MIDI Keyboard Help

[welshjon81]

Hi chaps, anyone here know anything about MIDI Keyboards. My son wants one for Xmas and I haven't a clue. We bought him a basic cheap keyboard a few years ago and since then he has taught himself how to play a bit and it's something he has consistently used. He doesn't want lessons but enjoys recording and making his own music. I am an absolute ignoramus at this sort of thing. Making music or playing any kind of instrument has never interested me!

Happy to spend £500-600 although id imagine this being the entry level? Any recommendations or any advice? Thanks.

(Oh and for the record, I barely know what a MIDI Keyboard is. Does that just mean it has the ability to connect to a PC/Laptop?)

[Arkose]

my other half has one that she doesn't use... its only a small thing about the size of a laptop!

Its basically used to play virtual instruments on a computer

[bangerhoarder]

Do want a MIDI-only keyboard, or one that's a keyboard that also does MIDI?

That's what we have at work for Music lessons. Yamaha keyboards with a USB MIDI interface, plug straight into a Mac and control Garageband.

Something like: https://www.gear4music.com/Keyboards-and-Pianos/Ya...

[GetCarter]

welshjon81 said:

Hi chaps, anyone here know anything about MIDI Keyboards. My son wants one for Xmas and I haven't a clue. We bought him a basic cheap keyboard a few years ago and since then he has taught himself how to play a bit and it's something he has consistently used. He doesn't want lessons but enjoys recording and making his own music. I am an absolute ignoramus at this sort of thing. Making music or playing any kind of instrument has never interested me!

Happy to spend £500-600 although id imagine this being the entry level? Any recommendations or any advice? Thanks.

(Oh and for the record, I barely know what a MIDI Keyboard is. Does that just mean it has the ability to connect to a PC/Laptop?)

I use one for my day job. They are not that expensive as they are not intended to make any noise (though many do), there main job is to send 'on/off' as well as other messages to a PC/Mac/laptop/tablet. There needs to be a box called a midi interface between the keyboard for things to happen. They start at about £50.

The computer needs software and sounds. That's where the expense comes. Operating systems come with basic music creation software, and people can progress to pro software such as Pro tools, Logic, Cubase or Digital Performer. You can then spend a shed load on sounds and build up a library over the years.... everything from a triangle to a church organ or symphony orchestra. (Though I'll take a wild guess that your son will want a drum kit / bass Gtr etc!)


FYI. midi keyboards.. some with inbuilt sounds, some without. You should sit down with your son and make sure you're on the right/same page - he may just want another keyboard with a bunch more sounds on board.

https://www.bestproductsreviews.co.uk/best-midi-ke...

[CypSIdders]

OP, you need to find out how your son is recording his music.
Basically there are two types of midi keyboard, one that produces audible sounds and a midi controller keyboard that outputs midi data to another device to control it and the sound will be reproduced by his PC.
If your son is using a sequencer on his PC then he will probably want a midi controller keyboard, so he can control the virtual instruments on his PC.
You will also need to find out whether your son wants a two octave keyboard, as mentioned above, or one with 49 keys.
Whatever you decide on make sure it has velocity sensitive keys.
The price range you mentioned is massive, you could spend a quarter of that and have a top notch midi controller keyboard.

[welshjon81]

Thanks for the help. After skimming the surface on YouTube, something like this is what he seems to want.

https://www.andertons.co.uk/arturia-keylab-mk3-61-...

And for software - I heard "Cakewalk" is a free download?