Korg KeyStage Review // MIDI 2.0 finally works - let’s see what it can do

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How does KeyStage (KS) compare to NI's Kontrol MK3 (KMK3) - as of the making of this video:
► KMK3 is more expensive than KS
► Both have polyphonic aftertouch that feels more or less the same, maybe slightly finer control on the KMK3
► Key action is softer, quieter and with less travel on the KMK3
► KMK3 has touch-sensitive endless encoders, a better choice for automapping parameters compared to KS's pots. The pots also seem to have lower resolution.
► KMK3's screen is way better, larger, has color graphics, letters are bigger, clearer
► KMK3 is quite larger in terms of depth, leaving less room on your desk
► Currently MIDI 2.0 is implemented in way fewer places than NI's NKS, and therefore NKS is more useful
► Ableton Live integration has device controls on KS but no levels/sends, and vice versa on KMK3 (I'd prefer device controls, personally)
► KMK3 doesn't support MIDI 2.0 currently, but has that option in one of the settings menus, so there's a good chance NI might support it - though not clear which part of it and whether NI will support property exchange
► KS has on board arp and chord modes, KMK3 doesn't yet, but NI has committed to implementing it.
► More pedal inputs and touch slider on KMK3
► KMK3's build feels more premium (buttons, encoders, wheels)
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:15 Overview
2:55 MIDI 2.0
4:15 Wavestate
5:40 Gadget
7:15 Poly AT
9:05 Keybed
9:25 Ableton
11:40 Arp
14:05 Chords
15:55 MIDI CCs
16:30 Scenes
16:55 I/O
17:15 The plate
17:35 Pros, cons
19:00 Outro
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NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@eyesintheskies]

Got respect for your ability to absorb multiple manuals so thoroughly and rapidly + your ability to feed them back to us succinctly and precisely 🤛

[@ajplays-gamesandmusic4568]

I'm happy that Korg seems like the first to implement Midi 2.0, but also Kinda sad knowing Dave Smith didn't live to see it.

[@zedd_centauri]

Well, for what it’s worth, I’m pretty sure Dave wasn’t that involved in the gritty details of MIDI 2.0. I’m sure he’d be happy to see the legacy he helped start transcend its limitations. He did live long enough to see 2.0 ratified and start its journey. Don’t get me wrong, I miss Dave, a lot. But I suppose I take comfort in knowing he got a chance to see this process start a long lions times ago.

[@masonjahncke7844]

Believe it or not, Roland was the first to implement Midi 2.0 over a year ago with their 88 midi controller they released. Edit: my bad it was released 3 years ago with midi 2.0. Like holy hell time flies by way too quickly lol

[@masonjahncke7844]

So yes Dave Smith was able to witness Midi 2.0, but really it's still in it's infancy even now

[@thesrabbit]

This controller is definitely a huge step forward for MIDI 2.0, not sure if it’ll get much traction though, unfortunately. I think Elektron could blow the doors open with the takts and tone. Imagine if you could see your target device’s parameters when you setup your midi tracks in that Elektron sequencer. Would be awesome.

[@ViRiXDreamcore]

I think the Komplete S series MK3 has MIDI 2 support as well.

[@MartinStuertzer]

This would have been an instant purchase with encoders instead of knobs. Thanks for the review!

[@ryanhursh6322]

Exactly.

[@jutny]

ditto. I just found out about this and thought it would be perfect for me. That kinda spoils it, but it may still be the best overall choice for me at the moment, especially since I want to work more with Wavestate.

[@ELEKTROGOWK]

And I ordered it, cause of no endless encoders. That's how different taste can be 😉

[@keyhoarder]

yeah i don't know what's the point having knobs in MIDI controller, because the position of knobs tell you nothing, or even can fool you

[@piquantement]

@@ELEKTROGOWK What bothers you about endless encoders?

[@ToddPage1987]

love the visuals/overlays on your review, keep up the great work

[@aurexlive]

Not implementing endless encoders seems like the strangest decision ever. This THE controller that really should have those, especially with the screen underneath them.

[@jutny]

ditto.

[@AKJ828]

I love starting my mornings with a new loopop video

[@0xbenedikt]

They're great for falling asleep too

[@Mr.Facebox]

Awesome review as always. Always the most informative videos compared to official company videos

[@Dolores5000]

Great demo and review Mr Pop 😊anyways ya! And cools!!!

[@zelly8163]

Thanks again you reviews are just so good.

[@Psychlist1972]

Great review. It's exciting to see MIDI 2.0 controllers and software out in the market. :)

[@kirkegodfrey414]

Wooo Hooo!!!!! Its been a LONG WAIT for 2.0 to become A THING!!

[@scottfrost317]

I find it hilarious that when I clicked on the video, the ad the played was NI Komplete Kontrol MK3 :D

[@d1rtyduckmusic]

Great to see finally someone starting to implement the mapping feature of midi 2.0. But how could Korg decide to not use endless knobs for a controller that is meant to control different devices? Really sad, this could easily have been the best Keyboard on the market, but having no endless knobs is a dealbreaker.

[@ben1210]

They've got to keep some features in their pocket so you buy the V2 / Pro version

[@paQ75]

However, the starting price of this mediocre controller is that of a Pro one (599€ for a very limited Midi controller, they take us for fools).@@ben1210

[@germansnowman]

That’s one thing I love about the Hydrasynth (though even it could have more of them).

[@antonellosgnaolin]

weird, would be a dealbreaker to me if it HAD endless knobs!

[@germansnowman]

@@antonellosgnaolin How so? The HS not only has endless knobs, there are LEDs around them that indicate the current value visually, in addition to the numeric value on the display below. Not having endless knobs was the main issue I had with the otherwise lovely Minilogue XD when changing presets.

[@DjangoFlaherty]

If you're on stage you're just going to want 8 macros per track most of the time, so the name makes sense, but the lack of endless encoders is really weird to me considering the screen shows the values right underneath it. Bizarre decision.

[@ryanhursh6322]

Was thinking the same thing. You’re likely going to use this and jump between many synths and deal with the parameter jumps every time. Super annoying… sort of a deal breaker I feel like.

[@bubuAudio]

I just wrote similar comment, then read this one 😂😂😂 I agree 100%

[@magjo665]

exactly this, would have been soooo much better.

[@JoeM1314]

Is there something else on the market right now that has features like a good arpeggiator, AT (poly or not) and midi 2 WITH the endless encoders?

[@magjo665]

@@JoeM1314 not what i know of, the kontrols and the sl mk3s have toooons of features but not midi 2. just felt like korg went for a keyboard that is 85% of its potential, and left 15% on the table. those 15 being, amongst other features, endless encoders.

[@ToyKeeper]

Seems like a cool step forward, but it also seems like it's probably worth waiting for something better when the rest of the industry catches up.

[@machinemessiah2568]

Been so looking forward to a video on this! Hoping it's the MIDI controller for me :)

[@soundfx68]

I wish they would consider Bitwig as a popular DAW. "Keystage offers immediate, seamless plug-and-play compatibility with most popular DAWs, giving hands-on control on your most important playback / transport controls. From launch, Keystage supports: Ableton Live (Official Integration), Korg Gadget (Official Integration), Cakewalk, Cubase, Digital Performer, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic, Pro Tools and Studio One."

[@OdoSendaidokai]

Thanks for this review 🌻

[@valdir7426]

something to be aware of: in ableton when you can only control one bank of 8 knobs the mapping for ableton device will go to a special dedicated bank with the most important controls called 'bob' (best of banks). If you have bank scrolling powers then it will default to the standard mapping that can access all parameters. Took me while to figure this out.

[@Dooblecaine]

Chord mode looks EXCELLENT!

[@giuseppelentini9140]

Wow, this was fast! Great overview as always, my impression is that this controller was thought off more by the marketing department than the actual developers, its selling point are 2 controversial technologies and one of limited use : The poly aftertouch is a niche feature, that many will find hard to use, and judging by the "wears off with time if hard pressed" disclamer is either too fragile or a bad quality implementation. It's good to see an actual controller with one Midi 2.0 feature, but it's really identical in actual use to premapping and vst hosts, and even less complete at the moment. The included soundcard with no inputs is useful only if you have an all in the box setup and use your keyboard connected to the speakers, buI not for hybrid setups with an external soundcard with full I/O. So, yeah, it's a nice technological demo, but the rest of the controller is standard fare, with few controls at a not so cheap price.

[@WubHDofficial]

I saw that warning as well but I wouldn't think that way ( poor quality ) but instead stating that if you want to get a good mileage of aftertouch, you have to not treat it as aftersmash... which kinda makes sense right, there is a pressure sensor in there and if you go hulk on it it might dull off

[@VicViper26]

Excited for the 88 key version they release in three years once competitors have already released their versions

[@lundsweden]

Sounds about right!

[@MrRostislove]

Was it with polyphonic aftertouch as well?

[@The_Invisible_Man]

Get a life

[@trstack]

I'd prefer 73...already have 88 keys with the M8x. Korg Keystage 73 with Montage ESP software for portability.

[@pedrofreire6169]

the spiraling zoom out accompanied by the arpeggio plus unison lead combo did it for me 😂

[@macbury18]

Big shame about Pots over encoders, but great to see midi 2.0 finally getting some love. I’ll soon be in the market for a controller with polyphonic AT but looks like I’ll wait until the second generation of this hardware. Very informative as always loopop ❤

[@maikvanrossum]

Once again, great quality review 👍🏻 This first midi 2.0 implementation looks very promising and already seems much more interesting then Native Instruments proprietary NKS protocol. Less eye-candy on the device itself, only what’s needed for quick editing or performance. Can’t wait for Novation to release a controller with more / other types of hardware controls including encoders.

[@enossifiedossified3145]

NI is going to have a hard time pushing NKS once MIDI 2.0 becomes more commonplace. Third party vendors will have to choose whether to support both protocols. NKS is only useful to people using the NI controllers, I've explored using Komplete Kontrol with third party controllers and the implementation is severely flawed. NKS will never support control of hardware devices but MIDI 2.0 will. Maybe NI will actually wise up and just port Komplete Kontrol to MIDI 2.0.

[@maikvanrossum]

@@enossifiedossified3145 don’t know if they’re not willing to support 3P vendors, but these vendors will have to pay (big time) for a license to use the proprietary NKS protocol. But as long as there are potential customers who walk into the marketing trap… but after the way NI treats their loyal Machine, Maschine+ and Traktor Kontrol customers I’m completely with you. I think it will get harder for them, especially with MIDI 2.0 and more vendors selling good software, sound banks and hardware.

[@audivit_xyz]

It's a shame it doesn't have endless pots, I wonder whats the point of having 8 oled screens with normal pots! Also why does the screen glass cover gets to the edge of the chassis even if there is no screens over there? lol

[@ShadowriverUB]

To show labels

[@cirisirpula152]

Nice try Korg, but the lack of endless encoders means I will wait for another product

[@paalrammer]

Indeed. I'm disappointed. Hoping for a better offer from Arturia or Studiologic soon.

[@lib747]

Yeah, and at a price point in the range of NI and Novation offerings. What were they thinking?

[@effebidi9677]

And channel calling proper buttons

[@bobrobertson9547]

Good to see this product arrive. I just hope Korg have focused on the key-bed because the Wavestate/Modwave etc key-beds are horrendous and the better key-beds are reserved for the expensive Korg synths. Not the best strategy.

[@rayNmanMusic808]

He said he heard an audible "THUD" 🧐

[@JayaLove]

@@rayNmanMusic808I think he felt a thud not heard one.

[@huli8557]

The keybed is ASM's

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@huli8557which was indicated to me by the use of their trademark for poly AT

[@crazyhorse52395]

What would you consider to be the main competition for this keyboard? I am looking for a nice feeling 61 key keybed to be my master keybed for all my synths, but finding board with true ployphonic AT is hard! I am currently using my Prophet Rev2 keybed which I love the feel of, but the fact that it is only Channel AT really sucks when playing my Hydrasynth for example. Assuming this board has a nice feel it could be what I want, but I am curious if you know of other products that have a similar feature set?

[@James-ip1tc]

Hopefully we see more of these type of keyboards this would make a lot of my virtual synthesizers that just simply gather digital dust New Life.

[@enossifiedossified3145]

If you’ve never used Komplete Kontrol or other wrapper systems, the trend is to only expose a limited set of parameters for control. If you're hoping to have knob access to every parameter of the plugin, forget it. Nobody except Nektar and Mackie Control has tried to do this without using wrappers. It’s actually not as useful as you might think, because it has the same problem as knobless hardware…menu diving. Handling performance macros in banks of 8 is as far as most controllers go. This is how most digital hardware synths work, a small number of knobs and faders mapped to the most common controls (filter, arp, EGs, FX) and a bank or two of user assignments. In other words, knobs are there for live performance control, not for programming. With very deep plugins, programming with a mouse is often faster. Some DAWs allow controllers to map an encoder to whatever the mouse is currently hovering over. For me, that works faster for programming than menu diving to reach the knob I want.

[@colinstu]

Will flstudio support this? (actually be able to map in all the controls somehow, automatically too?)

[@els1f]

My favorite thing, honestly, is that stereo out on the back of your controller. That seems like nothing, but 🤯One USB Cable and an iPad could do SO MUCH! Also, EVERYHING should be a rotary encoder at this point. No jumping, no guessing, just turn

[@TheJohnEKeys]

The audio outs are great but I would like to know the quality of the audio outputs, having recently switched from a Pre-Sonus to a RME babyface and hearing a massive difference, I hope they did not cheap out on this?

[@agm8763]

It's great that the KeyStage offers (somewhat limited) integration with Ableton plugins and third party VST's (similar to the Novation SL MKIII via the "InControl" mode); but they really need to update the firmware to allow unlimited pages of mapped parameters, especially for complex synthesizers and effects that you would map via the "Configure" button in Live to allow more than 16 parameters to be controlled externally. This is what I love about my Novation SL, so it would be great to see other midi keyboards now capable of similar control via MIDI 2.0 without the necessity to run a dedicated mode like the SL MKIII's "InControl" mode, which essentially turns it into a dedicated ableton live controller, that does not allow you to utilise the sliders for example as they are auto-assigned to Ableton's track volumes. Also, using pots over rotary encoders is a really odd decision considering this is a midi keyboard. The keybed doesn't look too great either... personally, I found the Modwave/Opsix/Wavestate keybeds on the standard editions to be pretty uninspiring to use and of a cheap build quality, in fact I thought they were so bad that I sold all 3 units that I owned and settled for the VST versions.

[@enossifiedossified3145]

The controller needs to do nothing. The target software is what controls what is exposed to the controller.

[@aventurenumerique2010]

It’s the midi remote script made by Korg that should be updated. But I agree with all that’d have been written : the current Ableton support is poor regarding device control

[@DrJ3RK8]

Seems like a really nice controller!

[@electromigue]

This looks like a very solid choice for an all around keyboard controller! Good job Korg!

[@bassc]

So no DAWs currently support MIDI 2.0 and everything we're seeing in Ableton here is a separate integration with Korg using another workaround technology?

[@Jason75913]

Ya

[@effebidi9677]

Beautiful but it miss the direct Channel call buttons (or shift channel with keys function) which is present in the Arturia and M-Audio midi keyboards

[@myuzu_]

MIDI2.0's high resolution control and parameter sharing sound perfect for digital control of analog devices like effects pedals, which have only recently started using MIDI for preset storage.

[@lummsmusik3219]

Looks fantastic for me. Love all the features. Maybe it will replace my M-Audio Keystation.

[@DierenBrigade]

Perfect time to wait for the MK2 🥳

[@metacated]

Would have liked to see a more of the software editor to see if it's easier for custom setups with CCs and such. I'm guessing it's fairly straight forward though. I think KeyStage is a decent first step, but it (and frankly all VST/Software) needs to evolve quite a bit before I'm in. Wider DAW support, more than 8 controls, lifted/angled/larger screens (I'm old and hate having to find my readers just to play synths).

[@tobeyforsman]

Shout out to Korg for pushing MIDI 2.0!

[@yannickm81]

Thank you for the review and to point out at 8.53 the after touch recommendation / potential issue when pressing to hard on the keybed. I don’t feel this kind of recommendation very reassuring .

[@GizzyDillespee]

Being familiar with the Wavestate, some of the exposed controls are a weird choice - "key sync" for the arp, for example, is something you'll most likely set once for that patch... and then never touch again. It's very rare that you'd want to change it live - and it probably doesn't need to be exposed on the first 2 pages of the keyboard's controls. But over time, as the tech becomes more mature, all these little details will iron themselves out.

[@Jason75913]

Korg UIs are always jank.

[@enossifiedossified3145]

The controls I need exposed at the top level for performance are amp EG, FX depth, filter, arp/sequencer rate/gate. What I need exposed for programming is completely different. Since MIDI 2.0 leaves it up to the target, not the controller, to choose what will be exposed I hope vendors will allow at least a few user banks for customization.

[@everydayjunglist]

Hello - when mapping Ableton parameters in Pigments etc, how are those mappings to/from the Keystate saved for future use? Or do you have to remap every time you re-open a project or turn off the keyboard?

[@loopop]

Configured Ableton device params are stored with the project and automatically show up on Keystage

[@enossifiedossified3145]

The software under control is where all the smarts about mapping is. That’s the whole idea. If there’s any limitations in how many banks of parameters can be exposed, that’s up to the MIDI spec and how much of it the vendor chooses to support.

[@icemannbmw]

Is everything just in the key of C for chord mode or can I switch scale?

[@jjrusy7438]

I have periodically cried about some kind of master controller that knew who it was attached to, both to Behringer and korg. My thought was minilogue,wavestate,op6, and modwave modules patched,played and tweaked from the master. Looks like the first step toward that. The future looks bright. I hope korg is using a better keybed than on some of their synths.

[@enossifiedossified3145]

It’s a shame that Nektar isn’t better known, because they have offered this sort of thing for a decade now. I used Yamaha Motifs for 12 years and they had Mackie Control support for a number of DAWs providing access to plugin parameters in addition to transport and mixing support. Yamaha never bothered to push this feature in their marketing for some reason. What they have now in the Montage/MODX machines is crippled by comparison.

[@hatecouture]

In 6:04 there's some stepping sounds, which seems like a MIDI 1.0 resolution of 128 values. Can you elaborate on that?

[@enossifiedossified3145]

Parameter resolution is always left up to the target device, not the controller. That’s been true in MIDI for 40 years, with two methods available to allow 14 bit resolution. Most vendors simply chose not to support that.

[@samprock]

Real slick!

[@fullturbodev]

Any idea if this automaping would work with Push 3 standalone?

[@JohnAlchemy]

Now thats impressive!

[@savagemako17]

Can this work to control a wavestate module? I'd like an all hardware setup without having to get a computer involved. if it would work with the module, is it just a matter of midi cables going to and from the module? Thank you for the video.

[@loopop]

You're welcome! Yes, this and the module should work great together with just MIDI cables

[@sturdyblock]

Thanks Korg and Loopop. No endless pots though

[@CesarMartinez-mb1rk]

me encanta.........saludos des de Colombia buen canal

[@TheOfficalAndI]

This looks very much like a contender for the Komplete Kontrol S2. It definitely has better midi functionality, including polyphonic aftertouch, however with midi 2.0 functionality barely present in plugins, you currently have more automapped parameters when using NKS vsts. If i had to choose, I'd pick the one with the better keyboard after testing both in a store.

[@napotronix]

I'm totally going to get this, 61 keys baby. Good review. Any idea when these will ship?

[@NicolaLarosa]

Finally a Korg keyboard that supports MPE! Not aware of any Korg synth that supports MPE though.

[@markkilley2683]

It's a long time coming.

[@thorstenweimar1190]

Thanks for your great introduction to the Keystage. I am on the fence to get one for Logic. My question: As the 8 knobs are automatically assigned to the first eight “knobs” on a Vistula instrument and a plug-in, can you assign other parameters also? Can you change the default? Thanks

[@loopop]

You're welcome! Sorry, I'm not very familiar with logic

[@thorstenweimar1190]

@@loopop Ok, I understand. But in general, are the 8 knobs assignable manually, or are they mapped automatically to the first 8 parameters of a software vst or plugin? Thanks

[@loopop]

@@thorstenweimar1190 in general yes, you can assign the knobs manually, but I don’t know if there’s auto mapping in logic. There is in Ableton.

[@thorstenweimar1190]

@@loopop Thanks, I appreciate your reply!👍I really like the concept of the Keystage!

[@tonyaxtell9216]

Is the keybed comparable to Korg's X-50 keyboard?

[@erkydi]

definitely nice and slim, probably good as a master midi controller for hardware synths, but duno how well the integration is with all other DAWs. and price is a little steep

[@Christian-op1ss]

Korg, why oh why can I not set the name of a knob per scene? This thing has such nice displays, but in standard CC mode I could not find a way to set a name for a CC! How nice it would be to be able to set what each knob does!

[@soundtreks]

you can use that stand for the Korg Nano Kontrol sliders. Problem solved. I was worried about the key action. The cheaper Korg keyboards like the Krome don't have a nice feeling board. I was hoping they would use their Kronos synth action for this board. Not sure if the noisy keyboard will make it a must buy. I bought the KK S49 Mk3 but it was defective upon arrival so I'm holding off getting any new boards for the time being.

[@CorryDMG]

When assigning midi cc to the knobs, is it possible to also label them? Seems like a no brainer if you already have the separate screens. Can't find anything about it in the manual.

[@loopop]

As I recall no

[@springwoods21]

can the stand on 49 keys support a laptop?

[@angelparedes9967]

Does have aftertouch & split & mic input

[@ScottMoonSharon]

Nice review as always. Comments below are pretty right on. I would like to see a comparison with the Native Instruments Kontrol S61.Mk3

[@loopop]

Thanks - see description

[@ScottMoonSharon]

Thank you. Just what I wanted to know.@@loopop

[@enossifiedossified3145]

Simple comparison. KKontrol controllers use NKS and MIDI 2.0 will offer far more functionality once it gets fully rolled out. For TODAY, KKontrol boards make more sense because there’s a good amount of NKS support form plugin vendors.

[@ScottMoonSharon]

Thanks, I have a lot of NKS instruments. @@enossifiedossified3145

[@pianosonix]

Hi and thank you for your video on the Korg Keystage! Do you know the latency with Ableton, Logic Pro ?

[@loopop]

About 14ms at 64 samples

[@pianosonix]

Thank you for your prompt response ! It’s too much, I’m very surprised. with which daw and computer did you test?@@loopop

[@loopop]

@@pianosonixAbleton MacBook Pro Max

[@pianosonix]

The 14 ms latency isn't great, but I'll still buy this keyboard; it seems fantastic for everything else! Thank you very much for your review@@loopop

[@TH-lo8mq]

This is basically everything I need in a controller, but I also kind of want to wait and see what Arturia puts out in the next year or two.

[@tlvipin]

Is it suitable for mainstage?

[@dankeplace]

I am in 2 minds here, I like the format and the price/features, I don't like that it seems to be using the older Wavestate buttons and knobs. The warning of pressure for AT seems a little odd, I mean every keyboard is designed to be pushed within reason, but the warning has put me off a little, how much or how little AT pressure breaks the sensor? No latch for ARP? I mean the keyboard would be a suitable candidate for replacing as a master, but I would have to like the feel of the keys and hope they're not like the Wavestates plastic ones. Good video, I made it through in one sitting lol. Thx for the upload Ziv.

[@JayaLove]

He shows the latch for arp... it might be some pages into the arp controls though

[@kontonapukaczu]

latest 1.05 soft update for KeyStage did not bring too much on the table too. Integration with Korg's own software modvawe native means only 4 parameters are assigned. Mine 61 keys version is not louder than any keybeds are used before, can not confirm yet if this keybed is better to play than IK Multimedia i used. DA converter is 44.1 Khz and sounds ... dull? I guess in comparison with IK Multimedia audio interface but have to check it out on different programs. The plate is not too big - 13inch macbook pro or air is ok but not sure if it handle my 16" macbook pro m1 but its perfect for Akai controller i use for Ableton. Would be great if @loopop could ask developers at Korg if they are working on some updates which will allow to control Arturia or NI Kontakt instruments at leasts when it comes to 1 scene = 8 knobs assigned. Without soft development the kontroller would be not so competitive on the market but price of mine on Amazon was low in comparison to official list price.

[@samprock]

I wish to cut out this top 2.0 control panel and put onto Moog Model D empty strip! 😎

[@RenoFriends]

One thing I don't understand is that you say with gadgets or Ableton you need to still use the mouse or create groups to control more parameters, but for that is not possible just to move to the next page that will show more parameters? Thanks and great review as always 💜

[@loopop]

Thanks! No, MIDI 2.0 mode takes over the knobs, you can't add more (in Ableton you can because it's not MIDI 2.0)

[@RenoFriends]

@@loopop Oh, a bit of a wasted opportunity then. I thought this was so interesting for the auto mapping feature because it would be nice if it auto maps every parameter on any plugin and you just need to scroll pages to find the parameter you want to use.

[@88keyz]

Midi 2.0 cool 😎

[@user-fo5bw6kl4d]

I hate midi mapping so this one’s got a strong pull on me. Plus is monochrome design is really appealing when all others seem to be lit up like a Xmas tree! Hopefully by the time I’m out of debt from this year extravagant spends, they will be on sale & midi 2.0 will be in full swing 😃

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

Screens under the knobs is meh !! having to stretch your hand position to see the screen is a big miss !! Hope to see a smaller version coming . The chord mode is superb ... Exellente video as usual Oncle Loop !

[@loopop]

Thanks! Just to clarify, it may seem like I'm stretching at some points in the video because I'm trying to make sure the screens are visible to the camera. Personally I much prefer screens in front of the knobs than screen behind the knobs, because the knobs then sometimes obscure the screen (unless there's enough distance...)

[@user-fo5bw6kl4d]

Is midi 2.0 implemented in any iOS apps yet?

[@MeisseLee]

Is the keybed same as in the Hydrasynths? Since I guess the Polytouch keybed is ASM's?

[@loopop]

I think so, it feels very similar

[@MeisseLee]

@@loopop thank you. Also the thuddiness would speak to that. :D it feels fine to play, but it definitely has a certain clunk to it.

[@alfredmx8415]

@@loopop Polytouch is a registered trademark of ASM, so I guess they bought it from them

[@flrn84791]

No endless encoders has to be a joke, especially as there's no option for pick up or scaling... I really don't see the advantage midi 2.0 gives in this case, especially as it can't even be used with a plugin in a DAW.

[@NakatoshiSamoto]

Because encoders are worse with high resolution, I didn’t see the resolution mentioned tho is it implemented in the keystage?

[@flrn84791]

@@NakatoshiSamoto No idea what you're on about, it's about being endless or not.

[@alipaulstagram]

All I want is a midi 2.0 box with a crap load of encoders, 8 faders and screens above each one to tell me what it controls. It would be the perfect soft synth companion. Akai please make this.

[@couchcamperTM]

word.

[@connorcarbon]

agreed except for the "akai please make this" part

[@alipaulstagram]

@@connorcarbon Who do you think would do the best job?

[@antonellosgnaolin]

I'll just go against the guys who prefer encoders and say I just prefer those kind of knobs, which I'm sure are loved by many others! This could finally be my upgrade to my midi keyboard

[@Judasz696]

@loopop is it possible for you to make reviews of black corporation synthesizers like xerxes, kijimi among others by this company?

[@loopop]

I already did Deckard's Dream - I do want to explore some of the others too at some point!

[@Judasz696]

@@loopop have you plans for SE3X or udo super gemini?

[@daveother]

They could have added a double tap shift mode to expose a second set of knob parameters. Could that be a firmware update?

[@Jason75913]

If enough folks demand it over Korg's email and social media, presumably.

[@loopop]

there's a page function for that right now, all they need to do is allow access to more parameters

[@SpyderBlackOfficial]

WOWWWWWW This one looks promising

[@assbrass]

37 slim key version (like minilogue) would be great!

[@man125403]

what is the resolution of the wheels, potentiometers, velocity, and aftertouch? why no mention? is it again limited to 127?

[@man125403]

and what is the rate? why nobody measures that? The first step to improve midi is to start evaluating the performance objectively. rather than watching marketing materials.

[@loopop]

you are always welcome to ask questions (though preferably not as rudely as you did) and I'm happy to answer if I know the answer. it's standard MIDI, limited to 127 - I don't know that the internal resolution is

[@man125403]

​@@loopop sorry for rudeness. As an engineer, I'm skeptical about MIDI 2.0, and your video only confirms my suspicions, which is quite disappointing.

[@loopop]

@@man125403 MIDI 2.0 actually does support high-resolution parameters, however, in my tests so far of this particular controller I did not see high-resolution control

[@man125403]

@@loopop This is the problem. MIDI 1.0 supports many high-resolution messages (dual CC, NRPN, SysEx). Now MIDI 2.0 will support them too🙃

[@Jason75913]

Badass Sort of reminds of Native Instruments' controllers. Looks like they should have added page buttons for the 8 knobs parameters like in NI controllers. "Output only audio interface" Maybe "soundcard" was a simpler descriptor? edit: no faders and drum pads for that price, and the encoders are not endless?

[@madness8556]

As a Arturia Keylab 61 MK 2 owner, I'm underwhelmed by this new controller but it will be very interesting to see what Arturia do in their third incarnation of Keylab.

[@dolphinuppercut]

I see that you t∞ key out the background of synthesia for midi visualization

[@silkywaterfire]

I think Roland made a midi 2.0 board awhile ago but I don’t recall much of what it actually did. But this might have been an instant buy if korg put a classic joystick with or instead of a mod wheel. I’m nit picking a bit I know.

[@bassc]

Yes the A88mkii promised to be "MIDI 2.0 ready" in the future, but with no screens I'm not sure either.

[@SilkJester]

Korg: Let's relase a MIDI keyboard that implements the MIDI 2.0 parameter auto-mapping, that's also fairly compact, has poly after touch and lots of OLEDS for good UX. Also Korg; All of those parameters auto-map to pots.

[@NakatoshiSamoto]

Anyone knows if the midi 2.0 also implemented the 32 bit MidiCC resolution ???

[@NakatoshiSamoto]

If anyone interested: They do not support Midi 2.0 protocol , only property exchange. So no 32 bit 😞. Got that answer from Korg support.

[@loopop]

Thanks for letting us know

[@Paintopia_VR]

NI Kontrol Mk3 has midi 2.0 too

[@craptubeu]

What happens when you plug it into an external synth? Is midi 2 capable of auto mapping a prophet 6 for example? A boutique? The omission leads me to believe this is only for people who make music with computers and from one of the examples presented it didn’t successfully map ALL the parameters, so

[@loopop]

It will work with an external synth that supports MIDI 2.0 CI - right now it's just the Korg modules - hopefully other manufacturers will start support this standard soon

[@craptubeu]

@@loopop ahh got it, thanks for taking the time to reply (big fan of all your work, I own several pieces of gear based on the thoughtful approach you apply)

[@chuckvicious]

Slightly strange that they put this out right after wavestate se. Should have put this keybed in se maybe? Poly AT its not needed but it'd still be neat for wavestate se but hey now you got it on native. Maybe they didn't want to undercut themselves right away.

[@tecschooldropout]

astute observation chuck

[@chuckvicious]

That being said, very glad that Korg has pioneered a poly AT controller thing that seems like it'll be affordable.

[@merlinoner]

Why pots and not endless encoders ?!

[@beat2009]

Perfect match with Kronos 2. Love the wooden (synthetic?) side panels.

[@loopop]

Turns out I was wrong - they're real wood....

[@akdm82]

Very nice for the most part, but I’m baffled by the choice not to use endless encoders on a $700 keyboard with aftertouch. Seems like a weird cost saving choice. And the fact that there is no setting for pickup.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

Lots of products for Ableton. Wondering why there isn’t much for Logic. Are the sales numbers so significantly different?

[@novalogue]

What is Logic?

[@teamcoalhapcharcoal]

I can't imagine Apple wanting to collaborate with anyone ever tbh

[@CentaurusRelax314]

@@teamcoalhapcharcoal That's an interesting thought. I thought some of these products that work with Ableton are done in association with Ableton, and some are not. I assumed a keyboard controller manufacturer could just make a product 'compatible' with an app, without needing license from that app company. Many products in the past have worked on a limited level with multiple apps, so i was thinking someone could make a controller or pad device more or less 'dedicated' to Logic but without requiring Apple's involvement. But, i also think it's in Apple's best interests to either design one themselves or to partner with someone, because a huge reason for Ableton's popularity is in the hardware.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

@@novalogue Riiiiight. And what is _"is?"_

[@couchcamperTM]

is? like are but for singles@@CentaurusRelax314