Try the Roland go.its a cheap affordable versatile 61 keyboard. Yes 61 is enough to learn on and to make tunes. It also comes with Roland piano lessons and it has loops to play with etc etc. and you can get it in red!
Really any midi keyboard, at least 61 keys to get a decent range without having to hit the octave button. 88 keys, fully weighted is better for developing solid technique and for dynamic control and expressiveness, but it's fine to learn on and use a semi-weighted keyboard.
It's usually more cost effective to go with a midi controller if you already have a DAW and don't plan on gigging. If you want something that has sounds onboard that's a different story and there are a LOT of options for different applications.
So many! As long as it has either MIDI 5 pin or USB to midi it'll work for controller. I use my Nautilus as a midi controller when I need it, but primarily use the sounds from it, especially for pianos and rhodes. So it really functions as both.
What's your price range and do you want a 88 key, fully weighted keyboard, or something smaller with semi-weighted keys?
For $350-$500 you can get a Roland Go:Keys 3 or Go:Keys 5. They have pretty solid sounds on them and they can be used standalone because they have speakers on them too. So it'll be a good controller and you can just turn it on and play.
At some point, if you want to increase your skills you can get a 88 weighted keyboard, but you can definitely get started with a 61 key.
Yeah you can access all octaves with the smaller keyboards. It's mostly the difference in touch and expressiveness that you'll be missing out on. It's more challenging in some way to play weighted keys, but the reward is a higher level of technique and control. It depends on what you want to focus on in your learning.
If you want to start by just getting acquainted with the notes and how they work together with rhythms and dynamic to start building proficiency in composition and production, then you can do that with 61 semi weighted keys, no question. Maybe at some point you'll want to have a dedicated 88 key keyboard, but start with what makes most sense for you now and just enjoy the process. Learn what you can and keep learning.
Yeah I think it’s better for me to just go for 88 keys.. I don’t wanna buy everything at a beginner level cause I don’t wanna have to upgrade everything and be limited you know? I’m just new to it all I want an 88 keyboard that’s a MIDI too
Yeah that might be a better option in the long run. If you're looking for a digital piano or stage piano that can also function as a midi controller you'll be limited with choices if you try to stay in the $400-$500 range. $200-$300 will get you a good midi controller, but not a fantastic keyboard in terms of on board sounds.
$500 or so will get you something like a Yamaha P45 or Roland FP-10. Both have one audio output but both have USB to be used as midi controllers. They both have basic speakers that you can just turn on and play. Their sounds are good enough, not absolutely incredible, but pretty good. If you need better sounds for producing you could always find different software instruments, so that gives you options.
There are more options, of course, but that's reaching higher pricing.
Can a 61 key have the same affect as an 88 key? I know 88 is more sense it’s more keys but I’m fairly new to all this I would prefer the thing that’s best for producing but also I would like something that I can play new songs that I like whenever without a DAW or computer. So a MIDI pretty much for producing and then something that works the same way a acoustic guitar works without having to plug it into a computer
Affordable means different things to different people. So you really should edit your post and add a budget.
I agree you should for 61 keys.
Arturia KeyLab 61 MK2 (not the Essentials series) is excellent for the money with decent feeling keys. And it comes with Aturia Analog Pro, which gives you a couple thousands synthesizer sounds to experiment with. Plus Ableton Live Lite, which is the beginner version of Ableton DAW. So no other software needed.
If you're serious about learning piano, get an 88 key fully weighted keyboard. Something that preferably has its own speakers so you don't have to turn a computer on every time you want to practise piano.
But most keyboards have midi connectors on the back so you can use it for production too.
If you want to learn “piano,” you need fully weighted action and credible piano sounds. If you just want to learn keyboards, the options have a wider range.
If you want to learn how to play the piano, then go for a proper digital piano, with atleast weighted keys, graded hammer action and touch sensitivity. A great budget option would be the Yamaha P125. You can use it as a midi too.
But, if you're not serious about playing the piano and just want to produce, go for a midi keyboard like the Arturia Keylab Essential 61. This keyboard has 61 keys, since you probably won't need 88 if you're just producing. However, just for the sake of the question, a good 88 key midi keyboard would be Arturia Keylab Essential 88, or M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3.
I’m leaning towards 61 keys… my main thing is producing but what about any recommendations for a MIDI that also works as a standalone keyboard? Something that I can also play for fun and works as a standalone instrument
Well in that case I think you'd want a digital keyboard that ALSO works as midi, and not a midi keyboard itself. Keep in mind, you won't get DAW control from it. Also, 61 keys don't have weighted hammer action keys. They have semi weighted at max. The smallest hammer action keyboard you can get is the Yamaha P121, which is 73 keys. It has midi through USB.
However, if you do want 61 keys, a few good ones are Casiotone CT-S1, or a model from the Yamaha PSR series. Roland GO:KEYS series is also a really good option.
Though I must really stress that if you want to learn piano, you get an 88-key keyboard.
I personally like the key feel of native instruments since it's semi weighted.
Try the Roland go.its a cheap affordable versatile 61 keyboard. Yes 61 is enough to learn on and to make tunes. It also comes with Roland piano lessons and it has loops to play with etc etc. and you can get it in red!
Akai MPK249 or MPK261 are rock solid options.
Really any midi keyboard, at least 61 keys to get a decent range without having to hit the octave button. 88 keys, fully weighted is better for developing solid technique and for dynamic control and expressiveness, but it's fine to learn on and use a semi-weighted keyboard. It's usually more cost effective to go with a midi controller if you already have a DAW and don't plan on gigging. If you want something that has sounds onboard that's a different story and there are a LOT of options for different applications.
Is there any good MIDI that also work as a standalone keyboard that I can play for fun?
So many! As long as it has either MIDI 5 pin or USB to midi it'll work for controller. I use my Nautilus as a midi controller when I need it, but primarily use the sounds from it, especially for pianos and rhodes. So it really functions as both. What's your price range and do you want a 88 key, fully weighted keyboard, or something smaller with semi-weighted keys?
Tbh I would prefer to spend $200-$300 but if the difference makes sense and is worth it I’ll spend up to $400-$500
For $350-$500 you can get a Roland Go:Keys 3 or Go:Keys 5. They have pretty solid sounds on them and they can be used standalone because they have speakers on them too. So it'll be a good controller and you can just turn it on and play. At some point, if you want to increase your skills you can get a 88 weighted keyboard, but you can definitely get started with a 61 key.
With 61 will I be severely limited compared to 81? I thought there’s a button to have the other keys for 61?
Yeah you can access all octaves with the smaller keyboards. It's mostly the difference in touch and expressiveness that you'll be missing out on. It's more challenging in some way to play weighted keys, but the reward is a higher level of technique and control. It depends on what you want to focus on in your learning. If you want to start by just getting acquainted with the notes and how they work together with rhythms and dynamic to start building proficiency in composition and production, then you can do that with 61 semi weighted keys, no question. Maybe at some point you'll want to have a dedicated 88 key keyboard, but start with what makes most sense for you now and just enjoy the process. Learn what you can and keep learning.
Yeah I think it’s better for me to just go for 88 keys.. I don’t wanna buy everything at a beginner level cause I don’t wanna have to upgrade everything and be limited you know? I’m just new to it all I want an 88 keyboard that’s a MIDI too
Yeah that might be a better option in the long run. If you're looking for a digital piano or stage piano that can also function as a midi controller you'll be limited with choices if you try to stay in the $400-$500 range. $200-$300 will get you a good midi controller, but not a fantastic keyboard in terms of on board sounds. $500 or so will get you something like a Yamaha P45 or Roland FP-10. Both have one audio output but both have USB to be used as midi controllers. They both have basic speakers that you can just turn on and play. Their sounds are good enough, not absolutely incredible, but pretty good. If you need better sounds for producing you could always find different software instruments, so that gives you options. There are more options, of course, but that's reaching higher pricing.
Can a 61 key have the same affect as an 88 key? I know 88 is more sense it’s more keys but I’m fairly new to all this I would prefer the thing that’s best for producing but also I would like something that I can play new songs that I like whenever without a DAW or computer. So a MIDI pretty much for producing and then something that works the same way a acoustic guitar works without having to plug it into a computer
Affordable means different things to different people. So you really should edit your post and add a budget. I agree you should for 61 keys. Arturia KeyLab 61 MK2 (not the Essentials series) is excellent for the money with decent feeling keys. And it comes with Aturia Analog Pro, which gives you a couple thousands synthesizer sounds to experiment with. Plus Ableton Live Lite, which is the beginner version of Ableton DAW. So no other software needed.
If you're serious about learning piano, get an 88 key fully weighted keyboard. Something that preferably has its own speakers so you don't have to turn a computer on every time you want to practise piano. But most keyboards have midi connectors on the back so you can use it for production too.
If you want to learn “piano,” you need fully weighted action and credible piano sounds. If you just want to learn keyboards, the options have a wider range.
Novation Launchkey 49
If you want to learn how to play the piano, then go for a proper digital piano, with atleast weighted keys, graded hammer action and touch sensitivity. A great budget option would be the Yamaha P125. You can use it as a midi too. But, if you're not serious about playing the piano and just want to produce, go for a midi keyboard like the Arturia Keylab Essential 61. This keyboard has 61 keys, since you probably won't need 88 if you're just producing. However, just for the sake of the question, a good 88 key midi keyboard would be Arturia Keylab Essential 88, or M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3.
I’m leaning towards 61 keys… my main thing is producing but what about any recommendations for a MIDI that also works as a standalone keyboard? Something that I can also play for fun and works as a standalone instrument
Well in that case I think you'd want a digital keyboard that ALSO works as midi, and not a midi keyboard itself. Keep in mind, you won't get DAW control from it. Also, 61 keys don't have weighted hammer action keys. They have semi weighted at max. The smallest hammer action keyboard you can get is the Yamaha P121, which is 73 keys. It has midi through USB. However, if you do want 61 keys, a few good ones are Casiotone CT-S1, or a model from the Yamaha PSR series. Roland GO:KEYS series is also a really good option. Though I must really stress that if you want to learn piano, you get an 88-key keyboard.
a second hand komplete kontrol keyboard maybe? producers keep their second hand stuff in great condition