Tips On Buying USB Midi Controller Keyboards.
From floridamusicco on May 24, 2007
Tips On Buying USB Midi Controller Keyboards.
Ok this is a big subject so first I will break it down into more understandable pieces.
So the first thing you are faced with are the many naming conventions so here goes.
Midi.
This is the common communication language that manufactures came up with back in the 80’s.Basically it’s and abbreviation for “musical instrument digital interface” you can see why just the name midi became the norm. Basically with a midi keyboards the midi out would send information on which key you pressed and how quick you pressed it (only velocity sensitive midi keyboards) some send how hard you press as the key is held down (only if the midi controller keyboard has after touch)
Midi Keyboards: generally don’t have any internal sounds they just have keys and a midi out socket that is a 5-pin din type, at the time of writing there are not to many left with just this basic design.
USB Midi Keyboards: as the above but use the now more common USB connector instead of the 5 pin din type, some still have both midi and USB as some people use hardware synthesizer modules but most people buy these type for computers with recording software (also called digital audio workstations “Daw”).
USB Midi Controller Keyboards: the same as above but with sliders or rotary controllers and some with drum pads and if you want all types (sliders, rotary knobs breath controllers, ribbon controllers etc).
Midi Controllers: also called midi control surfaces actually not a keyboard but the control part without keys, usually used if you already have a USB midi keyboard and want to add the controls to it or if you are using dj software for mp3 mixing or for video performance software.
Ok now the easy part what to look out for in the keys of your new midi USB controller keyboard.
How many keys do you need?
For this you need to think about your playing skills now and also important your future playing goals.
If you are already a piano player and just want play a keyboard with piano software on your computer or wish to learn piano with piano education software then you will want a 88 note hammer action USB midi keyboard (it has the feel of a real piano) also called weighted action. Pro players who are using recording software with virtual instruments (also called vst,au rtas,plugin’s) etc will probably want and 88 note hammer action USB midi controller, the controller knobs and switches aid the movement of the button and switches on the recording software and the vst plugins without having to use a mouse.
If you have played synthesizers or keyboards before then you will probably want a 76-note keyboard or the most common keyboard purchased a 61-note (sometimes also called 61 key USB midi controller keyboard). This size has the advantage of still being able to play with two hands and small and light enough to fit on desktops; most don’t have hammer action but more the feel of a synthesizer some have semi weighted keys that have the feel of the early synthesizers somewhere in between piano and keyboard.
Some newer ideas for desktop music production are to use 25 key midi controller keyboards.
This really saves on desk space and has the advantage of portability in back packs with your laptop and sound card, but mainly these ore one handed keyboards with octave shifters to reach all notes available.
Links to USB midi keyboard manufactures.
Alesis
Cme
Edirol
Emu
Evolution
Korg
M-audio
Novation
Studiologic
Chris brackenbury has been a software and hardware designer for keyboard companies such as Thomas USA and Wersi gmbh and others now works as a technology specialist for Floridamusicco.com
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