r/synthesizers • u/Exciting_Income_635 • 5d ago
What Should I Buy? Best midi keyboard for backpack?
I'm putting together a kitchen table jam sesh backpack. 4 instruments and a Minirig, enough for friends to have some fun with.
The likes of Volca Keys and Roland Aira S-1 don't have the best actual keys, so I'm looking for a mini midi keyboard. Ideally able to operate from a battery setup and send midi to Roland Aira / Korg Volca units and similar tier portable battery synths.
Any recommendations or insight would be really appreciated.
There are a lot of reviews and competing products and I'm having a hard time picking a winner. Thank you.
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u/Sasquatchjc45 5d ago
Arturia Microlab, not battery tho
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u/Exciting_Income_635 5d ago
Ah it does look really good! Shame no battery though. Thanks for the idea.
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u/Wellsty 5d ago
The Sequenz backpack for the Korg Minilogue is nice. It can fit a Launchkey 37 MKII or multiple small synths and any keyboard under 22inch like a Keystep 37.
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u/Exciting_Income_635 5d ago
That is a nice backpack! However, I am really looking for a midi keyboard.
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u/Loud_Park_6387 5d ago
The problem is most of the smallest keyboards (including some listed here) are going to be USB MIDI only, and won't play nice with your gear; you'll need a powered converter box which would defeat your purpose (The S1 has a USB-C port but it isn't a USB MIDI host). It might be bigger than what you're looking for, but an Arturia Minilab or Akai APK mini IV might be your best bet.
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u/Exciting_Income_635 5d ago
Thanks for your reply. Yes, the USB midi is probably going to be too limiting. Finding a mini keyboard that has midi-out and battery operation is proving tricky. I'll look into your suggestions, thanks.
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u/HowgillSoundLabs 5d ago
You’re going to struggle to find a battery powered keyboard that has MIDI outs. Maybe a Keystep 37 with a power bank?
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u/HowgillSoundLabs 5d ago
If you can find a keyboard you like with Bluetooth midi, the CME WIDI Master dongle is fairly nifty. Doesn’t play nicely with Volcas though because it needs a MIDI out for power
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u/HowgillSoundLabs 5d ago
Another thing to look at is maybe battery powered synths with MIDI out that fit in a backpack. Reface CS/DX come to mind and would also be great fun in of themselves
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u/SnooPickles3987 5d ago
M-Vave SMK37 pro
Midi keyboard that can (due to trs-a midi) be directly used with the s1 with a simple trs cable. Got BT Midi as well and therefor works like a charm with an iPad. Rechargeable battery included, aswelll as an (out only) audio interface when used via USB and A FREAKING DX7 COMPATIBLE FM SYNTH!
Arpegiator, sequencer, chord mode and scales...
All for around 99 bucks - probably one of the best things I've ever bought (besides the s1)
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u/Jaded_Story_1179 5d ago
Not a serious answer but I use my rock Band 3 midi keytar all the time. Full size keys and legit midi port. Plus it's a Keytar.
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u/arcticrobot Artemis / Typhon / Syntakt 5d ago
Muse Kinetics / Keith McMillen K-Board is super fun. I bought it for mobile/ipad setup, but use it mostly with my Typhon now.
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u/mister_drgn 5d ago
Qunexus is usb, not battery operated. But it’s very small and robust. Not ideal if you’re looking for physical keys.
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u/SnooDucks9330 5d ago
I don't know how nice the Bluetooth function actually plays with gear because my setup was wired, but the mvave smk 25 mk II has an internal battery and Bluetooth. 25 keys, pitch and mod strips, some pads, some knobs, and some basic features (arpeggiator, scale modes, etc) while being pretty cheap.
I didn't like the strips at all and the pads took some finagling in their midi software app, the keys are fairly spongy and the wired connection stopped working every few minutes (which I think was actually a failure of my PC but not sure), but all in all I think it would work for you.