Midi keyboards and such

[heartless1298]

I need a lot of help/advice here.

I'm looking to buy a very nice midi keyboard, probably with the most keys possible.

If someone/some people could provide a list of the number of keys available on midi keyboards today, as well as some nice brands, prices, and what other accessories I will need to connect them to a computer.

I'm doing this for a friend, and I'm not quite sure about what the computer's stats are, but I'm almost positive all computer have USB ports, so I'll just add that in there.

I'll be buying a new soundcard, videocard, some firewire ports, new RAM, and all sorts of other things for it, and I'm all good with those, although I could use some suggestions on some nice soundcards as well.

Thanks in advice for any help I may receive, and if you can think of any other advice I may need, please don't hesitate to add that in.

-HLS

[TMM43]

M-Audio has a wide selection of keyboards ranging from as small as 25-keys and as large as 200.

I'm using the Axiom 25-key and it's pretty good for making a melody and what not. If you're looking for a more full range for chord progression and what-have you, a 49-key and up is your best bet.

Price wise, I found my 25-key on Ebay for around $175.00.

As for your sound card, if you have a mid-price range one, that should do just fine. As for the RAM, I found that the more RAM you have, the better your keyboard works with the computer.

I hope this helps.

[VegetarianMeat]

Yeah, I have an Axiom (61 keys), it's very good. It comes with everything you need to get it connected and start playing. It's also very simple to program. I think if you're willing to spend the money on the 49 key, I would go for the 61. The extra keys really make a difference (to me anyways). As for the 25 key, it's pretty limited in how creative you can get with your playing.

[TMM43]

At 7/13/09 12:59 PM, VegetarianMeat wrote: As for the 25 key, it's pretty limited in how creative you can get with your playing.

Agreed. Like I said, I mostly use it to make simple melodies and branch off that. Other than that you're incredibly limited.

[heartless1298]

Thanks a lot guys for the help. I'm kind of specifically looking for a 72 key midi keyboard, and if you could point out some nice brands for those that would be nice. I'll look into M-Audio, and that might be all I'll need to look into.

Also, if I don't buy a packaged deal and just get the keyboard, what other accessories might I need in that case? Cause I'm so sure that you can just plug a midi keyboard into a USB port, although I may be wrong.

Again, thanks for the help already provided, I could just also use a little more :)

[TMM43]

Other accessories maybe like a stand for the bigger keyboards. Unless you have a large enough table top of sorts. A simple stand should be pretty cheap.

As for electronic accessories, M-Audio is just that, you plug in and play. No need for tricky installation.
If you're looking to use the keyboard for midi control, you would need to buy some midi accessories. Other than that the keyboard, a computer, and the USB that comes with the keyboard will be just fine.

[Chronamut]

dontget one with midi cables whatever you do - waaay too much of a hassle.

[mariomusicmaker1]

At 7/14/09 09:38 AM, Chronamut wrote: dontget one with midi cables whatever you do - waaay too much of a hassle.

well most have usb midi along with standard midi for hooking up to other hardware...

[heartless1298]

Sorry for bringing back this thread, but I'm not so sure what midi control is.

Basically I'm looking for a big keyboard that I can use to record what I play in FL Studio, or any generic DAW.

If I need some sort of midi controller for that, then I'll need advice on that area. Sorry for being so noobish about this, I've just never had any experience with pretty much any musical hardware, I've been doing everything digitally.

[TMM43]

It's cool. I'm still not very good with midis. I like my M-Audio because it's plug-in and play, and it works GREAT with FL.

[heartless1298]

Lol, then I'll take your advice for it and look up M-Audio. Do they sell any of their stuff in a retail store or do you have to buy it all online?

[TMM43]

They have a retailer locator on their website.

I know you can find a lot of their stuff online, just by searching google for it.

[heartless1298]

Thanks a lot mate :)

This should help out a lot. And thanks to everyone else who added advice!

[architecture]

At 7/14/09 09:38 AM, Chronamut wrote: dontget one with midi cables whatever you do - waaay too much of a hassle.

You want to see Midi cable hell? this is what a hassle can look like. now imagine chaining these to all the different synths I have.

[EmperorCharlemagne]

I don't know if this counts, since I have never hooked it up to my computer, but for what it's worth, the Yamaha PSR 275 is a pretty good keyboard that has I'm PRETTY SURE 72 keys and a good selection of sounds.

Then again, I don't know if that counts.

[statueofdiveo]

M-Audio keyrig 49.

volume control, pitchbend, modwheel, and 49 keys for 89.99!

Search it on google. I got it and it's great!

[p4c]

the Akai MPK line is pretty much awesome. check that out. i liked it a lot better than the axiom, personally.

[BrokenDeck]

The Edirol PCR-800 is another decent one that you might want to check out. I just got myself one cause my Yamaha PSR-S900 is gone for repairs and has to wait 6 weeks for parts from Japan. The PCR-800 is roughly 400 bucks, but will have more than enough buttons and knobs you will ever need. It has 61 keys, and personally if you want to go larger than that, you may as well get a full-size 88 key keyboard. After more than 20 years of piano / keyboard playing, I've found that anything in between doesn't really make much of a difference.

[BrokenDeck]

At 7/29/09 08:01 PM, architecture wrote:

At 7/14/09 09:38 AM, Chronamut wrote: dontget one with midi cables whatever you do - waaay too much of a hassle.

You want to see Midi cable hell? this is what a hassle can look like. now imagine chaining these to all the different synths I have.

LOL at your picture. What? You can't just convert everything to USB now? JK ;)

[architecture]

At 7/29/09 10:06 PM, brokendeck wrote:

At 7/29/09 08:01 PM, architecture wrote:

At 7/14/09 09:38 AM, Chronamut wrote: dontget one with midi cables whatever you do - waaay too much of a hassle.

You want to see Midi cable hell? this is what a hassle can look like. now imagine chaining these to all the different synths I have.

LOL at your picture. What? You can't just convert everything to USB now? JK ;)

USB has suck ass timing when it comes to midi. Latency out the wazoo. my MPC has soo much more groove than any PC sequencer does.

[jarrydn]

At 7/29/09 10:37 PM, architecture wrote: USB has suck ass timing when it comes to midi. Latency out the wazoo. my MPC has soo much more groove than any PC sequencer does.

Hehe, tried 14 bit midi yet? :)

[Khuskan]

At 7/29/09 08:01 PM, architecture wrote: You want to see Midi cable hell? this is what a hassle can look like. now imagine chaining these to all the different synths I have.

You would use the same number of USB sockets to support the same number of devices - if not more because you can't chain USB devices like you can with MIDI Thru.

Also midi cables and plugs are a hell of a lot tougher than USB, ideal for live work. I still use USB for my controllers though, means I don't have to plug them in to the mains.

[jarrydn]

14 bit midi is the future I swear.

[Shintoku]

At 7/13/09 11:55 AM, TMM43 wrote: M-Audio has a wide selection of keyboards ranging from as small as 25-keys and as large as 200.

I don't mean to pick apart, but I'm pretty sure no piano has 200 keys. A standard piano has 88. I've seen a couple of pianos with an extra few keys for some awesome bass power. I guess if you count multi level keyboard setups you could get over 200.

BUT, back on point, TMM43 is right, M-audio is the way to go. Very easy to use, not too expensive, and a great product.

[Khuskan]

At 7/30/09 02:57 AM, Shintoku wrote: I don't mean to pick apart, but I'm pretty sure no piano has 200 keys.

I BEG TO DIFFER SIRI

[Gravey]

At 7/12/09 11:10 PM, heartless1298 wrote: I need a lot of help/advice here.

I'm looking to buy a very nice midi keyboard, probably with the most keys possible.

If someone/some people could provide a list of the number of keys available on midi keyboards today, as well as some nice brands, prices, and what other accessories I will need to connect them to a computer.

I'm doing this for a friend, and I'm not quite sure about what the computer's stats are, but I'm almost positive all computer have USB ports, so I'll just add that in there.

I'll be buying a new soundcard, videocard, some firewire ports, new RAM, and all sorts of other things for it, and I'm all good with those, although I could use some suggestions on some nice soundcards as well.

Thanks in advice for any help I may receive, and if you can think of any other advice I may need, please don't hesitate to add that in.

-HLS

I have used a Yamaha P-80 for the last ten years or so. It finally died on me not too long ago, but for nearly ten years of use I think its durability spoke for itself. Especially all the traveling and wear and tear I put it through.

I've played on a lot of electric pianos and synthesizers, and I would have to say the P-80 is my favorite model of all time. Sadly they don't make it anymore. But they continued the series, and the newer models are even better. Unless you are like me and simply adored the p-80 model above everything else.

The P series all come with midi ports so you can hook it up to whatever you need. And if you are wanting to play live with just the piano, you should know what the sounds/samples on board are very pleasant sounding.

The true beauty of this line though is the weighted hammer action of the keys. I've never felt better action when playing an electric piano than on my P-80. I have actually played on a P-155, and it feels wonderful as well. And I definitely recommend that bad boy for anyone who wants a professional quality electric piano.

The P-155 has midi in/out ports, as well as aux outs as well. (1/4" jacks) It also has a USB capability to transfer music stored inside the piano to whatever you want. And it is a full sized piano, which is required for me. But I don't know how important that really is for you.

A word of advice though. Don't just take everyone's word here that a certain piano is the best. You, or whoever needs a piano needs to go play on it before buying it. I know a lot of people who love the P series by Yamaha. But I also know people who hate anything that isn't Casio, or whatever brand they prefer.

Every piano is different, seriously. Electric pianos are more structured when it comes to certain brands and series than real pianos. But even then there is a whole lot of variance between the different brands and series. So go try out some pianos in your local music store. That is the best way to figure out what is best suited for you.

-Gravey-

[BrokenDeck]

At 7/30/09 03:42 AM, Khuskan wrote:

At 7/30/09 02:57 AM, Shintoku wrote: I don't mean to pick apart, but I'm pretty sure no piano has 200 keys.

I BEG TO DIFFER SIRI

You'd need one hell of an arm span to play that... or three people....

[Shintoku]

At 7/30/09 03:42 AM, Khuskan wrote:

At 7/30/09 02:57 AM, Shintoku wrote: I don't mean to pick apart, but I'm pretty sure no piano has 200 keys.

I BEG TO DIFFER SIRI

lol
Though I can't prove that it is a photoshopped picture, that is ridiculous. if a normal piano is about 5 feet long, this thing would have to be at least 12 feet. No one could possibly play this thing correctly. Either way, hilarious.

[nathanallenpinard]

Quick questions for OP:

Do you want sounds on the keyboard, or just a controller?

Do you want an authentic weighted key feel? If so your choices are limited, and more expensive.

Btw, USB is convenient, but MIDI cables seem to have less problems and latency.

[architecture]

At 7/30/09 01:21 AM, jarrydn wrote:

At 7/29/09 10:37 PM, architecture wrote: USB has suck ass timing when it comes to midi. Latency out the wazoo. my MPC has soo much more groove than any PC sequencer does.

Hehe, tried 14 bit midi yet? :)

thats nice and all, but most of my synths are built pre 1990.

there is only one direction id go with computer sequencing, Motu Volta. One of the best CV/Gate interfaces designed using just the audio outs of a old Motu sound card.

Id ditch midi and just go to CV/Gate, much faster response time.