Computers have taken over every aspect of our lives. Nowadays, the Internet is the most essential tool we have and using a computer or a smart device for everything is part of our daily routines. Technology has made its way into music as well, and most of the songs you listen to on the radio today have been produced using a computer. There are hundreds of tools and processes that go into producing music, but a major part of it is possible thanks to MIDI, the Musical Instrument Digital Interface. This digital communications protocol is what makes it possible for computers to work with audio signals, and you need a controller of some sort to be able to use it. Luckily, there are dozens of types of controllers nowadays, among which keyboards are the most popular. Here, we will go over what makes the MIDI keyboard the right tool for you.
MIDI keyboards have the best of both worlds
In a way, if you get a MIDI keyboard you get more than just a MIDI keyboard. This device can also double as an instrument depending on the kind of keyboard you get. For this, first, you have to understand that “keyboard” is merely an umbrella term for all key instruments and tools. This means that a digital piano is as much a keyboard as a synthesizer since both instruments have keys.
There are standalone, specialized MIDI keyboards, but why limit yourself to producing and editing music when you can create it as well? A digital piano, for instance, can feature a MIDI port and be used both as a piano and as a controller. While it is true that a dedicated MIDI keyboard will likely give you greater control over your work, it is also good to keep in mind that the alternatives give you greater creative flexibility in terms of doing more than one thing.
While a full-fledged digital piano with 88 keys might be overkill, a 49 key MIDI controller can be more than enough to take your songs to the next level. As a controller, a keyboard doesn’t need as many keys as a proper instrument. There is usually a good amount of additional controls like knobs, sliders, faders, wheels, and buttons on the top panel of a MIDI keyboard, so you can digitally alter the sounds and recordings you need to achieve your desired result.
All in all, the MIDI keyboard adapts to your needs and ambitions. If you are a music producer, an audio engineer, or a sound designer, you can get the most out of a MIDI keyboard’s controller capabilities. If you are a musician, an aspiring artist, or anything in between who also wants to play with your music, then a digital piano or another key instrument like a synthesizer might be for you. After all, the MIDI port included in most of these instruments is all you need to connect your keyboard to the interface and start doing your thing.
Whether you are interested in MIDI keyboards or digital pianos with MIDI capabilities, you can check out reviews by MrPianist of the best available instruments for your needs here.