We run through ten of the best MIDI keyboards for dance music production.
CME Xkey
£89
Appearances can be deceptive. The Xkey is one of the smallest keyboards you’re ever likely to come across (and also the cheapest of our selections), but it’s a very capable little device. It’s a tiny, ultra-light keyboard but it features full-size keys – either 25 or 37 of them depending on which model you go for.
We love the minimal design, the MacBook-inspired aesthetics and above all the sheer portability. If you’re looking for a keyboard that can play a role in a minimal live setup as well as in the studio, this is a great starting point.
The MacBook is actually a pretty useful reference point for the Xkey. The aluminium finish is obviously inspired by Apple laptops, but the key action is also closer to a laptop keyboard than it is to a traditional piano action, which makes it feel quite different to most other controllers.
The Bluetooth-equipped Xkey Air is even more minimalist, dispensing with wires altogether, but you pay a premium both in terms of the price of the unit itself and the slightly higher latency that comes with wireless connectivity. On balance, we’d probably stick with the USB version.