Looking at the General Midi ( GM) map, octaves B0 and C3-C4 don’t see myself using. would a 25 key midi kybd work tor my purpose or should i invest in a 37 key?
Any suggestions would help
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I have two, a 32 and an 88. Unless I’m writing for a full piano or need to jump around super quick, less than half the keys become quite unnecessary and take up workspace.
If the keys feel good, any buttons or functions you want are there, and you don’t have a real need for size or range, 25, 32, and 37 all work just fine.
I have a 25 key iRig which works great, if I need extra octaves there’s 8va up and 8va down buttons
Great super cool.
Thinking of the Korg microKEY 25 USB MIDI Keyboard. But the irig does look very good. I’ll check it out
Thank you
If you play keys, piano, you might be happier with full size keys so you don’t need to look for each note or chords for your finger locations. If not, the small size will work. This is assuming you are considering the space a keyboard takes up (its width).
However I play piano, but have adapted to the smaller key width, so much of the time I do not need to look at the keys before I press them to get the note I want either but sometimes I have to check where my fingers are.
Also think of the kinds of instruments you are inputting for, if their range is somewhat limited or if they (or your compositions) have large jumps, where you would have to change octaves on the keyboard or octave transpose some notes after entry, this can get tedious (me being a pianist) because normally with jumps you can often do them without looking also. It might depend on where (which hand) the octave up/down buttons are on the keyboard, more to the left or the right, and which hand is pressing the keys, how you are doing the time values of each note, tapping for slurs, ties etc.
And if you are putting long sections of notes in long runs (if you are a pianist or not) or entering notes by recording or not.
For most of my entry (if using a midi keyboard) I find a 32 key (small width keys) works, currently I am doing small lead sheets or small entries and most of the time (as the keyboard is not always connected) I just use the computer keyboard 
The irig looks very interesting
I had a roland fx90 which was unbelievable. I wanted to learn some popular classical. But as a drummer i spent alot of time on the keyboard than playing my primary instrument. But learned alot.
So you made very good points on the pros and cons. The drumkit really doesn’t jump around much.
I rather have a keyboard compact for now.
These Korg microKEY keyboard are fantastic, I have both 37 and 64, (I would suggest not to purchase the Bluetooth version, but just the USB version: is more reliable): nice key feeling of the keys (and I am pianist) despite the key being little, and is very easy to see your octave position with the coloured buttons (for example the 8va down key change color every time is clicked: green > yellow > orange > red > blinking red: for normal octave > 1 octave down > 2 octaves down > 3 octaves down > 4 octaves down):
I’m working out of a temporary space just now and using an Alesis Qmini 32 key.
It’s perfect for [the few occasions I use] MIDI input. Very cheap and cheerful (£40). And being 2 1/2 octaves I’m not forever having to change the octave shift.
I have the Akai LPK25, which is perfect just for getting the notes in.
Also a Roland A-49 for ‘both hands’ playing.
Kevin i cant get a good look at the irig on the website. The midi in/out specs indicate they use 2 TRS jacks. Do they supply the adapter to Usb? I see a pic of cables at sweetwater and doesn’t look like trs.
My only concern is looks like proprietary cables and if they break how to replace . Appreciate your input if you have any concerns
Mine is probably about 15 yrs old by now and I only use it for inputting notes. It’s connected via micro to usb. I don’t really need a full on DAW set up with in/outs. Sorry but I really can’t help you there.
Have you tried this website?
Ben i am a huge Roland user for drums and piano. Rokand products are well built and very reliable .
Looking at the user manual wondering if the usb sends midi also?
There’s a few used at Guitar Center in very good condition and very good pricing. Didnt think about Roland for this application.
Yeah i saw that in sweetwater reviews video on midi controllers. Almost like an apple keyboard… pricey though
It was perfect for me, flat, light, stable, overall very good quality, Bluetooth, clear recommendation. Yes, not cheap, that’s why it was stolen from me 
Yes, I especially find the thinness of the nano keyboard to be ideal for throwing in a carrying case with my laptop and for leaving the laptop’s keyboard easily accessible when inputting music.
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