every MIDI keyboard should have this feature in 2024

[@Taetro]

Hi all - since many had trouble finding it, I posted the setup guide for this keyboard here: twitter.com/nicktaetro/status/1680817372150796290?s=61&t=J0CNsDlfFywt83JLjYD-8w

[@VlasList]

Hello @Taetro! What macbook do you have? I have this keyboard, I went to the apple store and I could not pair it with macbook air M2. Below in the comments, a couple of users also write that they cannot connect to their Mac. How did you do that?

[@nniicckk1329]

Do you have the setup guide for garageband? Can't seem to connect my mwave

[@WilsoundMedia]

Esto funciona TAL CUAL, gracias por la ayuda que no encontraba en otro lado, I have selected the preset 3 an it is working that way, for Cubase 13 PRO the knobs and the pads 9-16 and transport controls are fully functional using mackie control as input and output MIDI

[@Liezilla]

Beautiful beat ! And I’m the designer of this keyboard, I saw a lot people worry about the latency , it’s a misunderstand of wireless device , it use BLE MIDI , it work just like using a cable , The latency only up to the buffer size setting of your audio interface or Apple CoreAudio.

[@lo0nyt0onz]

I wanna try one lol

[@WarrenPostma]

Please make the controller able to be configured so that the buttons that currently have no function in bluetooth mode can send midi CCs at least.

[@Liezilla]

@@WarrenPostma This controller do have this fucntion , all the Knob and Pads are configurable , and you can change the setting either through your phone or PC/MAC , by the way the configure software called '' Cube Suite "

[@drgsao]

I would have apreciatede a MIDI out, otherwise Good Job!

[@WyattLite-n-inn]

I would love to see a three octave version

[@imissmypencils]

I’ve seen people connect these to iPad Pros and Air’s via Bluetooth and then jam with synth apps and record into an SP404 or MPC. Very cool stuff.

[@RyanFlynn-il1jh]

That sounds like such a good setup

[@Legato6669]

Modern MIDI keyboards should be internally saving your melodies or songs as MIDI files (MIDI recorder: saving exactly what you play including the tempo and rests) all for a simple playback but mainly to export these melodies to other midi enabled instruments.

[@angeleocorrodead]

YESSSSS

[@jordanmarshall9160]

Can’t you just Bluetooth this to your phone and save everything easily that way?

[@legato666]

@@jordanmarshall9160Yes, for those that want to use a smartphone (that’s the way I do it). But there are many that don’t know how to hook it all up (including choosing the right apps for the task). There’s also some ppl that don’t want to use a smartphone or computer - thus a MIDI keyboard that saves MIDI notation internally to export in various ways later on (and this would be better for on the go music making anyway, less cables).

[@FolkerHQ]

Yamaha PSR 320 from 1995 could do that. I guess, today you would use some MIDI-recorder, Arduino or just your phone. With something like a polyend polyracker it would be possible, but that is another expensive device.

[@SpeazyMusicGroupInc]

Go into an audio interface and record it all... I use waveform on my laptop with a behringer 8 channel interface.

[@pt12lol]

Midi over bt makes a perfect duo. Akai has a wireless midi keyboard, but it has neither pads nor knobs. Honestly I can't see a point for not transferring cc over bt and for me it's a deal breaker. But I can see a couple of niche competitors that appeared recently for this kind of products (Lekato, Asmuse). I would love to see comparison video for them all because I dream about this kind of peace of gear...

[@SleepyTeeth-bg5bx]

All three are identical. Just different branding.

[@martincaz7772]

It's astounding how some "details" such as Bluetooth (ancient tech) or the auto chord/scale issue have escaped the industry for SUCH a long time...

[@MiddleChildYT]

Yo, that’s sick, but can you please explain how you were able to get the pads to play drums while the keys are playing piano?

[@cooperofnavarone8616]

I'd rather have a built in track pad over the st pad, seems logical to me. I really like how sleek the black on black looks with the pad colors. Dig the cozy desk setup. enigma vibes!

[@lilpolyglot]

I have one and I really like it, got it on Aliexpress a couple months back and could find no info about it online. Where can I get a copy of that documentation that you show in the video as far as DAW integration for Ableton and FL Studio?

[@Megaphonix]

looks like a great alternative to the Akai MPK Mini, would be neat if it used USB-C instead of the bulky Type B though...

[@VnatatThunwimolbhute]

Thanks for the video. I have this model too, but where I can get the "daw set up manual pdf"? I cannot find contact info on their website. Thank you.

[@pjforde1978]

I'm someone who designs (and programs) MIDI controllers for fun and profit. BLE MIDI hasn't taken off the way it deserves to specifically because Microsoft managed to break native support in a random Windows 10 update and many years later, there's no fix in sight. It's a huge shame, but the only way BLE MIDI can work is with an intermediary program such as MIDIberry, which is glitchy AF and in my experience, drops the signal constantly. It doesn't tell you that the connection is dead; you just sort of hope for the best, even right next to your PC, and sooner or later you realize that messages are just not sending. Getting reconnected is often even more fraught because Windows still thinks that you're connected. This necessitates removing the virtual device and re-adding it in the Bluetooth GUI. To be clear, it's insane that this doesn't just work, but the real life experience of trying to work with BLE MIDI on Windows is a full boner massacre.

[@somn]

Can’t you just use the midi app / program from Korg? I load my CME Keyboard with it since CMEs own app doesn’t work well. Or is that just not common? Edit: I don’t even use the app when connecting with korgs keyboard and studio Kontrol. Or is that different too?

[@pjforde1978]

@@somn I've read your comment 3-4 times and I just don't understand what you're proposing. What does Korg have to do with this? What is CME? Native BLE MIDI is broken in all recent versions of Windows. I just don't comprehend how anything you said impacts that.

[@Hasan-cd9ne]

My only wish for Novation to release an exact same Launchkey Mini mk3 with BLE MIDI so I would sell mine and get that. I absolutely agree that all MIDI keyboard, especially mini range, should have this already.

[@HotStrange]

It blows my mind how small the market is for this despite the demand.

[@TomMacalisang]

M-VAVE also has a wireless MIDI device called MIDI-B. Only drawback is it only has ports for 5-pin MIDI but it's waaaay cheaper than other wireless MIDI systems from other manufacturers.

[@Tottorul]

I dont understand what it does

[@partymarty6969]

Midi controllers need midi saving and playback capabilities. For example: When on the go, would love to plug my midi keyboard to my iPhone to play Minimoog iOS. If I happen to come up with a melody on the go, I can save that melody to my controller as midi (exact melody). and then when I get home, midi out from my midi controller -> to midi in of the actual Minimoog Model D synthesizer I have in my home studio. Press play on the midi controller and the melody will play thru the Minimoog Model D.

[@jefgibbons]

Great vid! Absolutely loved the beat you made... every sound in there was beautiful! Keyboard looks nice too... I bought a Korg microKey Air a few years ago for the reasons you listed but just couldn't get the latency to a playable level. Nice to see this one works well! (although I should revisit it and see if I was just doing something wrong!)

[@Gear-Tube]

I use the microkey air on my iPhone with 0 latency if you use a Bluetooth speaker or Bluetooth headphones there will be latency maybe that was your problem? Midi info travels fast; but audio, a bit slower introducing unplayable latency.

[@jefgibbons]

@@Gear-Tube That might have been it! Embarrassed to say I didn't mess with it for long... time to dig it out...

[@Gear-Tube]

Great little keyboard it was the best portable solution so far but this new smk 25 has big potential, can’t wait to get mine!

[@teddybearasaurus]

Korg had one that felt like a computer keyboard for years. I think in that form factor it works. We have bt dongles too for keyboards further from the computer that are too far for the usb. Most midi keyboards that are bigger are usb powered. At that point Bluetooth isn’t needed, but in the small form factors with batteries this is a must. If they added lithium ion… it would be more wonderful.

[@DavidMiOo]

Pretty sure it's already lithium polymer, not gonna open mine to find it cause I already know it's not lead acid, NI-CD or NIMH and at this size there isn't a difference between polymer and ion, only when you start going small does it matter.

[@WarrenPostma]

Wireless is nice for PC/Mac but it's KILLER for iPad musicians. Take your ipad and your airpods, and this to the park and make a beat, away from everything else. There is no reason they shouldn't make every button have at least a MIDI CC on the main channel and main device, in bluetooth mode.

[@HotStrange]

About to buy this to use with my iPad so I feel this.

[@Ysa-ob3xc]

Does Bluetooth work on iPad ? How is it?

[@eddij6050]

Can it be used wired too if I don’t want to connect with bluetooth?

[@hendropu6811]

@@Ysa-ob3xcI use this keyboard wirelessly with garage band on Ipad. There is a Bluetooth MIDI device option in advance setting menu. It works like a charm 😊

[@outerjakes5470]

You are amazing dude! I can't tell you how helpful you have been in my music journey! I also can't tell you how much I appreciate your transparency! Love it bro! You are awesome!

[@joshuarivas6896]

I just bought one and thought I'd see some other type of review. I prefer wire. Gotta be locked in, and bt is my backup. And if it's performance just in jamming and carefully moving layers even through the board , it is even better. Like a backup. Wonderful playing. Thanks for making the video.

[@SumanBudhathoki-rv9jj]

Hi how to make the connection tho

[@romie233]

"I don't have to go find a cable," That's great! Now where did I put the keyboard?!

[@Taetro]

Lollll

[@juanmigueltee6945]

Does this mvave require batteries?

[@tristan_840]

8:52 The problem when only engineers and that someone doesn't know about music theory made a music instrument.

[@PaulinhoOliveiraRSUL]

which app should i use to connect via bluetooth on android phone? 

[@jmoffitt36]

I wish it had a scale/chord mode like the Korg Nanokey studio the black keys were chords and white keys were scale. So useful on a small 25 key controller. Shame Korg can’t make a version with real keys and pitch/mod wheels

[@aiyka_music]

That beat was really good!

[@n1lknarf]

Is it possible to configure the knobs and pads manually in the daw and with plugins? For example to use it with massive x or other plugins who use knobs and pads.

[@RyanKorea]

Awesome! It's around 53 dollars from Aliexpress, too.

[@DavidKingonYT]

That scale lock is sick though

[@bicrome]

nice video taetro! dope beat as always 🔥 btw m audio has the axiom air series and akai the LPK 25 (and LPD8) wireless

[@BadBoy-wk5uu]

Is it a copy of Swissonic Minikey P-25? They look like a same without any difference.

[@MusicbyMaggie]

I was thinking the same thing. I saw the swissonic one on the thomann website, and thought it looked familiar. Maybe it's made by a random Chinese manufacturer, and then companies just slap their logo on it

[@RomanShevyakov]

Thanks a lot. Was watching for midi to travel and bought this one after your review.

[@zensational.]

Just ordered the newer one with 16 drum pads. For the price its pretty unbeatable. Not too much to make it jarring but enough to make it functional. Ive had a push 2 for a minute but i just cant understand the chords and scales on it. Ill be using it in garage band and other apps to noodle around, then try to bring it into ableton.

[@googlerep366]

I have the MPC live 2 this should be amazing for making beats on the go 🎉 Your beats are amazing by the way 🖖

[@TeerawutKasorn]

is it have a transpose function?

[@EasyHeat]

I fried my old M-Audio Oxygen 25 by carelessly using the wrong USB hub wall wart (facepalm) and recently replaced it with an Arturia Minilab3. I wish I had seen this controller before that purchase, as I've been looking at the CME Widi (Bluetooth MIDI) stuff. My main DAW computer is an old Intel i7 2013 iMac, but I just got my GF a 9th Gen iPad to go with her M1 MB Air. Great video BTW!

[@pommy5094]

So out of the m-vave, synido and the Arturia midi keyboards which one do you keep returning to ….. which is you “go to” and why

[@StudyBeatsHub]

Hi, can you create tutorial on how to set up MWAVE SMK 25. kinda bought one because of this video. thanks in advance!

[@samprock]

Thanks! So transport controls will Never work Bluetooth? as you explained

[@JohnnyAvram]

Great vid man! What headphones are you using?

[@blablybla]

Pretty interesting device. Still on the fence, trying to decide between this one and Launchkey Mini MK3... Putting aside the DAW and Bluetooth, which one would you consider better, more versatile and with better feel of pads and keys? I'm also considering something with more keys - I can play drum parts on the keys, so maybe just a midi keyboard with more keys would be a better idea.

[@DINU_R]

Is there lag? Because Bluetooth always has some lag

[@HanjoSynth]

looks like a more traditional looking korg nanokey studio, arpeggiator, bluetooth, chords, scales,...

[@krisbrocato7749]

Love your work! I'm a novice when it comes to midi devices and recording in general. With that being said, is the m-wave pretty user-friendly out of the box?

[@cremeyhuani]

Hello there. May i know what software are you using? Is there any free midi software for Windows? Kudos!

[@Drinkyoghurt]

In Europe this is called the Swissonic MiniKey P-25 OR Classic Cantible. I'm not sure if it has any other names. Kind of confusing.

[@evgeny7377]

Hello! Were you able to figure out the difference between them or are they completely the same?

[@mccedura5203]

which is better the akai mini mk3 or the M wave?

[@PapaBPoppin]

I nabbed a nanokey-st a couple of weeks ago simply due to limited midibt is so limited! This one looks dope tho! Definitely on the list when I want to get a trad keyboard!

[@beatprocess]

Did they fix these issues

[@tiffanyanthony]

Yea! You answered my question! Features weren’t working, and it was because of bluetooth. I’m going fully corded. Thank you!

[@leonidaskral7148]

finally wireless midi mini keyboards. Great

[@joeynuggetz]

Haha, I guess the midi port on the back is for when people realize that batteries dont last forever and just plug it in and leave it plugged in :-)

[@twizzian]

I have this controller, I’m pleased with it but can’t configure it or assign the instruments with the controller to create a track in Ableton

[@rgb-plays]

I looooved that beat.

[@EduardoQuera4]

Woooow bro!! I saw this video and just bought it!! You explain everything so clear!!! I wish you have tutorials for beginners!! From the set up and how start playing it!!!

[@lamardoss]

You always play some of the best Lofi I’ve ever heard. Thank you.

[@unggoysolid4363]

hello, can you share experiences of this from faders perspective using those knobs? does it jumps the value? how to move across other sets of fader? thanks for the vid

[@jrmcelro]

Nice vid, but I disagree about chord mode. That “limitation” in early gear inspired a parallel chord approach that dominated early EDM, like Chicago house, and is a desirable feature for many people now as a result

[@FlightSim2703]

Can you record your own loops, in to those colored buttons? Can this to be used with acoustical piano? Which software is compatible with this looper? Thanks

[@EnochLight]

Akai’s current gen MPC line as well as Force both support Bluetooth-MIDI (well, except for the current MPC One that lacks Bluetooth). But latency is a huge obstacle - not sure why Taetro skated around addressing just how bad it is. I can’t imagine these M-Wave are any better at the latency introduced. Also, Korg’s Nanokey Studio line have had Bluetooth MIDI for years. This is not new.

[@snoooozer]

Bluetooth MIDI has a round trip latency of 10-20ms, USB MIDI is about 4ms. This is negligible and imperceptible.

[@xykwv]

Does it have the option to open a vst directly?

[@JohannHuang]

Connect to garage band and the connection drops every ~5 mins. Did anyone have the same issue?

[@ShamaeZaheer]

The inimitable Korg nanoKey Studio has had BLE Midi for years now. This looks like the design was heavily influenced by the Korg nanoKey Studio.

[@wazzakokolokokolokon6218]

Im going to try this one for the ipad. I hope it is a good choice 🙌🙌 seems like a minilab-mpk 3 hybrid with Bluetooth If not…well…i would take a minilab 3 to pair it with the minifuse.

[@jhony.5942]

Arturia or this?

[@g43s]

the bluetooth features seems like a game changer 🔥🔥

[@Jaredboth]

Did you get the second edition? My first edition doesn't bluetooth connect to my Macbook air or iPad. Maybe I need an update or something. Otherwise I love this keyboard for its price and I use it with my model cycles wired in.

[@brendanfarthing]

I just looked up their website for more information and to take a look at the manuals for technical information/features but the keyboard doesn't exist on their website. They did have other things such as a standalone midi controller (not keyboard) which also does bluetooth - I haven't seen one of those before and effects pedals. Unfortunately there seems to be no technical info whatsoever on their website for this keyboard and half of it is in Chinese and needs to be translated. And the Amazon link has the wrong name for the product and their Amazon store linked from their keyboard page is for bicycle parts (clearly it's not even their store). If anyone from M-VAVE is reading this, probably a good idea to fix all this up now that Taetro has given a pretty good plug for your product. I was going to buy, but I am out due to lack of information and proper support channels. And anyone know if the LEKATO and Levusu keyboards are the same? They look 100% identical apart from their name. And for anyone wanting to buy, at least someone in Australia like me, on Ali Express it's much cheaper incl shipping (AU$102 Ali vs AU$162 Amazon)

[@ckjjclan]

Seems like that scale function and chord mode talking to one another should be a firmware update….

[@avemeends]

The best pads are the ones you use 😊

[@Taetro]

YUP

[@kaylankeanmcbell5345]

Can u please make a video on how to set it up and assign the drums in Studio One???? Please

[@duranmxx]

I'm seeing an Anbernic RG35XX, you have fine taste 👌👌

[@AA-ge4uj]

Hello again, I bought one, it does the job, thinking about a second one actually.. I'm using Cubase as my main Sequencer, Rewired with Ableton for extra Instruments & also because I love the way they do the Drum Rack. My M-vave is like 85% setup software-wise, you're right, you can get there....Edit: Here's where I'm having a problem; getting the Pads & the Keys to work together. Keys are on one Track & Pads are on another but in Ableton, only one track can be Armed at a time, however, in your Demo Song, you were using them together just fine. What am I missing?

[@Taetro]

You can turn Arm Exclusivity off in Ableton preferences

[@AA-ge4uj]

1) One Million Thanks. 2) You da man. 3) Make Music Not War.

[@seanms35]

Thank you for the Arturia pad comparison. I was planning on getting that unit until I tested the pads.

[@NathanApostol]

does it come with software?

[@frascar]

To me I don't really mind of having bluetooth controller if all the other features are so limited. Just thinking of myself sitting on the bed and making music and standing up every time for adding instruments/effects doesn't make any sense. Moreover, how much latency you get in playing with Bluetooth? The more interesting thing is the scale feature but it is not locked with the chord function. So basically useless. I would rather play chords by myself. For me it is better having an akai

[@felixkrell890]

imagine a wireless key-tar you could whip out during a Dj set omg

[@lynx-x2h]

Thanks, this was a very informative review. I'm gonna get it!

[@giselebruce]

Hi, T. Can you recommend any controller that has the key and chord mode talking to each other? Also, could you post a mini course to teach us how to make this nice tune you were playing here?

[@theyhaventfedmesince]

I prefer the keys in korg micro key air. It's also a Bluetooth midi keyboard

[@ACRC1977]

No USB would be very good. My Akai Mini 2 crashed my solid state M.2 drive after causing a short circuit on the USB bus which carried through onto the PCI express.

[@ethantinsley8185]

Wait, just to clarify, I can or cannot use the Bluetooth in Logic Pro X? If not, that's a draw back for me. I want to be able to use a MIDI keyboard that doesn’t have to be tethered to my MacBook Pro physically, which I have to use an extension adapter for just to even use USB.

[@larrylynch8113]

Is it working with Ableton note dude ?

[@BrandonWells]

the track you made at the beginning...can I have that on a loop 24/7 in my house plz and thank you

[@JuiceNoodles7]

Is this beat finished and released? its beautiful

[@thefamemanagement5358]

How to use the transpose ?

[@5part4]

Do these have built in speaker or recording

[@sgtdroid]

Hey man! Great video! Quick question. Is the M-VAVE the same size as the Akai MINI? Was just wondering as I wanted to use a hardcase made for the Akai on the M-Vave. Hope you can answer. Thank you!

[@Taetro]

It’s got nearly the same footprint so should be ok!

[@sgtdroid]

@@Taetro Wow! You actually replied. Thank you man! Such an inspiration. I’m going to start making lofi once my M-Vave arrives.

[@larrylynch8113]

Hey Taetro great job I am looking for a Bluetooth low latency keyboard solution for years ; is there any Arturia alternative for it ?

[@ardonsmagic5620]

how to connect to FL studio?

[@hollownation]

The reason every keyboard doesn’t have this is midi cables are cheaper than batteries and last longer

[@sosomelodies659]

Not only that, Bluetooth connection is only as good as the device of that time. 10 years from now it may not be compatible with newer devices. I've seen so many used Bluetooth devices of yesteryear at the flea market and they just won't connect.

[@badh0mbr342]

Are you still using this keyboard? Would you say it’s still worth it? I’m kinda thinking about getting it.

[@awakekiwi]

These are on Temu for about $20 for new users so I got one. I don't see why you couldn't remap the whole setup in Ableton to whatever you like right?!

[@tyrellhendrix]

Bro put his Akai on the shelf 🤦🏾‍♂️😂🔥

[@comegetmyedamame]

Do the keys work well? I mean like any velocity issues? edited: I'm asking this becaue I'm on my buget journey of home studio. If this midi controller has less issues with the keys and the pads, I'm gonna down for this stuff. I'm a little bit worry that if this unit won't be price to perfomance as I don't have much budget.

[@brathajoe1]

Have you reviewed the smc mixer?

[@ToreHansen]

Joystick is a must for Korg and Arturia VST s that can use!

[@AveryBCStudios]

love seeing you on stream hope you are well

[@CR_22]

Are white midi controllers tougher to keep clean ?

[@Jobensi_vlog]

Hi, this a great piece of gear. Does it work with android phones??