{"id":1548,"date":"2022-05-29T22:03:51","date_gmt":"2022-05-29T22:03:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/soundref.com\/?page_id=1548"},"modified":"2023-12-13T20:28:52","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T20:28:52","slug":"midi-controller-keyboard","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/soundref.com\/midi-controller-keyboard\/","title":{"rendered":"MIDI controller keyboard"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Ultimate Midi Controller Keyboard Guide<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Use a midi controller keyboard to play virtual instruments with real world expression<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\"MIDI<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A MIDI controller keyboard is a piano style keyboard, with a group of faders or pads. <\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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They’re used to transmit MIDI data to virtual instruments within the DAW software<\/a> environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means you can play a virtual piano with a piano-realistic weighted keyboard. Or a drum kit with pressure sensitive pads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The difference between a keyboard and a controller<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MIDI controller keyboards don’t actually have their own sounds. They only work when connected to a sound source like a computer or hardware synthesiser. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could also use a normal keyboard as a controller, but it’s not likely to have all the faders, knobs or pads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Faders and knobs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MIDI controller keyboards have a selection of faders, knobs and pads above the keyboard. These can be used to add expression and detail to sounds while playing, or on a second pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re playing a virtual synthesiser, you can assign the knobs and faders to synth parameters, such as resonance or envelope. It makes the whole experience really intuitive \u2013 twiddle the knobs until something sounds good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can be used for inputting any data you like. I use 2 faders simultaneously while recording symphonic string lines. One’s assigned to expression and the other one to vibrato. Once recorded, I can edit the data visually within the DAW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Midi pads<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It can be difficult being intuitive and expressive when you’re playing a sampled drum kit via a keyboard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where a pad section comes in really handy. Assigning drum sounds to pads turns your MIDI controller keyboard into a hardware-style drum machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What size keyboard?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a pianist, you might want a full 88 key controller, like the M Audio Hammer 88<\/a>. It will provide you with all the keys you’re used to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if space is limited, or you’re not a natural keyboard player, a 5 octave (61 note) keyboard is probably as big as you’ll need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s also much smaller 2 octave controller keyboards, with 25 mini keys. They’re compact and light enough to carry around with your laptop, for work on the move. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at Arturia MiniLab MkII<\/a>, which has the advantage of its own built in sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"88<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Keyboard action<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As well as the number of keys, MIDI controller keyboards are available with a choice of key actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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