# KB-1 Keyboard Suite — Expressive MIDI Controllers

> Expressive virtual MIDI keyboards and controllers for music creation. (iPhone/iPad app by Kai Aras.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kb-1-keyboard-suite/id1437919435 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899)
- Category: Music
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 270 App Store ratings · 72 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 38 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2018-11-20
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kb-1-keyboard-suite/id1437919435/reviews.md

## What is KB?

KB-1 MIDI Keyboard

KB-1 is a suite of expressive virtual keyboards and controllers designed for a multitude of scenarios. 

Play multiple instruments simultaneously, complete with MIDI Polyphonic Expression, scales, chords, strumming and more. 

Overview:
- 8 distinct Keyboard Layouts 
- Multiple Rows per Keyboard
- Multiple Octaves per Keyboard Row
- 15+ Scales (for layouts that support scales)
- MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE)
- Powerful Arpeggiator 
- Standalone operation with multiple Keyboards and dedicated MIDI outputs per Keyboard 
- AUv3 MIDI Plugin

Layouts:
- Classic (Piano Keys + Wheels)
- Uniform (Seboard-style Keys and Layout)
- String (String-style Keys)
- Scale (Uniform layout with scale support)
- Chord (One key per chord for all scale degrees)
- Drum (up to 16 user mappable drum pads) 
- XY (up to 2 configurable XY-Pads) 
- CC (up to 16 user mappable knobs for CC control) 

Expression:
- Glide (horizontal)
- Slide (vertical)
- Velocity (mapped to y-axis)
- Pressure (iPhone only) 

App Connectivity:
- Standalone 
- AUv3 MIDI Instrument

MIDI Connectivity:
- Inter-App MIDI 
- USB MIDI
- BLE MIDI 
- Network MIDI

## Key features

- 8 distinct Keyboard Layouts
- MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE)
- Scales and Chords
- Powerful Arpeggiator
- Standalone and AUv3 MIDI Plugin
- Multiple Octaves and Rows per Keyboard

## Recent user reviews (10 of 72)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kb-1-keyboard-suite/id1437919435/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great MIDI control

*2026-04-29, version 1.3.7*

Amazing app from Kai. So many features for a keyboard app, arpeggiators, chords, scales. Absolute bargain.

### 1/5 — Janky keyboard.

*2026-03-12*

The interface is cramped. I wish you could hide everything but the keys and drum pads to make more space. There’s an odd visual glitch where the drop shadow of each key permanently disappears as you play them. Also, I wish you could set it to default to an output so you don’t have to select it for each controller every time. It’s lacking a lot of polish for such an expensive app. I don’t know how this got so highly rated in its current condition.

### 3/5 — It’s alright

*2026-03-05*

The interface is cramped. I wish you could hide everything but the keys and drum pads to make more space. There’s an odd visual glitch where the drop shadow of each key permanently disappears as you play them. Also, I wish you could set it to default to an output so you don’t have to select it for each controller every time.

### 2/5 — 鍵盤数が最大25鍵まで。足りない。

*2025-11-23*

デザインは、一見良さそうに見えるが、
最大の難点は、一列に表示できる鍵盤数が、25鍵までであること。
iPad で使う今時のDAWアプリの内蔵鍵盤は、37から40鍵程度の表示ができることを考えると、25鍵は、あきらかに少なく足りない。
この手のMIDIキーボードアプリで、鍵盤数を多く確保したい場合は、Xequence AU Keys や LK に、軍配が上がる。

要望
37鍵程度の表示ができるよう希望します。

### 1/5 — Not a download and go app

*2025-11-10, version 1.3.7*

Can’t use this to have my 6 year old practice piano on my iPad while traveling. No audio output.

### 1/5 — Seems to be broken in iPad OS 26

*2025-10-08*

It just doesn’t seem to work. Using it in AUM it won’t do anything and then it crashes. In stand alone it won’t connect to any other apps. I was excited for this keyboard and it’s a bummer it’s broken.

### 3/5 — Freezes on launch iPadOS 26

*2025-10-05, version 1.3.5*

Was a great app, hopefully gets fixed soon

### 5/5 — Bluetooth-MIDI mit Windows

*2025-06-27*

Ich wollte mein iPad als MIDI-Keyboard nutzen, um unterwegs mit meinem MS Surface (Windows!) zu arrangieren. Ich hätte mir gewünscht, dass das per Kabel ginge, scheint aber nicht möglich zu sein. Nach langem Probieren und Recherchieren gibt es über diese App hier aber doch eine Möglichkeit: Per Bluetooth-MIDI. Nach Verbindung mit dem Rechner kann man als Output diesen auswählen.
Damit das funktioniert, braucht man unter Windows noch zwei kleine Programme: LoopMIDI (für virtuelle MIDI-Ports) sowie MIDIberry, um das per Bluetooth verbundene iPad dann an LoopMIDI zu senden. LoopMIDI wiederum lässt sich dann in jedem entsprechenden Musikprogramm auswählen. Etwas umständlich, aber über den (angesichts des Umfangs mehr als fairen!) Preis von KB-1 hinaus kostenlos!

### 5/5 — Das Ding ist der Hammer!

*2025-05-07*

Ich krieg mich gar nicht wieder ein, so begeistert bin ich von dieser App.
Sie ist unglaublich flexibel in die Möglichkeiten und vor allem auch im Layout. Dazu die ganzen MPE Funktionalitäten, was will man mehr? Allerhöchstens echter Hardware aber so flexibel könnte die nie sein.

Die Kritikpunkte einiger Nutzer bezüglich einer komisch aussehenden Klaviatur kann ich nicht nachvollziehen. Wer so etwas sagt, hat das Ding keine 30 Sekunden ausprobiert.
Es hatte mich jetzt 2 Minuten gekostet, die Applikation so zu konfigurieren, dass sie einfach perfekt aussah, die Tasten gut zu „greifen“ waren und alles erstklassig funktionierte.

Auf der Webseite machen die beiden Entwickler außerdem einen netten und coolen Eindruck. Durch diese App habe ich jetzt tatsächlich erst mal vom Kauf eines Mini-Keyboards für Reisen abgesehen.
Selbst ein preiswertes MPE Keyboard würde ich mir jetzt nicht mehr kaufen. Und preiswerte MPE Keyboards als Hardware gibt es eigentlich gar nicht.

Absolute Kaufempfehlung!

Der Arpeggiator ist übrigens ein absoluter Traum! Das einzige, was ich mir da wünschen würde, wäre noch ein weiterer Button zur zusätzlichen Konfiguration von Rhythmusmustern.
Ich bin so begeistert, ich komme aus dem Schwärmen gar nicht mehr heraus. So positiv habe ich glaube ich noch niemals eine App aus dem Store bewertet. 🤩

### 2/5 — Would be great if it worked reliably

*2025-03-03, version 1.3.5*

I had so many problems with this I gave up. On my three iPad Air gen one iPads it seemed to install but all you get is a glimpse of the start up page then nothing. I can’t be certain but it seems a coincidence that now those iPads refuse to do an air drop in Audiobus and now they no longer list or find my Bluetooth devices. 
On my fifth gen iPad it works sometimes but it fails to connect to synths on the same iPad randomly and you get a pop up warning you that the audio has failed. Why a MIDI app should trash your audio I have no idea. After several attempts to get more than one synth connected it is good to have three keyboards but unfortunately the velocity function doesn’t work either. Then there is the MPE keyboard. No luck so far with Animoog or Any of my other MPE synths. Same experience on my Air gen 2 iPads. Imagine trying to use this at a gig.

## Frequently asked questions about KB

### What does the KB-1 Keyboard Suite do?

KB-1 is a suite of expressive virtual keyboards and controllers designed for music creation. It allows you to play multiple instruments simultaneously with advanced features like MIDI Polyphonic Expression, scales, and chords, offering a versatile tool for musicians.

### What are the key features of KB-1?

Key features include 8 distinct keyboard layouts, support for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), scales, chords, a powerful arpeggiator, and the ability to operate standalone or as an AUv3 MIDI plugin. It also offers multiple rows and octaves per keyboard.

### How much does KB-1 cost?

Based on the provided information, this application is a paid app. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase for full access to its features.

### What kind of expression controls does KB-1 offer?

KB-1 provides various expression controls including Glide (horizontal movement), Slide (vertical movement), Velocity (mapped to the y-axis), and Pressure (on iPhone only). These allow for nuanced and dynamic performance control.

### Can I use KB-1 with other music apps?

Yes, KB-1 offers extensive connectivity options. It can be used standalone, as an AUv3 MIDI Instrument, and supports Inter-App MIDI, USB MIDI, BLE MIDI, and Network MIDI, allowing seamless integration with other music production software and hardware.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.7 — 2025-10-14

- Fixed an issue where in some cases the plugin UI would freeze on iOS 26
- Fixed an issue where Logic Pro would not record MIDI from KB when loaded in a MIDI FX slot

### 1.3.5 — 2024-08-15

Fixed an issue where the AUv3 would not load properly in some iPhone hosts

### 1.3.4 — 2024-04-30

- Added support for pressure to iPad version via Apple Pencil  
- Added an option to play KB-1 from a physical computer keyboard (think Ableton Live) 
- Fixed an issue where MPE keyboards would occasionally send erroneous MIDI messages 
- Fixed Ableton Link
- Various minor bug fixes

### 1.3.3 — 2023-06-26

- Fixed an issue where the App would crash on iOS 12

### 1.3.2 — 2023-06-20

- Added an option to choose between Channel Aftertouch and Poly Aftertouch (Settings -> Expression -> Send Aftertouch)
 - Arpeggiator now supports velocity 
 - Fixed an issue where loading KB-1 into Logic would crash instantly
 - Fixed Ableton Link

## Apps similar to KB

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| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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| [Scale Numbers Piano](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scale-numbers-piano/id1270369797) | 4.2 (12) | Free | Music |
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## More apps by Kai Aras

- [MIDIBrute](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midibrute/id1010753735)
- [RP-1 Delay](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rp-1-delay/id1079530569)
- [RF-1 Reverb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rf-1-reverb/id1097763239)
- [VC-1 Chorus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vc-1-chorus/id1130683829)
- [Italizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/italizer/id1133091743)
- [VOLT Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/volt-synth/id1185984394)

All apps by Kai Aras: https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899

## Related topics

[kbone](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kbone) · [scalebud 2 auv3 midi keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/scalebud-2-auv3-midi-keyboard) · [isotope midi keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/isotope-midi-keyboard)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*