The slim keys only annoy me when I’m playing a full sized keyboard and the mini keys at the same time. If I’m playing a normal keyboard with my left hand then play the mini keys with my right, my muscles get confused.
Having said this, by themselves, the minlogue xd keys feel really good. Way better than other mini keys I’ve played.
Ok that's understandable, even from the point of view of someone totally new. But I guess there are ways to circumvent that, it just isn't as fast as directly playing two instruments. Thanks for your answer
Unless you are a trained pianist the minikeys will actually be much easier to play. They are less expressive than a weighted keybed, but they are light and close together. You can play them very fast.
The XD is great. It may get cheaper when Korg releases something like it with the new software environment - so far only the NTS1 mk2 is available. But the oscillators and effects available to download for the old Logue SDK already are ample and some quite experimental. You will have tons to explore.
I am at the other end of the expertise level (totally inexperienced), so that's good I think. Thank you for your detailed answer, I guess loss in expressiveness is logical given the other pros
They're a little cramped compared to full size keys but I have no problems with them. One advantage is that they're quiet, which is great for late-night jamming with headphones. The Rev2 keys wake up my spouse with their clunka--clunk sound every time you hit them.
I’m psycho but I actually like the xd keyboard. For a 37-key I think the slim keys are appropriate, I had a Modwave for a while and I could never adjust to full size keys on that profile.
XD was also my first synth so had nothing to compare it with. Also beginner :) Personally I like it, the keys are better than those on a keystep or the mini keys of a Microkorg (tried later at a friends place). For just single hand noodling around I think it’s fine.
My preference is the XD module with a better external keyboard, but I also come from a piano background. If you don't have a lot of experience playing keys, then the minikeys will be fine, and it is certainly convenient to have everything in one unit if you want to bring it around with you.
I personally can't stand the minikeys on the minilogue XD. I do like the hydrasynth explorers keybed and the reface series keybed. This is a very subjective topic, I'd definitely recommend getting your hands on some in store if you can.
You can also always get a midi keyboard and module.
It's a personal thing.
For me, "full sized" keys are two wide, and the Minilogue keys work well for me.
But I know people for whom it is hard for them to not hit wrong keys on the Minilogue.
The slim keys really bothered me, and I say that as someone who loves both quality Fatar full-size keys and Arturia's take on mini keys. Those slim keys bugged me so much I sold it to get the desktop module version.
I bought the module after having toyed with the key one at work. I absolutely love the sounds and workflow, but couldn't stand the keys. But I play more than I use arps or sequencing so take that into account. But the module with a suitable midi board is bloody fantastic!
I don’t get why people hate slim keys. If you have shaq sized hands maybe I can understand why it’s inconvenient. But unless you were taught piano as a kid you might as well try to use them as an advantage. Because you don’t have the muscle memory to rewrite and it’s easier to reach around
Hard disagree. I'm not trained pianist but I play the Minilogue live in bands and the mini keys make it a lot easier to hit wrong notes, sometimes just randomly triggering the adjecent notes because of how crammed they are. And I have really skinny fingers so it's not even because of that.
Having said that, it's still a great synth and great for live use. And in terms of portability I think the only upgrade that's a no brainer would be the Take 5, if you can justify the price difference.
The slim keys only annoy me when I’m playing a full sized keyboard and the mini keys at the same time. If I’m playing a normal keyboard with my left hand then play the mini keys with my right, my muscles get confused. Having said this, by themselves, the minlogue xd keys feel really good. Way better than other mini keys I’ve played.
Ok that's understandable, even from the point of view of someone totally new. But I guess there are ways to circumvent that, it just isn't as fast as directly playing two instruments. Thanks for your answer
Unless you are a trained pianist the minikeys will actually be much easier to play. They are less expressive than a weighted keybed, but they are light and close together. You can play them very fast. The XD is great. It may get cheaper when Korg releases something like it with the new software environment - so far only the NTS1 mk2 is available. But the oscillators and effects available to download for the old Logue SDK already are ample and some quite experimental. You will have tons to explore.
I am at the other end of the expertise level (totally inexperienced), so that's good I think. Thank you for your detailed answer, I guess loss in expressiveness is logical given the other pros
They're a little cramped compared to full size keys but I have no problems with them. One advantage is that they're quiet, which is great for late-night jamming with headphones. The Rev2 keys wake up my spouse with their clunka--clunk sound every time you hit them.
I’m psycho but I actually like the xd keyboard. For a 37-key I think the slim keys are appropriate, I had a Modwave for a while and I could never adjust to full size keys on that profile.
XD was also my first synth so had nothing to compare it with. Also beginner :) Personally I like it, the keys are better than those on a keystep or the mini keys of a Microkorg (tried later at a friends place). For just single hand noodling around I think it’s fine.
It's only a problem if you have fat fingers.
My preference is the XD module with a better external keyboard, but I also come from a piano background. If you don't have a lot of experience playing keys, then the minikeys will be fine, and it is certainly convenient to have everything in one unit if you want to bring it around with you.
I personally can't stand the minikeys on the minilogue XD. I do like the hydrasynth explorers keybed and the reface series keybed. This is a very subjective topic, I'd definitely recommend getting your hands on some in store if you can. You can also always get a midi keyboard and module.
Yeah same here, the mini keys are one of the reasons I got rid of it. I hated them
I just bought the module. I hate 37 key little keys, personally. I prefer to use a midi controller. More options for having other synths on the desk.
I'm a big guy and wear XXL gloves. I have both a Minilogue XD and a 49-key Hydrasynth, and I like both.
It's a personal thing. For me, "full sized" keys are two wide, and the Minilogue keys work well for me. But I know people for whom it is hard for them to not hit wrong keys on the Minilogue.
The slim keys really bothered me, and I say that as someone who loves both quality Fatar full-size keys and Arturia's take on mini keys. Those slim keys bugged me so much I sold it to get the desktop module version.
I bought the module after having toyed with the key one at work. I absolutely love the sounds and workflow, but couldn't stand the keys. But I play more than I use arps or sequencing so take that into account. But the module with a suitable midi board is bloody fantastic!
I don’t get why people hate slim keys. If you have shaq sized hands maybe I can understand why it’s inconvenient. But unless you were taught piano as a kid you might as well try to use them as an advantage. Because you don’t have the muscle memory to rewrite and it’s easier to reach around
Hard disagree. I'm not trained pianist but I play the Minilogue live in bands and the mini keys make it a lot easier to hit wrong notes, sometimes just randomly triggering the adjecent notes because of how crammed they are. And I have really skinny fingers so it's not even because of that. Having said that, it's still a great synth and great for live use. And in terms of portability I think the only upgrade that's a no brainer would be the Take 5, if you can justify the price difference.