As music turned digital, musicians and artists became familiar with the digital modes of producing, recording and editing audio files with the help of a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). The DAW maintains a virtual instrument repertoire that makes musical sounds triggered by a MIDI keyboard. Better known as a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) controller keyboard, the device can send MIDI data to a computer or other hardware to generate musical sounds. Initially designed for digital music synthesizers, the MIDI controller keyboard helps to create musical sounds by sending MIDI data to the connected hardware. The device’s name might be confusing as people might consider it something similar to a synthesizer or regular keyboards used by musicians, which it is not. These controller keyboards are available in different configurations, 25 keys to 88 keys to facilitate the creation of all musical genres.
MIDI Keyboard – What Is It?
The MIDI controller keyboard is a technical gadget that facilitates music creation using computers and other hardware. Although the keys are the most defining characteristic of the device that sends MIDI data to some hardware or computer, and data transmission is its most crucial function, the device offers other ways of controlling the hardware or DAW. Therefore, it’s much more than one would expect from keyboards used as computer input devices. This is the reason why people call it a MIDI controller keyboard. To communicate musically in a digital world, you can’t do without the keyboard devised for especially creating music. You play the device like any musical keyboard, but the music generation happens through computers.
Mouse vs. MDI Controller Keyboard
A mouse helps create or sequence music when working with a DAW. But touching on every expression and a bit of dynamics will be difficult. Much hard work and time are necessary to make the mouse work how you want to achieve the finesse you seek. Overall, the process is not very musical, and the sound of the music is not as natural as expected. However, the mouse is handy when you are traveling or when you are creating sketches of rough templates or demos.
To add subtle expressions to music, you must exercise more assignable controls for which you need the best MIDI keyboard. Using the keyboard gives you the comfort and pleasure of playing a musical instrument that produces more realistic and natural sounds and helps to make a more trustworthy recording. Moreover, the lightweight keyboard is quite portable, thus allowing a mobile setup for performers and producers.
Types of MIDI Controllers
MIDI controllers come in various designs. The piano keyboard form is one of many types you will come across. For beat-making and percussion, there are MPD or AKAI MPC controllers that create unique natural sounds and give a feeling of live performance. Generally, pad controllers are great for sequencing. Some controllers, like the Novation Launchpad, have a grid format most preferred by those who want to keep away from the keys and don’t want to hit pads. Producers and performers who like to work with scenes are especially keen to use the grid format keyboards.
A traditional piano keyboard design variant is also available for those who want something different. The nanoKEY2 from Korg is one such keyboard that has rubber pads instead of standard keys. If you are looking for an entirely different keyboard, then the Roli Seaboard keyboard that allows users to alter the shape of keys on pressing would be right for you.
The versatile and portable keyboard, which doubles as a controller, opens up a new world of sound options for performers who want to blend virtual instruments with live performances. To express your musical ideas with a humanistic touch that adds a dramatic flair to a performance you just can’t do without a MIDI keyboard. Choose a device that feels natural and makes it easy to integrate musical expressions seamlessly and smoothly in real-time. Nothing is better than the keyboard controller to make your workflow more intuitive and musical across the digital landscape.
