KORG Keystage-49

Keystage 49 - Poly Aftertouch MIDI Keyboard

Keystage is the ultimate MIDI keyboard solution for producers and stage performers. As the first keyboard to adopt the MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange, Keystage puts unparalleled integration and control at your fingertips, taking your music-making experience to a whole new level.
Featuring a new keybed design with outstanding touch response, Polyphonic / Channel Aftertouch and MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) compatibility, Keystage offers hands-on control and instant visual feedback through its parameter-dedicated OLED screens. It features a powerful arpeggiator, an array of chord modes, an integrated audio interface, and official integration with Ableton Live.  Whether producing in the studio or performing live, Keystage offers an unparalleled integrated and distraction-free experience to keep your musical creativity flowing uninterrupted.

 

Inspiration doesn’t wait for anyone

Say goodbye to time-consuming MIDI mapping, guesswork, and uncaptured inspiration. When the muse strikes, you need to capture your musical ideas quickly and precisely - Keystage allows you to do just that.

Keystage is at the forefront of keyboard innovation, being the first to truly tap into the potential of MIDI 2.0. Simply connect the keyboard to compatible software, and Keystage automatically assigns parameters and even displays their names on its crystal-clear OLED screens. Each screen is paired with a dedicated knob for real-time adjustments, meaning you always see the parameters assigned and their exact values, empowering you to make informed decisions and act on your musical instincts without breaking your creative stride.

Experience the magic of immediate plug-and-play connectivity with Keystage. It's compatible with most DAWs, and provides unmatched official integration with Ableton Live and Korg Gadget.

Express your -musical- self

Keystage empowers musicians to reach new heights of musical expression.

A newly developed semi-weighted keybed with excellent touch and response provides an immersive playing experience. Keystage goes beyond feel alone, with support for both channel and polyphonic Aftertouch, and MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression). This versatility lets you manipulate a vast array of sources, transmitting nuanced subtleties that add an extra layer of richness to your music and live performances.

Keystage's arpeggiator is extraordinarily powerful and offers features that go well beyond what any other MIDI Keyboard out there has to offer. The vast selection of patterns is complemented with unparalleled customisation options including aftertouch-trigged ratchets, randomization, gating, and more.

In addition, Keystage's chord mode benefits from a suite of ready-to-use inspiring 32 chord sets. These can be used out-of-the-box, or fully customized and saved into any of the extra 32 user set slots. Because each set can have one chord assigned to each chromatic note of an octave, you can be sure you won't run out of chords! Chords can even be replayed in different ways, including a strumming mode for realistic guitar-like playing.
Keystage allows you to express your musical self effortlessly thanks to a seamless and streamlined workflow. Gone are the days of dealing with cumbersome and frustrating controllers. Keystage ensures a clean and efficient musical experience.

Official Ableton Live Integration

Keystage offers official integration with Ableton Live, one of the most popular DAWs in the industry, putting both transport and device control at your fingertips. As the go-to choice for live performance musicians, Live’s innovative dual Session/Arrangement view, smooth clip triggering, looping, and powerful production tools cater to countless musical styles.

Keystage offers deep integration with Ableton Live, providing seamless control over Live's transport functions and device control. 

Device control allows Keystage to detect the device currently active in Live, and then automatically maps to the first 8 parameters! When switching devices, Keystage dynamically reconfigures itself in real time for an uninterrupted and fluid experience which keeps you in the zone.

Both Ableton Live and Keystage are MPE-compatible, enabling enhanced flexibility and creative possibilities in your music. Live's powerful Drift synthesizer (available with version 11.3) leverages MPE to offer even more expressive capabilities.

Additionally, Keystage comes bundled with Ableton Live 11 Lite as part of its software suite. Ableton Live 11 Lite is a beginner-friendly version of Live, providing many of the core features to help you kickstart your journey in music creation and performance.

Seamless DAW control

Keystage offers immediate, seamless plug-and-play compatibility with most popular DAWs, giving hands-on control on your most important playback / transport controls.

Currently supported DAWs:

• Ableton Live (Official Integration)
• Korg Gadget (Official Integration)
• Logic
• FL Studio
• Cubase
• Studio One
• Digital Performer
• Pro Tools
• Cakewalk
• GarageBand

The future of music is now: MIDI 2.0

MIDI 2.0 is one of the most exciting developments in electronic music production in decades. But what exactly is it? 

The MIDI Association explains on its official website, MIDI 2.0 means two-way MIDI conversations. Until now, MIDI 1.0 messages went in one direction: from a transmitter to a receiver. MIDI 2.0 is bi-directional and changes MIDI from a monologue to a dialogue.

Thanks to new MIDI-CI (Capability Inquiry) messages, MIDI 2.0 devices can talk to each other, and auto-configure themselves to work together. 

Keystage utilizes MIDI-CI Property Exchange messages to communicate  with other devices. It retrieves information such as which Control Change (CC) parameters should be linked and the appropriate names to display for each parameter. This means that Keystage can talk with a wide range of MIDI 2.0 compatible devices and exchange information in both directions. This exciting feature extends not only to software plugins, such as the ones included with Keystage, but also to hardware devices!

Since MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange is compatible with MIDI DIN cables, Keystage opens up opportunities for seamless integration with existing devices, paving the way for new and exciting possibilities in the horizon.

Furthermore, backwards compatibility  is not an issue with Keystage. It can still communicate using MIDI 1.0 with devices that do not support MIDI 2.0.

Take your performance on the road

Keystage is not just an incredibly powerful MIDI controller packed with features; it is the ultimate master keyboard you've always desired to control your live rig.

Equipped with direct stereo output, simply connect Keystage to your computer and directly link to the sound system without the need for additional gear that takes up valuable space.

The semi-weighted AT keybed not only provides exceptional playability but Keystage is also surprisingly lightweight, weighing in at just 4.2 kg/9.3lb for the 49 key version and 5.0 kg/11.02lbs for the 61 key version. Its slim and portable design allows for easy transportation, while its robust build ensures durability during long gigs and travel.

Keystage also offers flexible customization options. You can modify settings directly through the menu or conveniently adjust them using the Korg Kontrol software on your computer.

Keystage includes a dedicated 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.

With Keystage, you have everything you need to make the stage your own!

Powerful Software Bundle

Keystage comes bundled with an incredible software set that provides all the tools needed to take your music production to the next level:

The bundle includes:

Korg Gadget Producer Bundle
Korg Gadget 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 "Korg Gadget Producer Bundle": this is a version equipped with most of the features and Gadgets that the Korg Gadget 2 software offers.*
The deep integration between Korg Gadget and Keystage makes it possible for Gadget’s parameters to be synced on Keystage automatically, as well as having extended transport control that will make using Gadget even easier and faster.
*Kamata, Stockholm, DeeMax, Ebina and Otorii gadgets are not included in the Producer Bundle. 

Wavestate native LE
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, all fully compatible with MIDI 2.0.*
*Currently, only the standalone version supports MIDI 2.0.
wavestate native LE is a partially limited version of wavestate native, the fully-compatible software counterpart to the hardware wavestate synthesizer. 
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.

Ableton Live and more
Keystage comes with a diverse variety of music software from different manufacturers. This includes the mighty Ableton Live 11 Lite, with which you will be able to experience Keystage’s official Live integration power.

Specifications:

Keyboard

• Keystage-49: Polytouch keyboard*, 49 keys
• Features velocity sensitivity, aftertouch and polyphonic aftertouch
• Velocity curves: 21 (—10–0–+10)
• Octave range: 7 (—3–0–+3)

Controllers:

• Pitch bend wheel, modulation wheel, parameter control knobs × 8
• VOLUME knob, SETTINGS button, WRITE button, EXIT button, SHIFT button, ARP button, CHORD button, VALUE ^/ buttons, VALUE dial, PAGE —/+ buttons, transport buttons, TEMPO button,

OCTAVE —/+ buttons

Display

• Main display: organic EL (electro-luminescence) display
• Sub display: organic EL displays × 8

Scenes

No. of scenes: 16

Arpeggiator: Arpeggio rhythm patterns: 20
Chord mode: Preset chord sets: 32. User chord sets: 32
Input/output jacks and ports: USB port, MIDI (IN, OUT connectors), EXPRESSION jack, DAMPER jack, AUDIO OUT (L/MONO, R jacks), headphone jack
Audio output: AUDIO OUT (L/MONO, R): 6.3 mm TS phone jack (unbalanced). Headphones: 6.3 mm stereo phone jack.
DAMPER (half-damper supported)
EXPRESSION
MIDI
IN, OUT
USB
Type B
MIDI/audio interface
MIDI: 1 in/1 out
Audio: 2 ch out
Audio format: 44.1 kHz, 16-bit
Power supply
USB bus power or AC adapter (9 V DC, : Korg KA350, sold separately)
Power consumption
5 V/500 mA or less (when powered via USB)
Power consumption
4 W (when using an AC adapter)
Dimensions (W × D × H): 814 × 234 × 82 mm
Weight: 4.2 kg

Included items
USB cable (Type A-Type B), expansion plate, Quick Start Guide, Precautions

Accessories (sold separately)
Volume/expression pedal (XVP-20)
Foot controller (EXP-2)
Damper pedal (DS-1H)
Pedal switch (PS-1)
AC adapter (KA350)