btw.
Probably not for me… my hands are becoming a problem with arthritis so I’ll keep your writing music with a pencil or playing less stressfully in GeoShred. Maybe an organ style keybed for me that still outputs velocity data.