We need more MIDI keyboard controllers with integrated audio interfaces, and there are reasons why their integration makes sense and is valuable.
The market for MIDI keyboards is large and diverse. It is dominated by major players such as Arturia, Korg, Novation, Roland, inMusic brands and others. It is striking that almost none of the current MIDI keyboard controllers have integrated audio interfaces. Why?
In an era of mobile music production and space-saving setups, the audio industry almost ignores this market. Thanks to a comment on my Arturia KeyLab Mk3 review, I came up with the idea to write a “Real Talk” about it.
Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers with Audio Interfaces
To be clear, these are MIDI keyboard controllers with built-in audio interfaces that can route and output audio. No synthesizers, electric pianos, groove boxes or anything like that. It’s just a classic MIDI keyboard with controls.
The result of the search is somewhat sobering. I found four keyboards, or seven if you count the versions. I even own one of them. This is not a new invention. There have been a few MIDI keyboards with audio I/O in the past, including the Line 6 Toneport KB37, Novation X Station and others.
Korg Keystage 49/61
The latest models are the Korg Keystage 49/61 MIDI keyboards from 2023, which score particularly well with polyphonic aftertouch keys (ASM Hydrasynth keybed) and MIDI 2.0 support.
One feature has been somewhat overlooked. The Keystage is almost unique on the market in that it has a built in audio interface. It has 2x 6.35 mono outputs and a headphone output on the back. This means that it only works in one direction, ie it is an output only audio interface.
I like to say it’s better than nothing. This way you can output audio professionally without having to connect an additional audio interface. If the Korg Keystage 49/61 had an input, it would have been perfect.
IK Multimedia iRig Buttons I/O
The second is the IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O, which is available in 25 and 49 key versions. At first glance, the 2018 iRig Keys I/O looks like a regular MIDI keyboard with a slightly “weird” design. Turn it over and you get an I/O section that no other MIDI keyboard on the market can offer.
It offers an integrated audio interface with a Hi-Z 6.35 mm audio input with gain control and 48 V for line and microphone signals, two audio outputs and a 6.35 mm headphone jack.
And the best thing is that the whole thing is battery-operated and can therefore be used even under extreme mobile conditions. With the Keys I/O, IK Multimedia shows what is possible when you combine a MIDI keyboard controller with an audio interface.
I bought it second hand a while ago because I was curious how it felt and how it worked. The implementation is not perfect. All I can say is that it has a bizarre design (probably from the same designer as the UNO Synth Pro), an unnecessary and annoying proprietary USB cable, MIDI encoders that don’t feel good, and a lot of touch strips.
Nevertheless, it is a prime example of a combination of keyboard and audio interface.
IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2
The Irig Keys 2 series, also from IK Multimedia, are classic MIDI keyboard controllers. In contrast to the Irig Keys I/O series, the extensive interface has been dispensed with here, but a headphone output has been retained.
This means you can hear high-resolution audio directly from the keyboard. So it’s not a full-fledged audio interface, but it can handle audio, which is a rarity in the MIDI keyboard space.
We need more MIDI keyboard controllers with audio interfaces!
Yes, the number of MIDI keyboards with integrated audio interfaces is decreasing. If you want such a configuration, you are very limited. I don’t know why this is the case in the industry.
Is it because companies prefer to sell the keyboard and interface separately and make better margins that way, or is the market too small? Controllers from the past and present, including Korg and IK Multimedia, show that it is possible.
There are many reasons why an audio interface in a MIDI keyboard controller makes sense:
- Keep it portable: Instead of lugging a MIDI keyboard and an audio interface to a jam session, you only need one device
- Mobile music production: to avoid the dongle madness (USB hubs…) on iPads and other mobile devices.
- Workflow: Connect it to your computer/iPad and you have instant audio and MIDI
- …
In summary, there are far too few MIDI keyboard controllers with audio options on the market. I hope that there will be more of them in the future. It would be desirable.
Available from my partners
Thomann
Freshwater
