Friday, October 7, 2011

What Model of MIDI Keyboard Should You Buy

By D Grossy


It ddepends. After all there are a lot to select from either new or secondhand and their costs will also change dependent on the type you get. When you go to a music shop the very first thing you will notice is that there are plenty of different sizes of MIDI keyboard.

For the unenlightened size is typically reliant on the quantity of keys present "more keys equals ' bigger instrument. The typical range is from 88-keys, 76, 61, 49, 37 and 25. You can also see some that are smaller than the 25's.

If you're a follower of the adage that "bigger is better" then by every means get the 88. But will you be in a position to get full use out of it? It won't actually be much of a buy if you cannot use it half of the time.

You want to consider 2 things before buying that 88-key MIDI keyboard. What are you going to be using it for? If your job as a musician needs you to be always on the move meeting clients then dragging around a 50-pound machine may not be the best idea out there.

Then there's the space consideration. Even if you do not mind carrying a big one would you be able to set it up in the available space wherever you may be? Space is a major consideration when you telecommute. Most of the time the only space you'll probably have would be directly in front of your personal computer so having a nearly 5-foot long keyboard won't be the best fit in any way.

Other things you need to consider when selecting a MIDI keyboard is the type. There are the piano type keyboards and there are the controller type keyboards. Usually the former have more keys and they have their own built in sound card and speaker system. What that implies is when you press the keys you will instantly hear a sound. Controllers on the other hand need to be hooked up to a PC with a sound card that will interpret the electronic signals into sound.

Then there is the action of the keys. You can get them either weighted, semi-weighted or synth action. Weighted keys have the same feel as those of regular piano keys. This means that it requires a lot more pressure and does not spring back fast. Synth action keys are light and bounce back pretty quickly making for quicker playing. In between are the semi-weighted keys. They're lighter than weighted keys but don't bounce back as speedily as the synth actions ones.

You also would want to look into speed where the harder you press the louder the sound you are able to supply. It's just something you've got to have so as to create music with stress. As for controls, knobs and sliders they do say the more the merrier.

But at the end of the day it is your effective usage of the MIDI keyboard which will decide the type to purchase. Even though you get a tiny one so long as you're able to maximizeits use its better than getting a big one and not be well placed to use it half of the time.




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