Korg MICROKEY2-49AIR

In the microKey Air series from Korg, we find all the features of the second series of microKey MIDI/USB keyboards to which we add the new Bluetooth transmission function of the generated MIDI data, enabling wireless use. Thanks to the Apple Bluetooth Smart Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI and power supply via two AA batteries, for a battery life of about 30 hours of use, you can use these keyboards without any cables, in absolute freedom, with all iOS devices (iPad/iPhone) and with recent Apple MacOS computers and Windows PCs, which support the Bluetooth protocol from version 4.0 onward. Wireless functionality is activated by a special switch on the side of the product. Korg microKey Air can also operate via USB, a connection that will provide not only MIDI data transmission but also power. These peripherals do not require drivers to operate via USB with Windows and MacOS operating systems, which will automatically recognize them once connected. The Natural Touch Mini type keyboard will certainly not make us envious of other models with a larger key, as it has been designed paying special attention to touch and response, to offer excellent playability in the execution of chords, glissatos and fast melodic phrases, thanks to a proportion between the black and white keys designed specifically for the purpose. Because of these characteristics, the microKey and microKey Air by Korg series keyboards are an excellent physical extension for playing any type of virtual instrument.

The 37-, 49-, and 61-key versions of the microKey Air series come with a jack input for connecting an assignable pedal, so useful for sustain, for example, and two wheels for pitch bend and modulation control. MicroKey Air 25, on the other hand, provides a sustain button, a joystick for pitch bend and modulation control, and a built-in MIDI arpeggiator. All models in the series are equipped with buttons (+ and -) for octave transposition. For velocity curve programming and other functions you can make use of the Kontrol Editor software that can be downloaded directly from the Korg website:

Korg microKEY-49 Air

Korg provides all users of the microKEY Air MIDI/USB keyboards with an interesting collection of virtual instruments for Windows, macOS and iOS. From LE (limited) versions of the KORG Gadget and KORG Module apps to the KORG Legacy Collection that includes 5 historical virtual instrument plug-ins developed by Korg itself. Various third-party software and plug-ins available, including a Limited version of Reason and a $50 discount for purchasing a version of Ableton Live. To obtain downloads and serials for these applications and for everything related to free apps and software refer directly to the dedicated website, where you will need to type in the code on the postcard provided:

*Connecting to iOS devices via USB cable requires the use of the Apple Lightning to USBCamera Adapter. For older models with a 30pin connector, however, the Apple USB/Camera Connection Kit (CCK) is required. NB: These adapters are NOT supplied and can be purchased separately from your Apple retailer.

**To operate Korg microKey Air keyboards wirelessly, you must have an Apple computer, iPad, or iPhone that supports Bluetooth protocol from version 4.0 onward. Supported operating systems are: in the iOS environment all those from version 8.0 onward, however, for macOS a version 10.10 or later is required. Wireless (cordless) connection in the Windows environment requires a Windows 8.1 or later operating system and installation of the dedicated KORG BLE-MIDI drivers. Use via Bluetooth usually has a slightly higher latency (+/-5ms) than connection via USB cable, as it is physiological of the communication protocol adopted.

IMPORTANT: Please note that ALGAM EKO is solely responsible for the hardware, and that with regard to any software and apps that may come with the distributed products, ALGAM EKO CANNOT provide any kind of support, either technical or commercial. Nor can ALGAM EKO do anything in the authorization procedures of said software, as they can be carried out directly on the websites of the producers of said software, with whom the user directly signs a license agreement during installation and/or download.

MicroKEY Air update version 1.05 (February 2023)

This firmware update for the Korg microKey Air introduces the ability to change the Bluetooth MIDI connection type via KORG KONTROL Editor (v2.1.2 or later, macOS version only). If you experience problems with the Bluetooth MIDI connection, set the Connection Type parameter (Control - Wireless - Connection Type tab) in KONTROL Editor to 2 and then try again.

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