In order to be a music producer in the past, you had to own a large studio with bulky and overpriced equipment. However, today this is much simpler to achieve. You can even do it from the comfort of your own home – all you need is a bit of talent and studio equipment. Advanced modern technology has helped make musical equipment more versatile and widely available for anyone who wants to start producing music.
While recording music using just a computer and some free software is possible, quality always trumps quantity. So, if you’re serious about taking your music production skills to the next level, you’ll need to invest in some decent hardware. In this article, I will touch upon one of the most essential pieces of equipment for any home studio: musical keyboards.
What to Consider Before Buying a Musical Keyboard?
It’s no secret that these instruments come in all shapes and sizes. The key question is: What should you be looking for before making your purchase? Browse through the wide range of instruments and buy keyboard piano that best suits your space and playing style.
You can find a variety of stage pianos, from entry-level student models to high-end professional digital pianos for session musicians and recording artists. Studiologic, Korg, and Roland are a few of the well-known brands that you will find on the list. There are versions with built-in speakers for personal usage, as well as balanced outputs for live performances.
Size
When looking to buy a keyboard instrument, the first thing you need to look at is the size. The space that you want your keyboard to occupy will depend on how much space you have available in your home studio. Not everyone has the luxury of placing a full-sized piano or a free-standing keyboard in their home studio – especially if they’re producing from the comfort of their bedroom.
Make sure to take exact measurements of the space you have available for a keyboard and keep this in mind when you’re shopping for one. If you’re a little short on space, choose one of the professional synthesizers that are small enough to fit on a fraction of your desk.
Keyboard vs Pad Controller
A lot of beginner producers struggle to decide whether to get a pad controller or a keyboard. Both have their own unique benefits, which makes the decision difficult for those who are unsure of what they need. Should I get a pad controller or a keyboard? If you find yourself asking this question keep in mind a keyboard is a separate instrument that gives you the look and feel of a piano.
It has pressure-sensitive keys that you can use to play a variety of instruments. A keyboard is ideal for beginner keyboardists who want to learn to play the piano because it’s more affordable. You can use keyboards for any type of live performance.
Pad controllers, on the other hand, are similar to computer mice. They allow you to take your producing game a step further and express yourself in your music. This is thanks to the number of parameter-changing features available. These controllers usually have USB ports that let you connect them to your computer directly.
Reasons to Get a Musical Keyboard
It Boosts Your Creativity
Producing music with a modern keyboard allows you to step into the digital world. This allows you to create music on the move on your laptop without the need for bulky and complicated machinery and equipment. While drawing notes in your DAW using your mouse is efficient and convenient, this can quickly get boring and uninspiring. Musicians often crave the real feel of an instrument that will motivate them to start creating. With an electronic keyboard, you will quickly regain this feeling and get more motivated to create and produce.
It Improves Your Workflow
Any musician has most likely experienced a flow state at some point. This is when distractions melt away and you make rapid and effortless progress. Today we have a lot of distractions which makes it difficult to maintain a healthy workflow. This refers to how effortlessly you transition from one task to the next.
An electronic keyboard is simple to attach, and it doesn’t require you to connect hundreds of wires or set up microphones in order to record. So, when inspiration strikes, all you have to do is open your laptop, connect your keyboard through USB, and start recording. Because inspiration strikes at any time, having a mechanism to capture your thoughts on virtual paper in your DAW is invaluable.
It Mimics Other Instruments
Few of us have the time to master dozens of instruments. Although, with certain keyboards, you can (sort of) play whatever instrument you choose. Okay, the sound may not be as real as if you had learned the violin or flute.
However, you can now get incredible samples of almost any instrument from the internet. You should buy keyboard piano if you want the sound of a guitar, violin, flute, bagpipes, and various other instruments. If you know your way around the controls, this will make it easier for you to play them into your music.
Bottom Line
Producing music in today’s world is made easier than ever. It’s grown into a hobby much like playing an instrument, drawing, sculpting, or any other activity that requires you to be creative. A keyboard is an invaluable piece of equipment that will spark your creativity and make producing much easier. If you’re looking to go up in the world of music producing, buy a keyboard and let your creative juices flow.
