Portable, iPad-friendly ivories
Several attempts have been made to design a
tiny keyboard for laptop-toting musicians. Generally, the results haven't
proven all that impressive: either the unit boasts too few keys, or the keys
are too small for comfortable playing, or both.
The iRig Keys aims to combat the former
(and more musically compromising) complaint by shoehorning in three full
octaves worth of keys, one more than the two-octave standard for this general
form factor. As a result, of course, the unit ends up considerably larger than
its most direct competitor; at about 20 inches long it's small enough to fit in
some backpacks and maybe large messenger bags, but only just.
Several
attempts have been made to design a tiny keyboard for laptop-toting musicians.
Generally, the results haven't proven all that impressive: either the unit
boasts too few keys, or the keys are too small for comfortable playing, or both
But the iRig packs in one feature no
competitor can boast: a 30-pin connector that allows it to plug directly into
earlier iPads and iPhones. This allows the unit to control most serious iOS
music-creation tools, most especially Garage Band. And that makes a substantial
difference. Being able to ditch a full-sized laptop in favor of an iPad or even
an iPhone easily counterbalances the unit's larger size, and takes the
tech-savvy musician one step closer to play-anything-anywhere portability. Plus,
you can connect to a Mac or PC, too.
iRig
keys
In spite of the miniature keys, the unit
plays surprisingly well. It would never be mistaken for a full-sized keyboard,
but the firm touch and excellent velocity sensitivity allow for a surprisingly
robust range of expression. The addition of programmable buttons, as well as
adequately sized pitch and modulation wheels, adds further power.
Make no mistake, though: this is not a pro level
product. Its build quality seems shoddy; our review unit arrived with a
noticeable bow in the center, and the alarming flex under moderate pressure
doesn't bode well for its longevity.
The
"included" software (actually a handful of downloads for OS X and
iOS) ranges from adequate to god-awful. And the absence of a MIDI-out prevents
it from integrating with larger setups.
The "included" software (actually
a handful of downloads for OS X and iOS) ranges from adequate to god-awful. And
the absence of a MIDI-out prevents it from integrating with larger setups.
The bottom line. Nevertheless, for just
under a hundred bucks, it's a solid choice for musicians for whom portability
is an absolute must. It won’t take the place of any professional hardware, but
for on-the-go fiddling, it hits a smart middle ground.
Three
octaves, still portable, and easy to connect to an IPad or iPhone.
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iRig keys
info
·
Website: www.ikmultimedia.com
·
Price: $99.99
·
Requirements: iPhone 4S or earlier. iPad 3rd
Generation or earlier. Mac. or PC
·
(+) Three full octaves. Excellent velocity
sensitivity. iOS connectivity.
·
(-) Shoddy build quality. Crappy software. No
MIDI connectivity.
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