Product Overview
Korg Keystage 49 is the ultimate MIDI keyboard solution for producers and stage performers. As the first keyboard to adopt 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 49 offers hands-on control and instant visual feedback through its parameter-dedicated OLED screens. It features a powerful arpeggiator, an array of chord modes, an integrated audio interface and official integration with Ableton Live. Whether producing in the studio or performing live, Keystage 49 offers an unparalleled integrated and distraction-free experience to keep your musical creativity flowing uninterrupted.
- MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange for unparalleled integration and control
- New keybed design with polyphonic/channel aftertouch and MPE compatibility
- Powerful arpeggiator, chord mode and streamlined workflow
- Parameter-dedicated OLED screens for instant visual feedback
- Integrated audio interface with direct stereo output for live performances
- Lightweight and portable
- Official Ableton Live integration
- Includes Korg Gadget Producer Bundle, Korg Wavestate Native LE and Ableton Live Lite
Inspiration doesn't wait for anyone
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 49 allows you to do just that. Keystage 49 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 49 automatically assigns parameters and even displays their names on its crystal-clear OLED screens. Each screen is paired with a dedicated knob for realtime adjustments, meaning you always see the parameters assigned and their exact values, empowering you to make informed decisions and act on your musical instincts without breaking your creative stride. Experience the magic of immediate plug-and-play connectivity with Keystage 49. It's compatible with most DAWs and provides unmatched official integration with Ableton Live and Korg Gadget.
Express your musical self
Keystage 49 empowers musicians to reach new heights of musical expression. A newly developed semi-weighted keybed with excellent touch and response provides an immersive playing experience. Keystage goes beyond feel alone, with support for both channel and polyphonic aftertouch as well as MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression). This versatility lets you manipulate a vast array of sources, transmitting nuanced subtleties that add an extra layer of richness to your music and live performances. Keystage 49's arpeggiator is extraordinarily powerful and offers features that go well beyond what any other MIDI Keyboard out there has to offer. The vast selection of patterns is complemented with unparalleled customization options including aftertouch-triggered ratchets, randomization, gating and more.
Chord mode
In addition, Keystage 49's chord mode benefits from a suite of 32 inspiring, ready-to-use chord sets. These can be used out of the box or fully customized and saved into any of the extra 32 user set slots. Because each set can have one chord assigned to each chromatic note of an octave, you can be sure you won't run out of chords! Chords can even be replayed in different ways, including a strumming mode for realistic guitar-like playing. Keystage 49 allows you to express your musical self effortlessly thanks to a seamless and streamlined workflow. Gone are the days of dealing with cumbersome and frustrating controllers. Keystage 49 ensures a clean and efficient musical experience.
Official Ableton Live integration
Keystage 49 offers official integration with Ableton Live, one of the most popular DAWs in the industry, putting both transport and device control at your fingertips. As the go-to choice for live performance musicians, Live's innovative dual session/arrangement view, smooth clip triggering, looping and powerful production tools cater to countless musical styles. Keystage 49 offers deep integration with Ableton Live, providing seamless control over Live's transport functions and device control. Device control allows Keystage 49 to detect the device currently active in Live, and then automatically maps to the first 8 parameters. When switching devices, Keystage 49 dynamically reconfigures itself in real time for an uninterrupted and fluid experience which keeps you in the zone.
MPE compatible
Both Ableton Live and Keystage 49 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. Additionally, Keystage 49 comes bundled with Ableton Live Lite as part of its software suite. Ableton Live 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.
Seamless DAW control
Keystage 49 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 include Ableton Live (official integration), Korg Gadget (official integration), Apple Logic and GarageBand (additional scripts necessary), FL Studio, Steinberg Cubase, PreSonus Studio One, MOTU Digital Performer, Avid Pro Tools and Cakewalk.
The future of music is now: MIDI 2.0
MIDI 2.0 is one of the most exciting developments in electronic music production in decades. But what exactly is it? As The MIDI Association explains on its official website, MIDI 2.0 means two-way MIDI conversations. Until now, 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 49 utilizes MIDI-CI Property Exchange messages to communicate with other devices. It retrieves information such as which CC (Control Change) parameters should be linked and the appropriate names to display for each parameter.
This means that Keystage 49 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 plug-ins, such as the ones included with Keystage 49, but also to hardware devices. Since MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange is compatible with MIDI DIN cables, Keystage 49 opens up opportunities for seamless integration with existing devices, paving the way for new and exciting possibilities in the horizon. Furthermore, backwards compatibility is not an issue with Keystage 49: it can still communicate using MIDI 1.0 with devices that do not support MIDI 2.0.
Take your performance on the road
Keystage 49 is not just an incredibly powerful MIDI controller packed with features; it is the ultimate master keyboard you've always desired to control your live rig. Equipped with direct stereo output, simply connect Keystage 49 to your computer, tablet or smartphone and directly link to the sound system without the need for additional gear that takes up valuable space. The semi-weighted AT keybed not only provides exceptional playability but Keystage 49 is also surprisingly lightweight, weighing in at just 9.3 lb. Its slim and portable design allows for easy transportation, while its robust build ensures durability during long gigs and travel. Keystage 49 also offers flexible customization options. You can modify settings directly through the menu or conveniently adjust them using Korg Kontrol software on your computer.
Configurable expansion plate
Keystage 49 includes a dedicated expansion plate that can be attached at two different angles, making it ideal for tablets and other devices.
Full-size control and integrated audio interface for your portable devices
Thanks to its plug-and-play-ready USB input, Keystage 49 not only transmits MIDI data to your tablet or smartphone but also receives audio from your favorite music apps via its internal audio interface and sends it to your speakers through its direct stereo output. Additionally, Keystage 49 boasts a dedicated expansion plate that ensures a perfect fit and optimal visibility, making it the ultimate all-in-one solution for modern music production on the go.
Korg Gadget Producer Bundle included
Keystage 49 comes bundled with an incredible software set that provides all the tools needed to take your music production to the next level. Korg Gadget is the best all-in-one music production software and plug-in collection; the intuitive user interface provides over 40 small synthesizers and drum machines called Gadgets that you can freely combine for music production. Keystage 49 includes the Korg Gadget Producer Bundle: this is a version equipped with most of the features and Gadgets that Korg Gadget 2 software offers. The deep integration between Korg Gadget and Keystage 49 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.
Korg Wavestate Native LE included
Explore the full potential of Keystage 49 by pushing its capabilities to the limits with Wavestate Native LE, which offers numerous patches utilizing polyphonic and channel aftertouch, all fully compatible with MIDI 2.0 (currently only supported in the standalone version). Wavestate Native LE is a partially limited version of Wavestate Native, the fully-compatible software counterpart to the hardware Korg Wavestate synthesizer. Wavestate Native LE is virtually the same as Wavestate Native, except only one plug-in instance can be active at a time in a given DAW project. Additionally, Wavestate LE can be upgraded to the standard version of Wavestate native for an additional charge (sold separately).
