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Review MIDI keyboard Korg nanoKEY 2 black. Where to buy it?

Korg Inc, founded as Keio Electronic Laboratories, is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners. I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I’ll list the features of this Korg nanoKEY 2 black keyboard. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar keyboards so you can compare.

  • Color: Black
  • 25-key sensitive keyboard
  • 4-speed curves
  • Pitch Button (Up/Down)
  • Octave-Shift (-4 to +4)
  • Modulation button
  • Sustain button
  • USB-Mini port
  • Powered by USB (less than 100 mA)
  • Dimensions: 325 x 13 x 83 mm
  • Weight: 244 g
  • Includes USB cable and software bundle
  • Supports Apple iPad from OS 4.2.1
  • Requirements: Apple Camera Connection Kit (not included), iPad App must support Core MIDI (KORG does not guarantee compatibility, the possibility of impairment if Apple renews OS and/or launches new models!)

review korg-nanokey-2-black
This MIDI keyboard is usually priced at around €44/£41/$45 and offers a 25-key sensitive mini-keyboard with 4 velocity curves, allowing you to compose and intone different musical ideas on your favorite DAW.

It also offers octave up/down, pitch up/down, sustain and Mod buttons. It has an integrated USB connection and is powered by the same means, i.e. it does not need external power.

It has a lightweight and super portable design fits in a suitcase or even a trouser pocket. It includes a software bundle license.

Now that we have seen the features of this Korg nanoKEY 2 black keyboard look at these related videos to know more.

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Korg nanoKEY 2 black vs Akai LPK 25

The Korg nanoKEY 2 black MIDI keyboard is priced at €44/£41/$45 and the Akai LPK 25 is priced at €42/£37/$42, but the difference is so small that this may vary from store to store. Let’s go head to head:

  • They both offer 25 sensitive mini keys.
  • The Korg nanokEY 2 also offers octave up/down, pitch up/down, sustain, and mod buttons. The Akai LPK 25 offers arpeggiator, octave up/down, sustain and tap tempo buttons.
  • Both have an integrated USB connection and are USB powered.
  • The Korg includes a software bundle license. The Akai includes a software editor for Mac and PC.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

Korg nanoKEY 2 black

Akai LPK 25

  • Color: Black
  • 25-key sensitive keyboard
  • 4-speed curves
  • Pitch Button (Up/Down)
  • Octave-Shift (-4 to +4)
  • Modulation button
  • Sustain button
  • USB-Mini port
  • Powered by USB (less than 100 mA)
  • Dimensions: 325 x 13 x 83 mm
  • Weight: 244 g
  • Includes USB cable and software bundle
  • Supports Apple iPad from OS 4.2.1
  • Requirements: Apple Camera Connection Kit (not included), iPad App must support Core MIDI (KORG does not guarantee compatibility, the possibility of impairment if Apple renews OS and/or launches new models!)
  • Active USB Hub recommended
  • Works with virtually all audio software
  • 25 mini-format speed-sensitive keys
  • Arpeggiator
  • Sustain button
  • Octave Up/Down and Tap Tempo buttons
  • Plug&Play USB socket on Mac and PC without drivers
  • Fits neatly into a laptop bag or backpack
  • 4 programmable memory banks
  • Editor Software for Mac and PC included
  • Powered by a USB port, no mains power cable required
  • Size: 9,65 x 34,04 x 2,79 cm
  • Weight: 0.635 kg

Both MIDI controllers are very similar and minimalist, on the one hand, the Korg has the advantage of the up/down pitch buttons that the Akai does not have, and on the other hand, the Akai has the advantage of its arpeggiator and the 4 programmable memory banks. This gives a slight advantage to the LPK 25 Akai.

And here is a video of the LPK 25 Akai keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Akai LPK 25 review

Korg nanoKEY 2 black vs Miditech Midistart Music 25

The Korg nanoKEY 2 black MIDI Keyboard is priced at €44/£41/$45 and the Miditech Midistart Music 25 is priced at €58/£51/$60. Let’s go head to head:

  • The Korg offers 25 sensitive mini keys, and the Miditech Midistart Music 25 offers 25 full-size keys with sensitivity.
  • The Korg nanokEY 2 also offers octave up/down buttons, pitch up/down, sustain and modulation. The Miditech Midistart Music 25 offers a joystick for pitch bend and modulation, octave up/down buttons, a shift button and an assignable fader.
  • Both feature an integrated USB connection, with USB power. The Miditech also integrates a sustain pedal input and MIDI output
  • The Korg includes a software bundle license. The Miditech includes the Magix Samplitude SE software.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

Korg nanoKEY 2 black

Miditech Midistart Music 25

  • Color: Black
  • 25-key sensitive keyboard
  • 4-speed curves
  • Pitch Button (Up/Down)
  • Octave-Shift (-4 to +4)
  • Modulation button
  • Sustain button
  • USB-Mini port
  • Powered by USB (less than 100 mA)
  • Dimensions: 325 x 13 x 83 mm
  • Weight: 244 g
  • Includes USB cable and software bundle
  • Supports Apple iPad from OS 4.2.1
  • Requirements: Apple Camera Connection Kit (not included), iPad App must support Core MIDI (KORG does not guarantee compatibility, the possibility of impairment if Apple renews OS and/or launches new models!)
  • Active USB Hub recommended
  • 25 large keys with sensitivity
  • Joystick for Pitchbend and Modulation
  • Octave buttons +/-
  • MIDI output
  • USB port
  • Includes USB cable
  • Magix Samplitude SE
  • Size: 380 x 80 x 240 mm
  • Weight: 2.3 Kg

In this comparison we have the Miditech Midistart Music 25 as the best controller because it offers a full size 25 key keyboard and certain control functions that benefit the user, only if you are looking for a MIDI controller that fits in your pants pocket, the Korg nanoKey 2 will be your choice.

Here’s a video of the Miditech Midistart Music 25 keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Miditech Midistart Music 25 review.

Korg nanoKEY 2 black vs M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4

The Korg nanoKEY 2 black MIDI keyboard is priced at €44/£41/$45 when the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 is priced at €122/£105/$122. Let’s move on to the face-to-face:

  • The Korg offers 25 sensitive mini keys, and the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 offers 49 full-size keys with sensitivity.
  • The Korg nanokEY 2 also offers octave up/down buttons, pitch up/down, sustain and modulation. The M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 offers 8 sensitive pads, 8 assignable encoders, 9 freely assignable faders, Transport Button, octave up/down and modulation and pitch bend wheels.
  • Both feature an integrated, USB-powered connection. The M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 also features an integrated sustain pedal input and USB connection.
  • The Korg includes a software bundle license. The M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 includes Ableton Live Lite (Software) and Sonivox Twist (Software).

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

Korg nanoKEY 2 black

M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4

  • Color: Black
  • 25-key sensitive keyboard
  • 4-speed curves
  • Pitch Button (Up/Down)
  • Octave-Shift (-4 to +4)
  • Modulation button
  • Sustain button
  • USB-Mini port
  • Powered by USB (less than 100 mA)
  • Dimensions: 325 x 13 x 83 mm
  • Weight: 244 g
  • Includes USB cable and software bundle
  • Supports Apple iPad from OS 4.2.1
  • Requirements: Apple Camera Connection Kit (not included), iPad App must support Core MIDI (KORG does not guarantee compatibility, the possibility of impairment if Apple renews OS and/or launches new models!)
  • Active USB Hub recommended
  • 49 sensitive keys
  • 8 Sensitive Pads
  • 8 freely assignable rotary knobs
  • 9 freely assignable sliders
  • Transport button e.g. for DAW control
  • LCD screen
  • Powered by USB port
  • USB Midi
  • Sustain pedal connection
  • Includes USB cable, Quickstart Guide, Ableton Live Lite (Software) and Sonivox Twist (Software)
  • Dimensions: WxDxH 814 x 243 x 94 mm
  • Weight: 2.9 kg

In this comparison, we have two somewhat different controllers, on the one hand, the already analyzed Korg nanoKey 2 and on the other the M-Audio Oxygen 49 which offers 49 sensitive keys, 8 sensitive pads, 8 assignable encoders, 9 freely assignable faders, Transport button, octave up/down and modulation and pitch bend wheels.

As we have noted, the Oxygen 49 is a better MIDI controller due to its built-in functions and its keyboard with almost twice as many keys. However, just like the last comparison if you are looking for a MIDI controller that fits in your pocket, the Korg nanoKey 2 will be your choice.

Here is a video of the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 review.

Korg nanoKEY 2 black vs Akai APC Keys 25

The Korg nanoKEY 2 black MIDI Keyboard is priced at €44/£41/$45 and the Akai APC Keys 25 is priced at €72/£64/$73 with a noticeable difference. This is the face-to-face one:

  • Both offer 25 sensitive mini keys.
  • The Korg nanokEY 2 also offers octave up/down, pitch up/down, sustain and Mod buttons. The Akai APC Keys 25 offers a 5×8 clip launch matrix with RGB lighting for clip status indication, octave and sustain controls, eight assignable faders that Ableton Live recognizes automatically, and transport buttons (stop/pause and play).
  • Both feature an integrated USB connection, with USB power.
  • The Korg includes a bundle software license. The Akai includes Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid three by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Twist Spectral Morphing Synthesizer, Toolroom Records Artist Launch Packages.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

Korg nanoKEY 2 black

Akai APC Keys 25

  • Color: Black
  • 25-key sensitive keyboard
  • 4-speed curves
  • Pitch Button (Up/Down)
  • Octave-Shift (-4 to +4)
  • Modulation button
  • Sustain button
  • USB-Mini port
  • Powered by USB (less than 100 mA)
  • Dimensions: 325 x 13 x 83 mm
  • Weight: 244 g
  • Includes USB cable and software bundle
  • Supports Apple iPad from OS 4.2.1
  • Requirements: Apple Camera Connection Kit (not included), iPad App must support Core MIDI (KORG does not guarantee compatibility, the possibility of impairment if Apple renews OS and/or launches new models!)
  • Active USB Hub recommended
  • Keyboard with twenty-five mini Synth-Action keys
  • Smooth Integration into Ableton Live
  • 5×8 clip launch matrix with RGB illumination for an indication of current clip status
  • Octave switch and Sustain
  • Eight Attributable Faders that Ableton Live Recognizes Automatically
  • Includes bundle of Software (Download versions): Ableton Live Lite, Hybrid three by AIR Music Tech, SONiVOX Twist Spectral Morphing Synthesizer, Toolroom Records Artist Launch Packages
  • USB Class Compliant Nutrition

In our last comparison, we have an interesting face-to-face. On one hand the Korg nanoKey 2 with its functions and features that we have already analyzed before, and on the other hand the Akai APC Keys that because of its functions we can say that it is very compatible with the Ableton Live DAW, so if you work mostly with this DAW, this will be your choice. If on the other hand, you want a MIDI controller compatible with other DAWs alike and incredible portability the Korg nanoKEY 2 will be your choice.

And here is a video of the Akai APC Keys 25

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Akai APC Keys 25 review.

Which is the best of these MIDI keyboards if I am a beginner on a low budget?

While the answer to this question lies mostly in what specific need you have, for example, if you want to have a keyboard with the widest range of notes possible, or if you want to have as many control functions as possible, or perhaps a mix between the two, that is without leaving behind the different connections and software licenses that most MIDI controllers offer, we will give an objective opinion according to our experience in music production and thus also with the price demanded by the controllers, a kind of value for money.

In this post we have mostly very cheap MIDI controllers with few functions, however, a very balanced MIDI controller is the Miditech Midistart Music 25, which offers 25 full-size keys (which is excellent for its price), an assignable fader, a joystick for pitch bend and modulation, and octave up/down buttons. We also have a sustain pedal input. It really does offer a lot of features for a fair price. If you get the chance, go for it.

Where to buy the Korg nanoKEY 2 black keyboard

Thomann

  • Free Shipping.
  • Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
  • 100% reliable payment.
  • A leader in trouble-free shipping.
  • Usually the Best price.
  • Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalog and information.

Amazon

  • Free Shipping and the possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
  • Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
  • Sometimes a better price.
  • He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

Also, look at these models with a similar price and features:

Jaime Echagüe

Hi! I'm Jaime Echagüe, a musician and an authentic fan of musical instruments. With this blog I want to give general information about musical instruments in an easy, direct and honest way. I hope you enjoy my website and that you find it very useful.

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