On 2/21/2016 8:18 AM, David Froom wrote: > Hello collective wisdom, > > I am looking into purchasing replacement keyboards for my small college's > shared "arts" lab (iMac computers). This is not for piano practice, nor for > basic theory learning, but rather, for use with programs like Finale and > Logic Pro. The shared nature of the lab and the configuration of the > workstations means that the keyboards need to be checked out to students, > stored in their lockers. > > I've been using Garage Key 37 key keyboards. The benefit of those is > full-sized keys, plus the plastic risers that attach to the sides to raise > the keyboard a few inches. The keyboard then sits above and behind the > computer keyboard, between the computer keyboard and the monitor. This means > it does not need to be to the right or to the left. I use one myself, > primarily and nearly exclusively for Finale note entry. The disadvantages of > the Garage Key are that it has no mod/pitch wheels, and is a bit flimsy (keys > get knocked out of alignment and stop working, the octave change keys go bad, > the plastic risers break). The problems don't occur with my own Garage Key > because I don't move it around. The students wrap usb cords around the > keyboard and put it in their backpacks to carry to a locker. > > I'd like 37 keys and the mod/pitch wheels. I want something that takes a > minimum of space (so no big space behind the keys with knobs the students > won't use -- these are not for live performing). Most important, though, is > sturdiness for keyboards that might get bumped around a bit. > > The budget is sort-of in the $100 per keyboard range. > > I'm looking at the Korg 37 microKEY. Does anyone use this? If so, can you > vouch for its playability and sturdiness? > > Or does anyone have any suggestions for other keyboards I should be > considering? >
It's interesting that you should ask about the Korg 37 microKEY -- I just purchased one. I bought the $90 version through Sweetwater, hoping to use it with my iPad as well as with my notebook computer. But the current version of the keyboard includes a 2-port USB hub so that other input gear can be used at the same time, so the iPad gave me an error message when I tried to attach the keyboard using the Camera Connection Kit from Apple -- This device uses too much power. So I returned it to Sweetwater and spent the extra money for the bluetooth version, the microKEY AIR, which can also be attached by USB cable instead of bluetooth. The bluetooth version works with my iPad both with the USB attachment since it's not a hub and doesn't require extra power and it also works well with bluetooth. When I first got the USB-only version, I tested it with my notebook computer (HP running Win10) and it worked very nicely. The keys have a solid feel to them, the case is well built and it feels rugged enough to stand up to normal use. It's hard to say whether any keyboard will stand up if it's just something the students sign out from the music department and don't have an actual investment in. But at $89.99 it's cheaper than many college textbooks so asking the students to buy their own shouldn't be a problem. -- David H. Bailey [email protected] http://www.davidbaileymusicstudio.com _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [email protected] https://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale To unsubscribe from finale send a message to: [email protected]
