Music On My PC - Which Piano or MIDI keyboard for Computer Music Software?

Choosing the right keyboard

Summary: Essential things to think about before buying a MIDI controller keyboard, Personal Keyboard or Digital Piano

Number of keys?

49 key controllers are excellent for entering music and basic or intermediate keyboard learning. They don't require a lot of space and are quite inexpensive. They will certainly take you up to Grade 3 standard without any problem
Larger keyboards are essential if you plan on learning advanced piano techniques or are used to playing on a full size keyboard
For composing and sequencing, maybe the number of keys are not so important as the availability of a range of controllers such as knobs and sliders to get more hands-on control of the software control panels

Controller or keyboard or piano?

A controller doesn't create any sound on it's own - it uses the sounds in your computer or sound module. The advantages of controllers are their price and the fact that you can upgrade the sound card without having to buy a new keyboard
A personal keyboard doesn't require a computer or sound module to create sound. Some will also include speakers. Keyboards are generally more expensive than controllers, but they can be used as an instrument on their own.
If you really want to play the piano, and have it available without turning on the computer, then a digital piano is also a great option. They all come equipped with MIDI ports to connect up to your PC. The only disadvantage might be the physical set up you can achieve as digital pianos are larger than keyboards, which may make it tricky to site them right next to your computer workstation.

Touch sensitive or weighted action?

Touch sensitive keyboards will play louder or softer according to the velocity of your playing (how hard you play)
Weighted action keyboards imitate the action of a real piano - these keyboards are usually heavier and more expensive. Choose a weighted action keyboard if you want to be as close to real piano action as possible

Read on for further details, or check out our range of keyboards, from USB MIDI controllers to full size stage pianos

More Details:

If you're just starting out, and are contemplating buying a digital piano or keyboard of some kind, then it can be difficult to know where to start. The right answer depends on three things: your budget; physical space; and some thought about what it is you want to do with the keyboard when you've got it. For instance, do you want to learn the piano, or play personal keyboard, or do you want to use the keyboard to interact with software?

If you are not sure, the the cheapest option is to simply buy a controller keyboard. It may seem alien to invest in a keyboard that makes no sound of its own, but it will then enable you to use any music software, and will get you up and running for a very low cost.

A controller keyboard acts in a very similar way to the typewriter keyboard you have attached to your PC. It transmits messages when you press the keys: messages like which note you pressed, how hard you pressed it, how long you held it down. This information is then used to drive the music software. You will hear sounds, but these sounds are made by the synthesiser in your sound card, or by other sound modules if you have them installed. Because controller keyboards make no sound of their own, they are relatively inexpensive - and they have the added benefit of being small in size.

For most people, space is a real consideration. If you are just starting out, then a 4-octave controller keyboard will be perfectly adequate in the short term, and can easily be placed on a table or stand directly in front of the PC. You can buy inexpensive add-ons like a foot switch to give your controller keyboard a sustain pedal action, just like a piano.

If you know you really want to play or learn the piano without having to turn on your computer then buying a digital piano may be for you instead. Digital pianos still take up relatively little space, and of course can be used without even having to switch your PC on. They generally have high quality piano sounds along with other functionality, and high quality keyboards with excellent response. You can still use the digital piano for your computer music, as they all come equipped with MIDI input and output for this purpose. These are the nearest to owning a real piano - but of course are much cheaper and smaller than the real thing.

Personal keyboards are also popular, and have many inbuilt additional features such as banks of sounds, rhythm and accompaniment options, recording facilities and so on. If you know you want to go down this route, then there is a wealth of fabulous instruments to choose from. The added advantage is, like the digital piano, they can be used without the computer, and they have the added benefit of being transportable if you want to play with other people.