Swissonic MiniKey P-25 MIDI Keyboard User Manual

June 9, 2024
swissonic

MiniKey P-25
MIDI Keyboard
User Manual

General information

This user manual contains important information on the safe operation of the device. Read and follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for future reference. Make sure that it is available to all persons using this device. If you sell the device to another user, be sure that they also receive this manual.
Our products and user manuals are subject to a process of continuous development. We there‐ fore reserve the right to make changes without notice. Please refer to the latest version of the user manual which is ready for download under www.thomann.de.
1.1 Further information
On our website (www.thomann.de) you will find lots of further information and details on the following points:

Download This manual is also available as PDF file for you to download.
Keyword search Use the search function in the electronic version to find the

topics of interest for you quickly.
Online guides| Our online guides provide detailed information on technical basics and terms.
Personal consultation| For personal consultation please contact our technical hotline.
Service| If you have any problems with the device the customer service will gladly assist you.

1.2 Notational conventions
This manual uses the following notational conventions:
Letterings
The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics.
Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.
Displays
Texts and values displayed on the device are marked by quotation marks and italics.
Examples: ‘24ch’ , ‘OFF’ .
1.3 Symbols and signal words
In this section you will find an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are used in this manual.

Signal word Meaning
DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an immediate

dangerous situation that will result in death or serious injury if it is not avoided.
WARNING!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a possible dangerous situation that can result in death or serious injury if it is not avoided.
NOTICE!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a possible dangerous situation that can result in material and environmental damage if it is not avoided.
Warning signs| Type of danger
| Warning – danger zone.

Safety instructions

Intended use
This device is intended to be used for electronic sound generation using a piano keyboard. Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use or use under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in personal injury or property damage.
No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sufficient physical, sensorial, and intellectual abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons may use this device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is responsible for their safety.
Safety
DANGER!
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not within reach of babies and young children. Choking hazard! Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from the unit. They could swallow the pieces and choke! Never let children unattended use electrical devices.
WARNING!
Incorrect handling of lithium batteries can result in injury In the event of a short circuit, overheating or mechanical damage, lithium batteries can cause severe injuries. Follow the advice on the correct handling of lithium batteries in the present section.
NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and strong vibrations. Only operate the device within the ambient conditions specified in the chapter ‘Technical specifications’ of this user manual. Avoid heavy temperature fluctuations and do not switch the device on immediately after it was exposed to temperature fluctuations (for example after transport at low outside temperatures). Dust and dirt inside can damage the unit. When operated in harmful ambient conditions (dust, smoke, nicotine, fog, etc.), the unit should be maintained by qualified service personnel at regular intervals to prevent overheating and other malfunction.
NOTICE!
Possible damage to lithium-ion batteries through incorrect storage
By deep discharge, lithium-ion batteries can be permanently damaged or lose some of their capacity. Before long breaks, charge the batteries to around 50 % of their capacity and then switch off the device. Store the device at room temperature or cooler in an envi‐ ronment as dry as possible. If the batteries are stored for a longer period, recharge them to 50 % every three months. Fully charge the batteries only shortly before use at room temperature.
NOTICE!
Possible staining
The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly react with the coating of your surface and after some time cause permanent dark stains. In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the surface and use a suitable underlay if necessary, i.e. felt pads or similar.

3 Features

  • MIDI-controller keyboard with 25 velocity-sensitive mini keys
  • LCD display
  • Pitch bend and modulation touch strips
  • 8 assignable encoders
  • 8 velocity-sensitive and touch-sensitive pads with RGB illumination
  • Built-in arpeggiator
  • Smart Scale mode
  • Smart Chord mode
  • Oktav-button for the extension of the play area
  • Bus-powered or operation via built-in rechargeable battery
  • Connections: USB (MIDI data), sustain pedal
  • Bluetooth® 5.0
  • incl. software editor ‘Swissonic MIDI Editor’
  • Operating system: Windows® 8 and later, Mac OS X® 10.15 and later

Installation and starting up

Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep the equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against vibration, dust and moisture during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material suitable for transport or storage, respectively.
Create all connections while the device is off. Use the shortest possible high-quality cables for all connections. Take care when running the cables to prevent tripping hazards.
Operation with a computer

Swissonic MiniKey P 25 MIDI KeyboardVia the USB interface, you can connect the device to a computer using the supplied USB cable.
Besides the data transmission, this interface also allows to provide the power supply to the device and to charge of the built-in rechargeable battery.
If desired, connect a sustain pedal to the device (pedals are not included). Turn on the device using the main switch on the rear panel.
Start the supplied software editor and a DAW software installed on your computer and adjust the software and MIDI settings.
System requirements

  • Windows® 8 and later
  • Mac OS X® 10.15 and later

Bluetooth® connection
Press and hold [BT] to enable the Bluetooth® function and establish a wireless connection from the device to your computer. When the Bluetooth® function is enabled, the LED of the button flashes, after successful pairing, the LED of the button is permanently on.
If your computer has no Bluetooth® function, we recommend using a wireless adapter.

Connections and operating elements

Overview

Swissonic MiniKey P 25 MIDI Keyboard - Fig

  1. [PITCH] / [MOD] | pitch bend and modulation touch strips While playing, you can vary the pitch using the pitch bend touch strip.
    With the modulation touch strip, continuous controller data (MIDI CC) will be transmitted by default.

  2. Display

  3. Function buttons
    [PLAY] | button to start DAW
    [STOP] | button to stop DAW
    [RECORD] | button to record a DAW
    [BT] | button to enable the Bluetooth® function Press and hold the button to enable the Bluetooth® function and establish a wireless connection from the device to your computer. When the Bluetooth® function is enabled, the LED of the button flashes, after successful pairing, the LED of the button is permanently on.
    Press [BT] and [PAD] simultaneously to call up the device settings.
    [ARP] | button to activate the arpeggiator [SC/CH] | button to activate the Smart Scale or Smart Chord mode [KNOB-B] | button to toggle between the rotary controls 1…8 and 9…16 Press and hold [KNOB-B] and [PAD-B] simultaneously and use the trigger pads 1…4 to set the velocity of the trigger pads.
    Use the trigger pads 5…8 to set the velocity of the keyboard.
    [PAD-B] | button to toggle between the trigger pads 1…8 and 9…16 Press [PAD-B] and [BT] simultaneously to call up the device settings.
    Press and hold [PAD-B] and [KNOB-B] simultaneously and use the trigger pads 1…4 to set the velocity of the trigger pads.
    Use the trigger pads 5…8 to set the velocity of the keyboard.

  4. [OCT-] / [OCT+] | button for octaving the keyboard

  5. [MODE] / [OCT] / [LATCH] / [GATE] / [SWING] / [TEMPO] / [RATE] / [TRANSPOSE] | assignable rotary controls The settings and assignments of the rotary controls can only be edited in the software editor.

  6. [Pad 1]…[Pad 8] | assignable trigger pads
    The settings and assignments can only be edited in the software editor.

  7. Keyboard keys with special functions for arpeggiator, Smart Scale mode and Smart Chord mode
    Rear panel connectionsSwissonic MiniKey P 25 MIDI Keyboard - Fig
1

  8. [POWER] | main switch. Turns the device on and off.

  9. [USB]| USB interface to connect a computer. Besides the data transmission, this interface also allows to provide the power supply to the device and to charge of the built-in rechargeable battery.

  10.  [SUSTAIN] | sustain pedal connection socket

Functions

6.1 Arpeggiator
Arpeggio types
In Arpeggio mode, the played notes do not sound simultaneously, but one after the other at short intervals. This is called a broken chord.
Press and hold [ARP] and use the keyboard keys for the arpeggiator to set the desired arpeggio type.

[UP] All currently played notes are played from bottom to top.
[DOWN] [INCL] All currently played notes are played from top to bottom.
[INCL] All currently played notes are played from bottom to top and then

again from top to bottom. The highest note and the lowest note are repeated.
[ECXL]| All currently played notes are played from bottom to top and then again from top to bottom. The highest note and the lowest note are not repeated.
[RAND]| The arpeggiator generates random notes.
[ORDER]| All currently played notes are played in the order they were played.
[REPEAT]| All currently played notes and the trigger pads are played repeatedly.

Editing arpeggios

Swissonic MiniKey P 25 MIDI Keyboard - Fig 3

Press and hold [ARP] and use the keyboard keys for the arpeggiator or the respective rotary control to set the desired parameter.

[OCT+]| Use this keyboard key to shift the octave range of the arpeggiator. Press the key four times to return to the default octave range.
---|---
[LATCH]| If the keyboard key is activated, the current arpeggio continues to play, even if the keyboard keys are released. If the keyboard key is deactivated, the current arpeggio stops as soon as the keyboard keys are released.
[GATE+] / [GATE-]| Use these keyboard keys to set the length of each note of the arpeggio. Each note in the arpeggio is played continuously. As the gate value decreases, the notes become shorter.
[TAP]| Use this keyboard key to activate the setting mode for the tempo of the arpeg‐ giator.
[SWING+] / [SWING-]| Use these keyboard keys to set the pitch shifts (‘swing feeling’) of the arpeg‐ giator. The higher the value, the greater the swing feeling.
[TEMPO+] /
[TEMPO-]| Use these keyboard keys to set the tempo of the arpeggiator.
Use then the keyboard keys [1/4], [1/4T], [1/8], [1/8T], [1/16], [16/T], [1/32], and [1/32T] to set the time signature.
[SYNC]| Use this keyboard key to synchronise the set tempo of the arpeggiator with the DAW.
For synchronising the tempo, the Sync function of the external MIDI controller in the DAW has to be enabled. When the Sync function is enabled, the key‐ board keys [TEMPO+], [TEMPO-], and [TAP] have no function.

6.2 Smart Scale mode

Hold down [SC/CH] and select the desired scale with the keyboard keys [C]…[B].
Press then one of the keyboard keys [MAJOR] or [MINOR] to set the major scale or minor scale.
** To exit the Smart Scale mode, press the keyboard key [OFF].
When the Smart Chord mode is activated, the Smart Scale mode is automatically deactivated.
6.3 Smart Chord mode**

Hold down [SC/CH] and select the desired chord with the keyboard keys [TRIAD], [7TH], [9TH] or [RANDOM].
Press then one of the keyboard keys [MAJOR] or [MINOR] to set the major chord or minor chord.
** To exit the Smart Chord mode, press the keyboard key [OFF].
When the Smart Scale mode is activated, the Smart Chord mode is automatically deactivated.
6.4 Transposing**
To transpose the whole keyboard up or down in 12 semitones, press and hold [OCT-] or [OCT+] feto set the pitch with the rotary control [TRANSPOSE].
The higher the octave range of the keyboard is set, the faster the LED of the key [OCT+] flashes.
The lower the octave range of the keyboard is set, the faster the LED of the key [OCT-] flashes.
Press [OCT-] and [OCT+] simultaneously to reset the default value of the keyboard.

Technical specifications

Keyboard 25 x velocity-sensitive mini keys
Touchpads

illumination
Connections| USB interface| 1 x USB-B
Sustain pedal| 1 x 1/4″ phone socket
Bluetooth®| Frequency range| 2.400 GHz … 2.4835 GHz
| Max. transmission power| 10 mW
| Standard| Version 5.0
Operating voltage| | via USB port
| Battery type| Lithium-ion
Battery
Voltage| 3.7 V
Capacity| 2000 mAh
Operating time| approx. 14…18 h, approx. 28 h in standby
Charging time in the device| approx. 4…6
Dimensions (W x H x D)| 321 mm x 46 mm x 178 mm
Weight| 0.75 kg
Ambient conditions| Temperature range| 0 °C…40 °C
| Relative humidity| 20 %…80 % (non-condensing)

Protecting the environment

Disposal of the packaging mate‐ rial
For the packaging, environmentally friendly materials have been chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling.
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.
Do not just dispose of these materials with your normal household waste, but make sure that they are collected for recycling. Please follow the notes and markings on the packaging.
Disposal of batteries
Batteries must not be thrown away or incinerated; they must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations for the disposal of hazardous waste. Use the existing collection points for this.
Only dispose of lithium batteries when they are discharged. Remove replaceable lithium bat‐ teries from the device before disposal. Protect used lithium batteries against short circuits, for example by covering the poles with adhesive tape. Permanently built-in lithium batteries must be disposed of together with the device. Please inquire about an appropriate collection point.
Disposal of your old device
This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) in its currently valid version. Do not dispose with your normal household waste. Dispose of this device through an approved waste disposal firm or through your local waste facility. When discarding the device, comply with the rules and regulations that apply in your country. If in doubt, consult your local waste disposal facility.

Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0
Internet: www.thomann.de
13.10.2022, ID: 549739

References

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