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Factors to determine the right Compact MIDI Keyboard Controller

If you have restricted space in your desktop or in your live rig, you could need to contemplate on going in for a controller keyboard with 25 keys or 37 keys or 49 keys...whatever suits your needs. But you want to keep one thing in your mind; you want a keyboard controller that gives you masses of knobs and sliders so you can control various software/hardware parameters.

If you do a large amount of recording on the go, then you need to have a look at portability. Be it at home, or while you are travelling, consider if your compact MIDI keyboard controller can be powered thru USB (bus power) this way you donand#39;t need another power adapter for your keyboard. The smallest, most compact keyboard controllers have short mini-keys, and could have only a two-octave keyboard. Such a keyboard is adequate for info entry, such as recording bass lines and MIDI drum parts.

If youand#39;re a club DJ, who wants to hook his controller keyboard to effect processors, and has a cramped space, you would ideally like a Compact MIDI Keyboard Controller. These days a MIDI keyboard controller features a lot lesser number of keys as well so that you can simply put it in a bag and take it around. A Compact MIDI Keyboard Controller has less than 61 keys.

"Weight" is added to the keys themselves and to the key travel mechanisms to make them reply more like a real piano's heavier keys do. This is generally not fascinating in a compact keyboard controller, where playing fast is usually desired. Many compact controllers are "semi-weighted". These also have a light touch but offer a touch more resistance and consistency. They generally have a better feel for most people. All compact keyboard controllers offer more controls than just the keys themselves. At minimum, youand#39;ll find some kind of pitch and modulation controls, which may be in the form of 2 separate wheels or a single joystick which mixes the functions. There is customarily also an input on the back for connecting a sustain pedal.

This is more vital if you are controlling hardware midi synths, but less important for software instruments, where programs are far more easily selected by the mouse, and which may not respond to these commands. Ultimately, and perhaps as importantly, the compact MIDI keyboard controller will have knobs, sliders, and touch pads to send additional MIDI continuous controller commands (CC events). Usually you can allot which CC events the knob or slider sends. Thatand#39;s a good thing because software instrument makers may use different CC values for controlling the crucial parameters of the instruments.

If youand#39;ve a cramped space, or if you record on the go, or if youand#39;re constantly creating demos at your client place, then you want a controller keyboard thatand#39;s compact and provides synth and software control in a minimum space. A Compact MIDI Keyboard Controller from brands such as M-Audio, Edirol, Korg, or Novation can solve your space issues.

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Check out useful tips in buying Midi Keyboard. Check out Midi Keyboard tips before you buy.

by: Donald Grossy
Total views: 4 - Word Count: 503 - Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011

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