Hi people, I've been getting a bit frustrated lately when trying to make some music and yesterday I found out you can record with FL Studio whatever you play with the computer keyboard, that would make my life much easier I believe so now I'm looking forward to buy one, I'm actually not looking for great one, not the known trademarks they are expensive here and I have everything in my PC if it's about sounds so what I'm looking for is a simple one, simple enough for me to ease the thing and use this recording option and not only make it easier but faster in any way.
Due I don't know much about it I'm asking you, I've been taking a look to USB midi keyboard controllers, I guess those are the ones but you better tell me, I mean something like this:






To make it short, I want to buy a simple keyboard that whenever I'm going to work with the music I just simply connect it, open the softwares (Kontakt and FL in my case) and start with it, is this something useful for that or I should look for other kind of keyboard?
Thanks in advance and have a good weekend!

 

M-Audio Oxygen, they're cheap to buy new, dirt cheap to buy used and easy to find everywhere.

Theres also the option to buy a usb to midi interface for like $20 and use an existing keyboard if you have one.

 

M-Audio Keystation 32 - Simple & effective, doesn't need drivers, very portable.

Korg Microkey - A bit more expensive but also simple. A bit bulkier but the keys are more realistic for "real playing".


Keystation is my choice, it's low profile is great to have right after the computer keyboard.

 

So apparently is a midi controller what I'm needing as I thought. Will check those ones you recommended. Thanks!

 

I recommended those because I've used both. They are inexpensive and very practical. I still have the Keystation 32 because having the MicroKey 37 first made me realize what was actually better for what I wanted.

You can get a used Keystation 32 for 25 - 30€ and even if you figure out that you prefer something else (bigger), you can always keep the Keystation.


I wouldn't recommend anything below 32 key. Those extra 7 keys are VERY useful when you're trying out ideas with both hands.

 

You can get an 88-key controller for a couple hundred dollars now, depending on what you need. The advantage of having all 88 keys is being able to trigger keyswitches in some Kontakt libraries that put them in the bottom or top-most keys, without having to switch your keyboard layout up or down octaves. My next purchase will be an Akai MPK88, which has weighted keys, aftertouch, mixing sliders and knobs, transport controls and pads, but that gets pretty expensive. You may also want to consider having a controller with transport controls, so you can start and stop recording and playback without having to reach over to your computer keyboard or mouse.

 

I know it's not really answering your question, but when you can afford it, the Komplete S range of keyboards are great.

100% necessary? No, but lots of fun to give a more hands-on experience to music production.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys! I bought one, but it's not any of those 1rs class brands sadly.
In few words: 1 Dollar/Euro where I live is worth a bit more than 10 times so if you buy something for 50 dollars (for example) I'm gonna buy the same for 500 and probably more (taxes, crap like that included) so of course the named brands products I checked were much more expensive and couldn't afford it at this moment.
But this one I bought looks nice for the passing moment: 61 and sensitive keys (and big ones, like the 1st brand keys), 5 octaves, 8 knobs (double function) and couple things more.
Here's the one (not my picture, of course):

 

Looks good.

Honestly, anything more is just for fun and not at all necessary. The only reason I spent more on the Komplete keyboard was to add another dimension to my music production and to feel more hands-on. It doesn't make my music any better

 

First I bought the MicroKey 37 as a "compromise" and felt like "oh, maybe I am going to regret not getting more keys and/or knobs, pads, etc".

Then I realized I never used it. Too big to be right after (below) the pc keyboard, which meant I had to move my hands away from the pc to play the keyboard. Did I feel the need for the extra stuff? No, in fact I had too much already (big, tall and heavy when compared to Keystation 32), which made me never bring out the keyboard. Sold it.

A few years later got the Keystation 32. In only a few months I've already played it more than the MicroKey. Great tool for composing, trying out sounds and writing automation.

In the end, the thing that actually gets used is the best tool for the job.

 

Regarding keys, you didn't have a problem for the highest/lowest notes? Because I was looking forward for some 88 keys, I tend to ramble often with high/low notes but more keys means more money so I tried to spend some bucks more for this 61 notes which is better than 49, but I still wonder if I won't find issues regarding the high/low notes; which in any case I can add them in the piano roll, it's not big deal actually.

 

You can access them all on any keyboard. I have the "+/-" keys that shifts the octave. I don't need more than 2 octaves and a half at a time so, no worries here.

 

Im too late but for other people that may be looking.

Ive had a few keyboards over the years and the latest one is a keeper Akai MPK249 (Not the old Version)

The huge thing with this keyboard is with the awesome pads. They really nailed it on this .. they feel great and NO MODS.

The Key bed is nice too.

 

I couldn't agree more: I bought a 25 keys keyboard and I am using the octave switcher all the time!
Less than a year and I'm already sorry I didn't invest in something bigger.

 

That's also good to read before buying a keyboard http://www.midifilmscoring.com/midi-keyboard-buying-guide/

 

Any midi keyboard will do.

check this http://www.thomann.de/fr/masterkeyboards_midi.html

but if you ask me, go for this one :

http://fr.audiofanzine.com/clavier-maitre-midi-61-touches/m-audio/axiom-a-i-r-61/

good luck.

 

I use this the most, as I am mostly composing, but I also own 88-weighted & 61-synth keys.

 

Looks quite ok from here.. let us know how it works out for you. I have used an m-audio keystation 49 from some time now,
just the el cheapo one, I have yet to come across a more full featured controller that is really worth the high prices.

I am looking to expand to 61 keys, tired of coming up short on notes when I am trying to learn a new piano part, and it
seems most rock and pop pieces so far fit nicely in that range.

perhaps the Alesis VI61 , pads look nice too.. if anyone has tried this controller give some comments please

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Last edited by a moderator: Nov 9, 2015

Well as they say you can switch the octaves but there's nothing like lots of keys in my opinion also as they said above, if you're working on something that requires using both hands it gets hard to switch anyway.

I'll keep you guys posted about the controller.

 

It depends on what you're doing, how you use it. If you're not really going to be playing any piano music, 25 keys or even 8 pads might be enough to try sounds or play simple melodies.

People who buy they first midi keyboard often think they need much more keys than they end up using. In my personal situation, having a smaller keyboard made me actually use it, which wasn't happening with the bigger one I had before. I rarely need to switch octaves, I switch them inside the DAW if I want to change registers and that's all.

Even these shitty wannabe keyboards with 25 keys are enough to do a lot: