IK Multimedia iRig Keys review

The iOS app experts unleash an iPad-friendly keyboard

  • £60
  • €89
  • $99
By Daniel Griffiths
( Future Music )
published
The key's are chunky and stiff with a nice cushioned, bouncy playable action that reminded us of old 'Portasound' keyboards

MusicRadar Verdict

If you're looking for 'Pad powered keys these are our new favourites.

Pros

  • +

    Ultra portable. Playable action. Plug in and play convenience.

Cons

  • -

    No iPhone 5 cable (yet).

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Officially the smallest and lightest (while still actually worth playing) iOS-ready keyboard you can buy.

"iRig Keys takes it's power from the device and works like a charm in Core MIDI apps such as GarageBand, Korg's iMS-20"

The key's are chunky and stiff with a nice cushioned, bouncy playable action that reminded us of old 'Portasound' keyboards and the addition of Volume/Data, Program change and Octave Up/Down buttons mean that it's the fullest featured iOS keyboard.

The proprietary mini DIN to 30-pin lead is a slight inconvenience (and there's no Lightning connection for iPhone 5 yet).

It takes it's power from the device and works like a charm in Core MIDI apps such as GarageBand, Korg's iMS-20, and IK's own Sampletank LE which comes free in the box.

Daniel Griffiths
Daniel Griffiths

Daniel Griffiths is a veteran journalist who has worked on some of the biggest entertainment, tech and home brands in the world. He's interviewed countless big names, and covered countless new releases in the fields of music, videogames, movies, tech, gadgets, home improvement, self build, interiors and garden design. He’s the ex-Editor of Future Music and ex-Group Editor-in-Chief of Electronic Musician, Guitarist, Guitar World, Computer Music and more. He renovates property and writes for MusicRadar.com.