Korg Keystage 49 49-key Polytouch MIDI 2.0 controller

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, integrated audio outputs, 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.

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 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.

A newly developed semi-weighted keybed provides an immersive playing experience. With polyphonic and channel aftertouch, alongside MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression), you can add depth and feel to your performances without your fingers leaving the keys.

An extraordinarily powerful arpeggiator offers features that go well beyond what any other MIDI Keyboard offers. A vast selection of patterns is complemented with unparalleled customisation options, including aftertouch- triggered ratchets, randomization, gating, and more.

In addition, chord mode benefits from a suite of 32 chord sets that can be used out-of-the-box, or customized and 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.

Ableton Live is the industry-standard tool for live performance, thanks to its innovative dual Session/Arrangement view, smooth clip triggering, looping, and powerful production tools. Keystage offers official integration with Live, putting both transport and device control at your fingertips. Keystage detects the device currently active in Ableton Live, and automatically maps to the first 8 parameters. When switching devices, Keystage dynamically reconfigures itself for an uninterrupted experience, keeping 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.  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.

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)
• Cakewalk
• Cubase
• Digital Performer
• FL Studio
• GarageBand
• Logic
• Pro Tools
• Studio One

MIDI 2.0 is one of the most exciting developments in electronic music production in decades and allows two-way MIDI conversations. Previously, 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 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, but also to hardware devices.

MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange is compatible with traditional MIDI DIN cables, allowing Keystage to seamlessly integrate with existing devices. 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.

Keystage is not just an incredibly powerful MIDI controller. 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.

Keystage is 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 a robust build ensures durability during 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 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.

Powerful software suite bundled with your Keystage:

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

Korg Gadget Producer:
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. *

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.
*Currently, only the standalone version supports MIDI 2.0.

Ableton Live & more:
Keystage comes with a diverse variety of music software from different manufacturers, including Ableton Live Lite.