If you’re someone who doesn’t really play the piano, a small controller would be a smart purchase seeing how the keys are smaller. These are very affordable and they serve a variety of purposes. ![]() Mini MIDI keyboards are not just for touring musicians, they can also be used in the studio and even for live shows. Why Would Someone Be Interested In Mini MIDI Keyboards? If you’re a producer who’s on the go, check out our guide on the best Bluetooth MIDI controller. ![]() If you like what your keyboard does for you, but feel a little limited and want to dive deeper, you can upgrade to a 49 key MIDI controller. This also makes it so you’re not spending a fortune right off the bat. It allows you the freedom to play notes, play beats and control MIDI. Is A Mini MIDI Controller A Good Investment For A New Producer? Overall, I think this is a bit dated and wouldn’t recommend it anymore. Its keys are velocity-sensitive and it might feel a little bit on the cheaper side compared to the MPK series. It is extremely portable coming in at 1.4 pounds. This doesn’t come with as many bells and whistles as some of the other products mentioned, but for basic functions, it will get the job done. The Akai LPK 25 is the classic keyboard as it was one of the first compact controllers. Read my full review of this keyboard here. Overall ThoughtsĪlthough it’s a couple of years old, it is still hands down one of the best options available. If you are a fan of keyboards that come in different colors, this one is perfect because it comes in red, white or black. It comes with VIP 3.0 and this software makes it easy to control your DAW. I like that it is really easy to use which is why we think this is best for beginners.Ĭoming in at 1.63 pounds, the MPK mini 2 is perfect to fit in your backpack if you are looking to take it with you anywhere. The Akai MPK mini 2 comes with eight velocity-sensitive drum pads and eight assignable Q-link knobs. This is a great product for people who are on the go and have to set up makeshift studios. Search around on the Internet for examples of customized software that other musicians have created using these authoring tools.The MPK mini 2 is one of the premier mini MIDI controllers on the market right now.Īkai has made a product that works out of the box immediately with any DAW that you want to use.Īkai knows how to make a reliable product that isn’t going to have simple problems that other keyboards can have. I know this sounds like a lot of development work, but it actually is worth the time to try to "Roll-Your-Own" since YOU have complete control and can alter as you see fit. and their own MIDI files or sampled sounds. I know many folks who have created their own materials with easy-to-use authoring systems like HyperStudio, HyperCard, ToolBook, etc. I wonder if others out there have recommendations? You might check out Musicware's MusicLab (for the PC and soon to be on the Mac) software as well as their Harmonic and Inner Hearing software. Practica Musica is especially good at this, but does not do harmonies. If you have a piano lab with MIDI keyboards, you can put MacPlus, SE, and Classics in there with some of these CAI programs and a basic sequencer. Much of this software will run on the older Macs as well as the newer PowerMacs. He was showing these to us at the College Music Society's computer institute at IU this past summer. The distinguish music theory pedagogist, Allen Winold, at Indiana University is also working on a set of HyperCard stacks for the Mac that has this facility for harmony, melody, and rhythm. The latest version of MacGamut certainly provides that feature as does Practica Musica. ![]() Part of that flexibility is the option for the instructor to add their own content and patterns. Most of the newer ear-training software fits into what Blat and I like to call "flexible practice" CAI (see Viewport III in our textbook). I see you're a licorice-stick player as well! Are you from Oklahoma too?!īlat's is really up on the commercial CAI software here so he'll be able to give you more specifics. ![]() We have Mac's in the lab too, (SE's but also have much higher MAC computers available to us). I am wondering if you know of an ear-training program that would let the instructor enter all examples (or at least have the ability to enter examples and catalogue them) of melodic, rhythmic and harmonic dictation? We currently have GUIDO and are moving to add MLS in our CAI lab and would like to have this capability also.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |