8/23/2011

MIDI Keyboards 101: What are the Parts of a MIDI Keyboard

By Donald Grossy


Now you know how MIDI controllers works, let us take a closer look at the numerous parts that make up our MIDI controller.

There are two elemental parts of a MIDI instrument: the keys and the controllers. These are the ones you'll be getting used to as we progress thru this draft. These keys and controllers alter their numbers, functions, and sizes dependent on the model or kind of MIDI instrument you buy. Some MIDI instruments are tiny and portable and some are not. Of course, it will rely upon whatever you decide to buy, depending on your needs and preferences.

Firstly, there are the keys. These are the piano-like keys that are placed at the center of your MIDI controller. These keys vary on their sizes, numbers, and touch. If you have got a huge studio and you are only playing your MIDI controller inside the comforts of your studio, then you can go ahead and buy the full-on 62, 73, or 88-keys MIDI keyboard.

But if you're touring music producer, then you need to choose the lightweight MIDI instrument with 25, 37, or 49 keys. The keys also vary in touch. This touch includes the aftertouch, the weighted or unweighted characteristic, the feel of the keys, and whether the keys are velocity-sensitive. These features will be further debated in other blog posts.

Next among the critical parts include the controllers. These controllers include the numerous faders, knobs, buttons, wheels, joy sticks and program selectors. All of these control a particular function. Functions include modulation, pitch, CC events, hardware MIDI synths, and others.

Dependent on your MIDI keyboard, these controllers can either be assignable or pre-set for your convenience. These controllers make music making less complicated and more fun!

These two are the primary parts of MIDI controller keyboards but there are still others, there are ports you use to attach the MIDI controller keyboard to your laptop and other stuff. These make-up your MIDI controller keyboard. Know it, understand it, play it.




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