KEYBOARD BUYER’S GUIDE
There are many different types of keyboard out there. So when buying, you’ll need to consider exactly what it is you’ll be using it for. There are hardware synthesisers designed for live performance or for the studio. These generate their own sounds internally, and thus need to be connected either to a PA system for use on stage, or plugged into an audio interface so the sounds they make can be recorded into a computer.
Then there are the personal home keyboards, generally targeted more towards the home entertainment market, such as Yamaha’s Tyros range, with hundreds of builtin sounds, auto-accompaniment features and built-in speakers for monitoring in a domestic environment without the need for any additional hardware or computer.
It’s a fair bet that most readers of this magazine will probably be more interested in a MIDI controller keyboard. This is the type of keyboard that makes no sounds on its own, but is designed to be hooked up to a computer via USB or Bluetooth in order to control the softsynths that run within the confines of your DAW, and generate the MIDI data that your host records and plays back whenever you enter a keyboard part.
How many keys?
A standard piano has 88 keys, spanning over seven octaves, and while there are plenty of controller keyboards out there of this size, in many cases the average home or project studio keyboardist will be able to get away with something with a much smaller footprint. Controllers start from 25 keys (two octaves), through 49 (four octaves), 61 (five octaves) and 76 (six octaves). A 25-key unit will be fine if all you need to do is bash out the odd drum, bass or solo part with one or two fingers, but if you’re a two-handed player, the minimum you’ll be comfortable with is a 49-key option, as even with octave-shift buttons, you’ll find the range of a 25-key model fairly limiting. Above that, the more keys the better – it’s always good to go for as many keys as you have the room for, we say.
The other question is whether or not to go for full-size keys or micro keys. Micro keyboards are conveniently small enough to squeeze into a laptop bag, but although that’s handy for inputting keyboard ideas on the move, small keys are more fiddly and harder to play than full-size equivalents. If you have the space, we’d always recommend a unit with fullsize keys for studio use, simply because they have a more conventional feel – important if you want to take your playing to the next level. All in all, we reckon you should look to spend at least £100 or so for a decent spec, full-size 49-key controller; or more if you want one with other modern features.