MIDI Keyboards

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Here's my dilemma ...

I need to find a midi capable keyboard that I can use for direct recording into my software notation program (NWC2). I've been recording lots of my improvisations over the years, and need to get them down on paper ... digital paper actually.

Since there seems to not be any software application that will convert MP3 into MIDI, and notating by hand would take like forever, I though about playing these tunes using a Midi keyboard and thus creating/engraving scores for my music ... mainly for legacy purposes as I don't really intend on making any money from them.

So, I'm seeking advice on 61 note Midi keyboards from our esteemed members here.

Thanks for any help :

Lars A.
 

wljmrbill

Member
of course I do not have alot of money..so I have 2 keyboards that I use for vitural organ and are midi units..both are casio units : one is 88 note touch sensitive unit PX-100 Priva and the other is a 61 note LK-110. I bought both on sale and have had them for some time and never a problem.. I know you can spend big time bucks on midi keyboards.... but I have never been into name brands when many lesser units work well also for less money. Guess I am CHEAP..oh well.
 

Dorsetmike

Member
Hi Lars, you can now get MIDI keyboards which have a USB socket, much easier to connect.

Do you want/need the keyboard to have an audio output as well, either via a built in speaker or speaker sockets, or will it only be used to feed NWC.? I would think sound would be necessary; would also come in handy if you want to use the instrument for practice.

I've imported downloaded MIDI files to Finalé; one problem I found was how the notes were split between staves, I had to spend a considerable amount of time editing, shifting notes from treble to bass and vice versa.

For your purpose it may be an idea to get two 49 (or 61) note K/**, and position them like a 2 manual organ, set to different MIDI channels. They usually have an octave switch so if you have 49 note K/** set one an octave above the other so you still have 61 note coverage. Using 2 K/** would also be an advantage when it comes to passages where you use two manuals.

(and then you could download GrandOrgue and a few sample sets ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
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Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hi Mike,

The main purpose for this will be to feed NWC directly ... I don't plan on using this keyboard for practice at all - I have 24/7 access to my Möller pipe organ at my church and have a Young Chang studio console piano at home as well.

Whether or not NWC plays notes as they are entered [recorded] remains to be seen ... and if it didn't I would need sound from the keyboard itself then.

Looking at the suggestions that Bill made, too ... not to thrilled about going to 88 notes, mainly due to size reasons ... I can manage a 61 note keyboard at my desk easier than an 88 key.

Not sure about the two 49 note versions ... again, space restraints - our home office room is rather small ... 9 x 10 [feet] (2.74 x 3.05 [meters]), and already has two standard desks (we each have our own PC's), filing cabinets, table for printer and scanner, etc.

I have actually thought a lot about GrandOrgue options, too ... but would not be able to build a virtual organ with multiple keyboards and pedal in this defined space.

Lars
 

Dorsetmike

Member
Re my point about notes all going to one staff, some key boards can split such that lower half (below middle C) can be used for accompaniment to upper half, not sure if this would generate a second MIDI channel though.

As far as GO is concerned, the work you record and import to NWC you can use to drive GO, you can also drive GO from a MIDI file, that's how I manage not being a keyboard player

(I note that the MIMF software does not like my abbreviation of keyboard - K/B suppose it interprets B or ** as "barsteward" Ah, it's the B s it censors)
 
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