Polyend Keys: The Genius QWERTY Keyboard Controller You Never Knew You Needed
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Polyend Keys is a mechanical computer keyboard that’s also a MIDI controller, with keys arranged as a three-octave piano keyboard, rotary controls, and even MIDI out. Take my money!
Polyend Keys
Who had “Polyend makes a MIDI controller QWERTY keyboard” on their 2026 bingo card? If so, you deserve the jackpot, because this came out of nowhere. And yet it’s so genius! (And so much better than this.)
So what is this thing? Polyend Keys is a mechanical keyboard of the computer not piano type, with a full QWERTY-style layout. It’s high quality, with hot-swappable Kailh low-profile switches so individual keys can be changed out without soldering. I love that. The keys are also backlit, and the whole shebang can be connected to your computer via USB or Bluetooth.
Polyend Keys Is a Three-Octave Keyboard
But we’re not a computer site, we’re all about music gear here at Gearnews. So what’s up with Keys then for musicians?
For starters, the number row and function keys are arranged in such a way that they form a three-octave musical keyboard, with the function keys the sharps and flats. Directly above them are nine rotary controls that you can assign to MIDI CCs to use with your DAW or hardware instrument. You could also set them up to control computer-based tasks, such as volume, scrolling and brightness.
Lastly, there’s a small display (a keyboard with a screen!) that provides information about the controls. Polyend say that it can be used by different applications and future features.
Polyend Keys: Connectivity and Battery
Being a MIDI controller, you’re going to need MIDI out on something like this. Keys does indeed have it, but given the slim profile of the device, it could only be TRS. Hey, it’s no Atari 1040ST.
As with other Bluetooth-enabled computer keyboards, Polyend Keys contains a rechargeable battery. The company hasn’t provided any information on projected length of use, but it did mention that you can use Keys as a standalone MIDI controller sans computer.
Interestingly, Keys is also open source. “The software can be expanded beyond the functions it ships with, opening the door to alternative layouts, new control modes, custom MIDI controllers, sequencers, and other applications,” says Polyend.
Polyend Keys: Pricing and Availability
I love this. As a writer who’s also a musician, having a MIDI controller built into a QWERTY keyboard solves so many problems. Especially since my master MIDI keyboard doesn’t have knobs. This is really genius.
Polyend has yet to announce price or when Keys will be available. They will be showing it at Gamescom in Cologne from August 26-30, so hopefully we’ll have more info to report soon. There will be two models: black and silver.
More Information
- Polyend homepage
- More about Polyend
- More about MIDI controllers
- Buy controllers at Thomann*
*Note: This article contains advertising links that help us pay for this site. Don’t worry: the price for you will always be the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
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2 responses to “Polyend Keys: The Genius QWERTY Keyboard Controller You Never Knew You Needed”
Me likeeeeeeeee
Genius move. They’ll sell loads
This with i. e. 7 LED-Ring endless encoders and 2 non-endless knobs please -> instant buy.