Best MIDI Keyboards for 2020

If you wanted to join the high world of art or create your own rock band, you cannot do without keyboard instruments. And help in this will be digital technologies, in the form of a MIDI keyboard. The editorial staff of the site "bestx.htgetrid.com/en/" offers an overview of the best MIDI keyboards for 2020.

What is a MIDI keyboard?

Those unfamiliar with the world of musical instruments believe that synthesizer and MIDI keyboard are related, interchangeable instruments. However, the difference between these two tools is large, and they cannot be called interchangeable. After all, MIDI, scientifically speaking, transforms physical processes into sets of digital commands. That is, when a key is pressed, a digital signal is sent to a personal computer (PC) where it is processed using special software, a sequencer. Without a PC, software, this gadget is a "dead weight".

While using the synthesizer, the user directly outputs the sound to the speakers, the movement of the knob - and almost any sound effect is available, imitation of other instruments. At the same time, MIDI or as it is also called Midushnik has design features that make it a unique instrument. First of all, according to composers, the gadget is ideal for creating music, musical scores. Indeed, in addition to a computer, a laptop Midushnik, it is easily connected to other musical equipment, synthesizers. But to synchronize a synthesizer and other equipment, the same computer, requires a long, preliminary setup and specialized software. MIDI is perfect if your selection criteria are the compactness of the instrument, its weight. And the most important advantage of the gadget is the average price with high quality of the mechanical part itself, and therefore the service life of the device is longer. And the sound quality of such mid-priced models is higher than that of similar synthesizers, which also require an expensive sound card. A more obvious difference between these musical instruments will be shown in the comparative table below.

What are the models

Like any other musical instrument, midyushnik is created for amateurs, middle segment and premium models. Their distinctive features from each other are wider functionality. For example, a device of the premium price segment has, as a rule, three pedals. One pedal, the left one, reduces the volume of the sound, making it softer, softer. The right one amplifies the sound, increasing the duration. Medium "Sustain" makes the sound shorter, softer. Another distinctive feature of expensive models is the keys. They are of three types:

• Unweighted - the most popular type of keys in terms of tactile sensations is the closest to a synthesizer;
• Semi-weighted - occupy an average position between weighted and unweighted;
• Unweighted - the keys are closest to the piano, which makes them indispensable when learning music.

Piano and MIDI are related by such indicators as the dependence of the output sound on the strength, the velocity of pressing the key, its sensitivity after pressing (aftertouch effect). The list of advantages of expensive models continues with the presence of pitch controllers, a modulation variator. In addition, all models have the following types of connection to a computer:

• Via USB - a popular connection method that all budget devices are equipped with;
• By means of a special MIDI adapter;
• With a five-pin DIN 41524 connector, the second name is "tulip", usually used in professional equipment;
• Via wireless bluetooth.

Which company is better to buy

An important factor when choosing any musical equipment is assembly reliability, which in turn depends on the manufacturer. The best manufacturers of MIDI systems are as follows:

• Akai is a great audio manufacturer specializing in budget models for beginners.
• Korg is another Japanese firm that manufactures a wide range of audio equipment. But unlike Akai, her profile is a higher technique, usually a studio level.
• Novation is a European brand whose products have immediately earned the love and respect of musicians from the moment the company was founded. The undoubted advantage of Novation technology, according to buyers, is the high quality of products and excellent characteristics.
• M-Audio is an American company with branches all over the world, the popularity of models of which is due to the combination of an acceptable price category (production facilities are located in China) and advanced technology.

What is the best midyushnik to buy?

Before considering the rating of quality models, you should understand how one device differs from another, what to look for when choosing a gadget for a beginner or a young music group. If music is just a hobby for you, then there is no point in buying an expensive, multi-key keyboard. The best option would be a small, compact device, whose comfortable key mechanics will allow you to go on to serious instruments or the real piano. Those who are engaged in music on a more serious level need to pay attention not so much to the functionality of the keyboard, but rather to the choice of software, without which the midi is of no value. And, of course, it is not worth buying a device of an average, especially a premium level, in an online store, where a musician will not be able to try his keys tactilely. You can order online models with unweighted mechanics, without pedals and additional controls as a probe of a future musical instrument.

Rating of MIDI keyboards for 2020

For beginner musicians

M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 MK3

Upgraded version of the previously released model with 32 keys while maintaining a compact look. This size is the main advantage of the device, which allows it to be carried from place to place, stored, used wherever there is a regular laptop. The functionality of the Mini 32 MK3 allows you to move to a more serious level of musical instruments over time. The Mini 32 MK3 has a programmable volume control, and the backlight of the toggle switches has a variety of colors, depending on which functional mode is selected. The gadget will be interesting, for those who like to travel, besides its small size, it can connect to the iPad through a special application.

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AKAI MPK Mini MKII

Popular models from AKAI are known to musicians, composers of a wide range, due to their low price and good characteristics. MPK Mini MKII is a direct proof of this, because this instrument is perfect for both an inexperienced musician and a composer who needs a device for recording scores and writing musical works. To meet the requirements of musicians, composers, the MPK Mini MKII can work with functions such as selecting an octave shift in semitones, recording a melody with chords (arpeggiator), memorizing user settings. In addition, there are the usual controls for modulation, pitch, four-position joystick. If a potential MIDI instrument buyer is concerned about how much an entry-level functional device costs, the MPK Mini MKII will certainly be of interest to him.

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For home studio

Arturia MiniLab MkII

The list of studio controllers opens with a gadget that has received numerous positive reviews from a wide range of performers. The well-known Arturia MiniLab MkII has gone through a good update, externally and internally. Of the external upgrade, it is worth noting the modern appearance, the thoughtful arrangement of the variators, the replacement of mechanical modulation "twists", tonalities with sensory ones. Among other things, the European company Arturia has updated the rotary controls to be unsupported, creating the ability to create custom presets. Plus, all "twists", mechanical, touch controls have the ability to preset, giving them a certain sensitivity. From the internal changes, it is worth noting the software supplied with the sale, with the help of which several virtual instruments are installed. For example, one of them creates a real professional grand piano out of Arturia MiniLab MkII. Buying such a controller will help you avoid the mistake of choosing a more expensive instrument as it fulfills most of the needs of a home recording studio.

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NATIVE INSTRUMENTS KOMPLETE KONTROL A49

A very interesting instrument with an innovative chip that brings NATIVE INSTRUMENTS KOMPLETE KONTROL A49 as close as possible to synthesizers. After synchronization with the home studio computer, several thousand presets of standard sounds, about ten gigabytes of presets for future melodies will be available. At the same time, the operation of the controller is not burdened with a long search for the necessary toggle switches and settings. MIDI is equipped with several modes that allow you to easily enter individual groups of notes, individual chords by pressing separate keys, which can be assigned certain functions using two preset presets. Controlling a controller with a sequencer function (creating musical compositions using software) will facilitate the LCD monitor displaying the main processes taking place. Even more possibilities for the device will be given by special programs that simplify the creative process and add new virtual possibilities. For example, beating a bar with a metronome.

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For professionals

ROLI Seaboard Rise 49

Excellent equipment, the description of the functionality of which will take several pages of the article. First of all, the gadget has a controller with a built-in Bluetooth module and such popular communication ports as USB, TRS. Features of the model - hardware with control elements. Instead of the usual black and white keys, the musician is offered a rubber touch cover, which is sensitive to the duration of pressing, its strength. You can even extract sounds with a fleeting slip, a short "click", which is easily customizable at the user's discretion. Thus, you can create a full-fledged synthesizer, piano with varying degrees of touch response. This technology has earned the best reviews from those who bought this model, allowing it to enter the TOP of advanced devices. This is also facilitated by the rich software supplied with the purchase. With its help, it is easy to connect the midyushnik to the iPhone, iPad, having received a virtual, multifunctional synthesizer. Accordingly to such characteristics and the price of the model.

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Arturia KeyLab 61 MKII

The Arturia company decided not to create new items, but to follow the path of improving the existing equipment. Therefore, our review concludes with a time-tested model that has received well-deserved popularity and recommendations from musicians around the world. The difference from the previous version of the instrument is the increased number of keys, sixty-one, more sliders, encoders, pads. All of the listed "twists", regulators are configured individually or can work automatically, at the request of the owner. The device has a correction mode, in which the sounds, created musical fragments have a certain duration, height, regardless of the degree of pressing the controller. This allows composing music even if the composer is working in a rush or is new to such an instrument. At the same time, the device easily connects to other studio recording modules, making it possible not only to write music, but also to transfer it through the communication ports.

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Conclusion

The topic of musical equipment is multifaceted, even if it is only a MIDI instrument. We hope to continue it with the help of visitors, readers of the article, whose advice will help us to correct the existing information, making it more relevant. Therefore, if you have a desire to help us by recommending a midi keyboard that you used or a recommendation where to buy such instruments with a quality guarantee, be sure to write under the article.