The CME Xkey 37 is a sleek, ultra-thin MIDI keyboard designed for musicians who need portability without sacrificing playability. With 37 full-size keys packed into an aluminium body that’s less than an inch thick, it’s built for producers, composers, and performers who want to make music anywhere.
Despite its minimalist design, the Xkey 37 offers surprising depth, including polyphonic aftertouch, assignable controls, and solid integration with most DAWs and mobile apps. It’s proof that portable doesn’t have to mean basic.
37 full-size keys with velocity sensitivity and polyphonic aftertouch
Durable aluminium body – weighs just over 1kg
Touch-sensitive pitch bend and modulation strips
Octave shift and sustain buttons
USB bus-powered (no external supply needed)
Compatible with macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android
Works with most DAWs and mobile music apps
The Xkey 37 is impressively engineered. Its anodised aluminium frame gives it a premium feel while keeping the weight incredibly low. The full-size keys are slim but responsive, with velocity sensitivity and smooth aftertouch that feel surprisingly expressive for such a compact unit.
It’s built for mobility, sliding easily into a laptop bag or backpack – perfect for musicians who produce on the go or need a reliable travel companion. Despite its minimalist appearance, it feels solid and durable enough for serious use.
The keys are the real highlight here. Each one offers polyphonic aftertouch, meaning you can control expression per note – something even many full-sized studio keyboards don’t include. The action is shallow but responsive, allowing for nuanced performances once you adjust to its slim profile.
Instead of traditional wheels, you get touch-sensitive pitch bend and modulation strips, which are accurate and responsive, though they may take a bit of practice for players used to physical wheels.
The Xkey 37 connects instantly via USB and works with most major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, and Studio One. It’s class-compliant, so there’s no need for drivers. It also integrates well with iOS apps like GarageBand, making it ideal for mobile setups.
CME’s Xkey Plus software allows you to customise velocity curves, sensitivity, and MIDI assignments, tailoring the keyboard to your playing style.
One of the Xkey 37’s biggest strengths is its versatility. It works with Windows, macOS, and mobile devices, and can even connect wirelessly using CME’s optional WIDI adapters. The standard USB connection handles both power and data, keeping your setup clean and simple.
Whether you’re recording in a studio or composing on a train, it performs reliably across different platforms.
At around £220, the Xkey 37 isn’t the cheapest 37-key controller, but its build quality, expressive response, and portability justify the price. For producers who travel or work between studios, it’s a premium, lightweight solution that feels truly professional.
Yes – and not just standard aftertouch, but polyphonic aftertouch on every key.
Yes, it’s fully bus-powered and doesn’t require an external power source.
Yes, with a standard USB camera adapter, or wirelessly with a CME WIDI adapter.
No – it uses touch strips instead, which offer smooth, responsive control once you get used to them.
If you need a high-quality, ultra-portable MIDI keyboard that travels easily without cutting corners on performance, the CME Xkey 37 is one of the best options out there. Its combination of sleek design, responsive keys, and expressive control make it perfect for mobile producers, composers, and live performers alike.
It may lack knobs and pads, but what it offers instead – playability and portability – it delivers brilliantly.
Looking for a slim, travel-friendly MIDI keyboard that still feels professional?
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