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It can be hard to tell which is the best MIDI keyboard for the beginner out there, with all the various brands. However, it can be seen in their specs, the price range and the features that they offer. They have to be beginner-friendly in order to be ideal for those who are still starting out. But first…
What Exactly is a MIDI?
MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface – it’s a file format or standard for a musical file that’s been universally conceptualized by different powerhouse musical instrument companies like Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Korg, and Sequential Circuits.
When your device is capable of MIDI, that means that whatever you play or record on your keyboard or device, it will input it on your DAW or digital audio workstation as notes. This will then translate to notes that will play a certain instrument depending on what you assign it to, whether a default MIDI channel (which has the basic instruments like piano, guitar, violin, saw synthesizer, etc.) or to a VST or plug-in on your DAW that emulates an instrument (e.g. FL Studio’s Sytrus or NI’s Massive for dubstep).
What are MIDI Controllers Used For?
MIDI controllers are used for inputting notes onto your DAW (or sound module if you have that) to be able to produce sounds. Note that a MIDI controller may be different from a regular keyboard, such that it won’t be playable on its own. Think of it as a game joystick – you will need to connect it to a sound source, such as your computer, in order to produce sounds. In short, you’ll need to bring your laptop to your next gig if you want to use it.
Most MIDI controllers have the same look as a piano or keyboard you’ve probably already seen in the market (or over at your friend’s house). They can also come in the form of drum pads (e.g. Novation Launchpad or NI Maschine) or a mix of both drum pads and keyboards. You can use these functionalities to play live and you don’t have to get a drummer to add as an accompaniment to your melody or chords – you can be a one-person band!
Can a MIDI Controller Be Used as a Keyboard?
Yes! You can use them as any standard keyboard that you’d normally use. This is why most musicians nowadays just carry a nifty little MIDI controller and a laptop and they can easily produce lots of sounds on the fly, since your laptop’s DAW can be loaded with tons of sounds, samples and VSTs quite easier than you would have to on a normal digital keyboard (especially old ones that can’t use the internet).
What is a Good MIDI Controller for Beginners?
For beginners, you can start out with a smaller Novation Launchkey Mini, which only has 25 notes. It’s not too expensive and can be a great controller for inputting simple notes and chords. It’s also quite handy to take with you anywhere. This one comes with free software such as the Novation Bass Station, V-Station, Loopmasters samples (4GB), Ableton Live Lite and XLN Audio Addictive Keys.
Additionally, it even has 16 backlit drum pads that also have velocity sensitivity, just like the keys, so you can play some drum dynamics. There are also 8 knobs that you can assign to different parameters for full MIDI control. If you’re interested in this awesome MIDI controller for beginners, why not check it out on Amazon for its full price?
What is a USB MIDI Keyboard?
A USB MIDI keyboard is basically a normal keyboard but with the functionality of a MIDI controller. If you have a modern digital keyboard that’s quite pricey than your average keyboard, chances are, it will also be a USB MIDI keyboard if it says “MIDI out function” somewhere in the manual and if there’s a MIDI port at the back (a square-shaped one kind of like a router port).
Because they have standalone sounds like a real keyboard, you can take them anywhere with you and you don’t have to bring a laptop (if you can carry them, that is). Most of these keyboards are usually larger than a MIDI controller due to the size and functionality. They usually have a lot of presets and buttons similar to that of a regular keyboard.
USB MIDI keyboards can be a little more expensive than simple MIDI controllers but they are worth the budget if you plan to play music with or without a laptop at hand. Usually, these USB MIDI keyboards can be ideal for music production as well as for performances. You can also use them as a studio equipment while a simple MIDI controller is more suited for the traveling musician.
Which is the Best MIDI Keyboard?
MIDI keyboards can be more expensive since they are both a working standalone keyboard and a MIDI controller at the same time. One such example would be the Alesis Coda Pro, which we think would be one of the best out there. This one has 88 keys in total, so it feels like a real piano, plus it’s MIDI compatible so you can use it for sequencing notes on your computer’s DAW.
This one also comes with its own sustain pedal for a realistic piano experience, while its split keyboard and duet mode can help you to create and play music in a more dynamic way! You can also jam with 60 preset songs or use the included effects like EQ, Reverb, and Chorus for a unique touch. You may check the full price on Amazon if you’re interested with this Alesis keyboard!
Conclusion
MIDI is a great technology that helps standardize all different digital audio workstations and systems for easily passing your song projects between platforms and the like. With these tips and suggestions in mind, we hope we gave you some insights on what MIDI keyboard to buy if you’re a beginner, how they work in general and how to choose them!
