Chitika

Saturday, October 1, 2011

MIDI Controller 101: Basic Points To Ask Before Buying A MIDI Keyboard

By D Grossy


If you are into music and would like to try your hand in composing then perhaps getting a Midi keyboard is the way to go. Maybe you are wondering what the hey it is? Simply put it's a piano control panel keyboard device that is used for sending MIDI commands over a USB or MIDI cable to other gizmos operating on the same MIDI custom interface or typically a P. C. running a digital audio workstation software.

What is MIDI? It stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, an industry standard custom that allows electronic musical instruments like the keyboard you're thinking about buying, computers and other such electrical gadgets to talk to each other. Put another way you can consider it as a standard language for electronic clobber.

Are all electronic keyboards MIDI capable? Nowadays when you assert MIDI keyboard it just about covers an overall majority of digital or electronic keyboards whether or not they are controllers or full electronic piano keyboards. You can often tell if it has MIDI written on it and it has the typical MIDI in-and-out jacks in the back.

How much do they cost? It depends on your position. It is easy to get a controller for 1 hundred and change or spend two hundred or thousand for the higher end full piano versions. The easier the machine you get the less expensive it is "if you would like more knobs and whistles then they have a tendency to be costlier.

Are there different size? You bet your bottom dollar there are and it's typically based primarily on the quantity of keys "the more keys they have the larger they are. Key numbers sometimes go from 88, 76, 61, 49, 37, or 25. Piano versions tend to be the 88s down to the 61s and controllers from 49s to the 25s.

Think about your space when selecting which MIDI keyboard size to get. If you've got a big studio and you are able to afford it then maybe an 88 is for you. If you're trying to squeeze it between your screen and PC keyboard then 25 is the way to go. Your use will also define the amount of keys "if you tend to travel a lot then maybe the 25 or 37 will give you the weight savings and portability you require; on the other hand if you're into live performances then the 88 works well or if not then the 76.

Piano Versions? Controllers? It's the type of electronic keyboard. MIDI controllers need to have a program (typically in a PC) to make the sound for them. This implies you press the keys and you will not hear anything. It does not feature an internal sound card or speakers. Full piano versions have their own sound system but as a consequence they generally tend to be heavier.

Any brands to suggest? There are a considerable number of MIDI keyboard brands you need to look at. These firms are known for the stuff they sell. Yamaha makes good quality ones as well as Roland, Korg, Alesis and Novation to cite a couple.




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