Take Your Music Making Mobile With the MX Keys Mini
If you're looking to bring your music-making mobile with you, the MX Keys Mini is worth checking out. The ten keyless keyboard was developed in response to requests from customers for smaller versions.
It features three functions that enable remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic easier with dictation keys muted button, mute button and an emoji key.
Size
There are a variety of different sizes of keys that can be found on keyboards and synths. There are "mini" and "slim" key sizes and full-size keys. Each of these has a distinct shape and feel, but what's important is the entire package - not just the number of keys and whether they are mini or full size.
Casio SA51, for example features 100 sounds and 50 rhythms, however, it is smaller than other models. It's also portable and is a great practice instrument. In the same way, the MicroKorg XL has smaller arrow keys, but more space, right shift and enter buttons. It is all dependent on your needs and how important portability is to you.
Sound
Full-size keys. "Slim" keys. "Mini" keys. All of them have slightly different meanings, and this can have a significant impact on the way a keyboard feels. We've designed this handy chart of the size of keys to help you evaluate.
The iRig Keys Mini is our top pick in this category. It's perfect for musicians on traveling, or who would like to practice at home, at work or wherever you'd like. The keyboard is lightweight and portable, and comes with Bluetooth wireless technology to connect it to your mobile device. It comes with a variety of accessories such as a sustain pedal to add expression.
This model comes with more than 500 professional onboard sound effects and a loop mix function to create your own songs, or use it as a controller for other hardware synths or DAW software. The keyboard is geared towards beginners, with easy-to-use functions to aid you in getting started.
It includes it's own USB keyboard that connects to your computer, laptop or tablet. This lets you connect any keyboard compatible to the receiver to control your DAW directly. It comes with a range of essential music software, including AAS Session Bundle and Softube Time & Tone. Also included is the exclusive Spitfire audio LABS Expression Strings instrument.
Functions
The MX Keys Mini has a many features packed into its small frame. It comes with dual keys for Mac and Windows so you don't have to fret if you switch between laptops at home and work (a usual practice when the coronavirus epidemic was in full swing).
This keyboard comes with several other useful features like the system mute button which works across all your applications and conference software. It also has a dedicated key for dictation as well as an emoji keyboard for hands-free transcription.
The layout of the MX Keys Mini is still excellent, despite the fact that it has shed a lot of keys to fit in its 65%-sized. The cursor jets have been squeezed together to create a double stack laptop-style and the function row has been slightly narrowed to accommodate the delete button. The only downsides are the absence of a Touch ID finger print scanner as well as the Back button which activates the backlight. This can be a distraction especially if you're typing in dark.
Portability
If you're looking for a small keyboard that you can compose music on and transport around, pick one that is small enough to fit comfortably in your backpack or gigbag. It should come with useful features that can allow you to record musical ideas on the move.
If your mini keyboard is exposed to water, immediately remove the battery and clean it off with an electronic or paper towel cleaner. After drying it completely then replace the battery. If the key fob won't work after this, it may have been reset and require an original replacement key to reset the device.
iRig Keys Mini, which is a 25-key MIDI Controller, is designed to go wherever your mobile-based lifestyle takes you. It's small and compact enough to fit into bags or backpacks and yet it's loaded with powerful software which will enable you to turn your mobile ideas into full-blown tracks.
The keyboard is available in graphite, rose, or light gray, and features white LED-backlit buttons. Logitech has developed the MX Keys Mini with creatives and busy professionals in mind well, and provides numerous ways to pair devices for seamless multi-device work. It can be linked to tablets, laptops or desktop PC for taking notes, and then switch to a smartphone to compose, edit and post to social media.