Questions, answered plainly.
Not here? Write to hello@keylayersapp.com. We read every message.
Keyboards and cables
Will KeyLayers work with my keyboard?
If your keyboard has USB MIDI, yes: it plays our sounds on all four layers. If it is one we know by name, KeyLayers also lists its own sounds and layers them with ours. See the keyboards we know.
What cable do I need?
One USB cable from your phone, tablet or Mac to the keyboard’s USB port, one that carries data and not only charge. Most keyboards take USB-B, so a phone usually needs USB-C to USB-B, or Lightning to USB-B through Apple’s camera adapter.
Does it change the settings on my keyboard?
No. KeyLayers never writes to your keyboard’s memory and never turns off its own sound. It picks sounds and moves levels while you play; your saved sounds and settings stay as they were.
Can I keep my audio interface plugged in?
Yes. An audio interface is never taken for your keyboard, so you can have both connected and choose where our sounds come out in Settings.
What if the cable comes out mid-song?
Plug it back in. KeyLayers picks up where it was, on the same song and scene.
Sounds
Whose sounds do I hear?
Both, as you choose per layer: your keyboard’s own sounds, played by the keyboard, and ours, played by KeyLayers on your device. Each layer says which it is.
Where do KeyLayers sounds come out?
From your phone, tablet or Mac: its headphone output, or an audio interface or mixer connected to it. Pick the output, and a different one per layer if you like, in Settings.
Do I need to know MIDI?
No. You will never need a channel, a bank number or a program number. You pick sounds by name.
Account and offline
Do I need an account?
Yes, once. The first time you open KeyLayers you sign in with Apple, with Google, or with a link we email you. That needs the internet; playing never does after that.
Does it work with no internet, like in church?
Yes. After you have signed in once, nothing you do on stage needs the internet: songs, sounds and controls all work offline.
How many devices can I use?
Three at a time on one account. Sign in on a fourth and the one you used least recently is signed out, with nothing deleted.
What do you collect about me?
Your email address for your account, your songs and sets as a backup, and counts of which features are used, which you can switch off. Everything is listed in the privacy policy.
Plans and devices
What does it cost?
Free to start. Pro is $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year, through the App Store or Google Play. See pricing.
Which devices does it run on?
iPhone and iPad with iOS 15 or later, Android 7.0 or later, and Mac with macOS 13 or later. Windows follows after the first release.
When can I get it?
KeyLayers is in testing on real keyboards now. Join the waitlist and we will write the day it opens.
Can I ask for a song?
Yes. In the app, tap Request a song. We use requests to decide which songs to set up next.