Yamaha and its affiliate CME have released the U-Key, a controller keyboard designed for those needing a MIDI controller for their software and a built-in tone generator.
The U-Key uses 49 ultra-thin full action semi-weighted keys, making the unit compact while maintaining the feel of standard keyboards, according to the company. Built for road warriors that want to sketch out songs, the U-Key features a headphone output and an internal amplifier and speaker, eliminating the need for external speakers.
U-Key comes with professionally programmed PadStyle MIDI songs and patterns in many styles and can import any MIDI file into Flash ROM. The unit allows triggering of MIDI files via pads and controlling the volumes of different channels via the knobs.
U-Key ships with a plug and play USB MIDI driver for Windows XP and Mac OSX and can be powered via USB or external power adapter.
The U-Key is now available for $229.99.