MIDI Keyboards that are Great for Even Non-Keyboardists

If you are in charge of composing music in the band, you will most likely compose on the instrument you are best at, of course.
Unless you have learned to play the piano or Electone, you are not likely to use the keyboard to compose songs, and many of you probably don't even own one to begin with.

However, even if you have never played the keyboard, why not start with a MIDI keyboard?
It will broaden the range of your compositions, and it is also interesting to differentiate yourself from your usual live performances by adding keyboard sounds only to your recording sound sources.

In fact, there are many people who love using MIDI keyboards even if they cannot play the keyboard at all.

What can a MIDI keyboard do?

Many guitarists and other musicians have been playing instruments for a long time without needing to know what MIDI is in the first place, so many people don't understand what it is.

MIDI is a record of the information you play.
Unlike audio files such as mp3, which record the actual sound of the performance itself, MIDI allows you to assign tones to the information you have played.
With a MIDI keyboard, only the performance is done, and tones are assigned from a software sound source in a computer or other device.

In other words, although it has a keyboard like a piano, the keys act like a controller or switch.
Since it does not have a sound source itself, there are many inexpensive products available for MIDI keyboards themselves.

Also, MIDI data can easily be used to change not only the tone but also the pitch and rhythm.
Even if you play something poorly, you can go back and correct it later.

By taking advantage of these features, even keyboard beginners can add horn sections, grandiose strings, and other various tones to their music.

Can I use it for live performances?

Fundamentally, a MIDI keyboard was used for recording and composing music with a sound source in a computer, but in recent years, it is not so unusual for people to use a MIDI keyboard on stage with a notebook computer.

Until around 2010, many people were concerned about the specs of their PCs, but with today's PCs priced at around 100,000 yen, there is little concern about freezing or sudden downtime. Although I can’t really say that it is absolutely safe, it’s the same for any instrument.
It is impossible to avoid equipment problems 100% of the time.

However, I don't think there are many keyboardists who perform with only a MIDI keyboard.
It is better to use a hard synth (synthesizer with sound source) as a main machine and a MIDI keyboard as a second or third synth.
If you have a problem, you can use the hard synth to solve it.

Recommended MIDI Keyboards

Pianos have 88 keys, but people who cannot play the piano do not need that many keys.
Smaller keyboards are easier to handle and are less expensive.
On the other hand, if you can play the piano at least a little, or if you just want to practice, you can use a MIDI keyboard to practice. Each model has its own characteristics, so please choose one that best suits your purpose.

M-Audio Keystation Mini32 MK3

This is a 32-key MIDI keyboard with the minimum necessary functions.
Although minimal, it can handle velocity and pitch bending, making it suitable for composing and recording.

Its small size and USB bus power compatibility make it easy to integrate into your current PC environment.
If you use a free software sound source, you can transform your music for about 5,000 yen.

M-Audio Keystation Mini61 MK3

This is another M-Audio product, but this one is a 61-key model.
Not only does it have a large number of keys, but it also uses semi-weighted keys and can be equipped with a sustain pedal (sold separately).
This model is suitable for people who have learned piano in the past or for those who want to start practicing. It has 61 keys, so it is not suitable for serious piano practice, but it is just right for those who want to learn to play just a little.

The pitch bend and modulation wheels are also easier to operate than on the Mini32. In addition, it comes with DAW software and a low-priced but highly rated software instrument, so as long as you have a computer, you can start playing right away.

ARTURIA　MINILAB MK 2

This is a 25-key keyboard with even fewer keys.
However, with 8 pads and 16 knobs, some people find it easier to operate than the M-Audio 32-key keyboard.
It is very convenient for songwriting and recording because it is easy to manipulate sound sources and DAW parameters.

And, this keyboard comes with a DAW (Ableton Live Lite) and a plug-in, Analog Lab Lite.
Analog Lab Lite is a lower-priced version of the regular Analog Lab, and although it has fewer tones, the ones that are available are the same as the regular version.
All of them are of high quality, and when I heard the organ sounds in particular, I kept playing with them even though I couldn't play them very well.

AKAI MPK Mini Play

AKAI MPK Mini Play is an unusual MIDI keyboard.
I wrote that a MIDI keyboard is one that does not have a sound source and is controlled by a software sound source, but this one has a sound source and is even equipped with a speaker.
In other words, you can use it as if it were a toy keyboard with a built-in speaker.

The speakers are small, so they are not loud, but this is not a problem if you listen with headphones or connect them to external speakers.
It can also be switched to battery operation, so it is easy to use on the go with headphones and this unit.

In addition, you can change the resonance, filters, and various effects, making it a hard synth.
The manufacturer may have added an extra function to the MIDI keyboard, but it can be used for a variety of other purposes, depending on your ideas.

Summary

A low-priced MIDI keyboard that can drastically change the expression of a piece of music.
If you have never used one, what about trying one out?

People unfamiliar with computer music may feel some resistance, but it is not that difficult.
There are free software instruments available, and even for a fee, you can easily use the classic sounds of a bygone era at a low price.
Why not give it a try even if you are not familiar with the keyboard?

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