Korg Keystage MIDI keyboard controller

Introducing the Korg Keystage MIDI keyboard

As the first keyboard to adopt the MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange, Korg’s Keystage offers unparalleled integration and a distraction-free experience that’ll keep your creativity flowing and put you in control.

Featuring a semi-weighted keybed design, a powerful arpeggiator, immersive touch response, and instant visual feedback through parameter-dedicated OLED displays, Keystage is the ultimate MIDI keyboard solution for inspired musicians looking to take their music-making experience to the next level.

This impressive device also offers official integration with Ableton Live, as well as compatibility with all major DAWs. Plus, it has a lightweight and portable design, giving you plenty of freedom, whether you’re producing in the studio, on the go, or performing live.

Ready when you are

Keystage is at the forefront of keyboard innovation, being the first to utilise the true potential of MIDI 2.0. Simply connect the keyboard to compatible software, and Keystage automatically maps parameters and displays the information on its easy-to-read OLED screens. Each screen is also paired with a dedicated knob for real-time adjustments, meaning you always see the parameters assigned and their exact values. This lets creators focus on quickly capturing their moments of musical inspiration, rather than wasting time with the hassle of MIDI mapping.

Expressive, immersive and unique sound

The innovative design of the semi-weighted keybed provides an immersive playing experience, and with polyphonic and channel aftertouch, alongside MPE, you can now add depth and feel to your performances without lifting your fingers off the keys. A vast selection of patterns is made even better with limitless ways to customise, such as aftertouch triggered ratchets, randomisation, gating, and more. In addition, chord mode offers 32 chord sets that can be used out-of-the-box, or saved into any of the extra 32 user set slots. Each set can have one chord assigned to each note of an octave, and chords can even be replayed in different ways, including a strumming mode for realistic guitar-like playing.

Official integration with Ableton Live

Ableton Live is the industry-standard software for live performance, thanks to its innovative dual Session/Arrangement view, smooth clip triggering, looping, and powerful production tools. Keystage detects the device currently active in Ableton Live, and automatically maps to the first 8 parameters. When you switch devices, Keystage dynamically reconfigures itself for an uninterrupted experience, keeping you in the zone. Keystage comes bundled with Ableton Live 11 Lite as part of its software suite, which is a beginner-friendly version of Live, providing many of the core features to help you kickstart your journey in music creation and performance.

The future of music

MIDI 2.0 is one of the most impressive developments in electronic music production in decades. It’s bi-directional and changes MIDI from a monologue to a dialogue, which means that MIDI 2.0 devices can talk to each other and auto-configure themselves to work together. Keystage retrieves information and can talk with a wide range of MIDI 2.0 compatible devices, exchanging information in both directions. This exciting feature extends not only to software plugins, but also to hardware devices. Plus, MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange is compatible with traditional MIDI DIN cables, allowing Keystage to seamlessly integrate with existing devices, and it allows for backwards compatibility, so Keystage can still communicate using MIDI 1.0 with devices that do not support MIDI 2.0.

Take your performance on the road

Keystage is equipped with direct stereo output, so you can connect it to your computer and directly link to the sound system without the need for additional gear that takes up valuable space. It includes an expansion plate that can be attached at two different angles, making it ideal for tablets and other devices. On the 61-key model, you have the flexibility to adjust the placement of the plates in two different positions, providing a stable and solid surface to place your laptop. This keyboard is also surprisingly lightweight, and its slim and portable design allows for easy transportation, while a robust build ensures durability during gigs and travel.

Powerful software suite

Keystage comes bundled with an incredible software set, such as Korg Gadget, which is the best all-in-one music production software and plugin collection. The intuitive user interface provides over 40 small synthesizers and drum machines called ‘Gadgets’ that you can freely combine for music production. Keystage includes the Producer Bundle version, which is equipped with most of the features and Gadgets that the Korg Gadget 2 software offers. Musicians can also explore the full potential of Keystage by pushing its capabilities to the limits with Wavestate Native LE, which offers numerous patches utilizing Poly and Channel Aftertouch. Wavestate Native LE is virtually the same as Wavestate Native, except only one plugin instance can be active at a time on a given DAW project.