A quarantined master keyboard is truly a precious object, an indispensable distraction tool, the perfect companion for our main instrument, guitar, bass or drums.
Despite the undeniable difficulties of concentration that we are all suffering from due to the complex situation in which we find ourselves, this period of isolation seems the perfect time to dedicate oneself to individual music, and therefore to the exercise of creativity, consequently to the massive use of computer e DAW with annexes Plugin e virtual instruments. So even if you are not a keyboard player and have never used music software in your life, now that you have already had to buy the computer for it. smart working or for distance learning, you just have to consider buying one masterkeyboard to start letting yourself be conquered by the fantastic world of production!
The product under test
IK Multimedia has been in the music computer products sector (both hardware and software) for years now, and therefore when it is about to present a new model in a category where it has already established itself with considerable success, we are always all anxious and eagerly awaiting, especially if in the process of shopping.
The master keyboard iRig Keys 2 Pro (and its younger sister iRig Keys 2) are now going to extend the family of products belonging to the iRig Keys series, presenting themselves with a very attractive look and a series of very interesting features in their essentiality.
Technical Specifications
The two new little sisters are perfectly identical except in the keyboard that comes with 37 full size keys for Pro version e 37 mini keys for simple version, both sensitive to dynamics but not to aftertouch. The rest of the specifications provide for one integrated sound card with 2 output channels on stereo minijack (so beware that you can't record your voice or guitar), ports midi in/... (always on stereo minijack with an adapter included in the package), classics pitch bend e modulation with Yamaha style wheel, volume control, 4 rotary knobs freely assignable to 8 parameters to be controlled (via switch key), a rotary controller jerky and with push functionality ideal for sound changes, 2 keys for change octave, 2 keys for program change, 4 memory scenes recalled by means of a selection key and 4 luminous LEDs.
Not missing one connection for a pedal di expression o sustain. The equipment also includes a USB cable for connection to PCs or Android devices and attention ... a lightning cable for direct connection to IOS devices without the use of adapters, which is not negligible from the point of view of convenience if the use with iPad o iPhone.
The right moment
Sales of musical instruments in the Covid-19 era are having a significant surge and as a result producers are playing them right with increasingly advantageous offers, especially in the software sector. I therefore consider it very useful an evaluation, in the choice of a master keyboard, also of the supplied software which, in a sector where by now the constructive quality of the “prosumer” hardware has been uniformly leveled on medium-high standards, can really make a difference. If in the previous article I had praised Arturia for the Analog Lab Lite package bundled with the Microlab, this time with the iRig Keys 2 Pro I was even more fortunate, because in addition to the SE di Sample Tank 4 normally scheduled with the master, on offer until 30th April there is the full version of Sample Tank 4, with all the mega library of samples attached which immediately generated my full devotion to IK-Multimedia.
The content
The package of the iRig Keys 2 Pro is quite demanding in size; the full size version has a regal look, despite its decidedly low weight. The thickness of the rear side, albeit relevant, is expertly softened by a rounded shape that closes the shape in coherence with the front side, giving the overall line a certainly pleasant but perhaps even a little toy-like appearance. A small instruction manual is supplied together with the keyboard where the basic connections are illustrated, a cable with USB connection for Mac, Pc and Android, a cable with lightning connection for iPad and iPhone, a mini midi jack adapter that can be used for a midi connection ( in or out). The length of these cables is decidedly undersized, you can hardly get to the hub positioned on the desk (assuming you have it).
The iPad test
The first thing I wanted to do with the IK-Multimedia master keyboard just unpacked, was obviously to connect it to my iPad Pro 9'(not very recent but not obsolete either) pursuing the dream of creating a perfect hybrid virtual analog synthesizer to take to the stage together with my PCM based workstation. The conditions are there, 3 full size octaves are what I need to drive the very powerful as a work of art Minimoog Model D that I recently bought on the Apple Store and the 4 rotary knobs already inspire virulent filter and distortion openings!
Unfortunately, however, the dream came true only halfway because some problems detected during the rehearsal slowed my enthusiasm as a live performer. In addition to the impossibility that I have already mentioned, of a comfortable accommodation of the iPad due to the cable being too short, the connection with the Apple device was immediately not perfectly stable. I had to disconnect and reconnect the cable several times to get the iRig to be recognized as an audio device and I also encountered midi stuck from time to time, with notes that remained played indefinitely and notes that were not played when the key was pressed.
It must be said, however, that then there were entire test sessions without the slightest problem, which left me a little dumbfounded. The lightning connection also seems to suffer from a slightly higher latency than other master keyboards that I have been able to try, which in any case does not affect its use as it is truly almost imperceptible. However having a Camera Connection Kit and anRoland MIDI interface, I wanted to try to connect the master keyboard to the iPad via the MIDI OUT port with the supplied mini jack adapter: the MIDI connection offers much higher security and stability, in fact the control of all the virtual instruments was impeccable and without smudges.
Obviously you have to give up the audio integrated in the iRig and connect the amplification directly to the audio output of the iPad, moreover it becomes necessary to power the keyboard (any power supply for mobile phones of at least 1A is fine): you give up a little practicality and to a pinch of brilliance on the high frequencies, but in return you get a good dose of peace of mind and more confidence on stage.
The surprise with the PC
Having calmly placed the master on the desk, I thought it would be a good idea to register the instrument on the manufacturer's website and download the bundled software. Here I got a bit lost among the many versions of SampleTank 4 available, until I realized that the version supplied is the SE but on a special offer (probably due to Covid-19) the version is available for my account FULL !!
With a little patience I downloaded and installed theauthorization manager, then SampleTank 4, then the library installer and finally all the samples in groups of single files for a total of about 63 Gb (all to be repeated a second time if you are also using Mac). Working with the iRig Keys 2 Pro in synergy with SampleTank 4 is a fantastic experience. THE controllers are already mapped, the dial lets you scroll through the countless choice of presets and the dynamic response of the keyboard is perfectly calibrated with the tonal precision of the virtual instruments available. The particular enjoyment is achieved precisely with the emulations of Hammond. Although I am not an acclaimed fan of the most famous organ in the world, I must say that the feeling is really pleasant, especially with the distortions and with the activation of the Leslie, really well emulated.
The touch of the iRig is slightly soft, but the stroke is deep and the ascent is fast. Tested on the fly, without emitting sounds, it can leave you a little perplexed by the sensation of "softness", but once connected to a level tone generator it returns impeccable precision and a truly surprising satisfaction. Even with the electric pianos an excellent level of credibility is reached, while obviously we cannot expect miracles with the acoustic pianos, but after all a keyboard with 3 octaves would prevent any kind of piano performance regardless. In all cases, for programming pop music passages it is perfectly adequate as you have excellent control over the dynamics of the timbres.
The integrated sound card
I forgot to mention that this whole ride was done using the integrated audio of the master keyboard without even the aid of ASIO4ALL driver, but using i native drivers di Windows 7 (the integrated sound card is in fact driver compliant so it works on all operating systems without software installations). The quality of the card converters is sufficient to make it autonomous in any Live context and also suitable for small mixes in the home. In practice, if you have any “scrauzo” notebook and want to use it to play live, you don't need to buy a sound card to go to your concerts, you just need the integrated audio in the IK-Multimedia master! In short, in the Windows DAW field, the product proved to be decidedly mature and stable, completely eliminating the perplexities encountered during the test with iPad.
I made a small production, lasting several days, playing all the synths (from different manufacturers) with the small iRig Keys 2 Pro without ever a hitch and with maximum satisfaction.
All the software there is
IK-Multimedia has a truly impressive and very varied software showcase. Even without the purchase of products and by simply registering on the site, it offers a few free things to let you taste the quality of your products. These include (in addition to SampleTank Custom Shop) Syntronic, a beautiful emulation of classic analog synthesizers, amplifier e T-Racks 5salways in the Custom Shop version, that is, with a small taste and with the various components that can be purchased individually. By registering a hardware product you are then entitled to Sample Tank SE (with 30Gb of samples) and to unlock Cubasis 2 for iPad more than extra bonus for several free applications for both IOS and Android. I took advantage of the IOS version of the SampleTank bonus, freeing up some additional sounds, but unfortunately nothing that comes even remotely close to the power of the FULL version of SampleTank 4 above.
Firmware update and editing software
Dear IK-Multimedia developers, what are you waiting for to release an editor for the convenient setting of the 4 available scenes and for storing them on hard disk? You don't want me to start assigning the number of CC to the controls that I have at my disposal with abstruse combinations of keys and going blind on the serigraphs placed on the whites and blacks? I'm too old for these things, if you can come and meet me, thank you. If you also put the option to update the firmware and a software version that stabilizes the midi on IOS, it would be a really great gift!
Field test
The master keyboard does its job perfectly, both in the studio and around the world (when possible), playing a leading role in an essential setup. The quality of the integrated sound card is far superior to the native audio of almost all existing notebooks, and even a pin above that of the iPad Pro with which I was able to compare it. The only annoyance is that with IOS, once the keyboard is connected, the operating system prevents you from using the audio of the tablet and consequently listening through the integrated speaker, which often comes in handy in flying work sessions with friends.
It would have been nice to be able to turn off the audio component of the hardware, leaving it exclusively with MIDI functionality. Connected to the main DAW of the studio, it allows you to have a valid tool for production going to occupy a limited space, being able to be conveniently placed on the worktop or on the classic pull-out compartment of the vast majority of study desks.
It can be perfectly integrated into any setup thanks to the double midi in and out connection, which also transforms it into an efficient midi interface for integration into the setup of keyboards and / or racks without USB connection.
Final houghts
And so we arrived at the final paragraph, the one where you have to say the last thing, which is the only thing that really matters:
therefore recommend the purchase of the iRig Keys 2 Pro?
Definitely yes! Both for the constructive quality of the instrument and for the practical and immediate functionalities available.
Could anything be improved?
Most likely yes, deciding more precisely the target of mobile or fixed use, because if the hardware seems to be designed for mobility (see integrated sound card and cables included) the software equipment (also considering the stability of the firmware) seems to be designed exclusively for the DAW world on PC / MAC.
Personally, I would have liked perfect stability with IOS and a more conspicuous software equipment in this work environment, but I realize that for developers the apple store represents a large slice of income, and all in all often applications are sold at decidedly prices. more affordable. In conclusion, it is an excellent device to definitely put in the viewfinder of choices if you need a light master keyboard, not bulky and at the same time precise and playable.
PRO
37 full size keys sensitive to dynamics 4 assignable knobs lightning cable included usb powered software bundle (on offer) extremely powerful
AGAINST
Cables supplied too short no editing software no aftertouch some uncertainty with IOS 7.
Good music everyone!
Pasquale Tarricone
