Help needed with purchase of usb midi keyboard..!

[sog1969]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum, and in fact a bit unknowledgable when it comes to these sort of things, so I'm hoping you guys can help!

I have an 11 year old son that uses Sibelius 5 to compose Classical/Jazz pieces on his laptop. Could he play 2 handed on the keyboard and it would put the notes directly into the software ??

We have been told that a Usb midi keyboard would be helpful for him as it would help him enter notes quickly into the software. (He can play the piano as well.) Is it just a case of plug and play with this keyboard and 'would' it help him compose?

I have been looking at the M-Audio Oxygen 49. Would this be a good choice for him ? I see it has other functions that I'm sure he would like to explore.

Any other help and advice would be gratefully received..!!

A confused dad

David

[sureno]

Hey Sog, welcome to the forum

firstly let me start by saying it is customary to introduce yourself here, check out the caption quoted between stars above

any way that out the way, down to the question you ask... well in short any midi keyboard will do the task you require and just to confirm it is so your son can input notes using both hands into sibelus, correct? the reason there is so much variation varies from build quality, key action (semi-weighted or hammer action) and features. How much do you want to spend? i would also like to mention that if you are not using an audio interface you may run into latency issues, latency being the time it takes from the key on the midi controller being pressed and for the computer to register it and you hearing the sound so its 2 stages, midi controller-computer-sound. so if there are latency issues the notes input by your son will be late.

so to keep it very simple, any midi controller would suffice as they all do the basic fundamental job. it is simply down to preference on which one and how fancy you want it feature wise. you will more than likely be able to connect via usb in a midi emulation. if you don't have an audio interface you may need to purchase one IF you run into latency like i described earlier

[tyronehowe]

Yup – completely agree with Sureno and I’ll just add that if your son is used to playing a piano – you might well want to opt for a semi-weighted MIDI keyboard. It will feel more piano like than a “synth action” keyboard.

[sog1969]

Thanks for the reply and please forgive me for not introducing myself.

My name is David, aged 39, living in North London. I am the father of 2 sons aged 6 and 11, both of which play Trumpet and Piano. The 11 year old attends music schools and has to compose pieces of work on a regular basis.

Sureno, thanks for the info. Price is an issue at the moment I'm afraid, so I was trying to get the best possible hardware for the lowest price !! (Don't we all !)
I understand regarding the latency issues. I'm presuming that if we did run into this problem we could add a "audio interface"? between the Keyboard and computer? Is that correct ?

I don't think the weighted keys are so much of an issue yet. I expect those with weighted keys would be a lot more expensive anyway. I just wanted to see how he gets on using a keyboard to compose, rather than just mouse clicking...

Many thanks once again..

David

[sureno]

yes i would suggest getting the keyboard first as you can always get the audio interface at a later date if needed.

i would go for a minimum of 61 keys but 88 would be ideal imo, this is the cheapest 88 key iv seen, and m-audio are a very well established company so i cant see you encountering any serious problems with this keyboard controller

[sog1969]

Thanks again....

I'm afraid price really is a factor !! and we could only stretch to the 49 key version.

How would this affect him using it for composition? I'm not musical myself, but if he wanted to enter high notes and low notes, ie left hand and right hand, would he have to do this separately, as there is only a limited amount of keys ? (Hope that makes sense !!)

Thanks once again

[sureno]

Originally Posted by sog1969

Thanks again....

I'm afraid price really is a factor !! and we could only stretch to the 49 key version.

How would this affect him using it for composition? I'm not musical myself, but if he wanted to enter high notes and low notes, ie left hand and right hand, would he have to do this separately, as there is only a limited amount of keys ? (Hope that makes sense !!)

Thanks once again

yeah depending on the octave difference of his compositions thats exactly why i would of gone for a larger keyboard but it wont stop him just make it a little more awkward to program and may mean doing left and right hand separately it really all depends on what he is doing, try talking to him and ask him what he may need to help your choice, even better go to the barnet store and you can have a go on some, they are more expensive but keys are keys if you know what i mean

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by sureno

even better go to the barnet store and you can have a go on some, they are more expensive but keys are keys if you know what i mean

That is excellent advice as your son can really get a feel for the keyboards there that are within your budget sog1969, also in store they are more than happy to offer more advice on the spot as well.

[waxxy]

if your after a cheap but cheerful keyboard then like was suggested before get a m-audio there cheap but come with lots of useful software and feel good too play..because of your sons age and the size of his hands and fingers id stick with a 49 key keyboard until his hands get bigger..and like you say more keys mean more money to shell out ..a good one to buy with lots of excellent software to help him play and compose is the m-audio keyrig its 57.99 but you get the keyrig software which will give him lots and lots of sounds to play around with ..heres a link for you too look at it--http://www.dv247.com/invt/43301/

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeyRig49.html

[sog1969]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Waxxy, What would be the main difference between the M-Audio Keyrig 49 and the Oxygen 49? I can see that the Oxygen has more knobs and dials, but how would they affect the usage ?

Thanks...

[sureno]

Originally Posted by sog1969

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Waxxy, What would be the main difference between the M-Audio Keyrig 49 and the Oxygen 49? I can see that the Oxygen has more knobs and dials, but how would they affect the usage ?

Thanks...

the knobs would theoretically give you more control over different parameters often associated with virtual instruments, such as faders, dials and knobs

[waxxy]

yeah the knobs can be asigned to other functions on your vsts or daw ..the main difference is you dont get any vsts instruments with the oxygen 49 you just get abelton lite so you will have to get vst instruments seperatly to get any sounds out of the keyboard unless you already have some vsts ..with the keyrig 49 you get lots of vst instruments(pianos..drums..synths..gm sounds..organs..orchestras) and you also get abelton lite too..both are great keyboards too choose from and at great prices too ..the keyrig is also cheaper

[sureno]

let us know which one you go for in the end mate

[sog1969]

Thanks guys for all your help !!

I will let you know when we have decided on one...

All the best

David

[Semi-D]

granted the guys have covered everything here,
but I have to kind of agree with sureno on the 61 - 88 key versions,

fair enough a child has small hands, but they are going to grow and a 49 key could mean more understanding of the sequencer is needed?
how advanced is the lad?

I'm no expert at classical or Jazz, but I can only imagine that its not going to be possible to play every piece over 49 keys at one time!

is there a Piano in the house or is this also going to be used for practice?

how much understanding of the sequencing software do you have?

I would atleast look at further saving and get a 61 key because at some point in the future you are going to want to upgrade!!