Recommending 3 MIDI keyboards

In this not so revolutionary video I'm testing out 3 MIDI keyboards that I can wholeheartedly recommend. I'm doing what I usually do when I test out keyboards - play piano. This way I can determine how they perform in terms of velocity sensitivity, how much resistance the mechanism is offering, if I can consistently hit the right velocities with all fingers. I've tested countless of keyboards in different stores, and typically a lot (most?) of them are very inconsistent, especially at higher velocities. These keyboards are very consistent. In this video I'm kinda going for the more compact ones that I can recommend. But the bigger ones from Arturia are also very good.
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[@wickeddubz]

Who else thinks that we need a bit more pianos from Cuckoo?

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼

[@LloydRobinson]

@@truecuckoo that a 'yes' emoji.

[@thamitri13]

Yes please! I am curious how a NI S88 would do. It Actually does have a Fatar keypad. And also en revanche for Doepfer with the LMK4+ which is no organ keyboard. ☺

[@projectz975]

id love to see an hour and a half piano tutorial from Cuckoo

[@Ibantar]

That little bit at the very beginning was freakin' unreal!!!!!

[@danbaggenstoss]

I do not watch video reviews of keyboard controllers. This I watched the entire way through and enjoyed every minute. Your musical expressions were a joy to listen to... and as always, your personality and presentation style is so approachable and human... and thoughtful... and articulate... I’ll just stop now. 😉

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼 thank you Dan!

[@kinetic-cybernetic]

That sequencer demonstration for the Keystep with plain piano sound, that was so cool.

[@onceuponasynth]

Came for the gear, stayed for the music. 16:40 Mozart ❤️

[@illustriouschin]

I really wish Arturia would make a Keystep with full size keys, 37 keys, and aftertouch. No extra knobs or pads.

[@truecuckoo]

Yeah. I literally told them the same thing!

[@DaraM73]

cuckoomusic their keylab ii has a rubbish keybed, so they’d need to sort that design out first

[@austinbru]

I mean, I wouldn't mind a few extra knobs or pads ;)

[@valdiskrebs566]

Austin Brubaker Yeah, some knobs and sliders for MIDI mapping... and maybe 2 sequencers-out like the BeatStep Pro?

[@crimsun7186]

So, you want a CME XKey 37? Because that's exactly what you want, plus it has polyphonic aftertouch.

[@SynthsandSounds]

I wish more companies would include CV and physical MIDI in, out and thru into their keyboards! I think many companies miss out on the DAWless trend that I feel is going on

[@couchcamperTM]

it's time for a beatstep pro with 37 keys. like a keystep with more keys, one more sequenzer and drum sequenzer, and all the in and out goodness. would still be relatively compact and it could be used with pretty much every synth out there.

[@IgnacioVS]

I need more vids like this than those super polished vids showing the fancyness of a keyboard without really showing me how it is in real life timing.

[@synthplayer1563]

Superb playing and this on mini keys keyboards! Finally someone who explains how and why the right velocity sensitivity is so important. Very good.

[@localtechnique]

Thanks for explaining the reason sustain pedals sometime appear to be always on. I got a patchbay last year and plugged my sustain pedal (the same Yamaha one you have there) into it so I could switch it between my reface CP and Keystep. The Keystep handles switching like a champ (I had to reverse the polarity in the MIDI Control Center to get it to work right initially) but the reface will always assume the pedal is on if I change it while it's powered up. Update: I just realised something when I wrote all that out. Because my Keystep is powered by the computer it's always on, while I always have to power up my reface. So I just tried patching the sustain pedal to the Keystep before turning on the computer and sure enough the polarity is reversed (because of how I set it in the MCC). So it's behaving like the reface after all. As you say, attaching the pedal while the unit is powered up confuses how the polarity is detected.

[@RotoShah]

your review was the first-ever sensible review than those millions of reviews on the web. I being fussy about the keys was not able to get the right review before buying and have been hunting for the right midi keyboard for years still thank you Cuckoo !! you should do more reviews of gears in future :)

[@WoodyPianoShack]

i enjoyed the video cuckoo, your playing is very expressive and from the heart. i vaguely remember that the doepfer has a velocity sensitivity setting, but awkward to configure. great job on this upload.

[@FunkTree]

What ever this guy touches turns to gold, well done Cuckoo

[@Larjschoen1]

I totally agree Cookie Monster, he should release a set of creative piano music. That short stint with the Keystep sequencer was lovely! Play on . . .

[@josephmann6675]

Your got my whole hearted thumbs up somewhere about ten min in with your Arturia jam. I played along and was sad when it ended. Rock on my brother. What fun these minutes have been.

[@MarkGardner66Bonnie]

Sir, I was initially intrigued by the gear recommendation... however, your presentation and playing were incredible. I look forward to more. Keep up your great work!

[@expurple]

It's a pleasure to watch you playing, dig the feel. Been playing guitar and bass for almost 10 years and keys only occasionally, ordered Korg Microkey 37 today as my first own keys. Hope to get some new music out of it

[@peacefulpigeon7254]

Nice to be in your company hearing your lovely playing! I use a weighted keyboard and now I will experiment more with the velocity curve settings thanks

[@whoozl3540]

Your piano playing style somewhat reminds me of the earlier Keith Jarrett. So yeah, I could listen to your playing for hours with good headphones!

[@LaidbackSounds]

Excellent video as always. And it was about time someone reviews keybeds only instead of all other functionalities. A keyboard can be as cool as they get but if the keybed sucks its gameover. My fav midi keybed is the roland a49, i think the NI kk is very close

[@LVCID777]

Amazing how Cuckoo can make even a dry demo video on midi keyboards totally entertaining and informative 😊👍

[@drinkinslim]

I was surprised how "plain" and laid back the video was and yet I was totally into it. It just came across so natural and the lighting is warm and cozy, LOL. Beautiful playing and piano sound too. It all works. :)

[@JTMusicbox]

Thanks for the insight and thoughts on these. I was already mostly set on getting a Keylab88MKII since my digital piano from 1994 was deemed irreparable a couple years ago, and feel more confident now with you recommending the KeyStep

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼

[@michaelerbreviews]

I've been watching video after video hoping to find someone who not only talks about the keyboards but also plays them. I finally found you. You're very talented pianist and your running commentary is down to earth and real. Appreciate you man. Thanks. I'm an old beginner who loves to dream about making some music. I fiddle with Garageband and want to get a midi keyboard of some sort. Leaning towards an Arturia Keylab Essential 49 or Keylab 49 MKII. Subbed you too.

[@ManCalledMif]

3:39 I was not expecting such beautiful playing in a keyboard review 🙏🏼🎶 Seriously talented player 👏🏼 the una corda felt piano is a stunning sound

[@BipolarSmile]

Beautiful playing, could listen to you play for hours. i immediately ordered an Arturia keystep after watching your video :)

[@sovka8394]

Finally someone who plays actually piano where sensitivity can be heard! not synths only where it doesn’t matter that much.

[@tranceangel7480]

This is a great tutorial and I'm planning to buy a midi controller sometime soon but unfortunately I can't yet. I'm going to bookmark this video and come back to it when I'm sure I can afford to buy one. You got my mouth watering with your presentation ... I definitely want a midi!

[@defavltt]

I got two of the keyboards and (Arturia Keystep, Korg Microkey) and I gotta say they are pretty nice little keyboards. Very nice video mate, been watching you for 4 years!

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you for hanging out with me for all these years!

[@defavltt]

​@@truecuckoo Thanks for the reply! Oh yeah is there a way that I can record on top of a already recorded sequence, because when I put notes on top of it, it just replaces them? Or im just doing something wrong?

[@leevileino5897]

as someone who just recently has purchased a keystep, this puts a smile on my face

[@Quogmeyer]

There aren’t many KZbin videos I’ve watched where I felt like I was “hanging out” with a friend. Great review, beautiful playing too. Subbed, liked, belled 👍🏻😊

[@AndersEngerJensen]

Digging your piano improvising, man! 😱🎹💖

[@taylorhorne6645]

I could spend a whole day listening to you improv on piano. Much love

[@sudanjackson]

"maybe not so fun video". But dude - an incredibly well made video. And thank you so much for not just showing us the usual "guys plugs in to Ableton and fires up loops" schtick. This was informative, well played, sympatico :-)

[@truecuckoo]

❤️🙏🏼

[@electricityofmind6300]

I am a Thomann customer btw :) Bought a bunch of stuff from them already, so I know about that little town! Wonderful company. My rodecaster had an issue and they got me a new one during corona, they won my long-term respect! Also I didn't feel left out because they have a great customer service. The downside is they don't have availability of komplete kontrol s88 mk2 and this is the best controller according to youtubers. Wondering about the best FEEL midi keyboard. Cheers from the Netherlands! I was waiting to see such video!

[@robertsaunders6603]

I agree the Arturia Keystep is a splendid device, an amazing little keyboard with great functionality & at a very reasonable price.

[@Rgdonaire_07]

Great piano skills cuckoo... more of it please!

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you so much Raf! 🙏🏼

[@hanszimmer5580]

your my boi Cuckoo :) One of the best keyboard reviews ive seen for a while. Thank you very much! Best regards, Hans

[@bqiu86]

Such a joy to watch Cuckoo play piano!

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you!

[@caydilemma3309]

Dude this is exactly what I needed. I need a keyboard to be able to practice piano on since i’m going to be studying in Japan soon, but all the weighted ones were too big/expensive. Now I’m definitely considering the A49

[@RetroPlus]

You probably won't need a midi keyboard then since that will require a computer to play.

[@johnchongsing7745]

Your playing is so delicate! Wonderful!

[@tedpedersen123]

Dude, your videos are so inspiring and instructional at the same time... thank you

[@darayyoung3]

Thank you for talking about velocity, and touch response. People don’t know how important this stuff is. I can’t play a keyboard if it doesn’t have velocity sensitivity.

[@21daystill]

I finally got the keystep. I remember watching this video back around 2020 and knew I had to get it then. Thanks dude!

[@DOMusicOfficial]

Very nice video Cuckoo! A real review what is important in a key controller for musicians that likes to play keys and pianos.

[@alanrowland6971]

Great reviews and nice expressive playing, really held my attention cheers Cuckoo 👍😎

[@culturefan]

I wondered how the Keystep 37 was in comparison, now with more keys. Good demo.

[@OfficialStevenCravis]

You're a great pianist and composer.

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@mikaeljohansson83]

The Korg microKey might feel abit flimsy and prone to break but trust me it's quite sturdy! I've had mine for about 10 years and it holds up nicely. It's been in my suitcase during many travels all over the world(working as a commissioning engineer) it's been bumped hard,dropped abused in so many ways but it's still just as new. Might not be the best keyboard you can buy but it's cheap and it does the job and if it breaks it's cheap to replace(not that I ever had to).

[@mogx2586]

Just bought one of these for all those reasons

[@MartinDoudoroffLLC]

This sort of thing is always helpful. Would be interested in a similar contemplation of weighted keyboards.

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks! Yeah I was gonna do it, but time.. The only keyboards I know are Komplete Kontrol S88, the latest model, which I have. It is really great. Very consistent feel. Sort of Yamaha grand kind of feel. And the Nord Piano 4, which I have played in the stores for hours, which has a better trill/ note retrig mechanics. It’s slightly softer to handle, but also very good. But it’s a whole instrument.

[@jregras]

Laughed out loud at the Doepfer "organ keyboard" instant conclusion... unplug this shit now hahahaha Great video, you reviewed the three most relevant brands to me and good information on each.

[@MickBenjamins]

Happy to see you are liking the keybed so much!

[@truecuckoo]

It’s really great. And I was pleasantly surprised to see that it’s NI custom developed keybed. Awesome work!

[@thesmellycatjazz]

I've tried one in the store. I'm glad the cost cutting measure was in the body and not the keybed. It's my go to suggestion in that price range, and makes my old Launchkey keys feel crusty.

[@DIYMusic]

I love that 3-octave microkey. It's become my go-to board, and I have performed entire multi-track songs using it... and it DOES fit in my backpack! :^)

[@LesProductionsZvon]

Very nice reviews and even nicer playing!

[@gracengeier1149]

everything you play reminds me of the hollow knight soundtrack. Beautiful.

[@r.c.verschuren]

Your playing reminds me of Nils Frahm! It's lovely.

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@nicovanliempt1179]

The arturia you can also use without the pc. Nice it has midi and cv-gate

[@truecuckoo]

Yeah, I wish MIDI out was a bare minimum on all keyboards. It should just be there, shouldn’t it?

[@ArtinRu]

@@truecuckoo Right! We also buy second-hand old Hardware rack synthesizers

[@moistpeanut5986]

Im a fan of Novation Impulse, they are old but they had all the right features at a good price.

[@Captain2Pig]

lots of nice tips and hints also about plugins and accessories, nice video, thanks

[@viocaia]

I've been there visiting Thomann...huge! Thanks for review, good advices!

[@RetroPlus]

I just picked the cheapest one I can find, I usually do the velocity editing after recording instead of getting it right first time. I am quite happy with my M-AUDIO Keystation 32.

[@koltigin4097]

Dude you are awesome. This video help me a lot. 👍

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you so much! Glad you found it useful.

[@davek12]

The Korg also comes in Bluetooth (Microkey Air) and versions with up to 61 keys.

[@MichaelMichael-em3gx]

Love U man! Thnaks for this video and picking my new keyboard as your favorite! It will arrive on saturday and I cannot wait to play it.....

[@igoryakovlev9605]

Thank's man. Good chill style!

[@dragonstone6594]

Dude I've been researching what decent MIDI keyboard to buy as my first instrument to learn and practice with the Vital synth, for the last two weeks. And I've stumbled on the Arturia Keystep 32 by chance today, and realized that nobody talks about how it's the cheapest keyboard with aftertouch. And here, by chance, I find you say that it's one of the best too, hehe, nice. So I think I'll go with that, I had decided to buy the new Arturia Minilab 3, but even though it's a great controller with USB-C and Bitwig support that I plan to use in the future, I think 25 keys is just too little.

[@GamerShock]

Thank you for making this. I was thinking of picking up the 37 of the arturia.

[@crimsun7186]

Only major downside with the Keystep is the touch sensitive pitch and mod wheels. Whenever I come across those, I can never use them without having to put excessive focus on it, only for them to not do anything, overshoot or undershoot. My choice of desktop keyboard controller would be either an AKAI MPK Mini MkII or the CME XKey 37.

[@thesmellycatjazz]

The Akai feels so cheap through and through. The keys makes it feel like a toy. I sold mine for a Launchkey, and eventually sold that for a Keystep. The Keystep is way better imo. Idk what's going on with your Keystep, I can touch any place on the pitch/mod strip and it'll trigger. I've accidentally triggered it while grabbing for my headphones because I grazed it

[@buckfred1]

The Arturia also has aftertouch. Enjoyed your video, and love your style!

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

Interesting video. I am about to get a Keystep for the studio and put my Roland PC180-A on the back burner (possibly sell it with my Korg M1 module). It's a pity Thomann don't have the black Keysteps in stock (at the time of writing this, they actually don't have any Keysteps in stock). You have sweet fingers Cuckoo, I wish I could play like that. I also find it impossible to source your accent, your English is excellent but I'm not convinced you are English somehow. I dunno.

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks! I have never lived in an English speaking country. So my accent is a mix of inspiration, and also my Scandinavian heritage.

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

@@truecuckoo Excellent! Actually, you have inspired me this morning.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYuwpo2snKZgY68

[@morrisman64]

Great demo thanks

[@Doctormix]

Yeah baby!!

[@BoBeats]

hello this is bosse

[@truecuckoo]

I know you!

[@ApexDubb]

I don't normally watch your tutorials although I feel your super talented i really enjoyed watching you play on this video

[@AlexFCarl]

I always reach the end of your videos wishing you made hour-long improvisation videos.

[@gru_day]

Got Korg's Microkey...25 tho but I'm no pianist. Have got NanoKey2 but those clicky buttons are no good for me. Connectivity is no problem for me as i bought it strictly for iOS apps. I have also tried a Synido TempoKey and now i know that there can bee tremendously huge difference in the quality of the keys. Hope that Korg will keep their high quality in MicroKey.

[@SalvadorGarciaManosalva]

you make magic with your fingers! congratulations!

[@shed_one]

Hey, would you consider doing a little tutorial on the KeyStep sequencer/arp? It's great as a midi keyboard but find it hard creating patterns on the sequencer, as it certainly doesn't work like a traditional sequencer. I understand the Rest/Tie button and the two different recording modes, but I guess I'm just interested in how to navigate it musically.

[@wakerhouse]

Great review👍 I really looking for a small keyboard. The new NI M32 I think is also interesting. But in your video the Arturia keyboard makes it for me.

[@hologr4m4]

Arturia Keystep or Novation launchkey mini mk3? Im planning to use with external gear, like a volca or Korg nts

[@peterl4062]

Always a pleasure to watch the genius of cuckoo.

[@juanperezaure]

Amazing video, very helpful thankssss!!! ❤

[@feezy243]

Love that Melody at 15:03

[@rufatahmadeus1801]

Beautiful review. Keystep is my favorite 🔥🔥🔥

[@TechGently]

I love the keystep, it was a big hit at Namm 2018 . Very rugged , worth the $.

[@BananaJuice1984]

I prefer mini size keys and love the keystep and the ( microkorg xl+) keys. I have done all right. Have the 25 key air from korg too. Great to hear coockoo playing so nice. Thanks.

[@Aillman3]

Does the microkey 25 and microkey 37 have difference feel? Or same

[@JustRockMySoul]

I picked this video by thumbnail after searching for best midi controllers- one minute in I know I won't be disappointed.

[@checkmatenate]

Man he played the shit out of that Arturia man. That sequencer was nice!

[@smguy7]

Thanks! I am on the market for a midi keyboard. This was a help.

[@soejrd24978]

I am so glad I got Keyscape. The rhodes and wurli alone are just so, so, so good..

[@ScottDMoore]

I feel like there's a tropical beach just outside a closed door.

[@GoodLifeinChiangMaiThailand]

Excellent video Cuckoo you remain my favourite youtuber :)

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you!!

[@Utanonomba]

Thanks for the advices !

[@PunguinYoga]

Great Keystep piano jam!

[@kzrv.4594]

Hey Cuckoo! Nice relaxing video :) Have you ever tried any of the Yamaha Reface? They got one hell of a velocity sensitive keybed! Greetings from France!

[@valdiskrebs566]

Reface CS is great - I use it as a MIDI controller for my iPad apps... the sliders are easily MIDI mappable to any app with MIDI learn.

[@GaryR55]

I remember a video you were in with Jakob Haq, from Thomann...a few years ago.

[@freddiehandley278]

could listen to him all day

[@ImprovingAbility]

listening to you play ... ok I'll buy 10 of those

[@DaraM73]

Arturia please fix the flashing octave buttons, totally distracting!

[@harrycross4311]

(duct tape?)

[@kurtweonj]

came here to check product review and got blown away with his piano tunes. This is gunna sting for awhile :D

[@ionsorinporojan149]

Hi brother !!! I am busking in EUROPE with an old Yamaha psr 32 keyboard , and a Yamaha shs 200 ... If you ask me , I dont think I am a very good keyboard player . What do you aspect after only 3 years of piano lessons ?...but I think Im managing myself ... I was looking for a good mini keyboard , and I just find out from you of the KORG mikro keyboard . Thanks brother !!!! Sorin / Roumania

[@UnrealOcean]

23:29 went all barry lyndon lol nice