Piano/Keyboard

[Boyiee]

This is how I have my midi controller set up on my desk. It does not have sound, but plugged into the computer via USB it can play through speakers.

Spoiler: show

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...e/0297467a.jpg

100$... it's all you need to learn how to play. I have an 88key that's weighted in the other room since it's too big for my room, and I honestly play that less - MUCH LESS - than I play on the midi.

[isladar]

What do you think of the Q40? I was really interested in it since it's just a fucking controller, and I really don't need to map shit from my DAW, but the only Guitar Center around here didn't carry it. Ended up picking up a Yamaha KX61 since I heart the action, but it's a monster.

[Boyiee]

For just screwing around it's great. I'll find some song from a video game and learn it right here at my computer and then work on it on my piano in the other room. I rarely even use it as a controller much any more.

Literally get to play along with youtube.

It is cheap though, and not the best quality, you get what you pay for. But it is just about as simple as it gets, and its small enough to toss between my keyboard and monitor on my computer desk so I have access to it full time.

[Woozie]

I would probably like to start off cheap in order to learn how to play first. This is my first time looking at getting a keyboard so I have no idea what the different keyboards do or don't do. It sounds like a MIDI controller can not produce it's own music and needs to be connect to a computer. Is this correct? Is there an option that can do both and is it a lot more expensive? I was planning on putting it either right next to my computer or swapping it on and off my desk anyway but just in case it doesn't stay there.

What size should I be leaning towards? I probably have room to get a full 88 but do I need them all as a beginner? Links to suggestions would be wonderful.

No, you're not going to need all 88 keys as a 'beginner', as in, you won't be playing across all the octaves, but if you're truly interested in learning to play piano, you'll need all 88 keys because that's the only way you'll get anything resembling hammer action.

This. Depending on what you're eventual goals are, it's probably a better idea to start with something with weighted keys in the beginning, instead of getting something cheap to start with. There's a very noticeable difference in the feel of a weighted keyboard, a semi weighted keyboard, and a non-weighted keyboard. If you want to be a pianist, start with a weighted keyboard from the beginning. The feel is so realistic that if you learn on a weighted keyboard, you'll be able to play an acoustic piano without a problem.

However, if your goal is music production or something, you may end up doing a lot of work on non-weighted midi controllers, in which case, I guess there's no real reason you need weighted keys.

Another thing to remember for a beginner in piano is that even the sound of your keyboard/piano can hurt your technique. The piano I originally started on didn't have very much resonance to it. I could hold the pedal down and just play forever without it sounding bad. Then when I started to play on uprights and grands regularly, my playing sounded terrible because I never really practiced using the pedal correctly (since there was no need). Your use of dynamics and a few other things may also suffer if you start learning on a non-realistic keyboard. But, once again, whether or not that matters depends on what your goals are. If you just want to be a pianist, then instead of starting small and then moving on to something better, start with that something better you were going to upgrade to. The only reason I can see for not doing it this way is if you're not sure if you're going to stick with piano (though I think you'll be more likely to stick with it if you have a better piano).

As for being able to do both with computer and without, a midi controller means you'll only be able to play through your computer, whereas a keyboard or digital piano will almost always have both options available. Just make sure it has a USB port or a Midi port (in which case you'll need a midi to usb interface, which are cheap). Almost every digital piano will have one of these or both. Of course, you'll also need one that isn't so big that you can't move it around (some of the digital pianos are huge, but those are usually in the thousands-of-dollars price range).

As for how much it would cost to get such a piano, for a digital piano (something with 88 weighted keys and a realistic feel, that gives you the option of playing with or without the computer), refer to my post in the thread that was linked to earlier in this topic (expect to spend at the very least 500ish). If you decide on a midi controller (which usually aren't weighted, aren't 88 keys, and require a computer, but are cheaper), you'll probably want to ask Isladar or someone else for advice.

One thing to keep in mind is that going through your computer will probably get you the most realistic sounds since you can download a sample library at whatever quality you desire. For me, I get an annoying latency between when I press my key on my piano to when I hear the sound. If I lower the latency enough so that it's not noticeable, the sound quality drops drastically (even with ASIO drivers). Your quality vs latency will depend on your specific computer. This may not be as big of a problem for you as it is for me.

[Kenshiin]

Boyiee, I think that's the path I want to take. Any additional wires or connections that I need to pick up?

[Woozie]

Sorry for bumping an old thread but I had a couple questions. Do they make keyboards that connect to your computer so you can play games in order to learn how to play? Something similar to how you learned how to type? What kind of keyboards would be able to do this if it's possible?

I'm sure there are, though I can't really think of any. Both a midi controller or a digital piano/keyboard would allow you to do this.

[Boyiee]

Boyiee, I think that's the path I want to take. Any additional wires or connections that I need to pick up?

Make sure you get a USB one, and you may need a usb-b cable which is like the mini-usb.

Honestly I wouldn't spend more than 100-150, what if you don't like it?

[Kenshiin]

That Q49 one you have is $88 on Amazon with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[isladar]

If you go the controller route, I would highly recommend spending some time on the KVR audio forums. The questions on there range from beginner to professional, and it'll give you a good resource for information. Controllers and MIDI in general have gotten better and better, but keep in mind with a controller this is going to be a keyboard AND computer endeavor, meaning there's a whole host of new acronyms and hoo-hah and nonsense you'll have to learn.

Since a controller has no on-board sounds, you'll need sample banks or soundfonts or VSTs to make shiny jingle-jangles to come out of your speakers. Some of these are stand-alone programs, some of them are easier to manage if you have a DAW to run them. "Instruments" and synth VSTs are programs that let you create and model soundwaves. They come in every flavor under the sun. Samples require a sampler, such as Kontakt or really a host of other softsamplers to play, and you can fiddle with the sound, but you won't be able to create new sounds. A lot of piano sample libraries are like this.

A DAW (digital audio workstation) is a program that lets you not only run these magical VSTs and samplers, but plug in MIDI devices such as a controller, and record, arrange, and edit music. Reaper is a fantastic DAW that is fully functional and small enough to run off a USB stick. You can download it for 30 days free, and its $40 for a license, which is pretty much unbeatable. Woozie and I both use FL Studio (Win only), and there's also Cubase, Logic (Mac only), Cakewalk, Reason, Ableton Live, Protools, Acid, and a host of others. There's pretty much no way to say which one is "best", since at the end of the day they all do the same thing, and it's your workflow that should be considered. In this case I'd recommend Reaper.

One other thing I'd say to pick up, or at least browse, is a British magazine called Computer Music. I've probably been reading it for ten years now, back from when they had cover articles like BURNING CDs, THE FUTURE OF THE HOME STUDIO. Each issue comes with a DVD with a bunch of samples, free VSTs, and I'm pretty sure at one point they were offering the trial version of Reaper. It's a fantastic resource. Between that mag and just diving in I've learned a lot.

[Boyiee]

The q49 comes with Live, might take you a bit to figure out but you'll at least be able to get piano sounds to come out of it relatively easily. You will need a USB-B cable though.