Hybrid Keyboard - Creative Prodikeys PC-MIDI 

A note about sustain, there is no relation between pressing the sustain button and the next music key you press.

got one of these for christmas back in the mid 2000s and spilled me tea all over it immediately after plugging it in. thanks for resurfacing those repressed memories!

I'm frustrated because the keyboard doesn't hide inside the keyboard!

I've owned this keyboard many years. It works great for me, It came with 2 keyboard overlays to change the look of the keyboard; one silver, the other purple.

I installed a load of those when I was a school IT manager. They super practical for that application. I seem to remember iffy performance on some of them.

Hah would love to see Chyrosran22 review one of these.

"This is rock and roll!"

I need one of these like right now for my FL Studio work!

The thing I like most about your videos: lack of an intro. Fucking awesome. Right into it. No padding seconds of useless repeated info.

It's both a keyboard, and a keyboard!

not surprised about the full n-key rollover on the midi-side. (while there might be playback limits, the actual midi standard (which is an interfacing standard, not a playback standard) requires that every note-action be recorded/transmitted)

People who understand what a midi controller is wouldn't be upset that it doesn't generate noise

What a peculiar device. I can see how it would be really useful for making music, especially if you're away from your normal work environment. At least, it would be useful if the overall build quality were aimed a little higher. I can't help wondering what a Korg take on the concept would be like.

The 8-bit Guy needs to see this

This might be the weirdest keyboard I've ever seen.

The velocity control is likely two rubber dome switches that get pressed after each other. Maybe it misses one of them.

That's freaking amazing and I want one

I used to have a prodikeys DM ages ago, it was pretty interesting.

6:31 Yes, it probably is dirty keys. If the (music) keyboard is truly velocity sensitive, then there are *two* contacts under each button, and the processor times them to determine how fast the key is moving. If one of those contacts is dirty, it would exhibit as exactly the weird velocity values you demonstrated.

Oh shit, it's something I've got! I haven't been able to get mine to work, since my driver disc seems to dislike anything past Windows XP.

I found an older model of this product yesterday at a goodwill! It had old-school IBM keyboard

I have the original white version, which I found at a thrift store too. It sucks that it's PS/2 ... a port I don't have on my computer, so I was sorely disappointed that I never got it to work. A PS/2-USB adapter does not work either (if I recall, I think typing works, but not sending MIDI data from the music keyboard). Neat to see a video on this since there weren't many videos on it back when I found it a few years back. Every while I search to see if anyone got one working (which is how I just found this video now), and I never knew there was actually a USB version.

I always wanted one...used to see them at Fry's.

I’d be interested in seeing a postscript with Information regarding this product and Windows XP.

I own this very piece, and look forward to tethering it to my Android tablets and use piano software. I wish devices like this were made today.

the plastic insert is removable so that you can customize your keyboard. There were various color variants of that insert. My prodikeys came with the default silver insert and a purple insert.

Everyone! I was able to find the software for this product. And it works for Windows Vista 32 bit! Just go to the Internet Archive Software Section and search Creative Prodikeys. There you will find an iso file. Good luck!

I might need to look for one of these. Also, I need to pick up an SC-55, SC-88, and/or an MT-32 for music production.

I saw this on eBay once in the box and everything. I really wanted to buy it but I didn't have money at the time.

The previous version being PS/2 I can understand, but a later version being PS/2 while the second one is usb just seems weird to me

Excellent video, thanks. Maybe, after this, I am going to use one or both of my Prodikeys, DM and PC-MIDI.

The inserts were because when you bought it new, you had a choice of coloured inserts you can use. I'm as sure as I can be that these were always a Creative proprietory product. Sadly there are no 64bit drivers so using on a modern OS (it would work on XP & Vista) isn't possible :( There's loads of sites out there saying that they have drivers, but to date none have been released or developed (I've looked for a very long time). The Prodikey PC-MIDI and DM keyboards came with an excellent suite of software, one app which I particularly like/used was one that allowed you to load a midi file and it would show you on the screen which keys to press for a given instrument - a great learning tool as it then took that a step at a time measuring your inputs and then scoring you. I've still got my pc-midi keyboard (am typing now on it) along with the original disks from around 2004, but I've not use for it without the software. Only as a pc keyboard. I hadn;t appreciated that it could operate as a midi keyboard - I'm going the have to look back into this. Any tips on "bouncing ball playing along" software?

Anyone find the drivers for this? I have one but can't find the drivers online

What DAW are you using in this video? I've been looking for a good workstation since my switch back to Linux, and FL Studio 20 doesn't work perfectly in Wine yet...

Cool! I remember an entire computer lab in the primary school I attended having this in place of the stock Lite-On keyboards for NEC PowerMate VL series desktops that were there, which, yes, were all running Windows XP Pro. We had a music class there, but sadly, a bully swapped my file for their crappy file and I got a bad score for one of the music test. I really have to contact the schools I used to attend, in the hopes I can get student lists for classes I was out in, in an attempt to ban former bullies from being able to sign up for any online services I may create.

Hey AkBKuKU, when will we see you thrifting? I would love to see how you find some of these things!

hello:) how do you make it work at windows 10? i couldnt do it :(

2:10 - You can get passive or active PS/2-to-USB adapters on eBay for $1 (and they usually work… more or less). 4:00 - I think most (non-super-expensive) electronic keyboards do four-key polyphony (I know the SK-1 does). 11:30 - Do you take requests? Play “Doom E1M9”!

I have the Prodikeys DM model, but aside from the fact that it only has Windows XP drivers, it is also slightly broken now; I'm considering ripping out the standard computer keyboard section and turning it into a small stand-alone synth, containing a number (4 or maybe 8) SwinSID devices, governed by a microcontroller, but that is a long term project even if it ever comes to fruition. ;)

Very interesting keyboard. I might try to find one in the future for practicing music. I wonder why no one has thought of making a professional version of this keyboard nowadays, as I think it could be really convenient for programmers.

I had one of these and it was awesome until windows and computers changed and the music keyboard part wouldn’t work anymore. The software sound stuff that came with it sounded amazing.

I purchased one of these brand new when it was first released (at either Comdex or CES) directly from Creative and still use it on my primary home computer. Unfortunately, they stopped supporting the product and there is no way that I know of to drive the music keyboard portion on Windows 10 (heck, it may have stopped during Windows 7). If someone has figured out a way to make it work with a current version of Windows, I'd love to find out!

This is rock n roll

man i have one of theese and i couldn't get it to wirk with my daw and windows. I even messaged the company to ask them about the driver and they say it is not aavailable anymore. Where did you get the driver?

"This is rock n roll"

I used to have one of these. I sold it when I went to BCT because I only had so much space in storage (and at that time, no longer had a desktop).... I finally have a desktop computer again and am baffled and saddened that I cannot find it! I have both types of keyboards separately, but it was awesome to have them together. 😭

Hi I loved your review on this keyboard. I found one as well at a thrift store. Where can I download the drivers? or software? Thanks

You can set minimum velocity in fluidsynth, this is what I use to set velocity of all the notes with velocity

That is an incredibly interesting device. I am curious about the Linux driver for it. Is it mainlined or some added module? Thank you for sharing!

Are you using LMMS for all the music shenanigans you do on Linux?

I bought one the other day, the face plate can be changed with a different coloured one which come in the box. It's an interesting thing.

Wow ur a gud teacher bro I'm watching in Africa 🌍 malawi 🇲🇼

as an electronic music producer I want this it could be really useful wtf

I'm almost sure this is the exact keyboard that the video went viral of the asian guy playing it

sounds like you need to do a new windows xp retro build 😉

Try usb pass through in a VM for winxp.

"There is a chance the USB one will show up as a standard USB MIDI device in Windows or Mac." - I've worked on this keyboard for macOS and Windows...and it doesn't present a standard MIDI interface! It's actually an HID device, and you have to convert the HID input reports to USB MIDIStream messages. I have a *rough* driver for macOS (Mojave) here: github.com/DigitalExegete/CTProdikeysMac . It's awesome to see someone else trying to use this!

I've picked up both the USB model featured here and the earlier white model at thrifts and just want to confirm (for anyone who is interested) that sadly, the white is also just rubber dome- not mechanical.

I picked up one of these from a thrift shop and spent a few weeks trying to get a windows 7/8 driver and gave up.

I've recently got one of these and I can't seam to get it to work (under linux lmms & Musescore)... :-/ and I can't seam to find much information of how to .. What did you do to get it to work under linux?

Can you make a seperate video on setting up Midi for a DAW?

I knew someone who had one of these in the mid 2000s. Of course, I don't know them now.

a friend give me this KB, but i don't get the software, i cannot find it on the web, what can i do to get the Software

I wondered if the Prodikeys had a sound chip just based on a viral video of a Japanese salesman playing drums on one but it's just as well that it doesn't. Weather or not there are sounds in software form as part of the Prodikeys is another story. I also hadn't thought of doing harmonic chords on my SC-88 Pro the way you set your SC-55 up at the end of the video.

The pads are most likely dirty and oxidated and make poor contact. I think it's worth a shot to try and disassemble it and clean the contact pads with IPA (but not India Pale Ale).

I love it, I want it so bad 😭

Thanks for sharing

I remember having a similar problem with a standalone MIDI 90's synth (I think it was a Yamaha CSX). The keyboard sent a velocity of 1 for some light presses, I wondered if it had some trouble identifying the keypress. Perhaps some software of that era would interpreted that 1 velocity as 'don't care' or reuse the last one or something.

I wish it were mechanical, and I also wish we could get one to Chyrosran22!!!

Nice thrift store find... ⌨️🎹☮️🔥

how do i get this working with windows 10? i just got one second hand as well

the contacts could probably use a good cleaning, and/or repairing

this is rock n' roll

i have one of these... been sittin in the cupboard for like 10 years... was worth like 60$ when i got it... you cant get drivers for any other windows os except for XP..even tho all the qwert keys and buttons work fine, and even shows as Prodikeys..havent found a way to get the music keys working yet :(

Hello. I have one of these keyboards and I was wondering how you got yours to work? On mine, the piano keys do not work but the computer keys do. I have searched for the software everywhere but have found nothing.

There's a slight delay with the keyboard, either its the keyboard, or my earbuds, but it annoys me

Christ I wish these were a thing. When I feel like doing something quick In MilkyTracker, bam all in front of me.

This is Rock 'n' Roll

I hand one and loved it, but I had to trash it since they aren't any drivers that work with anything beyond Windows Vista.

USB isn't advantage over PS/2 because almost every modern PC has some sort of PS/2 being Keyboard/Mouse combo, 2 ports, only keyboard or a header. It's also that PS/2 sends system interrupts and USB does not.

Alphanumeric bit may just be a generic keyboard mechanism that creative wires in

"Now, how about drums?"

Asian Guy Plays Drums On Keyboard Intensifies

never learned music stuff at scholl or art stuff. Learning to draw as an adult. after seeing this I think I need to learn music stuff :) to make some techno. Too bad I ccant tell from which end to hold stuff. I had awesomely bad school at this stuff which do not have mandatory exams

that looks impossible to use for production. I'd be awkwardly slamming my wrist down on the lower octave every time I hit ctrl-L to assign a mixer channel

I still have the Dm model sitting on the shelf today. Still working 100% fine but it only works as a typing keyboard because i'm disappointed to find the software is no longer supplied by Creative on their website anymore. Maybe there are somewhere, but not sure if I can find any. Guess I have to have a Linux then. :(

I have a new notebook with Win 10, pls advise how to use it. Do I need to download a new driver to make the music keys to work as the keyboard works well. Thanks.

HELP PLEASE ! I can't introduce the keyboard in windows 10 :(

Is the Prodikeys even velocity sensitive? I guess the driver wants to see velocity but the keyboard isnt sensitive.

Oh at 5:00 I believe you could get a pink insert for the wiggily bit, so it's wiggly because it's removable (and what are tolerances?)

Yo this is very nice! 😀

which software you are using?

Driver Windows 10 64 bit??

great little keyboard, but screwed by the lack of X64 drivers. Will work on W7 (and possibly later) but only if they are 32bit versions of the OS :(

But does it play Doom?

Midi keyboards don't have poly the synth has poly.

hi Tech Tangents, I have exactly this keyboard ( with thailand qwerty lol ) but I dont have the original software that came with it and it seems that creative website no longer has a download link, do you possibly have the original cd that came with this keyboard and if so would it be possible to get a copy ? thanks

this would be cool to combine with a gameboy - because you can use a PS2 adapter to play the gameboy like a piano froma keyboard

i literally owned one of these for like a year, could NEVER find drivers.... so sad

有趣的玩意兒～