What's a good musical keyboard for a beginner?

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Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,614
1,782
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I'm interested in learning to play the keyboard. I'd like one that can output MIDI (I don't know if they all can or not).

I want to be able to play and have the computer put notes up on a staff for me. Is this possible?

Any recommendations?
 
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nan0bug

Banned
Apr 22, 2003
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Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I'm interested in learning to play the keyboard. I'd like one that can output MIDI (I don't know if they all can or not).

I want to be able to play and have the computer put notes up on a staff for me. Is this possible?

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...


Evolution MK-461C

It doesn't have built in speakers or anything like that, its just a midi controller, but you can just plug it in with USB and then use the sequencer program that comes with it, or one of many available programs on the internet. That will give you access to the midi soundset on your sound card, as well as the ability to download VSTi plugins (most sequencers worth using support them) and DXi plugins.

 
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tweakmm

Lifer
May 28, 2001
18,436
4
0
Search on E-bay for the cheapest MIDI controler keyboard you can find. If you want to learn piano then get one with at least 3 octaves and even that will be slightly limiting. You get get non-weighted, semi-weighted and full weighted keys(piano action), and the price goes up accordingly. Starting out you don't really need weighted keys but having some action is nice, plus if you actually play on a real piano it's not going to feel completely different.
On the software side I can't help you as I am only familar with professional midi sequencer packages, but I'm sure what you are looking for is possible. A lot of keyboards come with basic midi sequencing software and some even come with instructional programs.
 
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nan0bug

Banned
Apr 22, 2003
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Originally posted by: tweakmm
Search on E-bay for the cheapest MIDI controler keyboard you can find. If you want to learn piano then get one with at least 3 octaves and even that will be slightly limiting.
On the software side I can't help you as I am only familar with professional midi sequencer packages.
Click to expand...

I don't agree.

Get a 61 key or bigger if you're serious about learning piano.

I reccomended the 461c because I can vouch for its build quality and ease of use with a lot of reputable software programs. Its a $260 keyboard, but if you don't use it much you could easily turn around and sell it for $200. Its a keyboard you can grow with, the added features like assignable knobs and fader controls will come in useful. Pick up a copy of Reason (which this keyboard works perfectly with, its got presets for all the controls already programmed into the keyboard) and you've got pretty much everything you need to start making some great, professional sounding music.



 
GoodRevrnd

GoodRevrnd

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
6,801
581
126
Get something with pressure sensitive weighted keys or you're really wasting your time. Yamaha P80's pretty good, tho I dunno how much you're looking to spend, think that sucker is about 600.
 
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tweakmm

Lifer
May 28, 2001
18,436
4
0
Originally posted by: nan0bug
Originally posted by: tweakmm
Search on E-bay for the cheapest MIDI controler keyboard you can find. If you want to learn piano then get one with at least 3 octaves and even that will be slightly limiting.
On the software side I can't help you as I am only familar with professional midi sequencer packages.
Click to expand...

I don't agree.

Get a 61 key or bigger if you're serious about learning piano.
Click to expand...
He never said he was serious about learning piano was he? You are right though, 3 octaves is too little for some reason I was thinking 3 was 32 keys. 4 octaves is stretching it, but you can get a basic 4 octave midi controller for crap and the bigger ones can get pricey.

Also, Reason is way too much software to try to learn to play piano on, granted once he masters it he can make some some pro stuff, if all he wants to do is learn piano there have to be much more simple programs with a more limited scope.

Chaotic, it really depends on how serious you want to get with it.
 
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nan0bug

Banned
Apr 22, 2003
3,142
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I know reason is too much to learn on right away, but once he starts getting proficient with the piano, reason is a pretty easy to learn program when compared with something like Cubase, for instance.

I know theres programs out there *coughsuprnova.orgcough* that will teach you the piano, if you're so inclined to look for them. My friend Brad used one and he's improved a lot.


 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,614
1,782
126
Originally posted by: tweakmm
He never said he was serious about learning piano was he? You are right though, 3 octaves is too little for some reason I was thinking 3 was 32 keys. 4 octaves is stretching it, but you can get a basic 4 octave midi controller for crap and the bigger ones can get pricey.

Also, Reason is way too much software to try to learn to play piano on, granted once he masters it he can make some some pro stuff, if all he wants to do is learn piano there have to be much more simple programs with a more limited scope.

Chaotic, it really depends on how serious you want to get with it.
Click to expand...
I'm not planning on anything professional. I just need a way to turn the music in my head into music on the computer. Dragging and dropping notes is very time consuming and I don't often get what I want.

 
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Ogg

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2003
4,829
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How does Reason compare with Finale?

I was once a music major in college and Finale was awesome software! Of course that was over 10 yrs ago:eek:


Im also interested in emptying my head of the music:D
 
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nan0bug

Banned
Apr 22, 2003
3,142
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Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Originally posted by: tweakmm
He never said he was serious about learning piano was he? You are right though, 3 octaves is too little for some reason I was thinking 3 was 32 keys. 4 octaves is stretching it, but you can get a basic 4 octave midi controller for crap and the bigger ones can get pricey.

Also, Reason is way too much software to try to learn to play piano on, granted once he masters it he can make some some pro stuff, if all he wants to do is learn piano there have to be much more simple programs with a more limited scope.

Chaotic, it really depends on how serious you want to get with it.
Click to expand...
I'm not planning on anything professional. I just need a way to turn the music in my head into music on the computer. Dragging and dropping notes is very time consuming and I don't often get what I want.
Click to expand...

Reason is pretty versatile. It can be used to make professional sounding stuff but it's not really pro software. For what you want to do, reason or fruityloops would be good. They both have decent drum machines, good-enough sequencers, built in effects processing, and a nice sized library of preset sounds (plus the ability to tweak and make your own).

Another nice feature in Reason is the quantize tool, which will clean up your note timing to make it go along with a beat. Very useful for people who haven't been playing very long and still fumble with the keyboard.
 
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CptObvious

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2004
2,501
7
81
I have an Evolution 49 key MIDI controller and Reason 2.5, but for learning piano I would go with a Yamaha keyboard. It's easier to get into playing when I can just flip the switch and play, vs. having to turn on the computer, plug the keyboard in and load samples in Reason. Most Yamaha keyboards have MIDI output. I think they generally sound better than Casio ones.
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,614
1,782
126
Ok, I decided to get the $99 board.

I do have another question, though.

Where can you get midi cables? It needs to be the little round->joystick kind, and I need to get one locally. Who would carry stuff like that?
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,614
1,782
126
Originally posted by: audiotherapy
that maudio keyboard is USB powered and transmitt MIDI via USB

nevermind looks like u bought somethingelse


you can buy a MIDI to joystick port cable from GuitarCenter or a MIDI USB interface


if your serious about working w/ MIDI on a PC, you need a 12ms or less latency... meaning you need a pro sound card
Click to expand...

I haven't bought it yet. I just figure that with the cost of the board, power adapter, and midi cable, I'll be hitting the $200 mark.

I won't have a lot of time, so I don't see any point in spending lots of money.
 
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cucumber

Senior member
Sep 12, 2000
470
0
0
Originally posted by: Ogg
How does Reason compare with Finale?

I was once a music major in college and Finale was awesome software! Of course that was over 10 yrs ago:eek:


Im also interested in emptying my head of the music:D
Click to expand...


Finale is a program for creating printed music while reason is used for creating music (audio, not printed).

I've barely used Reason, but from what I've seen it's a music creation program. I've also used Finale a lot (it has been a few years though, so I might not be up to date....) and it was meant for creating printed sheets of music and scores..etc...

Edit: Wow! My typos are rediculous tonight....
 
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