#Electr. Keyboard Info.
9 messages in this thread
Is there any information on the pros and cons (or comparisons of) the
various electronic keyboards on this forum? I have DMCS and would like to
use the MIDI capabilities of the Amy. Can anyone comment on what features
would be most desireable as well as Casio vs Yamaha for a beginner? Where
is the best place to look for information?
You'll need a MIDI interface for your Amiga if you don't already have one.
An interface having a serial pass-through is the most convenient, although
not abolutely necessary. You can always add a separate serial switchbox.
Unfortunately, DMCS is somewhat limited in it's MIDI capabilities. I don't
say this to dissuade you, just to advise you of that particular program's
limitations. (MIDI is one of my primary reasons for having an Amiga. 8)
The DMCS program is not good for real-time recording. (The recording
capabilities of DMCS are explained in the manual.) MIDI output works well,
except that none of the DMCS playstyles apply to MIDI output. Tie and Slur
do work OK. Dynamics (ppp-fff) work by varying the MIDI Note On velocity,
so to use them you'll need a synth that recognizes velocity. (Some of the
synths recognize MIDI Note On velocity, even if they don't have a velocity
sensitive keyboard themselves.) DMCS defaults to fff if there's no
dynamics specified in the song, which can make some synth's sound really
terrible until you realize what's happening. I've had problems with
(de)cresendo's and MIDI – I generally remove them from any DMCS songs that
I'm going to be playing via MIDI. My guess is that you'll probably want to
get one of the more powerful music programs once you get into MIDI, but
DMCS is a good starting point as long as you realize its limitations.
re:Keyboard features
Will your primary interest be in playing songs generated by others, or, do
you plan to play the keyboard yourself as well as play sequences? This
makes a difference in the direction that you'd want to start out. If you
plan to play the instrument, Full-size keys becomes a major issue, as well
as number of keys and whether the keyboard is velocity sensitive. If not,
go more for sound quality. Do you have a price range of interest? It
would help in terms of recommendations.
One thing that's very important is that you get a sound that you like and
can live with. Personally, I prefer the Yahama sound over the Casio, but
[ MORE ]
Thanks for the info. Yes, I have lurked this forum on and off for a while
and understand a little of the situation with DMCS. If all goes well I'll
be looking for other software in the near future.
Initially I plan to use the keyboard for playing sequences but farther out
I want to learn to play the instrument (I had a years piano lessons when I
was eight – that was some time ago!). I have noticed that most of the
lower priced units don't seem to sense velocity. I'm looking in the $500
range. Since I don't need the keyboard by Christmas perhaps I can find a
good deal with all of the after holiday sales. I do have vacation time now
though and the more I look the more I want!
Ok on the MIDI interface too. I'm an electrical engineer by profession.
If I don't see just what I like I may build the interface myself. I have
seen several articles describing what is needed and it doesn't look too
difficult just somewhat confusing to a beginner (grin).
Thanks again for the info, Dave. I'll continue my search and send you my
questions as they come up.
George,
I believe that there is a file on constructing an Amiga MIDI interface in
the library. It may be for the A1000, though, so make certain that you
check for proper pinouts for the Amiga that you own. MIDI Gold and the ECE
MIDI interface are two good commercial offerings.
You should be able to get a velocity sensitive, full size keyboard in your
price range, but just barely. You're right to watch the after Christmas
sales. 8) You might also consider getting a used keyboard. There have a
classified section in the MIDI forum. Your local trading paper is also a
good source. The state of the art (no pun intended 😉 has been changing
rapidly in the last couple of years and there's a lot of good used gear
available. If you plan on playing the keyboard, get at least 61 full-sized
keys. Anything more will be probably be too expensive and 49 is just too
limited.
Glad to help out, George. 8) Did you checkout the Music-X and Bars & Pipes
demos? (AmigaVendor DL 10 and the Audio/MIDI Utils DL 7 in this forum,
respectively.) Those programs will give you a good idea of the next step
up.
David,
Thanks, I downloaded a lot of info on MIDI last week but I missed the
demos! Actually, I hadn't even considered a 49 key keyboard, it seemed to
limiting even when demoed in the shops. My wife was with me today and was
pushing for a less expensive unit until she heard them. Now even her
bottom end is at the PSR48 level. Still, it seems as if there is little
added between the $400 units and the $700 units except velocity sensing.
Perhaps I am showing my ignorance by saying that but if so you'll
understand better my level of misunderstanding (grin). Tomorow I'm going
to look in the Ft. Lauderdale area to see whats available.
Today I browsed a few of the libraries over in the MIDI forum. There is
too much info to absorb there in a short period. Also, I have some
matenance work to do here this weekend. Two meg of my Amy's memory quit
tonight!
Keep the info coming. I can use whatever I can get now from all of the
members of this forum. Thanks again.
George
Velocity sensing is indeed a major feature. A keyboard without it is like
playing an organ instead of a piano. With a piano, you get different
volume by hitting the keys harder or softer, whereas with an organ, you
only have a master volume control. It's also a great deal harder to
implement in an electronic device.
If you're used to playing a piano, you'll prefer the keyboards with
velocity sensitivity hands down. (If not, it might not matter to you, but
if you are used to a piano, you'll go crazy without it…)
Beyond that, I'm sure you can get dozens of recommendations on keyboards
from people here and over in the MIDI forum especially. There's an awful
lot of good ones out there…
–>Steve Bennett
Steve,
You can say that again! The mind boggles at all of the equipment out
there. With regard to velocity sensing I understand what you mean. I
played with a Yamaha Portable Piano today. It was really nice compared to
the other electronic keyboards in its price class. Its been over thirty
years since I've had much contact with a piano though. I think that I
might forego velocity sensing on my first keyboard. Then if I get hooked
I'll upgrade later. That could all change though if I find a "previously
owned" keyboard and an offer that I can't refuse.
Thanks for the input.
George
George,
You're welcome. 8)
You should be able to find some nice equipment in the Ft. Lauderdale area.
Let me know what you find that strikes your fancy. Velocity sensing is a
big adder, since it is a significant change from an on-off keyboard. They
have been coming down, though. Other things that you tend to get one or
more of with the better keyboards are more polyphony, more multi-timbral
capability and higher quality sounds.
Sorry to hear about your memory problem. Hope that you get it working OK
soon.
David
[ continuation ]
it's a very subjective thing. Listening with your own (i.e. familiar
sounding) headphones can be a good guide to how well the unit sounds vs.
the quality any internal speakers. It's generally possible to add an
external amplifier to a keyboard that will negate deficiencies in its
internal speakers. Kawai also has some interesting keyboards. In the
multi-featured keyboards, be aware that not everything will be accessible
via MIDI. Things like orchestral accompaniment units are sometimes not
available to the computer. If you can, get a synth that is "multi-timbral"
– one that is capable of playing more than one sound at the same time.
(This is not to be confused with "polyphonic" which refers to the ability
to play more than one NOTE at the same time.) Finally, if you have no
interest in the "keyboard", you might consider getting a sound module only
(sans keyboard), since you can get better quality and more features for a
given price range.
As far as further information, there have been Consumer Reports articles on
the lower priced keyboards. The CIS MIDI Forum is also a source of
information for you. There are many members here that have MIDI equipment.
If you have specific questions about a particular unit, just post a message
asking about it. Maybe somebody will have it or is familiar with it.
Hope this helps. 8) Please feel free to ask for further information.
David
PS – always nice to see another Amiga MIDI person. Welcome! 8)