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MIDI Keyboards
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard
protocol that allows electronic musical instruments,
computers and other compatible equipment to communicate.
MIDI keyboards were not generally designed specifically for the
Spectrum. This page is therefore a selective record of models
advertised as compatible with the ZX Spectrum, or documented
in contemporary reviews as capable of connecting to it. It is
not intended to be a comprehensive catalogue of MIDI keyboards.
Features
Original Price
Cheetah MK5
Cheetah Marketing
The Cheetah MK5 is a full-size, five-octave MIDI keyboard with 61 keys and a pitch-bend wheel. It can recall up to 128 patches from a connected sound module and includes a hold function, octave shift and LED display.
The keyboard has a MIDI Out connection, assignable to any of the 16 MIDI channels, and is housed in a metal case. It can be used as a computer music controller with the separate Cheetah MIDI Interface, allowing it to control and play computer-generated sounds on the ZX Spectrum 128K and +2. 1
The keyboard has a MIDI Out connection, assignable to any of the 16 MIDI channels, and is housed in a metal case. It can be used as a computer music controller with the separate Cheetah MIDI Interface, allowing it to control and play computer-generated sounds on the ZX Spectrum 128K and +2. 1
£99.95
2
Price include VAT, postage and packing.
Siel MK900
The Siel MK900 is a 61-key electronic keyboard with ten preset voices and a built-in rhythm unit. The rhythm section provides drums, bass, rhythm and arpeggio, with ten preset patterns. Users can also create their own rhythmic sequences using the manual drum facility, which provides four percussion sounds.
The keyboard includes one-finger chord accompaniment, with the left-hand section following the selected rhythm pattern. It can be split at any of three preset positions, allowing different sounds to be played on either side. Additional facilities include a counter-melody function, which adds harmonies to the melody, and a 'Left to Mono' feature that plays the highest note of a right-hand chord as a separate note using the left-hand voice.
A stereo amplifier rated at 4 watts per channel is built into the instrument, with separate stereo speakers. The power supply is external.
MIDI In and Out connections allow the MK900 to communicate with other MIDI-equipped instruments. It could also be used with the ZX Spectrum through Siel's separate MIDI Computer Interface, which was advertised with compatible software for the Spectrum. 3
The keyboard includes one-finger chord accompaniment, with the left-hand section following the selected rhythm pattern. It can be split at any of three preset positions, allowing different sounds to be played on either side. Additional facilities include a counter-melody function, which adds harmonies to the melody, and a 'Left to Mono' feature that plays the highest note of a right-hand chord as a separate note using the left-hand voice.
A stereo amplifier rated at 4 watts per channel is built into the instrument, with separate stereo speakers. The power supply is external.
MIDI In and Out connections allow the MK900 to communicate with other MIDI-equipped instruments. It could also be used with the ZX Spectrum through Siel's separate MIDI Computer Interface, which was advertised with compatible software for the Spectrum. 3
References
1.
"The Sound of Cheetah" - Cheetah MK5 MIDI keyboard announcement, detailing its features and compatibility with the Spectrum 128/+2 via the Cheetah MIDI Interface., ZX Computing, No. January 1987, January 1987, p. 4
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2.
"Cheetah advertisement for the MK5 MIDI Keyboard, highlighting its five-octave keyboard and £99.95 price.", ZX Computing, No. January 1987, January 1987, p. 7
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3.
"MIDI In The Home (Siel MK900 article)" - Review of the Siel MK900, covering its features, operation and sound quality., ZX Computing, No. June/July 1985, June 1985, p. 44
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4.
"Siel MK900 Personal Keyboard article", Electronics & Music Maker, No. (January 1985), Trish McGrath, p. 30-31
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Page Revised: 06/11/2026