So Which USB-MIDI Keyboards Do You Sell Anyway?

by Andy | December 08, 2011 | General | 0 Comments

If you have ever felt a deep burning desire for a USB-MIDI-musical-keyboard to plug into your computer, you simply cannot afford to stop reading this article beyond this sentence.

Now, I can only assume that after reading my powerfully succinct and inspiring post on why Mac users should enjoy Garageband that everyone who read it helplessly started to experiment with the program. As I mentioned, Garageband comes loaded with every Mac computer.

What every Mac computer doesn't come loaded with is a USB-MIDI-musical-keyboard, and we at Farpoint stock 3 different specimens of USB keyboard to suit all your musical urges, and they are the KeyStation Mini 32, the KeyRig 49 and the KeyStudio 49i. There are clear differences between our keyboards, but there are some common features that all will come with. Each keyboard has plug 'n' play - meaning you don't need to faff around with drivers or software installs before you can play the damn thing - with Garageband open you just plug it in and start playing. Each keyboard also comes with velocity sensitive keys, controls for modulation and pitch-bend which are assignable within music software and are connected and powered via USB.

So, which keyboard is right for you?

Well.

Let's start with the baby keyboard, the KeyStation Mini 32.

The KeyStation Mini 32 is a small, lightweight and durable portable MIDI USB keyboard. It has 32 mini sized, shallow keys and is perfect for quick, easy work on the go. Although it can plug in and play with any Mac computer it is the only keyboard that is compatible with the iPad 2 when connected via the iPad Camera Connection Kit. At only £50 it's a perfect gift for those with an interest for making music and sounds on an iPad or Mac.

Next up we have the intermediate KeyRig 49.

The KeyRig 49 has, yes you guessed it, 49 full size keys. It is a very simple keyboard in that it connects via USB and is nothing but a controller. There are few assignable controls and is compatible with most music software on Mac computers. This is perfect for those who have an interest in playing music as opposed to editing. You'll find that many USB keyboards come with a vast array of knobs, sliders and buttons for controlling and editing effects on the computer as you play. The KeyRig keeps things simple and that is reflected in its modest price of £80.

Lastly, we have the KeyStudio 49i.

This is our most powerful and comprehensive keyboard that is full of brilliant features. First of all, it has an in-built Steinway Piano sound that you can play away from a computer, all the sounds are stereo sampled from a genuine Steinway Grand Piano. Delicious. Secondly it doubles as an audio interface, meaning you can plug guitars and microphones into it and record live instruments into Garageband. It has 2 inputs - one 1/4" jack for instruments and one XLR input for microphones. You can capture audio with the 16-bit recording at 44.1khz. (CD quality), all of which can be output through its stereo 1/4" jack outputs. Like the KeyRig 49 it has 49 full size keys and is a fine MIDI controller for the software instruments inside Garageband, but with the added advantage of being a stand-alone keyboard AND being able to record real-time audio. Usually one would pay at least £200 for a decent audio interface, but the KeyStudio 49i with all of its features is going for the bargain price of £183 Ideal for those with an increasing taste for music and production.

So if you know anyone with either a curiosity, an interest or a passion for music, we have the fitting keyboard for them here at Farpoint!