Review: CME XKey37 Portable MIDI Keyboard - SoundsAndGear.com

[@GameWise214]

I have the 25 key version. It is the absolute best keyboard for traveling musicians. This with my laptop and audio interface gives me a complete studio in a bag. Takes a little getting used to with the black keys being just as flat as the white......but it feels good because it is a change from your normal midi keyboard. I rate it a 10/10.

[@SoundsAndGear]

GameWise Yeah I'd imagine that 25 key is the perfect size judging from this one. I really dig it though overall.

[@dropkickmonk3y]

Love you’ve become more confident with these videos. :)

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching

[@2112jonr]

That was a really good review and demo - practical, real world, and hands on. Have been considering one of these for a while, your review is the first that gave me the answers I needed for day to day use. Thanks matey, from Somerset, England. 🙂 Liked and subscribed.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@SoundElementsMusic]

I've been watching your video for a while and would just like to say that I love how you review products and to keep up the good work.

[@SoundsAndGear]

SoundElements Thanks for the support, I appreciate it!

[@georgio2]

Great review. Just ordered mine before I saw the review. Now I can't wait.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Nice! Thanks for watching.

[@beatkultr]

Dope review. Might be considering this.

[@SoundsAndGear]

+Ksoundd Def Thanks for watching fam!

[@beatkultr]

SoundsAndGear.com No doubt, your'e the man!

[@dennisristow2102]

nice walk thru of the setup controls... very appreciated

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@thechronicnoizeco.6675]

I got the 25 key version last week. Love it!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah it's pretty cool!

[@randalllopez7218]

Joe - Outstanding review !!! Great job!!

[@SoundsAndGear]

+Randall Lopez Thanks for watching!

[@NicoIasTravolta]

This is great stuff! It's heavy and solid. And most importantly small.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@clareivers]

Thanks! I just ordered one of these and you've made me feel pretty good about it!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Cool, glad to help, thanks for watching!

[@thechronicnoizeco.6675]

Always wonderful reviews. Thanks.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@hamerray]

I just got the Xkey 25 today and I can’t get it to work. I registered it and I download the Xkey Plus App and it does not recognize the Xkey. Maybe I’m using the wrong lightning adapter. I got an iPad Pro Version 14.6

[@SoundsAndGear]

Not sure, you'll have to contact them for support.

[@louisemartin6820]

Cool, nice video gave me good idea of set up when I get mine thanks 🙏

[@SoundsAndGear]

Cool, thanks for watching!

[@johnnyparker2128]

I just realized that Saint Joe hasn't reviewed the Komplete Kontrol keyboard. Is that coming soon? I love mine.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Johnny Parker I did a video showing how they integrate with Maschine don't know if I will do a review on it or not, wasn't quite what I expected it to be originally. Does have a great keybed though.

[@johnnyparker2128]

SoundsAndGear.com Cool. Maybe it will be better with the new update but I'm liking the whole package. So much easier to find sounds.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Johnny Parker To me it won't truly be better until they come out with a new version with the proper screens so we can actually browse for sounds without looking at the computer...among other things. But yes, it still a great feeling controller and if you don't mind looking at your screen it's cool. As a Maschine user I just expected more from the hardware experience.

[@johnnyparker2128]

Good point

[@rapidfiremuzik_official]

anyone know if this works nicely with FL Studio?... about to buy the 25Key version for when im away from Home.

[@SoundsAndGear]

RapidFire Muzik™ Should work fine with any software as long as you have an open usb port.

[@crvialva01]

Hi, I ordered the Xcable that comes with the midi out sustain pedal and expression pedal all in one just like you showed in your video, for my Xkey air 37... and it’s seems like the end that connects to the controller is to big... what a let down, or perhaps I’m doing something wrong... maybe you can show how you connect yours to your controller But I like the vid overall...

[@SoundsAndGear]

Sorry, this was a while ago I no longer have this keyboard, I'd say make sure it is the right cable for your model of keyboard though.

[@richimbrogno4399]

Hi. Wondering if you got this all figured out. I have a real simple question that doesn't seem to be a lot of answers. Can I use the Xkey without an ipad or a computer. I want to use the xkey to control sounds on my MODX using a separate midi channel. Does the xkey do this using the breakout cable that has the 5pin midi connector?

[@7775Kevin]

very good review, thanks

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@bassilredman9430]

thanks for the review; one question: if you are sustaining a note and change the octave, does the sustained note gets transposed also or only the new notes you play? Thanks.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching, I didn't try that one, usually the note stays the same until you press it again.

[@dopemcee]

hey question unrelated to this product..but how do you get the overhead shots in your video..? what stand do you use??

[@SoundsAndGear]

dopemcee I either use a tripod or a boom stand.

[@leonardovmusic]

I am trying to use Aftertouch with my Korg Kronos and Garage Band so far, I haven't been able to achieve it. Kronos keyboard does perform the Aftertouch, so is not a Kronos issue. Please help.

[@SoundsAndGear]

I'd suggest contacting CME directly they can probably help you out.

[@anthonycarrillo8390]

Hi buddy, thank you for the videos! if you were to get a keyboard for traveling, do you think the 25 key version of this keyboard is the best option? or would you choose another one from another brand? if this had a mod and pitch wheel it would have been a no brainer for me.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Anthony Carrillo I think the 25 key version is cool, the fact that it has a mod/pitch button makes up for the lack of wheels imo, but of course not as flexible as a full wheel I'd imagine. Touchstrips would probably work well on these.

[@anthonycarrillo8390]

SoundsAndGear.com thanks for the quick response, keep it up with the cool videos!

[@SoundsAndGear]

Anthony Carrillo No problem, glad to help!

[@cornymungleman1487]

Nice video man!

[@SoundsAndGear]

+Corny Mungleman Thanks for watching.

[@peezdashootah9337]

can i hook this up to my computer i just ordered a whole studio set up. so i was wondering if i could plug up on computer?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah you can hook it up via MIDI.

[@peezdashootah9337]

thanks

[@SoundsAndGear]

No doubt fam

[@rahim4411]

😵 oh snap l didn't know you could play lol You just sold me. Im getting this asap

[@SoundsAndGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@MeeshanthG]

Will this work on mac and pc? And will it work for Logic pro/ fl studio/ protools? Nice Vid btw.. :)

[@SoundsAndGear]

+Meeshanth G Should work for both, may want to double check on their website. Thanks for watching!

[@Jorge.O85]

Cme x37 or Cme x37 air ?only the Bluetooth makes the difference ? 🤔 is everything else the same ??

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah, I think bluetooth is the only thing different. I never tried the Air, but I think it would be just as dope

[@BanuSahinn]

Nice rappin‘ at the beginning yo 😎

[@SoundsAndGear]

Hahahahaha! LOL

[@rhampton1914]

I really like your Videos...thanks for sharing...i was thinking of getting one of these...btw what's your regular Job..are you a producer? Just curious

[@SoundsAndGear]

rhampton1914 Thanks for watching man! My "regular" job is consulting, educating/instructing, testing products, etc. So a lot of the same stuff I do in my videos is the type of stuff I do to make a living.

[@SweetChinMuzik1]

Joe, what do you think about the Xkey vs. Qunexus? I like that Xkey comes in 37 key but I was leaning towards the Qunexus cuz, if I remember correctly, the aftertouch responds to both pressure and tilt on both axes. i.e. you can set the tilt on x-axis for pitch bend and y-axis for modulation.

[@sevendaggers4678]

hello there is that a version made for ipad ?? or is standard ?

[@SoundsAndGear]

+seven daggers This works with the iPad or do you mean with a direct iPad cable? They both use USB, they also have a bluetooth version coming soon.

[@ericsyre9418]

What are your toughts on it in 2018?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Still a cool keyboard, especially the newer bluetooth version.

[@rawstarmusic]

2.5 octaves is optimal. 2 is to little and 3 starts to become to big. There are some 2.5 ones out there but not with the low keys. I always wanted the small key travel as a pad or my mac keyboard. I type a lot of music on that Mac 1.5 octave. I hope they see the light and make a 2.5. Question is if it should start from C or start from F. You wanna centre around the middle so starting with F could be good. Or E, it would give you 33 light low profile keys that goes in your bag. Add a pitch-wheel:) No problem with that. A mod-wheel above then the octave buttons. Room for improvement.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Lot's of ways they could go, but even still, as is, it is pretty cool and portable. Thanks for watching!

[@rawstarmusic]

What they could do is split or flip the 37 in the middle... you wouldn't know it when you push the parts together. That is portable, that is dope. Or the laptop idea. What if you couldn't close your laptop in the middle?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah, that would be cool!

[@rawstarmusic]

I wonder about the pitch bend. When I bend, I start by putting the wheel down, hit the note, bend and keep on playing normal. So when you use the bend-up key is it starting at normal position and bending upwards and you have to keep pressing it or alter your playing? Same with the pitch-down, I start with the wheel up, hit the note and continue to play normally. To get that right I would have to use the bend-up in pressed position, take the note and let go but then I have no control over the speed of the bend. Hope you can understand my explanation of it. On my Korg micro key 37 with wheels I start with the wheel down, hit the note, slide up and let go for a norma up bending note.

[@SoundsAndGear]

Cool, you should probably send your feedback to them, you never know what may happen :)

[@fewofmyfavoritethings]

Are they velocity-sensitive keys?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah they respond to velocity/pressure.

[@Ru-nk3xd]

❤❤❤

[@karim8881]

This or akai mpk mini in 2019?

[@SoundsAndGear]

Depends on what you're looking for, in terms of size and features.

[@stautbertfernandes7685]

can i use it for fl studio

[@SoundsAndGear]

Yeah you should be able to set it up as a midi device in FL.

[@TheServalt]

How many USB ports does it have, is there a separate one for the Pedal Sustain / Expression / MIDI out cable connector?

[@SoundsAndGear]

+TheServalt Just one usb connection and one for the x-cable.

[@dealto5136]

is it aluminium or painted plastic ?

[@SoundsAndGear]

It is Aluminium

[@pamelamendoza2628]

Put in maschine

[@SoundsAndGear]

pamela mendoza Was that a question?

[@SoundsAndGear]

I personally lean more towards actual keys if I had to pick @Rob Lo

[@EazyHarbor]

If you haven't figured out the sustain longevity it's under miscellaneous & it'll hold forever until you press it again

[@SoundsAndGear]

Been a while since I had this, thanks though!

[@isomilli2988]

The piano sound is not a good one...

[@SoundsAndGear]

+Iso Milli this video is about the midi controller, you can use it with any sound you wish.

[@2112jonr]

Dude, it's so that you can bash ideas out on the go without resorting to shelling out for an expensive synth app or plug in. It's provided for convenience and to keep the costs down for those of us who can't afford to just splash out on expensive tools, but want to get up and going quickly.