Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Hey, I'm extremely new to synths and am looking to gain a better understanding. I'm looking to buy a synth keyboard that is compatible with daw's and has outputs that allow it to connect to a computer directly or indirectly. I was wondering whether (midi) means that it is capable of this. Are older synth keyboards (80's) usually equipped with these functions? Thanks I appreciate any help.

I picked up a Yamaha with everything you want plus lots more for less than 200.00. There is a Korg I really liked for approx 600.00 and it's big brother for 2 Grand.

Forget the 80s - all that stuff is the default now. There is much more to be had.

This stuff has gotten much better and much cheaper than I had realized. I really like the one I use.

cheers
Talbot

I have a Memorymoog.(Polyphonic) These were made from 1982 - 1985 . I believe they are the last synths that Moog made. Wikipedia has some great info on it. Mine is in pristine condition as I bought it from a guy who had it in his commercial recording studio. He played a Yamaha piano most of the time and he seldom used it. He offered it to me at a price I couldn't refuse so I had to get it even though I never played with keyboards much. When he brought it over it looked like it should have had that plastic wrap on it that they put on new stuff. It really is a beautiful piece of art work.

I played with it for a while then put it in my bedroom where I don't mess with it much. The stand that came with it was a two keyboards stand and it was BIG so I didn't like to have it set up all the time. I thought my kid would climb through the phone when I told him I had one.. He didn't know I had it

Thanks everyone who replied. Thanks jim for the information regarding midi, i was a bit confused in regards to what that actually meant. I'm not too picky about the sounds as of now, as i just want one to learn on. Preferably a 41-61 key at an affordable cost. If I may ask, what model yamaha do you have Talbot?

noah1082587 wrote:Hey, I'm extremely new to synths and am looking to gain a better understanding. I'm looking to buy a synth keyboard that is compatible with daw's and has outputs that allow it to connect to a computer directly or indirectly. I was wondering whether (midi) means that it is capable of this. Are older synth keyboards (80's) usually equipped with these functions? Thanks I appreciate any help.

You need to do a little more reading. Basic keyboards can be one of 2 kinds: self-contained - i.e. they have built-in sounds, which can either be played through built-in speakers or output (as audio) to an amp/speakers; MIDI-controller only - no built-in sounds or audio ability, all it does is send MIDI signals to anohter device.

The kind of keyboard with built-in sounds - like the Yamahas, and Casios may also have MIDI capability - these days most likely these days it is through a USB connection (the higher-end keyboards will have dedicated DIN MIDI connectors).

MIDI is a control signal only - it has no audio component. To get audio (actual sound), the MIDI signal has to drive an instrument - a real one or a virtual one - software, or VSTi, loaded in a computer or iDevice. There ar elots of free VSTi instruments available on line, as well as expensive ones that emulate the best synthesizers of old, as well as full orchestras of instruments.

This M-Audio keyboard is a MIDI controller only: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboard ... on-61-mkii

This Casio has basic USB MIDI capability: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboard ... e-keyboard

The more you pay, the more features you get (built-in sounds) and the better the 'key feel'. get down to a music store in your area and try out a few keyboards.

Thank you very much! Your post was helpful, I appreciate it and will look into it further. @guitarmikeb