Midi keyboard and software

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

My daughter has expressed an interest in playing the keyboard, so I am looking into getting her a cheap 'starter' midi keyboard to use with some kind of software with her laptop.

I know nothing about this at all and I know one or two of you are producers and create music, so help please!

Recommendations for software and keyboards please.

Not sure on budget at the moment.

[Larry B Entertainment]

http://www.htfr.com/p/389147/alesis_qx49_usb_midi_keyboard_controller

Good quality make and comes with a lite copy of Ableton which has a selection of "Virtual instruments". This will get her started.
The keyboard has a selection of onboard controls to play about with and I think it is a good starter package.

or this for an even cheaper option. Just a cut down version of the above.
http://www.htfr.com/p/382669/alesis_q25_usb_midi_keyboard_controller

If she wants to actaully learn to play rather than make music on her laptop

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&q=yamah+keyboard&gs_upl=6620l8950l1l9120l14l11l0l0l0l0l390l1730l2.6 .2.1l11l0&um=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&biw=1600&bih=708&wrapid=tlif132387125481710&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=3662105533643886890&sa=X&ei=GqzoTv-aKMiBOvez7dQM&ved=0CIABEPMCMAA#

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Great, thanks Larry- the second one look favourite, as this is an extra 'surprise' pressie.

[discomobiledj]

It's impossible to use a controller on a lappy to learn keyboard.

The real things are so cheap nowadays anyway. If youbhave a Toys R Us near you take her in there and have a play on the display models.

[Larry B Entertainment]

It's impossible to use a controller on a lappy to learn keyboard.

The real things are so cheap nowadays anyway. If youbhave a Toys R Us near you take her in there and have a play on the display models.

Why ?

The black and white keys are in the same place and the laptop makes the sounds rather than the keyboard.
Even with a 2 octave keyboard, someone can learn scales, basic melodies and chords.

And anyway, I did also link to a Yamaha all in one so Darren had the choice of both options.

[Larry B Entertainment]

Great, thanks Larry- the second one look favourite, as this is an extra 'surprise' pressie.

Been a long time since I had one of those little extras ;)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

She doesn't want to learn in the traditional way, more just having a play and making sounds and stuff. (If you know what I mean!)

Just watched a video on the Q25 and it looks OK to me.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It's impossible to use a controller on a lappy to learn keyboard.



Do you ever say anything positive? :rolleyes:

[Larry B Entertainment]

She doesn't want to learn in the traditional way, more just having a play and making sounds and stuff. (If you know what I mean!)

Just watched a video on the Q25 and it looks OK to me.

Sounds just the job then :)
Pleased to be of assistance.

[Larry B Entertainment]

Whats the Spec of the laptop it will be used with Darren ? Any laptop made in the last 3 years or so should run the software fine.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Whats the Spec of the laptop it will be used with Darren ? Any laptop made in the last 3 years or so should run the software fine.

It's a Sony Vaio and is only about a year old, so should be fine. I can put another stick of RAM in if necessary.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

That's the main thing with this software etc Darren. If you have a half decent laptop then everything should run fine.
The reason being - Some VSTS (Virtual Instruments) can eat up the CPU on the computer. The best thing to do if you are not stripping down a computer to just use this (I take it that it's just for fun and your daughter will be using her own laptop etc), is to not have any of the other programs open when playing about with it (emails, internet etc).

Once you get up and running, if you get stuck let us know. Sometimes you can have issues with latency etc but I am sure you'll know about that if you use DJ programs to work with.

I personally think that for the extra £40.00, the first link that Larry gave is the better one. I started off years ago with a mini midi controller (M-Audio) and found it a pain in the backside going up and down octaves etc. Everything in the link should get her going.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Thanks Gary - I have gone for the cheaper one to see how she gets on. If I get any problems, I'll be on the phone!