Roland launch GO:KEYS portable keyboards

Published 26/3/24

All-in-one production keyboards aimed at beginners

Roland have announced the release of the GO:KEYS 3 and GO:KEYS 5, a pair of portable music creation keyboards packed with intuitive tools designed to encourage those learning to make music. Both models take a simple approach to production, but still boast some more advanced features that allow for more involved work as users develop their skills.

Sounds & Accompaniments

Both instruments are powered by the ZEN-Core sound engine used in flagship Roland instruments such as the Fantom and Jupiter-X, and come loaded with over 1000 sounds from the company’s library that cover everything from acoustic pianos and orchestral instruments to modern synth sounds, drums, guitars and more. There’s a collection of ready-made chord progressions that span a variety of musical styles, and users are able to create their own custom sequences in order to write their own music or play along with their favourite tracks.

A selection of dynamic accompaniment parts are present, and can be triggered with one hand while leaving the other free to play chords, melodies and solo parts over the top. Additional sounds and accompaniments are available via the company’s Roland Cloud subscription service.

A GO:KEYS 3 finished in dark red.

Design & Connectivity

Both units boast a compact all-in-one design that combines a 61-note keybed with an onboard stereo speaker system, and the GO:KEYS 5 takes things a step further with the addition of a microphone input and dedicated vocal effects, as well as an upgraded speaker system with extended low-end response. Backing tracks can be integrated with the onboard sounds via Bluetooth or a USB memory device, and MIDI is supported wirelessly over Bluetooth or via USB, allowing the two units to interface with a wide range of desktop software and mobile apps. There are also onboard recording facilities for evaluating progress and sharing music, and or those looking for ultimate portability, the instruments can be run on AA batteries.

Each model comes in a variety of colours, with the GO:KEYS 3 available in turquoise, dark red or midnight blue, and the GO:KEYS 5 available in graphite or white.