New Korg Keystage: First Poly Aftertouch MIDI Keyboard

[@Noisegate]

Are you looking forward to getting your hands on the new Keystage Controller? We'd love to know what you think?

[@NakatoshiSamoto]

Do you know if they implemented the 32bit MIDI cc resolution that MIDI 2.0 is capable of? Can’t find any information about that so i suppose it’s midi 1.0 7 bit…….

[@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.

[@Noisegate]

I'm sure they will be able to implement if fully in the future.@@NakatoshiSamoto

[@shaunreich]

​@@NakatoshiSamoto As a newbie, can you explain what the real world benefits are? Gives you more resolution for dynamics, right? Like the ability for a larger velocity range plus other attributes?

[@gregsLyrics]

Great vid. I really dig the Korg Keystone automapping features and the computer stand. It is brilliant that Korg added a built in audio interface - I do not think any of the other professional Midi controllers have that feature. I think Native-Instruments MK3 keyboards are all MIDI 2.0 Poly AT. I am confused at how Korg is "the first" in any of this. The MK3's are designed with the ability to upgrade its firmware to add new features as engineers think of them for decades to come. NI has big oled screen for visual navigation.. Those are some of the features I appreciate about the NI.

[@Noisegate]

The S-Series MK3 are MIDI 2.0 Compatible but haven't implemented it yet, where as Keystage is the first to actually implement a MIDI 2.0 protocol. Having said that, look out once the S-Series does utilize it!

[@thegreat1548]

​@@Noisegate is it compatible with Akai MPC BEATS SOFTWARE??

[@sunnyschramm9650]

5:37 How much weight can it take? I would like to put my Prophet-6 on it. But it seems too heavy as the case of the keystage is just plastic and the holes for the stand seems to break out. For this price its really sad that the keybed feels kind of cheap. I could live easily without the software-bundle and the build in audio-interface which seems to be part of the too high price. The form-factor of the 61 key version is perfect - with metal-case and better keybed for 499€ I would take it. They missed a big chance imho...

[@christiangutfleisch]

Add endless knobs and 9 drawbars and it would be a nice controller for live performances

[@Noisegate]

Hot tip i found out from @Mannysmusic. Use Value Scaling in MIDI take over mode in Ableton to get around this.

[@DJPRAGYAN]

Also Knob value on extra led to know the current Instrument

[@RaquelFoster]

We're gonna make the title "First Poly Aftertouch MIDI Keyboard" ... But we don't actually know how to demo aftertouch or MPE, so we're gonna spend the whole time talking about the arp and chord mode. We're certainly not going to tell you how squishy or hard/twitchy the aftertouch is. We're not even gonna tell you if the black keys have aftertouch... 5:13 Although it looked like he was trying to squish the AT keybed a few times and it wasn't working.

[@foljs5858]

Didn't the new Komplete keyboards came first like a month ago with polyphonic aftertouch?

[@manny_f]

That's correct. However, that is a MIDI 1.0 controller. This Korg one is the first MIDI 2.0 controller that has poly aftertouch. I think it's a step in the right direction but it isn't the ultimate MIDI controller for me. I feel the knobs should have been endless encoders, and at least 16+1 or even 24+1 of them (the +1 so I can have one knob to control DAW master level or something like that). Trying to control even the most basic of synths with just 8 knobs is inadequate.

[@jamietopolski4019]

@@manny_f I suspect that there would be many different preferences for the number/combination of encoders, pots, faders, buttons, and/or pads. I think it is probably easier to find the keyboard that you like (key action, aftertouch, etc.) and then use something else for all of the other controls (like the modular options available from Intech Studio).

[@giuseppelentini9140]

​@@manny_f Komplete Kontrol Mk 3 actually supports MIDI 2.0, Native Instruments simply hasn't implemented any of its features into their plugins yet. And why they should add an automapping midi 2.0 feature? They already developed the nks ecosystem, it does the same thing, with a lot more plugins that supports it right now.

[@jamietopolski4019]

I think it looks great compared to most other MIDI keyboard controllers. The integrated audio interface is very nice too. I wish it had 9 faders (e.g., for drawbars), but the rotary knobs look great. How would you describe the key action?

[@Noisegate]

The key action is very responsive and it feels great

[@paalrammer]

Nice preview. But what is the key action like? And how sensitive is the poly aftertouch?

[@manny_f]

I'm curious too. Apparently it's the same keybed as the Hydrasynth, ut I haven't tried that one myself either.

[@Noisegate]

The key action is very responsive and feels great

[@pellecarlen]

Can this be powered by an iPad (USB-c)?

[@Noisegate]

yes it can! USB bus power or AC adapter (9 V DC, : Korg KA350, sold separately)

[@producermathew]

just wish there was a version that was slightly cheaper that didn't have the audio interface and was just the MIDI keyboard. Such a cool product, also wish the transcoders were infinitely adjustable. So close to being a perfect simple MIDI keyboard. The A49 by Native Instruments is good, but the keys are not weighted at all and feel like shit to play, the encoders are different 'tightnesses' and the display is just gone with time. This keyboard seems to be like a very high quality version of the A49 without the stupid displays of the S49. Also, is it possible to turn off the flashing tempo button? Super annoying.

[@Noisegate]

We don't think you can turn off the tempo light unfortunately!

[@structurepurist6777]

No endless knobs … :(

[@Noisegate]

Apparently you can use Value Scaling in Ableton MIDI takeover mode to get around this!