Depending on the app and how it implements MIDI, it was plug and play on most of the apps, while the rest needed to “see” Xkey in some kind of MIDI setup screen. In this sector, it really is a case of choose your compromise on the basis of your personal usage priorities. Zivix has a unique identifier with every name, so I know it is possible to uniquely identify each BLE MIDI device, and I hope that CME is able to add this functionality in a future firmware update (if it isn’t there already, which I may have missed while looking through they XKey app). I was about to purchase an Akai keyboard but then I realized no matter how good a synth action is, it is just that: a synth action that's way too springy and soft for a pianist used to hammer actions.

I opted for the larger three-octave Xkey37, but they also make the original, two-octave, 25-key Xkey, which should fit in any gig bag, backpack, or courier bag.

While the keys do not have the tradition “travel” of a piano keyboard, they are pressure sensitive and every button works as it should. Once any changes have been made, they can be saved to the unit so there’s no need to alter them again. There's a Mac, Windows, iPad (but not iPhone) management application that you can use to configure the keyboard, as well as to install firmware updates. The only major difference in design is the removal of the Xcable breakout cable which provided sustain, expression pedal, and standard MIDI. Fortunately, the Xkey Plus app lets you scale poly pressure, delay its onset, or indeed turn it off.

These discounts are usually communicated through newsletters, which are created and managed by us with the tool "Emarsys". The features of that keyboard included high quality materials, full sized keys, function buttons (instead of wheels), velocity-sensitive keys, and low-travel keys. I would imagine that some kind of education pricing (for the original XKey or the XKey Air) could be obtained if you reached out to the company.The controller also provides pressure sensitive Pitch Bend and Modulation buttons, Octave +/- push buttons and Sustain button, activity indicator LED and robust, high-quality aluminium body that has the same finish as a MacBook.