Xkey 37 USB

This is a fantastic compact keyboard! I'll get into my gripes (not really any) about the keyboard further down, but for the cost, this has been a fantastic purchase, and I can totally recommend the Xkey 37! Xkey 37 vs Xkey 25 Initially, I was going to purchase the 25 key model, but to do the type of music that I like (piano accompaniment), the 37 key model was much more useful. Let me say that I'm not a musician by any stretch of the imagination, but I do enjoy learning music (chords and chord progressions and how the music is put together). I use a Mac with GarageBand, and the Xkey really fits the bill. So let me get into what I really like about the keyboard: 1. It's very low-profile. While it's not as convenient as the 25 key model, it's still very thin. I wanted something with full-size keys since I have big fingers, so that ruled out mini-keys. 2. The free software/driver that comes with it (it needs to be downloaded) has some great features. Namely, the ability to assign keys to a lower register. For example, a song I'm trying to learn has wide range. I can compensate by dropping down an octave, but even still, I need to re-assign keys. The driver software allows me to use the bottom 11 keys (or however many I want/need) and assign them to a certain register. I think you could even do something crazy like assign a C key to a G or whatever. 3. The setup was plug and play (at least on the Mac). The driver software has been extremely stable. I've not had any oddities or strangeness when running it. The other Xkey software (which provides the instrument sounds) is limited to only a few different instruments, but you can start playing music without any additional purchases. Get GarageBand (free on the Mac), and you have a huge selection of instruments available. OK, here are my gripes, and they're minor. 1. Really the only gripe is that there is not a lot of "range" on the keys. They don't provide the feedback/weight that a normal piano/keyboard has, but I knew that going in. The keys do a good job with attack, you just need to get used to the feel of the keys. I would think that going between real piano keys and this Xkey would be a bit strange, but the Xkey is my only keyboard, and I'm used to it. 2. I would really like the ability to store multiple keyboard configurations (key settings), but currently there is only a single setting. Luckily that has worked for me so far, but I can foresee a situation where I would either need to reset the keyboard to its defaults, and redo my current configuration. Being able to create/store/recall multiple configs would be awesome. That's really just a feature, and not a gripe, but it would be cool to have. That's it. No real gripes. The other big plus in my mind is that when I sent an email to Xkey Tech Support for the feature request I listed above, I got an email back from a real person. Even though I didn't get a timeframe, I did get an email from a person who took my request, and got back to me in a very timely manner. I like that! Feel free to post questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. I understand that I'm probably not the exact demographic that buys this type of keyboard (not a student, musician, or composer), but for a portable keyboard, I'm extremely happy with the purchase.

I recently purchased the CME Xkey 37 MIDI Keyboard, and while I am generally impressed with it as a product, there are some quirks to its design and performance that I feel warrant a "4 of 5 star" rating. (I will revisit my review after spending more time with it, and see if my opinions have changed). I'll break down my review into sections as they related to some of the positive and negative aspects of the device. BUILD QUALITY & PRICING - At a street price of $199, you could argue that the Xkey 37 is properly priced compared to some of the full-featured 37-key and 49-key MIDI workstations, or perhaps a bit over-priced compared to some of the compact 32- or 37-key alternatives on the market offering key input but no CC knobs or sample pads. At the same time, the unboxing of the Xkey 37 was a satisfying experience, and the solid build quality and sleek design certainly help to justify the price point. This keyboard is seriously thin - everything about it screams "Apple"(or perhaps "MacBook Air" - from the slim profile to the brushed nickel finish. I believe the 25-key version, however, still sells for $99, so that is a pretty significant price jump for adding a single octave of keys, though the Xkey 37 has a few connectivity advantages over the Xkey 25, which I will discuss below. (UPDATE 02/26/2016 - About a week into using the device, I'm going to stick with the 4-star rating for the foreseeable future. It's a nice a product, a very sleek product, and I'm getting more accustomed to using the keys. But the micro jacks for USB and especially the X-Cable, for a $199 device, are extremely suspect. Unlikely to be an issue if you set it up on a desk and avoid abusing it, but certainly a design CME could work to improve in future iterations.) "MOBILE" MUSICAL KEYBOARD? - While this is obviously a device that is well-built and appealed to me, I'm struck by how weird the overall concept of it is. CME promotes this as a "Mobile Musical Keyboard" (it says so right on the box), but in what sense is this really "mobile"? The keys are basically full-sized and have a bit of spacing between them, bringing the overall length measurement to 26 inches, compared to something like the Korg microKey (22 inches long). It's extremely slim, so it could fit into a backpack, but not without a significant portion of it sticking out of the top. Plus, the device requires you to plug in either one or two proprietary cables on the left and right sides, so you'd need to bring those with you. Long story short, the portability of this device is nice (I plan to stash it away when I'm not using it), but it's probably better suited for a studio desktop versus being a truly "mobile" or "laptop" keyboard option. KEY PERFORMANCE - While the Xkey 37 is relatively new, the keys are similar to those on the Xkey 25, so I felt like I had a fair amount of information on how they would perform. The keys work pretty much as I expected, but only because I've used the Korg nanoKey2 before, so the idea of a keyboard key that feels more like a laptop keypad is not something that feels alien to me. The layout of the keys is very similar to a traditional piano - the black flat/sharp keys are set higher than the white keys, but only slightly. Although they look like traditional keys, they press straight down like a button, not like the "level" action of a traditional piano or synth key. I read some reviews saying that the keys are "too sensitive". I suppose that could be true from an "accidental key press" perspective. But actually, I had the opposite issue - the keys responded to my presses, but the range of velocity was too wide. I felt like the factory settings really wanted me to mash the keys harder than I was accustomed to for a full "127" velocity reading. Fortunately, CME has programs available on both computer and iPad that allow you to update firmware and make sensitivity adjustments. Therefore, while the unpredictability of key velocity is one of my leading concerns about the device, I have a degree of confidence that I might be able to tweak it to my liking. CABLES & MIDI CONNECTIVITY - One of the key features that drew me to the Xkey 37 (over both the Xkey 25 and competitor products) was the "X-Cable". This proprietary cable is exclusive to the 37-key model, and it includes a separate output for 5-pin DIN MIDI Out, plus jacks for and expression and sustain pedal (not included). Those three items split into a single proprietary micro plug, which goes into a jack on the underside of the unit's left side. On the right side, there is a separate proprietary USB cable. (Both of these cables are included with the Xkey 37). The cable doubles as a power source for the keyboard, and as a USB MIDI interface, which has become more of an industry standard with computer DAW's, VST instruments, and mobile devices. However, some hardware synthesizers still require 5-pin DIN MIDI cables (in my case, the Korg Volca series), and 5-pin DIN MIDI remains necessary on a lot of older hardware devices. So the additional "traditional MIDI" output was a nice touch, and it remains somewhat rare in the sub-$200 MIDI controller lineup. LONG-TERM CONCERNS - While I was able to plug in my Xkey 37 to both my iPhone (Camera Connection USB Kit required) and Volca Bass with zero difficulty, I do have some long term concerns about whether this device will continue to function 10 years or more down the road. There's simply no way to know if the keys will develop dead zones or other issues after years of use. Fortunately, most reviews of the older Xkey 25 have been positive. Also, while the X-Cable is a great innovation, the cables and jacks are proprietary, and the X-Cable in particular did not have quite as snug of a fit as I expected. With proper care, it should last, but this is another reason why I consider this more of a desktop keyboard than a true "mobile" device that could take years of abuse. Replacing the cables in future could be tedious or costly, while a failure in the jack probably means the end of the device. OVERALL IMPRESSION - Portions of my review probably sound excessively negative for a 4-star review, but I wanted prospective buyers to have as much information as possible, as it is a bit of a premium-priced product for what it does. The reality is that I was prepared for many of these shortcomings, and yet still fell in love with the device and am happy with the purchase. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, go find a used version of the Alesis Q25 or Q49, which has both 5-pin and USB MIDI outputs and can be had for around $50. But if you're happy enough with the price, the Xkey 37 is a nice product that is really capable of performing like a full-sized keyboard, albeit with a much smaller (and sexier) footprint on your desktop. It's the logical companion to an office DAW setup where you might now want a giant MIDI keyboard on your desk at all times, but would proudly display the Xkey 37.

I have always wanted to learn to play the piano but I travel a lot which makes practicing difficult. I just bought a Yamaha Clavinova for my children to learn on and am motivated myself to learn. I wanted something with keys the same size as a real piano while being ultra portable. This is perfect. It fits in my carry-on luggage, albeit diagonally. It’s super thin and doesn’t have the annoying midi controller knobs and dials that so many do. 37 keys allow me to use both hands in a variety of positions. The key travel is not near what a normal piano would have but because the keys are the same size, I feel like I am able to learn where my fingers go on this and transfer that to a real piano at home. I plug it into my iPhone 8 and use it with garage band. It also works with my iPad Pro but I use that as a sheet music viewer. I haven’t found a way to use the iPad as both a viewer and for GarageBand. The Apple camera connection kit dongle adapter is required to use this with lightning plugs but it works very well. I have had it for a few months and it’s been through 40 or so airports without an issue. It’s allowed me to get over halfway through Alfreds adult beginner book one in about three months. It’s metal and relatively tough. I also bought the case for it and feel it is well protected in my bag. Someone else said that it appears to be what Apple would make if they made a midi controller. I agree. I’m very glad I have this.

This is the most elegant compact midi keyboard imaginable with full size keys that slide into a drawer with ease. Despite the unusual travel, the keys are perfectly expressive. However, I strongly suggest that you wait to buy until the usb micro port that connects the device is re-engineered. After a few months of use (having already shaved the connector to make it fit, see other posts), the internal connector has now sheared off its motherboard, rendering the keyboard useless. Hopefully the manufacturers will wise up to this and refactor it with a USB C connector out the back rather than hidden in an awkward position in the side where it is stuck at an angle. So long, keyboard and $200.

No return comments from CME, Virgin, Jordon, CME-pro. As a matter of fact they blocked all future emails coming from my ip. Don not do business with them. I will ask Juan’s support again. Best Regards Zhao Yitian / 赵易天 Music has value! From: halfcack Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 11:57 AM To: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] Subject: Warranty voided on x-37 for a part not replaced Customer Service, - My warranty was voided because no micro usb factory cable came with my x-37. This was resolved later. I failed to recognize the box other than filler that contained the cord. - I spoke to two techs, Juan and Rich - I have to buy five cables so I could shave the side closest to the outer, underside wall of the keyboard. I noticed that every one of the cables were too thick. - strain would be put on connector if I had not shaved the side of the input end to leave more than enough clearance not to touch the body of the x-37. - the x-37 failed after 7 months of use. This has happened to me in 35 years. - I called tech support at CME. They told me I had to talk to a distributor which made me uncomfortable. - Juan told me to ship the x-37 to Virgin Musical Instruments and send him the tracking number. - Juan would then ship me another x-37 so they cross in shipping cutting the time between I would be without my only midi board I use by choice. - I asked Juan if this would be a factory new or refurbished unit someone had owned before. - Juan gave me his word CME does not send out used or refurbished units. - Juan gave me his word that as soon as I sent the tracking number which I did that day, Juan would ship me a new x-37 same day. - I asked when I could expect the return shipping labels. Juan told me I would have to pay for returning the defective keyboard. I asked why? Juan told me that business at the present time was extremely bad. - I told Juan that in the last ten years, no one does business that way. Shipping labels are sent, paid for by the receiver and dropped off at UPS by me. Please check the phone recording. - Again, Juan gave his word that Virgin Musical Instruments does not send out used merchandise. It will be new. - I diagnosed the problem to the connector which when first opened, looked the unit over, noting to Juan I was extremely picky in the merchandise I buy or sell used, as good as new or specific scratches, blemishes or dirty mentioned to the buyer. - Juan broke he word. I called him or emailed Juan, three days later, not having heard from him, not having received shipping labels or at the very least, an RA number. - Juan said the return was overlooked which is why all companies do business as I described. - I received the x-37 in a tattered box. I opened the box and found it was not a new x-37 and Juan had lied, was vying for time so that they could repair it. - I checked the serial number and it was my original unit. I told Juan how picky I was, didn't he think I would not check it over with a lit magnifying glass. - Than part was not necessary. It could be seen that, the keyboard bed had been replaced. The connector was not changed out, it had a certain mark so I would know beyond a doubt the keyboard was new as promised by Juan. - Rick is not out of this. He was pleasant and confirmed that the connector was bad as Juan and myself had agreed one. Rick knew at that time what was going to happen. - The micro usb input connector was the same one and not the problem the x-37 died. - There in no caveat which states a CME cable must be used in fact CME faq's state any micro usb cable can be used. - I doubt if anyone notice, they won't unless properly shaved so it doesn't go in at an angle and put definite failure pressure on the connector at some point. - I noticed. I shaved mine perfectly, not for looks but used in the way described would have to go in at a severe angle. That would cause the unit connector to fail either that second or when you need it most. - I found as well, this particular model was discontinued by CME. That I check every internet store I do business with and it was a discontinued model. I also was told that the same model would be coming out with no changes but different colors. - I registered my unit the same day it arrived new so I would be eligible for the two year warranty. - I don't expect you to believe me but you have to believe all the emails and recorded phone calls. Juan and Rich were aware of my choice to use the x-37 exclusively. I explained after the first day, I could not go back to a regular keyboard. I needed the new one as soon as possible. I offered to have it expedited. I offered to put the new one on a credit card so it would be less than two days without it. If they would credit my card when they received my defective unit. Neither Rich nor Juan showed any sign of wanting to do this which was the end of my, they are both lying suspicion. - I did my due diligence. Now, it is time for Virgin Musical Instruments to do their's. I had to change my review. This was prior to all fraudulent promises. I will have to revise it again. If you do not believe me, no problem but you must check the recordings and emails to make sure this doesn't happen again. - I left a note in the box in the case, the cords would be left out. I would return the extra's but as Juan told me they have boxes and boxes full. Check the recordings. - I am willing to accept a factory new CME air-37 with midi dongle when I send back the used x-37 which was misdiagnosed and not mentioned in any paperwork that the problem was in another area. That the warranty was fraudulently voided costing me 28$ in shipping. The keyboard bed was brand new. I had marked my old one as well. - I try to take the high road always. If I have to pay a reasonable amount for this transaction to run smoothly, I am willing to do that. Misrepresentation, lying, breaking CME's and Virgin Musical Instrument word is not acceptable in a failing market. - Please have someone who can facilitate this process in a timely manner contact me. I have made my choice to use this midi controller and never use another. I love the product and I am on project which requires the use of it, for me personally.

This thing is awesome. I couldn't stop playing it right after I took it out of the box. I've had a LOT of midi keyboard controllers, and most are either cheaply made and terrible to play realistically, or pretty bulky and only convenient for home use. If you want something you can take on the go, this is it. Very responsive and nice to play, looks great, and has a seriously low profile that makes it super portable. Hook it up to an iPod with a simple connector, and with a few choice synths apps it's a pretty powerful, yet highly transportable synth. Great to take to jam sessions. Just plug and play.

This only operates when connected to a computer. Xkey does not recognize USB power unless drawn from a computer. Strange decision when so much of modern music is made with a variety of devices.

VERY GOOD PRODUCT BUT THE PRESSURE SENSITIVITY WORKS NOT WELL. IF YOU DONT PRESS HARD, THE SOUND WILL BE VERY SMALL