XKEY Ultra Thin 37 Key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard User Guide
- September 19, 2024
- Xkey
Table of Contents
Ultra-Thin 37-key USB MIDI
Controller Keyboard
Quick Start Guide
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Xkey 37, a professional ultra-thin 37-key USB MIDI controller keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch for Mac, PC and mobile devices that provides everything you need to control software synthesizers, DAWs / sequencing software, notation software, other MIDI equipment and much more, wherever you go!
Getting Started
To start using Xkey 37, connect it to your computer using the included USB cable. The USB-C port of Xkey 37 is located on the right under the keys.
This is also a good time to connect the Xcable adapter for MIDI and pedal
connection to the left side. No drivers are required (plug-and-play). This
powers the keyboard and is used to transfer MIDI data to your computer. For
the default and more common USB connector (“type A”), a cable is included. For
“type C” a different cable or adapter is needed (not included). You will also
need an adapter if you want to connect Xkey 37 to a phone or tablet.
For instance, many Apple devices require the Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera
Connector while some Anroid devices require a so-called “USB OTG” adapter.
Please double check the manual of your phone or tablet on how to connect USB
accessories if you are unsure or contact our technical support.
Please note that this document covers the setup and the various built-in
functions. It is not intended to be an introduction to MIDI. If you are new to
MIDI, a good start is usually the manual of your DAW or notation or sequencing
software. In addition there are a lot of details about MIDI online, i.e. a
good technical resource and great starting point is
www.midi.org and various online forums and user groups.
Software
Since Xkey 37 is MIDI controller that only sends MIDI data such as “Note On”,
“Note Off”, “Pitch”, “Velocity”, etc., it cannot generate any sounds on its
own. The sounds will be created by the software running on your Mac, PC or
mobile device, usually so-called virtual instruments. The important
information is that Xkey 37 works with every common and major MIDI compatible
software – if your app understands MIDI, it will work with Xkey!
Under Windows, macOS or Linux, Bitwig Studio 8-Track is a very powerful DAW
that not only supports MIDI and virtual instruments but can be the center of a
professional recording studio. With iOS (iPad / iPhone), Cubasis LE from
Steinberg or Garage Band
from Apple are just two of many powerful MIDI applications. For Windows, macOS
and iPad we also provide a powerful editor software Xkey Plus that is strongly
recommended to be used since it allows changing of various settings such as
the velocity and aftertouch curve or to check the Xkey status and update the
firmware. It is is available for download via http://en.esi.ms/123.
Frequent Topics
One of the most common topics in our technical support, especially with
Windows users, is the issue of latency, i.e. the delay between hitting a key
and hearing sound.
Please note that this latency is not caused by Xkey 37, but by your audio
interface / soundcard and its driver. Any virtual instrument software
generates the sound after you touch one of the Xkey keys. This sound is then
sent out through your audio interface or sound card and that can cause a delay
that is sometimes too high to play in realtime.
The best solution to achieve low latency is to use a professional quality
audio interface with low-latency drivers and to make sure the virtual
instrument and DAW is correctly setup. If you are not sure about this, please
contact our technical support.
Another frequent topic is that you cannot hear any sound when using Xkey 37.
As it does not generate the sound by itself, a virtual instrument or DAW with
synthesizer plugin or any other app that supports MIDI and plays sounds is
required. Above are some suggestions on what to use, however since Xkey works
with any MIDI compatible app, the options are virtually endless. Please use
our online support resources if you are unsure or contact our technical
support describing what you want to do.
Main Functions
Xkey 37 does not only have 37 full-sized fully velocity sensitive keys with polyphonic aftertouch, it also provides function buttons on the left that provide important controls:
| The OCTAVE + and OCTAVE – buttons allow you to move the octave range played
by the 37 keys up or down. If you press the minus button, all sounds will be
played one octave lower and if you press the plus button, all sounds will be
played one octave higher. If you press both buttons at the same time, the
octave range will be reset to the default setting.
If you hold both OCTAVE + and OCTAVE – while you plug in your USB cable to a
computer, Xkey 37 will be reset to the factory default.
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| The MODULATION button sends the MIDI modulation controller data. This button
is pressure sensitive, so the data being sent depends on how strong you push
the button.
| The PITCH BEND + and PITCH BEND – buttons allow you to pitch the sound up or
down via the MIDI pitch bend controller data. These buttons are pressure
sensitive, so the data being sent depends on how strong you push either
button.
| The SUSTAIN button allows you to enable or disable the MIDI sustain
functionality. When the button is pressed down, sustain mode will be activated
and when you release the button, sustain mode is disabled again.
| The Xcable connects to
the left side of Xkey 37. It provides a MIDI output with 5-pin DIN connector
and two 1/4″ connectors for a SUSTAIN and an EXPRESSION pedal.
General Information
If something is not working as expected, please don’t simply return the
product and use our technical support options via www.esi-
audio.com, www.artesia-pro.com or contact your local distributor. Please also check our
extensive Knowledge Base with Frequently Asked Questions and technical details
in the support section of the ESI site.
Trademarks : ESI, Xkey and Xkey 37 are trademarks of ESI Audiotechnik
GmbH and Artesia Pro Inc. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Other product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.
Disclaimer : All features and specifications subject to change without
notice. Parts of this document are continually being updated. Please check our
web sites www.esi-audio.com and www.artesia-
pro.com occasionally for the most recent update
information.
Manufacturer Info: ESI Audiotechnik GmbH, Mollenbachstr. 14, D-71229
Leonberg, Germany and Artesia Pro Inc, P.O. Box 2908, La Mesa, CA 91943, USA.
References
- ESI Audiotechnik GmbH
- MIDI.org – Expanding, promoting, and protecting MIDI technology for the benefit of artists and musicians around the world.