NAMM 2021: MIDI keyboards from Alesis Published 21/1/21 Alesis have launched a trio of compact USB MIDI keyboards, known collectively as the Q series. With its 32 velocity-sensitive mini keys, the Q Mini is little wider than a laptop, yet the wee panel over on the left still manages to squeeze in buttons for sustain, octave up/down, transpose and pitch bend, plus an assignable encoder. Next up is the Q49 MkII, which has four octaves of full-size, synth-action keys. Its control panel is a little more extensive, and has proper pitch and mod wheels, an assignable slider, and even a transport control section. Sustain is taken care of via an optional footswitch, which connects to a rear-panel jack.