49-key MIDI Controller with MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange, Built-in Audio Interface, MPE Support, and Ableton Live Integration
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Korg Keystage 49-key MIDI Keyboard Controller
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Compact, Portable Keyboard Controller with MIDI 2.0
Here at Sweetwater, we get excited about new gear and music technology developments on a daily basis. However, very few things have stirred as much excitement as the arrival of MIDI 2.0. This Korg KeyStage MIDI Keyboard Controller represents a new era for how we work and create with MIDI. Plus, it’s just an awesome keyboard controller! It features an all-new keybed design that supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) plus Channel and Polyphonic Aftertouch. The KeyStage also contains an onboard audio interface plus stereo outputs, so it’s ready to rock both studio and stage, and the visual feedback provided by its OLED screens really streamlines your workflow. With deep chord modes and a vibrant arpeggiator, the KeyStage adds instant flair to any sound — and you’ll have plenty of sounds to work with, courtesy of Korg’s Gadget producer bundle, Korg’s wavestate native LE plug-in, and support for Ableton Live Lite 11.
Note: This product supports the revolutionary new MIDI 2.0 protocol and its Property Exchange (PE) method for getting and setting data. Please check with your Sweetwater Sales Engineer to make sure your DAW also supports MIDI 2.0 and PE functionality.
Related Videos: Keystage 49-key MIDI Keyboard Controller
MIDI 2.0 is here!
There are many gems on the Korg KeyStage, but the crown jewel is that the Korg KeyStage is one of the first — if not the first — keyboard controllers to feature MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange (PE) capabilities. MIDI 2.0 is legitimately the biggest music tech development in decades. Whereas MIDI 1.0 messages were one directional — transmitter to receiver — MIDI 2.0 messages are bidirectional, enabling MIDI 2.0 devices to detect and route to each other automatically. If you’ve ever wanted to pull your hair out while trying to get your MIDI devices routed correctly (which is most of us), then this is huge news. Simply plug your Korg KeyStage in and get right to work: no manual routing or drop-down menus required. That said, the KeyStage will still work with your MIDI 1.0 devices as MIDI 2.0 is backward compatible.
No one-trick pony
Even without MIDI 2.0, the Korg KeyStage would still be a fantastic keyboard controller with features like an all-new keybed that supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) as well as Channel and Polyphonic Aftertouch. The Keystage also has a built-in audio interface for recording and stereo output for performance, visual feedback from OLED screens allocated to individual parameters, and its comprehensive chord modes and arpeggiator instantly add depth and movement to any sound. Lastly, the Korg KeyStage is available in a 49- or 61-key configuration, so it easily fits on any desk or keyboard stand.
Ableton Live integration and more
The KeyStage’s cherry on top is its Ableton Live integration. In fact, it comes stock with Ableton Live Lite 11, Korg’s Gadget producer bundle, and the Korg wavestate native LE wave sequencing synthesizer plug-in — which is incredible even in LE form! It’s not hyperbolic to say that the Korg KeyStage is all you need to make great music, no matter where you go.
Korg KeyStage MIDI Keyboard Controller Features:
- Korg’s first MIDI controller with MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange integration
- Built-in audio interface for recording plus stereo output for performance
- New keybed design with MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) compatibility as well as Channel and Polyphonic Aftertouch
- Available in 2 lightweight and portable configurations: 49- or 61-key
- Ableton Live integration plus comes stock with Ableton Live Lite 11, Korg’s Gadget producer bundle, and Korg’s wavestate native LE wave sequencing synthesizer plug-in
- Robust chord modes and deep arpeggiator add instant flair to any sound
- Streamlined workflow with visual feedback provided by OLED screens allocated to individual parameters
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Tech Specs
- Type: MIDI Keyboard Controller
- Number of Keys: 49
- Type of Keys: Full-sized
- Aftertouch: Polyphonic/Channel
- Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
- Encoders/Pots: 8 x Knobs
- Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS
- Headphones: 1 x 1/4" TRS
- Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (expression), 1 x 1/4" (damper)
- MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB, MIDI 2.0, MIDI Polyphonic Expression
- USB: 1 x Type B
- Computer Connectivity: USB
- Software: Korg Gadget Producer Bundle, Wavestate Native LE, Ableton Live 11 Lite
- Power Supply: USB bus powered / 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
- Height: 3.2"
- Width: 32"
- Depth: 9.2"
- Weight: 9.3 lbs
- Manufacturer Part Number: KEYSTAGE49
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This controller should not have been released in this state.
To clarify, all of my tests of the Korg Keystage have while using Ableton Live 11. I do not own any Korg software instruments but it shouldn't matter.
Let's start with the good. Overall, the build of the controller is solid and it looks nice. It has a simple design, but it could be more elegant. The whole controller is made of a pretty durable feeling plastic, but it doesn't necessary feel premium. Something about the modulation and pitch wheels feels cheap to me as do the 8 knobs. They don't feel like they would be easily broken, but at $ they definitely don't feel premium. I wasn't sure about the keybed at first, but after playing for a bit I got used to it and actually really like it. The keys are semi-weighted, but have more of a synth-feel than piano feel. I'm fine with this. They are very responsive to playing dynamics, one of the most expressive keybeds I've played. If you've played the ASM Hydrasynth it's the exact same keybed. The poly-aftertouch works fantastic, way better than the aftertouch I've experienced on DSI instruments such as the Rev2 and OB-6. The aftertouch curve is really smooth. The only thing I don't like about the keybed is that it's kind of loud, not clicky loud, but thuddy. It feels weird playing with certain patches because of this, but like I said, it's something you may get used to.
Now the bad: The software in this controller as of firmware 1.0.4 is completely inadequate and limited and will put a halt to your workflow. When I loaded Ableton Live, it immediately recognized the Keystage as an Ableton control surface and I instantly had control of transport functions as well as the ability to undo, tap a tempo, toggle metronome on and off, and move the playhead on the timeline. This is great, but keep in mind that controllers 1/3 of the price of this one do this as well just fine.
The real issues start when you put an instrument on a new MIDI track. If you are using an Ableton Device such as Instrument Rack or any of the Ableton software instruments, the controller will automatically map the first 8 parameters of that device to the 8 knobs on the controller as well as the names of the parameters on the screens below the knobs. Okay great, now what if I want to access the next 8 parameters? YOU CAN'T. 8 parameters, that's all you get. I don't know what kind of sound design Korg expects you do with 8 parameter controls.
The one thing you can do is "group" an instrument which automatically houses the device within an Ableton Instrument Rack in which you can assign the Macros you actually want to control and give them the names you want as you want them to appear on the Keystage. I thought that now that the amount of macros you can add to an Instrument Rack was greatly expanded, you might be able to page through them on the Keystage. Nope, you can't. 8 parameters, that's all you get no matter what.
Okay, what if I wanted to make a custom MIDI map to control a particular software or hardware synth. You can SORT OF do this, but not nearly as well as cheaper controllers such as the Akai MPK series, all Arturia controllers, Novation SL and Launchkey. Firstly, if the controller is on and connected to a computer with Ableton, you're controlling Ableton and that's it. There is no way to send CC messages to any devices as long as Keystage is set as an Ableton control surface. My $ Nektar Impact LX49 lets me send CC while connected to Ableton but this $ doesn't?? This also means that if I used "External Instrument" in Ableton, I have absolutely no way of sending CC messages to the hardware I'm controlling without using a Max4Live device. Ridiculously bad Korg.
The workaround for this is to go into the Ableton MIDI settings and disable the Keystage as a control surface (keep in mind there is no way to disable this function from the controller itself). Congratulations, you just sacrificed half of the controllers functionality just to be able to send CC. But what does this actually look like. The Keystage will default to "Assignable" mode which lets you send MIDI CC 0-127. Great, there's just one problem. You page through these values in groups of 8 in order, and that's it. There is a user page where you can "favorite" 8 CC values, but once again, you only get 8. Not only that but there is no way of naming the CC values, so you for the most part have no idea what you're actually controlling unless you have the MIDI implementation of all of your hardware memorized.
It's easy to see how all of this can be extremely distracting from making music or designing sounds. What's the most disappointing about all of this is that it can all be corrected in the software. It's insane that Korg released the Keystage in this state when they easily could have sent out prototype models for feedback. Product release is not the time to see what your customers want. I hope to see this product improve in the future, but at this point there is nothing to justify the current price tag. This controller can't even compete with $ controllers.
See also:Keyboard Controllers, Korg, Korg MIDI Controllers