Hit command+K while in Logic to bring up the musical typing keyboard. But what if there was also a physical QWERTY keyboard that doubled as a MIDI controller?

Meet Keys, the new unit from Polyend which works not only as a three-octave piano but also as a fully functional keyboard, too.

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Currently being showcased at this year’s Gamescom in Cologne, Germany between August 26-30, Keys features a single piece of aluminium as the bed, with hot-swappable Kailh low-profile switches meaning you can change without soldering. These changeable keys are also backlit.

The company also says it’s looking into making the firmware behind Keys open source. “Alternative layouts, different control modes, custom MIDI tools, sequencers, and other ideas can all be explored through software,” it says.

Keys isn’t tied to the computer, either, with a TRS MIDI output enabling direct connection with external synths, drum machines, or other MIDI hardware. It can also be used as a standalone controller.

“Nine rotary controls can be freely assigned to MIDI CCs for controlling software or hardware, or mapped to everyday computer functions like volume, scrolling, and brightness. A built-in display gives you feedback as you make adjustments,” the brand continues.

Polyend says Keys is still in its prototype phase, so “functionality, colour, or hardware could change”. Price, availability, and further details will be announced by the Polyend team in the future.

Learn more about Keys at Polyend.

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