Maxow234
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[BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
Hi, I downloaded MC6T two days ago while it was on sales and I am really amazed by everything you can do with but... but to do so you need a MIDI keyboard. I found a cheap 30 euros 25 keys keyboard on the internet ( EAGLETONE TINY KEY Master keyboards 25/49 Keys) and i am wondering if it is enough to make some basic stuff , play drums and use the vst (once again I juste want to be able to make a boom boom tchak nothing far more complicated.) Thanks for your advice :)
post edited by Maxow234 - 2013/11/27 12:17:42
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scook
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/27 13:07:09
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Any keyboard is better than none. I prefer a 49 key keyboard because of the range it can play without needing the shift key and it is not too wide for my setup. I suppose 25 keys can cover a basic drum kit. For example, if you ignore the Closed and Open Hi Hat edge (notes 22 and 26) all of the instrument hits of the SI-Drum kit are on notes 35 though 59.
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spacealf
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/27 13:12:54
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Well, if MIDI, better find out if it can transmit on all 16 channels (one at a time - 10 is for drums usually, the rest for whatever instrument (MIDI) you want).
Also if you can change octaves on it, as 61-note keyboard may be a more preferred one, since 25 keys is just two octaves. How many notes can be transmitted at once for any patches (sounds) that may exist on the keyboard (which can be also just recorded in audio like a normal played part or transmitted in MIDI except to hear the patch (sound) from the synth, it has to be transmitted back to the synth and played through a amplifier to hear it, which if not audio recorded will not be what MIDI is where say a soft synth is used on the computer after recording MIDI).
??
Maybe limited, may not sound as good or have better patches on it (sounds) and all of that may have to be considered.
Usually you will find that you need more than what you thought, although it may be alright to start off with.
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Maxow234
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/27 15:14:44
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Thanks to both of you.
@spacealf: I am not sure I understood everything, it seems i can change octaves, here is the product description:
TINYKEY is a convenient, ultra thin, ultra small, ultra Tiny USB controller! Thanks to it, control your VSTI or virtual instruments with 25 velocity sensitive mini keys. You also control your sequencer software with its transport buttons. All buttons and pads are assignable to envy with the supplied software. For you to play!
- 25 velocity-sensitive mini-keyboard keys.
- Octave up/down, pitch up/down and modulation function.
- Plug-and-play USB connection for Mac and PC requires no driver installation.
- Small enough to fit in a back pack or laptop bag.
- Four programmable memory banks.
- Comes with editor software for Mac and PC.
- USB bus powered-no additional power cable needed.
_ 25 assignable velocities keys
_ Functions: Octave / Pitch bend / Modulation
_ 3 velocity curves and a constant velocity
_ 1 program change button_ 1 USB port compatible with USB 2.
_ Power supply via USB_ Compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Mac OSX
_ Plug and play and hot plug supported
- USB-MIDI controller works with virtually all audio software.
Thanks a lot for your time and you informations.
Maxow
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AT
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/27 17:52:45
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I hate mini keys but I have fat fingers. 25 keys is enough to do simple leads and fire samples/loops. I've got a novation 25 key controller and it is fine for doing those sorts of jobs. It sits on top of a full length synth for when I want to do playing. I think a 49 key length would work for most playing and the miminum for two handed playing (bass and lead or chords).
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tomixornot
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/27 21:29:21
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TINYKEY - it does not seem to have the mod and pitch bend wheel which is important. Also check if it supports the sustain pedal (or sustain switch). I too find mini keys controller hard to use for serious work (inputting ideas, sketch pad is fine). I bough a Korg micro key and found it hard to use - but to be fair, I just bough the Korg for the software collection, as buying the software collection itself is more than purchasing the bundle. I'll go for 25/49 full size controller. Have a look at the Alesis Q25, just a bit more than the Tinykey price. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/alesis-q25-25-key-keyboard-midi-controller
post edited by tomixornot - 2013/11/27 21:42:02
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bitflipper
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/28 11:47:12
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I have a similar 25-key controller (AKAI) that I pack around in my computer bag. The 25-key limitation is frustrating if you're using a keyswitched sample library, and I have to either manually insert the keyswitch events via the PRV or record them separately. But the biggest limitation is lack of a mod wheel. That's the showstopper.
Unless portability is paramount, I'd seriously suggest you go with a 49-key controller or larger, with full-size mod and pitch bend wheels. That class of controller often has trigger pads and a bunch of assignable knobs and/or sliders, too.
Maybe not a concern for most folks, but for me, having DIN MIDI outs is also a prerequisite; USB-only keyboards are too restrictive for MIDI routing.
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Maxow234
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/28 13:11:13
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But a 49 keys keyboard is like 3 times more expensive no ?
@tomixornot: The online stores who ships this products in my area (france) sell it for aroung 60 euros so it's much more expensive than the tiny.
I everything but a musician and I am really not sure I will stick with Music Making so I don't want to invest to much money on it at the moment.
Do you know any good 25 keys master keyboard under 50 dollars (everything included) ?
I don't mind buying one just for a few months/weeks before I want to start to make some serious stuff and buy a 49 keys keyboard but I don't want to waste money by starting with an expensive keyboard and not doing anything with it (but if you think I can't even learn the basics with a 25 keys, I will of course buy a 49 keys)
Thanks for your precious help !
PS: The Launchkey keyboards look so awesome !
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tomixornot
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/28 16:36:02
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Cactus Music
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/30 12:41:15
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And don't forget that a lot of consumer Yamaha and Casio Keyboards have MIDI or usb MIDI connectivity and are super cheap second hand.
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drewfx1
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/30 16:51:36
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IMO, 25 keys is only useful for 1 handed basslines/triggering/leads (though even here you can run out of space), as a secondary keyboard or for a stripped down portable travel system. If you're looking to learn, one of the first things you'll learn is that you need more than 25 keys.
The less common 37 keys is the absolute bare minimum for general purpose work, but 49 keys is a more practical minimum and if you have less than 49 it will severely limit 2 handed playing of any kind. 61 is better.
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SuperG
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Re: [BEGINNER] Is a 25 keys keyboard enough to begin
2013/11/30 20:13:14
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drewfx1
IMO, 25 keys is only useful for 1 handed basslines/triggering/leads (though even here you can run out of space), as a secondary keyboard or for a stripped down portable travel system. If you're looking to learn, one of the first things you'll learn is that you need more than 25 keys.
The less common 37 keys is the absolute bare minimum for general purpose work, but 49 keys is a more practical minimum and if you have less than 49 it will severely limit 2 handed playing of any kind. 61 is better.
+1 Exactly. I have the Axiom 25 for just that purpose. The knobs and pads on it are useful at times, and aftertouch is great for those instruments that support it. It's just a small, nice, controller keyboard for one-handed composition that you can keep near the computer desktop. Just picked up a used a DGX-230(YPG-235) for $125 - that'll do for two hands when absolutely needed. (Way too damn big to be near the computer though...  )
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