Recommend a keyboard for computer music

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dandandan

New member
"Allow me to reintroduce myself.." - Jay-Z

Hey everyone. i'm dan and i'm interested in learning to play the keyboard. I'm into computer music production and i feel learning the keyboard can widen the range of beats which i can produce, or at least, improve whatever skills that i have.

So, the only thing I know abt keyboards is that there are 8octaves, some white, some black. Basically thats it :) I've watched producers such as Scott Storch and Pharrell Williams playing the keyboards and i realised there is much more there is to keyboarding then jus fiddling em with our fingers.

I'm keen to know more as i have intentions of buying one! :D
 
Correct me if I'm wrong - your intent of learning the keyboard is to help you in your "computer music production", right?

If so, a few questions. What music do you produce and how exactly are you producing it currently? Do you have any theory background?

If you want to learn keyboards so as to play them well, it is a long journey and a lot of investment in time. However, if you goal is just to help you make music, the journey may be shorter.
 
Yes indeed.. its for my "computer music production".. or in other words, beat making. I'm wondering what can a keyboard do to help me in that? I'm sure it has many "instruments" in it right?

I've seen videos of people who play the keyboard and they can do a certain beat with say, drums (using the keyboard). Then after pressing a button or two, another instrument like piano, is played over the drum loop. So after a few minutes, a beat is done by overlapping layers of loops using different instruments which the keyboard has.

Am i right? Thanks for help!
 
And oh ya, i kind of forgot to answer those questions.

Currently i'm using computer music softwares like FLSTUDIO and HipHop Ejay. And no, i do not have any music theory background but i am willing to borrow books on them. Actually i have borrowed 1, just that i haven got a keyboard to practice on yet. Bleargh.

Nevertheless, the productions i've made usually circulate around HipHop or RnB kind of beats.
 
Perhaps something like the Roland SP-606 will help you in your beat making? It's the easiest and fastest way to do it.
 
m-audio radium 61 !!!

radium_61.jpg
 
I used to have an m-audio keystation 49e but i sold it off, currently using my computer "keyboards" and midi guitar with live5. Thinking of getting something that have knobs that would would work nicely with live5 for live purposes.
I stronly feel when you buy a keyboard you must know whether you want to use it only as a midi controller or otherwise.

But for me, i think i would get an actual synth instead, decided to put a hold on all the computer (digital stuffs). That's why I personally advise you to think carefully what you want. The money you invest on something could actually get you something else better for maybe a few more hundred bucks and works twice better.
 
Mingguan, I think a sampling workstation may be the easiest way (and fastest way) to make beats for somebody who has no keyboard background.

A synth will be nice but for somebody who has no background, he may end up with a white elephant. Hence the key is: what is the goal. Dan's intent seems to be purely beat making and not keyboard playing.

However, since he is using FLStudio, a simple midi controller (minimum keys) may help also.
 
well if it's beat making only, then just get a drum machine that has midi out is also good enough. As long can trigger.
But still, if that's the case, i don't think going hardware is the good idea. Should just stick to software. Battery would work enough for him. Rewired to what ever sequencer he's using or something.
I believe that it's no point getting hardware if you are not using it to compose music or not gonna use it for live performances. If you're those computer musicians who only dwell on samles and loops, then just go software.
 
Actually, I agree with with you livideye. Software is sufficient.

Back to Dan, if you should go the software method, what FL is an OK program to use. Also look out for other loops out there. Don't forget Spectrasonics' Stylus which gives very good beats - and they have just expanded their RMX libraries as well. Add in Trilogy for bass and you should be ready.
 
Oh wow. Never expected so much response.
Thanks to everyone who replied!

Ok.
Hold on with the overwhelming info.

Sampling workstations, i've seen it before. But how does it work? Sample it from a cd? Anyone of ya'll used it before? How much does it cost? Where can i get it?

And yes, the purpose for the keyboard is for beatmaking. Still, i don't mind learning to play songs just to relieve stress. ((and make my parents proud, haha. )) Nevertheless, the primary purpose is for beatmaking.

Am i right about the function of overlapping layers of loops using the keyboard?

MIDI keyboards --> I have to connect them to the computer to use them right? It has different built in instruments as well?

Sorry if i ask silly questions, cause i'm really a newbie at the hardware bit!
And my budget can be ard $500.
 
Yes, "overlapping layers" as you call it is how loops are made. In fact, that's actually just basic sequencing - it works in everything we do with computer based music, not just in beat making.

Midi keyboards - yes you connect them to your PC via USB. They do not have build in instruments/sounds. They are purely controllers - ie trigger midi signals. That's why you need some kind of sound template. FL may have already some in it. But you can expand - you can get some license-free ones if you do a google search. For good loops etc, you'll need to buy them. They are not costly since you only need audio format as opposed to other dedicated sampler format (audio format tends to be much cheaper than say Kontakt, Giga or Halion). Don't forget to check out Stylus and Trilogy.
 
If you're just sequencing bass and drum loops, and maybe some melodic lines, then a 25 key controller should suffice. Anything from Edirol or Maudio should do. Mostly connected through USB and great for portability. With the software Reason 3.0, quite steady la. :D
 
hmm. so this is how (I THINK) a midi keyboard works.

I plug it in by USB.
Using samples from FL, i am able to fiddle with the different keys.

So what a midi keyboard does is that, instead of me clicking the notes that i want on the computer, i actually play it out with my fingers.

:?: YES NO? :?:
 
Haha, yes as simple as that. If you can visualise that, its way more convenient than using your mouse and more expressive! With the keys, you can also press harder or softer according to how much expression you want and that would make your drums/bass more natural.

On the keyboard, there are also usually have knobs, faders and what not for you to control your sequencer's parameters. For instance, you can program a knob to control the volume or pitch of your sample, and you can turn the knob accordingly when you play. This make things not only easier, but more intuitive. Hope this helps.
 
You can try Sinamex for Maudio stuff. I think Swee Lee carries Edirol/Roland. There are also many others online.

They are not particularly cheap, roughly around 200 plus for 25 keys onwards. I'm sure got cheaper ones around, wait for others to recommend.
 
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