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What type of MIDI Keyboard Should You Purchase

By D Grossy


It ddepends. After all there are a lot to make a choice from either new or used and their price tags will also alter based upon on the type you get. When you go to a music shop the first thing you'll notice is that there are numerous 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 are a believer of the saying that "bigger is better" then by all possible means get the 88. Nevertheless will you actually be well placed to get full use out of it? It will not really be much of a buy if you can't use it 1/2 the time.

You need to think about a couple of things before purchasing that 88-key MIDI keyboard. What are you going to be employing it for? If your job as a musician requires you to be always on the go meeting clients then lugging around a 50-pound machine might not be the best concept out there.

Then there's the space consideration. Even if you do not mind carrying a huge one would you be well placed to set it up in the available space wherever you may be? Space is a major consideration when you work from home. Almost all of the time the only space you may doubtless have would be in front of your computer so having a virtually 5-foot long keyboard may not be the best fit .

Other stuff you should consider when choosing a MIDI keyboard is the type. There are the piano type keyboards and there are the controller type keyboards. Typically the previous have more keys and they have their own built in sound card and speaker system. What that suggests is when you press the keys you'll straight away hear a sound. Controllers on the other hand must be connected to a computer with a sound card which will translate the electronic signals into sound.

Then there's the action of the keys. It is possible to get them either weighted, semi-weighted or synth action. Weighted keys have the same feel as those of regular piano keys. This implies that it needs a lot more pressure and doesn't spring back fast. Synth action keys are light and bounce back pretty quickly making for faster playing. Between are the semi-weighted keys. They are lighter than weighted keys but do not bounce back as quick as the synth actions ones.

You also would wish to look into velocity where the harder you press the louder the sound you're able to produce. It's simply something you have got to have to create music with emphasis. As for controls, knobs and sliders they do say the more the merrier.

But at the end of the day it's your effective utilisation of the MIDI keyboard that will determine the type to buy. Even if you get a little one as long as you are able to maximiseits use its better than getting a giant one and not be able to use it 1/2 the time.




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