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What is a MIDI keyboard or controller? It is an electronic device that sends a signal to your digital audio workstation (DAW) or synthesizer. The signals from the controller can be used to control music software parameters, instruments, and effects.
On the surface, a MIDI keyboard looks much like any synthesizer. You’ve seen them – a row of piano keys, knobs, buttons etc. However, there is one fundamental difference. The MIDI keyboard doesn’t typically have any sounds of its own. Well…not MIDI controller keyboards, anyway.
OK, I’d better clarify this before it turns into a confused mess…
What is MIDI?
MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It’s a standard set of commands that most electronic musical instruments use to communicate with one another, in order to control the sound parameters and synthesizer settings (i.e., what kind of instrument and how it should be played).
It is through MIDI that one instrument can play another’s sound, or that a keyboard can trigger the sounds of an external synthesizer module. In other words – MIDI is what makes your electronic instruments and DAW work together.
To learn more about the ins and outs of MIDI (excuse the pun), read my MIDI basics article here.
What is a MIDI keyboard vs a synthesizer?
Technically, any keyboard that can send and receive MIDI messages is a MIDI keyboard, regardless of whether it has onboard sounds or not.
A synthesizer has its own onboard sounds and often features knobs, dials or faders to control parameters of those sounds via MIDI messages.
In a MIDI keyboard or controller, the internal sounds have been removed and the focus is on sending MIDI data to external sources. This includes the knobs, dials and faders, which can be assigned to control a variety of parameters.
Why use a MIDI keyboard instead of a synthesizer?
Basically:
- Control
- Compatibility
- Reliability
MIDI keyboards and controllers are specifically designed to work with as many external devices as possible. The priority of a synthesizer’s controls are to manipulate its own sounds first and foremost, so controlling external devices is secondary.
Sure, it can send and receive MIDI data, but it likely won’t have as many options (or reliability!) for control as a dedicated MIDI keyboard.
Think of it this way: The MIDI keyboard/MIDI controller is like a supervisor. A synthesizer is a specialized employee. Which would you rely on to run the operation?
Benefits of using a MIDI keyboard or controller
Speeds up workflow
No matter what type of MIDI keyboard or MIDI controller, the whole point of these devices is to allow you to work faster and more efficiently.
Inspiration
Being able to hit record and physically play the part or adjust automation on the fly is a huge boost to creativity and inspiration. Nothing kills it more than clicking away with a mouse.
Ease of use
The majority of devices are plug and play (for the most part). Keep in mind that there will always be some degree of tweaking involved to set it up exactly how you want. Generally, though, you can just hook it up and start playing, and your DAW will respond accordingly.
Compatibility
MIDI keyboards and controllers utilize MIDI protocol in order to communicate with other external devices without difficulty. Manufacturers are able to create more versatile tools because the basic functionality can be translated across different products easily.
Creativity
There is a lot of flexibility here, and a lot of room to experiment and get creative. You don’t actually have to use any of the features as intended, and as such can get some really interesting effects. As long as it speaks MIDI, you decide what a particular key, knob or button does
Types of MIDI controllers
There’s actually a variety of MIDI controllers besides a keyboard. Makes sense, as there are so many things controlled by MIDI nowadays – some aren’t even musical! For instance, did you know that many lighting rigs are actually MIDI controlled?
Here are a few types of MIDI controllers available today.
What is a MIDI Keyboard?
The main difference between a MIDI keyboard and other types of MIDI controllers is the addition of piano keys. Depending on the model, the number of keys ranges from 25 all the way up to 88.
MIDI keyboards come in two broad categories: those just like the traditional piano keyboard layout, which is called a “weighted” or “semi-weighted” model; and those modeled after synthesizers, with rows for pitchbend/modulation (keyboard) feet on one side of the panel, knobs for filter cutoffs/envelope attack time / release times (knob bank), etc., which is called an “unweighted”.
Most MIDI keyboards also feature a variety of assignable buttons, pads, knobs or faders as well.
What is a MIDI Pad controller?
A MIDI pad controller abandons the piano keys in favour of a matrix of pads, kind of like a drum machine or an Akai MPC.
It is designed for playing percussion sounds from a MIDI-compatible electronic drum kit or module, but can also be set to trigger samples or even loops or sequences from each pad.
What is a MIDI Control Surface/DAW controller?
A MIDI control surface is designed with the specific purpose of controlling a DAW (as opposed to sounds). Think of it as a digital take on an analog mixing desk.
The full-size versions feature everything a mixing desk does: faders, pan pots, solo, mutes – even transport controls and a jog shuttle wheel in some models.
There are smaller versions with cut-down features (aimed at portability) that can still make DAW navigation much faster.
What are Electronic Drums?
We’re talking about a series of pads, set up and played like a drum kit, to which you would assign sounds and samples.
This can be a much more affordable way to record drums with a drummer if recording a live drum kit isn’t an option.
How do I connect my MIDI keyboard to my computer
These days, MIDI keyboards and controllers use USB connections, but older models used MIDI in/out ports (again, covered in my MIDI article).
If the MIDI keyboard/controller has USB connectivity (i.e. isn’t a dinosaur), it’s simply a matter of connecting it to your laptop or desktop via a USB cable. Most of the time it will be a “plug and play” affair.
If you’re using an older MIDI controller that doesn’t support USB, you’ll have to connect via the MIDI ports.
For this to work, you’re going to need a MIDI interface for the MIDI controller and your computer to be able to communicate.
The most common type is the MIDI to USB adapter. You plug this into your computer’s USB port and then connect it up with a standard five pin DIN cable.
How do I use a MIDI keyboard or controller
The most typical use for a MIDI keyboard/controller is to control a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). If you’re not sure what a DAW is, you can learn more in my introduction to DAWs.
There will likely be some setting up involved in communication with your DAW, but once it’s set up the MIDI keyboard/controller will be able to control nearly every aspect of operation.
This set up most commonly involves a feature called MIDI CC learn. It may vary from DAW to DAW, but the concept remains basically the same.
What is MIDI CC learn?
MIDI CC (a.k.a. MIDI continuous controller) learn is a form of MIDI assignment that lets you map one or more controller’s to any parameter on your DAW.
MIDI CC learn only works when the function can be controlled with just one knob, button, slider, etc. for clarity and simplicity.
So basically, in your DAW, you would choose a function you would like to control. For example, an effect send on a particular mixer channel like a reverb.
In most DAWs, you would right-click on this and a menu should pop up. In this menu, you should see the option to “Learn MIDI CC” or something similar.
Now you would activate the control (ie key, knob, button etc) on the MIDI controller that you would like to assign to this feature. So in this example, you’d likely turn a particular knob.
This sends the signal from the MIDI controller to the DAW, telling it that you want to assign that particular control to that DAW function. The DAW then “learns” this and pairs that control and function together.
Now when you turn the knob on your MIDI keyboard or controller, you should see the reverb send increase or decrease accordingly in real time.
A MIDI keyboard is a timesaver in the studio
If you are looking to get more done with your music productions, MIDI keyboards and controllers are a necessity. These instruments allow for 10x the work process by allowing you to control all of the aspects of a song from one place.
The best part? You don’t have to spend hours going through complicated menus or scrolling down tracks on a screen when using these devices because everything is condensed onto an easy-to-use keyboard right in front of you.
There are many different types that come at a variety of price ranges so take some time researching what will be best suited for your needs before making any purchase decisions.
Now that you know what MIDI keyboards and controllers can do, you’ll need the software to put them to use. Learn all about DAWs and VST plugins here.