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MIDI Keyboard Question
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| Spin Doctor |
I�m thinking about purchasing a MIDI keyboard in the not so distant future. I want to use this for producing primarily with Reason, though I may use other programs. My question is this, having never investigated buying such a thing, what sort of features should I be looking for in my first buy? I want something basic and simple, I don�t want a top of the range over expensive, over complicated (at this time) keyboard that will help, rather than hinder my efforts. Are there any pitfalls or things I should be aware of?
Second question; for the interim period between now and when I have a MIDI keyboard, is there a utility which will allow me to use my standard keyboard as a makeshift musical one for Reason? Drawing notes in with the pencil tool and a mouse is no good for man nor beast and could very well be sending me to an early grave.
:nervous: |
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| GelatinPufF |
| quote: | Originally posted by Spin Doctor
is there a utility which will allow me to use my standard keyboard as a makeshift musical one for Reason? Drawing notes in with the pencil tool and a mouse is no good for man nor beast and could very well be sending me to an early grave.
:nervous: |
hehe, i dont think its that bad. i find not having a keyboard easier, because i know exactly what keys i have just laid down in the sequencer, and if i dont like it, i just edit a key. with a keyboard you may forget a really complex note sequence, and then you're ed :(
i dont know about reason( because i dont use it ) but i know that VAZ modular had the abilty to use you're standard keyboard. |
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| TraNcerke |
| Hi, I've used a roland midi keyboard for a while untill I got my an1x, I was happy with it, never failed to work. Make sure you have keys enough if you want to play both hands i'd say 49 is a minimum. If you ever followed lessons or something or played piano i'd recommend 61. First thing to check is how the keys feel. Play on it for a while and make sure they have a solid impression on you so they don't break soon. Ask for the features.. it should have touch-sensitive keys and well aftertouch is also nice if you like modulating pads. (you can assign for exaple a vcf to aftertouch and if you put some pressure on the key the vcf will increase) Some assignable buttons are handy but not mandatory. |
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| TraNcerke |
| quote: | Originally posted by GelatinPufF
with a keyboard you may forget a really complex note sequence, and then you're ed :(
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Erm.. this is not true if you're trained. They need some quantizing sometimes but you can play really very complex things if tempo is not set to high (let's say 120-130) then increase it again. |
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| OscarP |
| quote: | hehe, i dont think its that bad. i find not having a keyboard easier, because i know exactly what keys i have just laid down in the sequencer, and if i dont like it, i just edit a key. with a keyboard you may forget a really complex note sequence, and then you're ed
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Might be true but as long as you have recorded the "really compelex note sequence" you can always check what notes you played and/or edit it in the sequencer with the pencil just like you do without a keyboard... |
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| quddha |
| quote: | Originally posted by Spin Doctor
Second question; for the interim period between now and when I have a MIDI keyboard, is there a utility which will allow me to use my standard keyboard as a makeshift musical one for Reason? Drawing notes in with the pencil tool and a mouse is no good for man nor beast and could very well be sending me to an early grave.
:nervous: |
Look for a program called KB2MIDI. It basically turns your computer keyboard into a midi keyboard, and sends midi-out signals.
Then,
Look for drivers called MIDI YOKE.
basically, they loopback the midi output into the midi input. So KB2MIDI goes back in the MIDI-IN.
Then setup reason or whatever using the MIDI yoke input.
Thats the way I did it before I got my evolution mk-361c ;) |
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| hey cheggy |
| Something with assignable dials is nice, like the Evolution controllers. I think Roland/Edirol have some as well but as a higher cost. Make sure you have at least 4 octaves, and something with a built in midi interface is nice cos it means you can connect it to a usb port rather than having to go out and buy one seperate. |
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| Spin Doctor |
| Thanks for all the info you�ve provided from everyone who�s posted. This has given me much to investigate. :D |
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| DJ Chrono |
I recommend something with alot of keys. If you get something as small as the Oxygen you dont have as much freedome.
Pitch and modulation wheels come on most keyboards, but I never really use them. Also the sustain pedal I never use.
One important thing is to get weighted keys. This way the velocity is also transfered through midi (changes sound depending how hard you hit the key).
Also make sure the keys feel good. It's not nice using a cheap feeling keyboard.
I have the Roland PC-70, and I'm satisfied with it. One of the keys stopped working, but that was probably my fault :p |
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| Etherium |
Oxygen8 is alright.
However, you might want to try the large controller keyboard used
by Tom Hanks in the movie Big. The good thing about this keyboard is that if you eat a lot of Big Macs like I do, you can burn calories and sequence at the same time.
Plus, if you have a long schlong, triads are a piece of cake! |
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| DaveC |
I recommend gettin a Midi Controller keyboard. Mine has 12 control lanes built into the keyboard and you can control stuff such as Filter Freq, Filter Res, Envelopes.. (Attack release) you can even assign control lanes to effects such as phaser, reverb etc.
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