When you are keen on recording quality music, you have to have the proper equipment, including a MIDI controller. The reason behind this is that with a MID controller, you will be able to accomplish various things in your production because apart from playing software, it can also program drums or even control your digital audio workstation (DAW) transport. This article lists down some useful tips for you to choose the right MIDI controller for your specific needs.
Number of Keys
One of the primary things that you need to consider in choosing the right MIDI controller for your specific needs is the number of keys. For instance, a 25-key MIDI controller is best played with one hand while a 49-key controller should be played with two hands. A 61-key MIDI controller produces the sound of a classic organ while an 88-key controller can simulate the sound of an acoustic piano. When you explore online sources, you are most likely to come across the top midi controllers compared to official review sites that feature a different number of keys. Some of these may even have hammer actions or waterfall keys.
Knobs and Controls
Another thing that you need to consider in choosing the right MIDI controller for your specific needs is the knobs and controls that it is composed of. Apart from knobs that are assignable for a certain function, you will also need to consider the pads which are quite sensitive to velocity. Some faders are intended for equalizer control. Some MIDI controllers even come with a screen as well as foot controllers and piano medals.
Compatibility
You should also think about the compatibility of the MIDI controller to the rest of your production equipment to ensure that you are getting one that will be able to cater to your specific needs. In this case, you should get a MIDI controller based on its flexibility and portability, and most importantly, the other specifications that are necessary for you to play and produce quality music.
Other Features
Finally, you should also consider the other features of the MIDI controller that you are interested in to figure out whether these will be able to fulfill your specific needs. For instance, you may want to consider a MIDI controller that is multi-timbral or one that can send multiple channels of MIDI information and in this way, you will be able to play different sounds or patches accordingly. You can also take into consideration polyphony or the capability of the MIDI controller to play keys simultaneously.
When it comes to choosing the right MIDI controller for your specific needs, some of the things that you need to consider include the number of keys that the controller has as well as its knobs and controls. You also need to ensure that it is compatible with your other production equipment. In parallel to this, it will also help to look into the other features of the controller. All these are geared towards ensuring that you get the proper MIDI controller that will be able to cater to your production needs.
