EASYPLAY 1s – An affordable compact MIDI Controller With a Twist

MIDI controllers have been around for years, used in live sets and studios worldwide. Many manufacturers create excellent and affordable MIDI controllers, like Arturia and Native Instruments has brought us great products with great quality. While most companies prefer a more standard approach to MIDI controllers, SummerTones has taken a significantly unique approach in their Kickstarter project, EASYPLAY1s. This particular device deviates from the conventional design and functionality of traditional MIDI controllers with unique features and an early bird price tag of 99$.

SummerTones, a brand-new company from China, has taken a fresh approach to keyboards and MIDI controllers. Their EASYPLAY 1s is a compact 25-key keyboard with a unique 3×5 layout that can be used as a standalone keyboard or a MIDI controller. When used as a keyboard, it offers over 25 built-in sound packs. All performances can be recorded on your PC via a 3.5mm jack.

Talking about EASYPLAY1s, the founder of Summer Tones, Feifeiyu said:

I’m Feifeiyu, the mind behind EASYPLAY 1s. I come from Sichuan, China, known for its scenic mountains. However, due to limited resources and no formal music training, I never had the chance to pursue my passion for music systematically during my childhood. After graduating, I bought my dream entry-level electronic keyboard, the CASIO-st. Its bulky size made it impractical for learning on the go, and the linear keyboard layout made finding notes difficult. That’s when the idea of creating a portable, easier-to-learn, and affordable musical instrument struck me. The EASYPLAY 1s was designed as big as a phone, with a 2-octave, 3×5 matrix layout, which is easier to memorize compared to a linear layout. With 25 keys, it covers most of what beginners need.

Unlike most keyboards that require a power connection, the 1s boasts a built-in battery offering 8 hours of playtime. Furthermore, when used as a MIDI controller, it features the modern USB Type-C connection instead of the traditional Type-B. Additionally, the device supports Bluetooth, enabling both Dual-mode MIDI and Bluetooth speaker functionality. While the keyboard has only 25 keys, it still offers a wide octave range between C3 and C8. Some small features caught our eyes as well, such as Interchangeable keycaps, a built-in Metronome, and the keyboard can even record and replay on the go.

If you’re willing to get more information, click below for their Kickstarter page.

Kickstarter

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Tags: Summertones, Kickstarter, INDIEGOGO, EASYPLAY 1s, 1s EASYPLAY, MIDI, Keyboard, MIDI Keyboard