Help with midi keyboard buying...

[macsarethebest]

Hi yal, I have been using garageband for a while to do some piano recording, but I don't have a good microphone, and don't really want one, so the quality isn't very good. I am really thinking about getting a midi keyboard, probably from M-Audio. So I have a few questions:

1. What is the difference between midi keyboard controllers (such as the Oxygen) and audio interface keyboards ( such as the KeyStudio 49i)?
2. Am I better off buying the keystudio home-recording or something more expensive like the Oxygen 49?
Why is the Home-recording one so cheap,when it seems to have all the same features?
Thanx so much!

[brianr19]

It all comes down to the quality of your piano samples. The keyboard doesnt make a difference in sound.. it just triggers the notes. I use M-Audio KeyRig 49 and its all i really need. I could get a Axiom 49 with Ableton Live and make use out of the pads but thats about it. The difference in the keyboards you want is the one has a interface built in aka sound card so you don't need to get an external one.

[Yojiirill]

Yeah, as they've said, it doesn't really matter which one you buy. Just make sure that it has a similar "feel" to your piano, and you're good to go :p

Personally, I have a M-Audio Keystation 49-E from six years ago, and it still works wonders.

[macsarethebest]

so if i get the cheap one, do i have to buy a sound board to use it with garage band?

[Yojiirill]

so if i get the cheap one, do i have to buy a sound board to use it with garage band?

Nope, not as far as I know. Just make sure that you have a USB printer cable and a compatible power supply.

[macsarethebest]

thanx! :D I think im gonna get an oxygen on ebay.

Hey, would a keystudio work for me? i.e., what is the difference between a usb and a midi if i am using garageband?

[tempusfugit]

The difference is that a MIDI keyboard requires a MIDI interface in order to connect to your computer.

I have a tascam US-144 which I use for recording guitar, bass, and keyboards. The guitars connect through mono inputs but the interface has MIDI too for the keyboard. Its sort of an all in one solution. This interface hooks up to my mac through USB, but the advantage is the ability to hook up different kinds of instruments with different cables and have it all go through one interface. This works fine with GB and LP.

MIDI just tells the computer which note you hit and how hard (I think). There are also pedal functions you're able to do and whatever.

The real difference is if you have a MIDI interface or not. If you don't and you don't plan on hooking up other instruments a USB keyboard should suffice.

[pianoandreas]

Hi all

couldn't find out how to start a new thread so hopefully someone here can help instead....i got snow leopard and an m audio axiom 49. anyone know how to stop the annoying midi note off bleeps from the mac?

Thanks!
:mad: