Derek B.
Really nice little piece of kit. A bit difficult to get it to work in Presonus Studio 1 Artist but I managed it eventually. The Manual ( for someone like me who is primarily a guitarist ) is less use than a chocolate fireguard but would be fine for a hardened Synth player. I wasn't aware that I would have to assign functions to all the buttons/knobs/pads etc. and I can't figure out how to keep the drum pads for drums while using the keyboard to play other instruments . Is there a way? There are videos on YouTube but even they assume that one is familiar with these types of instruments. However, The unit IS very nice to use and seems robust enough for home use although gigging it might be another matter. Definitely recommend it.
Credem -.
Very nice and light it has poweful features!
Christopher H.
Compact. Well made. Very usable. Great price.
Stanley S.
Order #5201,
Dear Sir,
I have a desktop Windows 10 PC with a digital audio workstation, the Magix Music
Maker Premium, installed on it. I chose to add a Donner Spacline DMK 25 MIDI keyboard
controller so that I could compose my own tracks using the Donner keyboard and then
play back the music in different timbres by selecting the various VSTi instruments in
the Magix store. Although I was keen to expand my musical potentialities I am a novice
with controllers; the Donner DMK 25 is my first device.
I had no trouble setting up the controller, the DAW recognised it at once. I can edit
my MIDI input in the DAW without problems. The keys work as they should though
I am still training my fingers to depress them in a practical playing style. The only
thing I need help with is the instructions for all the functions of the controller.
I am still not sure what exactly what the knobs and faders are intended to do. I am
very confused about how to reprogram the faders, knobs, pads, and keyboard.
The little instruction pamphlet supplied only left me in confusion.
What is a CC or CN? What is a mode or curve? What is a (MSB) General Purpose
Controller 1? What is a (LSB) Portamento Time? What is a Data Decrement?
I have searched YouTube for instruction videos, but nowhere could I find any that
dealt with the reprogramming of the Donner's user interface.
What I would appreciate is if Donner were to have their own YouTube channel
with videos that start from the very basics and then explain all the reprogramming
functions of the DMK in fine detail, with each video having its own comments section
in which users could pose specific questions either to Donner or among one other.
Regards, Stanley Stuart
Dave W.
This is an amazing little controller keyboard - especially for the price. It has all I could ask for in such a small form factor (I wanted something small). I actually quite like the touch control pitch-bend and modulation strips. The velocity sensitivity on the keys and pads is not as good as my Nektar full sized controller but this is to be expected for the money (I've tried all the response curves). The configuration application is a real timesaver. Be aware that you need to update the firmware to use this, and the updater only seems to available for Windows. The Mac downloader does not include this. Fortunately I run a Windows VM and this worked fine. My only complaint is the documentation is sparse but once you've worked it out, it's great. I have now mapped the controls to work with Reaper and I'm loving it.
Alan Ashcroft
Amazing midi keyboard! It has diversity and possibility. The mini keyboard is extremely portable.Good value for money.
Donna H.
Haven't played on this much yet
Grem28
The DMK25 suits my purposes. I needed something small that I could carry around to play with. I’ve mapped a few knobs and a slider to my AUM app controlling my device. It works fine for that. If I had a wishlist, I wish this thing came with Bluetooth built in. It just makes sense for this size. The keys are small and do have a toy feel but again, I bought it for an easy way to make music wherever I went and this fits the bill. The drum pads on this feel pretty good and pitch and modulation is pretty responsive.
Jake
The size is perfect for my needs! It's compact and lightweight without feeling flimsy and I'm easily able to fit it on my desk in front of my laptop without having to rearrange anything. (See pictures for size comparison with magic keyboard 2 for scale)
The provided cable is USB-C on one end (to connect to the DMK 25) while the other end is standard USB-A. Not a big deal to use an adapter if you only have USB-C ports, or you can opt to use a different cable that's USB-C on both ends. I had no trouble connecting it with my Macbook with an adapter, and even without mapping anything it worked out of the box in GarageBand.
For now I'm mainly using the DMK 25 with Melodics for practicing keys and pads. It was really easy to map it, and so far it's been working great. The keys don't feel mushy, and having the velocity response is nice. I don't have much experience with pads, but these feel nice to me and seem very responsive.
I'll post an update if I run into any issues, but so far I'm very happy with it!
SageStone
I’ve been using this keyboard for a few months now, and it has been very helpful learn some tunes and play around with new instruments. I love being able to plug it into my MacBook and use it with GarageBand as a keyboard frequently, but it’s also awesome that it has pads for drums. It’s also a lot easier to take my MacBook and this keyboard on the go compared to my full-size keyboard (Donner DDP-300 - highly recommend).
dr
I bought this for two reasons: as a portable controller for beat making, and as a nice little keyboard for my 4 year old to mess around with so he doesn't break my fancier ones! I'm very happy on both fronts. This Donner is portable enough to take on an airplane, and intuitive enough that my kid loves using it. The small keys took me a while to get used to, but after 10 mins or so it wasn't an issue. Also, the record and pause buttons don't seem to register with Logic Pro, but all the pads and keys work well. The velocity sensitivity on the keys is actually a bit better than what I expected (definitely better than the other cheap controller I replaced with this one). All in all, this is a terrific purchase for the price. I'm yet to be disappointed by a Eastar product.
Brian
Very good delivery. I have another product that is almost the same as this but it is really bad. Finally I found this product, I read reviews from other buyers, I was surprised their reviews were very good and extraordinary.
then I bought this product and when it arrived at my home.
I immediately use it, this product is very good no one can match the quality of this product. I am very happy to get this product.
I highly recommend this product. If you don't buy this product, you will regret it. because you will not get the best quality besides this product
Dipset
I've been searching for my first MIDI keyboard and I'm very happy with this one! Great size, light, thin but sturdy and happy with it being pressure/touch-sensitive. I currently use this with Reaper software which is plug-and-play compatible. The white goes well with my desk aesthetics.
D59
Awesome keyboard. Great for beginners and producing beats. Love this purchase!
Yancy L.
Well I use GarageBand and haven't been able download the software
Y
Really happy with this. comes complete with its own USBC. connected it up to my Mac, having looked at the manual briefly I was expecting to have to go through the laborious process of inputting c values but it was all auto detected. pitch bend volume modulation and pads and balance were all auto assigned correctly with no setup required. I will reassign other faders and pots to do other more useful things than just a repeat of volume and balance but this is easily done. latency is very low. touch response is great. easy change of octave in flight. fantastically compact which is great for me as I haven't got the room for a full home studio any more. for the money I don't think you will find something as functional and we'll built. the quality and value I come to expect from Donner.
Jay
I’ve been using this keyboard for a few months now, and it has been very helpful learn some tunes and play around with new instruments. I love being able to plug it into my MacBook and use it with GarageBand as a keyboard frequently, but it’s also awesome that it has pads for drums.
Addison Sawyer
I've spent the weekend with this MIDI controller and I have to say, man, it's incredible. It's easy to use, program and best of all, it's virtually plug and play. I'm very much a newbie with midi controllers, so the fact that I was able to plug this in and go right at it in Garageband was a huge win. I mean, who doesn't want to just hit the ground running and use something when you get it?
Jake
The size is perfect for my needs! It's compact and lightweight without feeling flimsy and I'm easily able to fit it on my desk in front of my laptop without having to rearrange anything.
O
The DMK25 suits my purposes. I needed something small that I could carry around to play with. I’ve mapped a few knobs and a slider to my AUM app controlling my device. It works fine for that. If I had a wishlist, I wish this thing came with Bluetooth built in. It just makes sense for this size. The keys are small and do have a toy feel but again, I bought it for an easy way to make music wherever I went and this fits the bill. The drum pads on this feel pretty good and pitch and modulation is pretty responsive.
R. Whiteside
I used to play a keyboard, several years back, but got rid of it. I have been thinking about getting another one and found the Donner DMK 25 MIDI keyboard. This one is quite different that what I am used to playing. In order to play this keyboard, you have to install one choice of several music software programs (DAW) before playing. I decided to download GarageBand. The keyboard also needs to be connected to a computer or mobile device via a USB cord; the type C cord is included. I also plan on using my IPAD and mobile phone, eventually. This MIDI keyboard is compact with many features; more than you would expect a small keyboard to have.
It took me several hours to get the hang of using this keyboard, but once I got started, it seemed to be pretty easy. I tested out all the buttons, to make sure they worked. Of course, there is way more to learn because I just tried the basics and I will learn more as I go along. I guess, though, if I could figure out how to use this, then it probably would be perfect for a teenager, that likes to make his/her own music.
I am really glad that I purchased the Donner DMK 25 MIDI keyboard. It is lots of fun, once you get the hang of it, very de-stressing, perfect for the whole family, along with a very reasonable price.
R. Whiteside
I needed something to help with my compose something by 40 new years resolution. Donner has truly impressed me with their guitar products and their midi controller follows in the same way. The keyboard looks cool. It feels well built but it's light. I'm uaing the keyboard to control virtual instruments in cakewalk by bandlab. The set up and configuration was pretty smooth. I can control volume, record playback, and modulate tones all from the keyboard. The pads and keys are all velocity sensitive (harder you hit, louder you play). If you are new to midi, DAWs, and digital music, expect it to take a couple hours to figure out what you are doing. It's not so much that it's hard as it is just something new to learn. And in this case you are learning a midi control surface, midi pads, a keyboard and a DAW. A couple hours is probably rushed to be honest. When I get my compose something by 40, I may see if there is a way to upload that.
Y Z.
I've never owned a MIDI controller/keyboard, and I'll admit when I first plugged it in to Garageband, I was very confused. A little playing around and in about 15 minutes, I was up and running. It is a blast. I had a full size keyboard that I was using previously, and this little guy saves so much space, but gives me the same sound and much more accessibility with controls. I would highly recommend for anyone looking for an extra tool in their home recording studio, or someone just looking to have some fun with a MIDI keyboard!
I was a little leary on getting the white at first, but as you can see in the pictures, it actually looks great!
Michael A.
Great present for my soon to be 13 year old son!
Angela L.
To begin, I am not a musician. That said I love how easy and fun this little guy can be. I've spent hours putting beats and chords together sometimes not even really knowing what I'm doing. Wen i finally found a good program to go with it, i spent even more time fiddling around and trying to figure out new sounds.