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Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
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Author:  lumbthelesser [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:50 am ]
Post subject:  Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
I am trying to find a small midi keyboard that I can basically use just as a midi input into my computer, to be used in conjunction with Sibelius 5 (composition software). I have little idea of what is good or bad out there, and am having little success in researching it either, so if anyone has any such experience, or recommendations, that would be gratefully received.
Author:  jonlumb [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
I was going to suggest trying a cheap one to start off with and seeing what you like / don't like about it, as a lot of the decision making will be subjective. However the cheapest I could find was still over £100, which isn't exactly bargain basement.

Could always look at something like that for your birthday if you like?

Also, do you have any way of connecting it to your computer at the moment? If not you'll need to factor in an appropriate soundcard for that (start at about £50 I think for some of the cheaper M-Audio ones).
Author:  saspro [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
If it's just for a controller then any of the ones here would be fine. Not full size but perfect for writing sections of music (& start from £40).
Author:  lumbthelesser [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
Thanks, Saspro, that is the sort of thing. And Jon, from what little I have been able to work out, I think most of them can do USB connections, although I am not sure. Certainly a better soundcard would not be a bad idea.
Author:  saspro [ Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
Most controller keyboards now just use usb as they have the usb-midi converter built in.
Even onboard sound isn't bad with some decent vst instruments
Author:  ProfessorF [ Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
This turned up in a recent Firebox mail out, but I'd be more inclined to go for something from Saspro's post.
Author:  dogbert10 [ Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
What sort of action do you want - Synth action/semi-weighted/graded hammer?
Full-size or mini keys?
Do you need velocity/aftertouch?
Do you want to controllers on the keyboard so you can access other facilities in the software (e.g. volume, panning etc)?
How much do you want to spend?
Author:  lumbthelesser [ Sat Jul 24, 2010 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
dogbert10 wrote:
What sort of action do you want - Synth action/semi-weighted/graded hammer?
Full-size or mini keys?
Do you need velocity/aftertouch?
Do you want to controllers on the keyboard so you can access other facilities in the software (e.g. volume, panning etc)?
How much do you want to spend?

TBH, I am looking for something relatively inexpensive that will last. I am not to bothered about weighted keys, although full size is good. I was thinking about http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/34472-m-audio-keyrig-25.html from Saspro's page. Thanks all for the input.
Author:  dogbert10 [ Sun Jul 25, 2010 5:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
If you don't need proper pitchbend and modulation wheels then that should do fine. Otherwise, the M-Audio Oxygen 25 is about the same price and the Behringer UMX250 is about a tenner more - both have proper PB/M wheels.
Author:  lumbthelesser [ Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed, Buying A Midi Keyboard
dogbert10 wrote:
If you don't need proper pitchbend and modulation wheels then that should do fine. Otherwise, the M-Audio Oxygen 25 is about the same price and the Behringer UMX250 is about a tenner more - both have proper PB/M wheels.

Ooooh, thanks for that.
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