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Posted by: superize Apr 7 2011, 03:39 PM

What is the best option when recording keyboard via the computer.

I want to be able to put in some nice keyboard when recording songs. What is the best option? give me all you got

Posted by: The Uncreator Apr 7 2011, 09:49 PM

First off, what do you plan to use it for? Orchestra's, Choirs, Other sample library's? Generally all of those come in VST format, in which case you don't technically even need a keyboard, you can program it via the piano roll in reaper or whatever DAW you are using. Although this way controlling velocity, volume, sensitivity can be more of a pain since it must be done manually, instead of your playing deciding these factors.

Most keyboards though, have a USB which can be pretty much all you need, but if you have an external mixer/ interface that has MIDI inputs and goes into a sound card, that would probably give you the best results. (Unless they make sound cards for PC's with MIDI I/O, I am not too sure.) Also, I think some keys can record through 1/4" input, and I have even seen people play keys through cabinets and mic the cabinets like they were guitars.

What I use is just a small MIDI controller, which goes into USB 2.0. Although most of the time I find myself just programming it in via the piano roll in reaper, that way its quick and easy, and requires no re-recording if there is something to be changed.

Posted by: Sollesnes Apr 7 2011, 11:18 PM

Most audio cards have midi I/O, and you can record midi into your daw. Or USB, whatever you prefer.
If you're looking for recording the on-board sounds of the keyboard, those with quality worth recording usually have a jack output that you can connect to your audiocard

Posted by: The Uncreator Apr 8 2011, 04:02 AM

Finding a sound card with MIDI I/O is pretty hard for me, the ones I have tried have some terrible driver issues.

Posted by: superize Apr 8 2011, 06:43 AM

I want to be able to play and record the keyboard i forgott to mention that. I have been looking at getting a midi keyboard but i wasent sure that was the best option.

have you tried some midi keyboard? do they record good sound

Posted by: Sollesnes Apr 8 2011, 12:10 PM

I thought most audio cards have midi I/O? At least any with reasonable quality? At least every audio card ive seriously considered have had it

I usually recording using my Keystation 61es, but im going to sell it to buy a proper digital piano
When recording with a midi keyboard, how good its going to sound depends on what vsts you run, and most midi keyboards have an ok velocity control etc. You probably want full-weighted keys, and perhaps a full sized keyboard if you are going to play everything you want to record.

If you want the keyboard to play anything that is not a piano etc, you want to buy midi or a synthesizer. If just piano, the best option is a digital piano Midi outputs are always nice

Posted by: The Uncreator Apr 8 2011, 10:07 PM

MIDI controllers quality is really determined by the quality of the VST you are running inside your DAW.

They are just hard to acquire where I'm at. I had one a year or so ago and it had some major conflicting issues with it's driver and my PC for some reason, I haven't seen any really new sound cards with MIDI I/O, but then again I am not really looking either.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 9 2011, 03:50 AM

The most Rock Solid midi keyboard I"ve ever owned is a pretty cheap M-Audio 88 key. The reason it's so handy is that it connects via USB. All the MIDI negotiation is done transparently as the Midi input is virtual in that the connection is USB converted to midi in software.

When using a "real" midi keyboard, coming out the midi port, and in to a MIDI IN or converting it to USB via external converter, you are adding more variable to the equation. MIDI devices that connect over USB allow the software to sort of figure things out without having real "Midi Interupts" or IRQ faults etc. So in short, grab a Midi keyboard with a USB jack built in to it. Once you have recorded the midi data, you can quantize til your hearts content

Todd