Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Buying a MIDI Keyboard? Consider These Tips

By Donald Grossy


If you're serious about pursuing a career as a music performer or composer, owning a MIDI keyboard is certainly the way to go. By using it you are able to produce music that in the past would need a lot of musicians, time and money in order to achieve the very same results.

Nowadays, almost all digital or electronic keyboards that are being sold in the stores are MIDI capable. It is easy to know distinguish this by checking on the specs or the availability of a MIDI interface input and outputs in the back or side part of the keyboard. That being the way it is you might need to consider these before selecting your unit.

Budget: Before you make any purchases identify how much you're willing to shell out. Just like in any other commodity, the price tag will change with respect to the capabilities and keys of the keyboard you're going to get. Certainly the greater features and keys you get the higher the price you have to pay.

Space: Another aspect to consider before selecting anything. If you're only working from home then you might want to think aboutthe size of MIDI keyboard you're getting - in case you have a tiny space then smaller is better. In contrast, when you sufficient available place then grab a bigger one of course based mostly on whether you can afford it or not.

Use: If you're a musician that's always traveling then probably lugging a 60-pound behemoth may not be the best thing for you. You might like to consider a smaller unit that's much more compressed and transportable - exactly what you will need when you're going from one gig to another. If you're a work from home kind of musician then bigger might be ok (if you have the funds and the space for it).

Keys: The quantity of keys determines how big the MIDI keyboard. It comes in 88, 76, 61, 49, 37 and 25. You may also purchase them smaller compared to a 25. Piano fanatic and hardcore composers would advise you that really want to get the 88. While it may be a great idea the number of keys you get will depend on your budget, space and the intended use. As mentioned above you won't buy an 88 in case you can't even fit it in your home studio. That will be like parking a tank in a spot for a motorcycle - it ain't gonna occur.

Type: Would you like a controller type or a piano type. Controller types are often smaller mainly because they don't have audio speakers. This means in order to hear any sound you'll have to have it attached with another thing, like a computer with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) program. If you wish to hear something as you play then obtain a piano type as it comes with internal sound system but this will make them even bigger. (See budget, space and use difficulties)

There are other things to consider before you get your MIDI keyboard - key feel, controllers, knobs, and brand - but these 5 are the basics before you buy.




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