Keith McMillen K-Board Meta Review

Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board 25-key USB MIDI Controller

Submitted by Alexander Briones on May. 20, 2020..

80

GEARANK

80 out of 100. Incorporating 100+ ratings and reviews.

Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board 25-key USB MIDI Controller

The K-Board from Keith McMillen does not look anything like the average keyboard, it also works quite differently.

Underneath each key is a "smart fabric" that detects velocity, pressure and location (tilt), allowing for more expressive realtime control. All three are assignable to parameters like volume, filter, pitch and more, making this keyboard viable for modern electronic music styles.

Plaid, Diplo and Jack Conte are just some of the artists who are using the K-board.

And it's class compliant, making it effortless to connect with any computer or device.

Key features:

Keys: 25 keys with pressure and tilt
Pads: 1 Pitch bend pad
Buttons & Knobs: Octave up/down buttons, 1 Sustain button, 1 Velocity on/off button, 1 Pressure on/off button, 1 Tilt on/off button, 1 Toggle on/off button
Octaves: -2 to +3 Octaves
Bundled Software: None. Recommended software listed on manufacturer's website
Power: USB bus powered
Connectivity: Micro-USB
Compatibility: Class Compliant. System requirements for software editor: Mac OS 10.5 or later + Windows 7 or greater
Dimensions: 12.8" x 3.3" x 0.43"
Weight 0.76 lbs.

Pros

Many are impressed with the Keith McMillen K-board's modern functionality, especially those who are into modern music. There are also a lot of positive comments about its portability and distinct appearance. The rubber matte feel and light-weight design are physical features many people cited positively in their comments and reviews saying things to the effect that it was very sturdy and resistant to drops or even liquid spills.

Cons

Since it does not have a traditional keybed, the feel of rubber keys may take some getting used to. If you're looking for a MIDI Keyboard that plays like a piano, then this is not for you.

Overall

If you're looking for a versatile and portable electronic music friendly keyboard controller, then check out the Keith McMillen K-Board.

NB: There are more highly rated options available which you'll find in our guide to The Best 25-Key MIDI Controller Keyboards and Cheap MIDI Keyboards.