Midi Keyboards

Tobes

Tobes

Tobes

Soldato
Joined
27 Mar 2004
Posts
6,698
Location
Devon
Howdy,

I now have a job, which means I can finally purchase something my fingers crave. So I am after a decent size keyboard and I think 61 keys should be good. Not too big but big enough.

However I know nothing about them and don't want something to complicated but I don't want something simple.

Really I need to do some reading up and I would assume forums are the right place. So does anyone have any information or links they could give me to help me out?

Thanks,
Tobes
 
What do you want to do with it? What kinds of sounds are you looking to get?

Remember that all a MIDI keyboard does it send MIDI data to the computer, so you'll need some software to trigger it (or an actual hardware synth). Your best bet would be to get something like Reason 4 and learn the processes of synthesis and how it works. That way you'll easily be able to learn how to make your own sounds just using parameters. However, you'll need to get yourself some decent speakers if you dont have any, as well as downloading ASIO4ALL driver too. That way you wont get perfect studio latency, but it'll be good enough to work with. You'll also be able to do some basic recording functions.

The other alternative which is more expensive would be to get a soundcard with a MIDI I/O port (as opposed to you having to get a USB MIDI adapter) and then enjoy the lowest latency possible, and then buying some decent studio monitors to go with it, but this will cost at least an extra £200 for something even half decent.
 
I'm not sure what I want to do with it. I would love a piano as my grandparents had one when I was younger. But no space in the house so I was thinking a keyboard was the next best thing. A midi keyboard would keep the costs down as I dont need speakers and all the other stuff. As for the stuff I would play, I have no idea really. I have forgotten anything I learned when younger so I would be starting all over again.

Current speakers are Epos ELS3 (5.1 package)
http://www.epos-acoustics.com/products/els3.php
and a Denon 2807 amp.

I'm going to need a soundcard for my PC as onboard isn't the best.
 
If you want to learn piano again, then the easiest way would be to get yourself a half decent MIDI controller, with weighted keys and enough velocity layers to give you the most dynamics whilst you play. This will cost you around the £100 mark for one with 67 keys or more.

Then get yourself a semi-decent soundcard (look at m-audio for both) for around £75-100. Then you'll need to get hold of a host application such as Cubase or Reason and you'll be able to trigger the sounds from within there. Reason has some ok piano sounds, but look at "The Grand II" by steinberg if you want something that really sounds like an acoustic piano.

E-mail me if you need more information. :);)
 
I have used software such as Fruityloops and Ableton. Fruityloops was quite complicated for me to understand and Ableton... well for me was also complicated. But I'm open to try other software. Just with no mini controller the software becomes very weak as there's only so much you can do with a mouse.

I was looking at the M Audio Axiom 61, mainly because of the semi weighted keys and controllers.

I'm not too worried about the need for it to sound like a real piano. It just happened to be the first instrument I got my hands on. After messing around with Bass and Electric I think keys suit me better than strings.

I would play anything on it from electro, classical... pretty much anything I think sounds good.
 
In that case, definatly get Reason, as it gives you a whole range of samples to play around with, as well as being able to generate your own sounds using synthesis.

Look at the Fast Track Pro, as it has two balanced outputs (i.e. stereo pair), but also 4 unbalanced phono (RCA) outputs to other devices. I'm not totally sure on how your current speakers are set up, and what inputs they have, so i cant say comment on them in relation to this device, but getting 5.1 working will definatly be a pain in the backside, without getting a proper multi-channel device. Your best bet is to use your two main speakers as a stereo pair and use the two balanced outputs from the FT Pro to go to them. It has MIDI I/O so you wont have to get a USB adapter (cost around £25, quite expensive) which means you can get a slightly better soundcard. It also has two inputs for guitar, bass and any other line in instrument, as well as XLR with phantom power for all types of microphones should you decide to do any recordings.

Your choice of MIDI controller is a good choice also. We use them for most of the smaller studio's. :)
 
If you don't want to spend a lot go for a M-Audio Keystation, they come in an array of different key amounts.

USB interface aswell.

Set that up with software like Reason and Cubase and your laughing. ReWire into cubase from reason.

Josh
 
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