A keyboard for garageband

[jeremyspk]

Hi all
I do arrangements of my songs in a mac book using GarageBand. I've been using the mac keyboard (computer-alphabetics keyboard) and quite sick of its limitations. I was thinking of getting a music keyboard to be plugged-in into the macbook to do my layerings of different instruments.

Basically, I'll be using the "sounds" of the emulated instruments on mac, that means i do not require a synthesiser with strings, piano, horns emulation - the garageband has really nice emulated instruments (sounds really real, good enough for my situation now).

Any recommendation?

Thx in advance

 

[jeremyspk]

sorry to add on after reading up lol

i guess it's called a MIDI keyboard eh?

What's the difference between a good MIDI keyboard and a mediocre-usable one?

Is there a possibility that a MIDI keyboard has dynamics control? Even better, hammer-touch?

 

[soft]

Hi jeremyspk

Welcome to SOFT.

Some consideration for your purchase would be:

- Number of keys
Standard keyboard has 61 black and white keys. Piano has 88. Some computer musicians are using smaller keyboards with 30 - 40+ keys. This will depends on the style of music you play. If you play pop piano style then you might need more keys for the left/right hand runs.

- Keys action
Most midi keyboards are plastic plastic light light action. This is good for sequencing stuff like drums. Those heavy keys like piano action ones are more expensive.

You can find out more at http://www.sweetwater.com/shop/keyboards/keyboard-controllers/

Let us know which you feel suits your needs.

 

[echoist]

I've just got Garageband a few days ago... 2nd hand iLife '06 at $60!
I was thinking of the M-Audio eKeys 37 coz its small and relatively inexpensive.
But then i'm more into guitar, so i put it on hold for the time being...
If i'm not wrong, someone was trying to sell this in SOFT for $110. Try a search for it...

You can check-it out here: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/eKeys37-focus.html

 

[jeremyspk]

Hey
much thanks!

I'm thinking, if i invest more money and use a synthesiser instead (in order not to have MIDI keyboard that is useless on its own), will the synth still serve well as a MIDI keyboard also? I understand a little that a MIDI interface is required, but i've never seen it or touched it, how does it work?

Synth definitely more expensive, but thinking that it's a good investment than just a MIDI controller. But is there a chance that it won't work well because it's not meant to be a MIDI controller at the first place?

Need more help thx

 

[soft]

jeremyspk, it is indeed more useful to get a synthersizer - keyboard with built in sounds. You never know when you need to bring your keyboard out for simple jam and it is much easier without having to bring your computer along.

Depends on your budget really, if you aiming for $1000, just go to the shops and try out all within your budget.

Alot of the newer synthersizer has USB or PC/IF so you dont need a MIDI interface.

The thing is, if you use a synthesizer, you need to get another Audio Interface to get your sound into the computer.

 

[jeremyspk]

Okay.. so you're saying that if I just wanna use the MIDI controller portion of the synth, i just usb it into the pc. Else if i want the synth's effects, i need an audio interface to get it in my pc?

 

[soft]

That's about right. Pls check the specs for individual keyboard that you are interested in.

 

[jeremyspk]

I've decided to scrap the idea of having a sythensiser. I probably won't use it lots as I'm not a keyboardist
i'm thinking of KORG K-series...say K49.. the keys will be sufficient enough.. don't need 61 is KORG good at MIDI controllers?
Saw a few...M-audios.. Kurwaliz .. hmm
too much of an array of choices!

 

[Cheez]

Yes, I would think getting a synth would be an overkill. K49 is OK. M-audio's controllers are also pretty popular. For controllers, the main things to watch out for are:

1. Ease of control - are the knobs/faders/mod wheels sufficient for your needs?
2. Keys - people are not so much concerned about the touch for smaller controllers (unlike larger keyboards like the 76 or 88 keys). But you many want to consider whether aftertouch is important for you to make your music, since not all controllers come with aftertouch
3. Ergonomics - Are the faders/knobs placed far enough apart? Are the length of the faders sufficient for you? Are the knobs endless or not? Is there an LED? etc etc

 

[jeremyspk]

someone offered a Korg Trinity plus DRS and a midi interface for $675, good deal? =D =D very excited now! can't wait for my papers to be over