Benefits of a midi keyboard

[RWDD]

Does it make it easier for you to write melodies or do you prefer using the mouse? Discuss.

[Erebus-7]

Ofc having a keyboard in front of you is easier than a mouse... you can't hold multiple keys with a single mouse so it limits your ability to experiment with note combinations without having to start and stop your sequence every 5 seconds. Also assignable knobs/faders/pads = god like when trying to lay down rhythms and/or mixing up synths while recording.

[3za]

having a midi keyboard has improved my writing, and my work flow, fo sho.

[Phigure]

makes a massive difference

you'll find yourself being way more creative

[OlzaMK]

I try and use the midi controller as much as possible. I'm learning up on my scales and shit, but since I don't know them too well to play long melodies live. I mostly end up just playing out a couple keys, but doing a lot more drawing with the mouse to get it to the exact length and appropriate quantized spot.

Mouse is not fun at all though, way rather would use multiple Midi Controllers, plus its 200x better for automation.

[Cubicle]

makes a massive difference

you'll find yourself being way more creative

This.
My other tunes were all mouse drawn.

Bought my M-Audio Axiom 25 a week ago and started playing around with it, just randomly hitting notes and hearing if I find something good to work around.

Definitely increased my creativity!

[skimpi]

yeah i think it is a definite must, i used to just draw stuff in, but that just sounds very computerised, and like i find it alot easier to create melodies and cool drum patterns by playing them in rather than drawing, as i dont know that much about music theory, and if i look at the sequencer window, i dont know how it will sound, so takes ages to get something good, but now just bang it out on the keyboard!

[paravrais]

I can't stress enough how essential a keyboard is. My shitty m-audio one broke and the tunes I made in the period before I managed to get a replacement are extremely poor compared to my usual standard. It just stifles creativity having to use the mouse.

[3za]

I can't stress enough how essential a keyboard is. My shitty m-audio one broke and the tunes I made in the period before I managed to get a replacement are extremely poor compared to my usual standard. It just stifles creativity having to use the mouse.

Axiom by any chance?

[RWDD]

thank you so much for the replies, but another question... I'm thinking of buying a midi keyboard but how many octaves do you think should be the minimum for writing your melodies?

[3za]

thank you so much for the replies, but another question... I'm thinking of buying a midi keyboard but how many octaves do you think should be the minimum for writing your melodies?

2 should be cool for just writing melodies, but i would recomend getting about 4 especially if you are wanting to learn to play two handed.

[ninjadog]

thank you so much for the replies, but another question... I'm thinking of buying a midi keyboard but how many octaves do you think should be the minimum for writing your melodies?

For my melodies 4 would be the minimum, but since they don't make 4 key keyboards 25 serves me well. But I can't play keys properly and don't really want to play piano style. If you have the space and a desire to learn 49 would be a good choice, but if you aspire to be the next Bach get 88.

[mks]

I would def recommend getting a midi keyboard. One with lots of knobs, buttons and faders. It will open up so many possibilities of playing your computer like an instrument.

As far as getting a 4 octave or 2 octave keyboard, it depends. How much space do you have and how much money. I'd get a 4 octave one if it was strictly for studio work. If you want to be portable, get a 2 octave one.

[streetxlite]

well i have three midi controllers as well as a microKORG xl, two guitars, a drumset mic'd and a fasttrack pro, honestly barely any of it gets used in my solo recordings.
i'm in a post rock band in my side time, so thats where most of that goes.
The midi controllers pretty much sit around, and once in a while i'll record a one off touch filter frequency automation bit or use it as a mixer or crossfader,
but still 90% of the time i'm keyboard and mouse. same with a lot of huge artists.

[streetxlite]

but it could be just that i'm a huge computer nerd, as well as a music geek
and i could be just lucky that i'm awesome with a keyboard and mouse and that i got my theory down pat early (thank you arts school)

[ogunslinger]

I like the 49 key axiom pro's

i wana buy one sometime

[legend4ry]

I don't see any point what so ever to get a 25 key, keyboard... 90% of DAWS enable you to use your qwerty keyboard to play notes and yes, it might not be as nicely layed out or velocity sensitive but it does the trick..

Midi keyboards are only decent if you ...

1) Get a 49 key or above.
2) Actually want to make music what doesn't use 3 notes.
3) Have the space to fit it into your studio.


Otherwise, I would say you could do without... I don't have the space really so I don't use mine anymore, I just use my qwerty, I don't have any problems writing tracks.

[Conflux]

I don't see any point what so ever to get a 25 key, keyboard... 90% of DAWS enable you to use your qwerty keyboard to play notes and yes, it might not be as nicely layed out or velocity sensitive but it does the trick..

Midi keyboards are only decent if you ...

1) Get a 49 key or above.
2) Actually want to make music what doesn't use 3 notes.
3) Have the space to fit it into your studio.


Otherwise, I would say you could do without... I don't have the space really so I don't use mine anymore, I just use my qwerty, I don't have any problems writing tracks.

Disagree with this. No doubt 49+ is better but experimenting with melodies sucks ass on a computer keyboard. Alot of qwerty keyboards also do not let you press 3 or 4 keys at the same time.

If you know exactly what notes you want all the time then bail on midi keyboard, but if you like jamming over your beats get one. Just my opinion.

[Phigure]

I don't see any point what so ever to get a 25 key, keyboard... 90% of DAWS enable you to use your qwerty keyboard to play notes and yes, it might not be as nicely layed out or velocity sensitive but it does the trick..

Midi keyboards are only decent if you ...

1) Get a 49 key or above.
2) Actually want to make music what doesn't use 3 notes.
3) Have the space to fit it into your studio.


Otherwise, I would say you could do without... I don't have the space really so I don't use mine anymore, I just use my qwerty, I don't have any problems writing tracks.

Disagree with this. No doubt 49+ is better but experimenting with melodies sucks ass on a computer keyboard. Alot of qwerty keyboards also do not let you press 3 or 4 keys at the same time.

If you know exactly what notes you want all the time then bail on midi keyboard, but if you like jamming over your beats get one. Just my opinion.

yeah. i'd almost call it an essential tool. right behind a solid pair of monitors imo

[legend4ry]

I completely disagree with both you... I can press a full octave of notes at once on my qwerty plus I don't struggle anymore writing with my qwerty than my 25.