Do I need a MIDI controller/keyboard??

[epoxo57]

I just got the Lexicon Omega system w/ Cubase LE. Besides my bass, I want to record VST instruments like guitars, drums, and perhaps strings for my own use. I hear alot about MIDI keyboards to manipulate the sounds to record, can't I just use my computer keyboard and assign notes/chords to certain keys or do I need the external keyboard? I have seen some cheaper keyboards like Edirol that are in my price range, but if I don't need it, the better.

Thanks for any advice/info!!
Scott

 

[Droog]

I would suggest it. I am in a similiar situation as you, let me guess, you don't play keys either? At any rate a MIDI controller does make a lot of things a lot easier. For me I use to to controll synths and stuff for sound design but sometimes I'll pretend I know how to play and still wind up with something usefull.

To sum up, its a creative tool as well as simplifying some tasks and if you can afford one it will certainly not hurt anything.

 

[geoffkhan]

I just got the M-Audio Ozone. Besides being it's own USB soundcard with 24-bit 96 khz and ASIO 2 support, it has 2 octaves of MIDI keys, 8 assignable knobs, an assignable slider, mod wheel, and pitch bend wheel. It also has mic and 1/4" input. Very cool!

And when I need more keys, I lug out my 88 key fully-weighted Roland FP3.

 

[WalterBush]

I don't play keyboards either, but the Edirol PCR-30 I've got has assignable knobs and faders that make it really easy to manipulate soft synth parts I've programmed, or create new patches, and auditioning a drum kit happens much faster with a keyboard than a mouse. If cost doesn't worry, you, I'd say invest. I don't use it much, but when I do use it, it saves me a lot of time and energy I can then use to actually write and record. Plus, it sits easily on my home recording tabletop.

 

[epoxo57]

Thanks for all of your input. Looks like I'm off to ordering an Edirol or M-Audio......Upon further thinking, it makes more sense!

 

[epoxo57]

One more question....do I need a special MIDI interface box to connect the keyboard? My soundcard is an Audigy 2 Z (or whatever the newest version is) and like I mentioned before, I have the Omega I/O box for connections.

Yes...I'm quite "green" on this
Thanks!

 

[geoffkhan]

There's a lot of USB midi controllers out there. If it isn't USB, M-Audio makes a nice little MIDI>USB device that's pretty inexpensive. The Audigy 2 Z should have MIDI capability (unless it's a "lite" version which came with your computer), but you need a special cord (I dunno, maybe it came with the Audigy) to convert it into a MIDI in and MIDI out plug.

By the way, the nice thing about the M-Audio Ozone is that it works great with my Audigy. As soon as I turn off the Ozone it reverts to using the Audigy as my soundcard. I can actually use the features from both similtaneously, in fact. It's really cool since the Ozone actually really is an external soundcard (24-bit 96 khz with ASIO 2 support) as well as a MIDI controller.