midiplus AKM320 Midi Keyboard Controller

The first thing you are sure to notice about this keyboard is the price. Let's compare this to its closest relative, M-Audio Keystation Mini 32. The ADM320 is almost one third the price! So, what is the catch? What is wrong with this? Nothing! This has heavy duty pitch and mod wheels, not just buttons, so you get better control of those features, and it also has backlit octave and most notably, transpose buttons. Many much more expensive keyboards don't have transpose buttons and it is very useful to have them. Both the octave and transpose buttons work in the usual way and if you press both up and down at the same time, they return to neutral(and the backlights go off). There is also a useful volume slider that works very smoothly(do I have to tell you to be sure to keep the slider all the way to the right, which is maximum volume? Well, for those new to this, do it. You only move it to the left, which is lower volume, for effect). The volume slider can also be assigned to other tasks, such as pan, if you use "midi learn" mode in your software. It also has an input for a sustain pedal, surprising on such a small keyboard. One big difference between this and the M-Audio is that this cannot be programmed for different velocity curves and so forth. But the velocity curve it comes with is just fine. The fit, finish, and overall quality are absolutely first class. It comes with a heavy duty six foot USB cable( USB A to USB type B) and an instruction booklet which is very basic since there isn't much you have to learn about this keyboard. But the instructions do a good job of explaining everything for beginners. Comparing the size of this to the M-Audio, the white keys are a half inch longer than the M-Audio. Aside from the keys being a bit longer, the feel is close to the M-Audio, which is rather springy(my preference is less springy). Yes, you really get your money's worth with this! I am extremely impressed with this, especially the price. There is no reason not to choose this if you want a mini midi keyboard with a 32 key range. It also comes in an attractive sturdy box to keep it in. Before I bought this, I found a great demonstration on Youtube. It isn't in English(it is in Portuguese) but he does a great job putting it through its paces and it is easy to understand, so you can see it functions just as I have described.

Easy setup that is plug and play with Windows 11 and Ubuntu Linux. Worked great with Cakewalk and Qsynth. It can turn the computer into a practice keyboard or with Digital Audio Workstation become a recording studio. Too much fun in a solid package with a budget price.

===UPDATE AFTER RECEIVING REPLACEMENT===I was able to return the keyboard and get a replacement within the span of about three days, which was excellent. The new keyboard has not presented any durability issues, and serves my purposes very well (as described below). I have not yet attempted to travel with it again, but hopefully the key breaking off was an anomaly and I should be able to pack it in carry-ons in the future without any trouble.I've bumped up my review from 2 stars to 4 stars to reflect my satisfaction with the replacement product rather than the original.===ORIGINAL REVIEW===This keyboard seemed like the perfect product for me. I wanted a small, portable USB MIDI keyboard with basic functions (pitchbend and modwheel, octave selection, transposition, sustain pedal input) and no other frills, which was affordably priced and that I could easily travel with to record ideas on the road or to use while finishing tracks in Logic. I was also interested in a small keyboard that I could easily set up next to my drum set, so that I could use it to play occasional keyboard parts with one hand while drumming.The keyboard was half the price of most competitive options, and for the first few days upon arrival I was thrilled with it. The keys are a bit stiff at first but loosen up within the first hour of play, and overall it was serving my needs spectacularly. Shortly after it arrived, I departed for a period of extended travel and packed the keyboard in one of my bags (I was traveling by bus and train for a two week period). Within five days, however, one of the keys broke off. It happened on one of the days when I was not traveling, and I hadn't been using it intensely or heavily, so I really am not sure how to explain it except that the quality of the plastic is just not very high. I guess you get what you pay for; perhaps a more expensive keyboard of the same size would be a bit sturdier. But I was really enjoying the keyboard otherwise so I'm dismayed to have had to review it poorly.Once my travel concluded I was able to send the product in for replacement; I'm hoping that it turns out to be an anomalous product defect and perhaps the replacement keyboard will have a sturdier build. I really like this keyboard as a simple, functional solution to my compact MIDI keyboard needs, so I'd love to bump this review up higher if the replacement turns out to be in good shape.

I expected some kind of hassle, but nope.I wanted something tiny, but not having enough keys doesn't make any sense. 2 1/2 octaves is a workable compromise. I wasn't interested in solutions that lacked pitch or mod wheels, so this hits the mark. And it has a sustain pedal jack! Price is right. Plugged it in to an available port and was able to use it in my DAW immediately.I use this on my desk in front of my typing keyboard, so I wish the USB port didn't point the cable into those keys, but out the side would use more desk space, so it's fine. Maybe I'll look into right angle adapter if it gets too annoying. One of the keys isn't quite even, but it turned out not to affect playing.I'd consider paying a bit more for a version with a few rotary encoders along the top strip. There's room, if you want to make one, guys!