So you’ve been making beats for a while, your sick of clicking away with your mouse you want to progress to a MIDI controller but its a bit daunting, have no fear we will run through the basics of MIDI and how a MIDI controller works and finish with some budget friendly MIDI keyboard suggestions.
What is MIDI?
MIDI is a standard communications protocol that allows various pieces of equipment to communicate, control and sync with each other, but just to keep it simple we are going to focus on MIDI keyboards. Unlike other equipment it sends no data, it just sends commands, for example you press key A on your MIDI keyboard and it tells the software or hardware your controlling to play A.
Back in the olden days to use a keyboard as a MIDI controller you’d most likely need a separate interface but those days are long gone for the modern musician, as long as you have a spare USB port on your PC most modern MIDI keyboards will be plugin and play or will come with the drivers and the USB cable.
There are a few things you should consider before purchasing, the first being do you have a spare USB port, of not you could unplug another device or buy an expansion PCI card with more ports, the second, how much space do you have, MIDI keyboards come in various sizes from 25 keys up to 88, something around the mid range would be fine fore most people either a 37 key or 49, but that’s up for you to decide, the last thing to consider is what else you want it to do, some controllers come with pads and some come with faders and knobs that you can assign to control software, like panning knobs and volume control. If its your first controller I recommend you start with something basic.
Note: When your looking for your keyboard take note of the system requirements, its very unlikely but some keyboards might not be comparable with your PC operating system, its often best to check the manufacturers site for upto date info.
Now lets get down to the good stuff, the keyboard suggestions.
CME M-Key – £65 – €74.48
Features 49 semi-weighted keys, USB connection and a programmable joystick as well as pedal inputs. Its very affordable but note it has no mod or Pitch wheel.
M-Audio KeyRig 49 – £69 – €75.75 – $99.00
Like its predecessor the Keystation 49e, a favourite of many cash strapped musician, it does what it says on the tin, a solid keyboard with 49 keys and USB connection and includes a pitch and mod wheel. Highly recommended!
M-Audio KeyRig 25 – £68 – €74.65 – $83.95
Little brother to the KeyRig 49 this 25 key keyboard is perfect for those with little space or who need to be portable, where it lacks in keys it makes up with 8 assignable knobs.
And that’s about it, hopefully you know just enough to get yourself a keyboard, and if your really stuck you have a few suggestions. But always do your own research and try and find something that fits your needs. And if all else fails you know where I am!