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Which MIDI Keyboard Should You Get


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 uninformed size is often dependent upon the amount of keys present "more keys equals ' larger instrument. The common range is from 88-keys, 76, 61, 49, 37 and 25. You can see some that are smaller compared to 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 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 like to look into speed where the harder you press the louder the sound you are able to provide. It is just something you have to have in order 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'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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