midi AND keyboard?

[jcb08j]

Hi, I'm looking for a midi controller that I can also play without being plugged through my computer. So it would have speakers (or a headphone jack at the very least) and at least a couple sounds on the keyboard itself so that I wouldn't have to hook it up to my computer everytime I want to fuck around. But the midi functionality is the most important part and I want it to be under $200.

 

When I was looking on amazon, a lot of the portable keyboards have usb connectivity. Does that mean they have midi or no? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[AnotherScott]

When I was looking on amazon, a lot of the portable keyboards have usb connectivity. Does that mean they have midi or no?

It means they have MIDI to the extent of being able to connect to a computer. They can't directly connect to most other MIDI devices, they would need to also have a standard MIDI jack for that. That may not matter to you, though. It's getting harder to find standard MIDI jacks on low priced boards. Alesis controllers still have them, but they don't have built-in sounds.

[MoodyBluesKeys]

USB midi connections usually require being connected to a computer (or other active device) to function.

 

Not to knock your question (welcome to the forum), but the majority of folk here are either professionals or serious (meaning a considerably higher price point) amateurs. I used to be an Authorized Yamaha Service Center, and did work on a lot of the lower end boards. However, that knowledge is now rather dated.

 

Now, if you go up to $500 or $600 or so, your choices become significantly better (in terms of build quality, quality of sounds, and connection options.

 

Also, midi controllers (which just generate midi, no audio signals) come in all sizes from 25 keys through 88 keys. Most keyboards with sound are going to be at least 49 keys.

 

[Seannn]

How much functionality are you looking for with your MIDI controller? If you just want MIDI In/Out to control sounds on GarageBand or something, and don't care if the keyboard has any synthesis capabilities, you can go to RadioShack and pick up a Yamaha PSR keyboard with MIDI and decent built-in sounds (a keyboard that has velocity-sensitivity is an added plus), and you'll have found something that fits your criteria. A MIDI/USB connector should then work. I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

If you're looking for more specific MIDI or keyboard/synth programmability, my best advice is to check out the used market for a synth with MIDI or USB capabilities. As the previous posters have mentioned, MIDI controllers and keyboards with sound come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and prices. I'm not too familiar with all the ins and outs of MIDI functionality, but so far as keyboards go, you could probably get something like a used microKORG for around $300 or less (depending on where you are). It packs a lot of punch, and you'll have fun and learn about musical synthesis at the same time. Keep in mind though, it has tiny keys!

 

In both of these cases, portability can be achieved by inserting batteries. The PSR keyboards are a bit bulky, but like most Yamaha products, they're built well, and you could take them anywhere, from the subway system to the park (I know that I have).

[Synthoid]

Now, if you go up to $500 or $600 or so, your choices become significantly better (in terms of build quality, quality of sounds, and connection options.

 

+1

 

It's worthwhile to increase your budget. Better to buy a keyboard you can grow into rather than something that will end up at the bottom of your closet in 3-4 months.

[Cygnus64]

But the midi functionality is the most important part and I want it to be under $200.

 

Your choices (other than used) are going to be Yamaha or Casio. Some of the Yamahas can sound pretty good, even the cheap ones. Eventually you'll want to bypass the built-in speakers and hook it up to a home stereo or something, it will sound much better that way.

 

This one is $229. clonk It has usb, touch-sensitive keys, a bunch of drum patterns and other gizmos. In your budget, this is probably the best you'll find. I'm guessing you can find it for $200 if you search.

[JeffLearman]

My suggestion:

 

Find any keyboard whose sounds and action you like, that has MIDI (DIN or USB). "DIN" is the big round MIDI connector.

 

If the keyboard you pick has DIN, add this $5 adaptor to use it with your computer.

 

That way, you'll be choosing the keyboard based on what matters to you: its sounds and features. Either way it'll work fine with your computer. Only if it has DIN will it work with other MIDI keyboards and rack sound modules, but I doubt you're interested in that.

 

In your price range, you'd do better getting used gear, but it's hard to pick used gear unless you know what you want. So, go to the music store and find something similar that's under $500 or so, maybe up to $1000. Tell us what you find, and we might be able to point you to similar but older used gear in your price range.

 

You'll need to decide whether you want piano-sytle ("hammer" or "fully-weighted") action, or something that feels like a synth, or something that's in-between (so-called "semi-weighted", which people tend to like best for organ and a couple other vintage keyboards). The synth keyboards are cheapest; but many of us would recommend hammer action for developing muscles, especially if you have any desire to actually play piano.

 

You'll need to find out what kinds of sounds you want -- 80's polysynth stuff? Vintage keyboards like piano, organ, rhodes, clav? Sizzly digital stuff like the old DX7? (ugh) Or maybe a "one size fits all" type of thing. Go play, spend some time on the gear, learn what you like, and come back.

 

Giving us a clue what your goals and hopes are might help too. Or examples of music you like and think you might be able to play.

[jeff7b9]

Just get something a few years old.

 

You'll probably be happy with a 3+ year old yamaha DGX or YDP series keyboard, something along those lines will have midi and built in speakers and (based on your price point and original post) you will probably like the sounds, some of them at least.

 

You can probably find one under 2 bills pretty easily.

 

I keep a "beater" yamaha with built in speakers to run exercises when my wife and kids are sleeping and I don't want to wake them up by playing piano.... it gets the job done.