MIDI Keyboards/Sequencers

Hi-

I was able to use a keyboard to input chords and such into Finale, and I loved the experience. Now, as I'll be off to college in a year, I definitely want access to a keyboard in my room (I think I'd die if I didn't have one). I want to be able to use the keyboard for two things and potentially a third thing: I want to be able to mess around on it (so normal piano function), I want to be able to use it to input chords into Finale, and I may want to be able to use it for things like Cakewalk (although I really know nothing about that).

Can someone please clarify whether I can get away with a nice Casio/Yamaha keyboard with midi or usb hookup, or do I need a midi sequencer?

thanks.

Yes, you can get away with Yamaha or Casio midi keyboards. But consider the input and outputs of the keyboards. Some keyboards even has USB connection to transfer midi signals. Mine is like that. It's M-audio Radium 49. It's also not very expensive.

The M-Audio MIDI controllers are very good but be careful that you get one that has onboard sounds if that's what you want. If you get just a MIDI controller, then you will need to plug it into a computer or other external sound box in order to get sounds out of it.

A Yamaha or Casio (or other...) keyboard will do fine, so long as it has a MIDI output (and input, if you want to control it externally) for you to plug it into the computer.

So yes, a standard MIDI keyboard will do the job well.

A USB MIDI input/output could be useful...

Haha college life can suck for the first year! Cramped rooms and crazy roomates. Anywayz my answer to your question also depends on how much room you have and if you're a keyboard player or a piano player.

If your room was like my first dorm and the amount of room you have is pretty much a desk, then you'll want a MIDI controller, like what was said before. Those can be pretty expensive, but if you just want the bare minimum to input chords then I recommend:

The Creative Prodikeys keyboard.

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-70CF004000010-Prodikeys-Pc-midi/dp/B000E3E888/sr=8-1/qid=1157582720/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-2713663-1298345?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

This is a Keyboard/Keyboard meaning its both a computer keyboard with a musical keyboard attatched to the bottom that, when covered, acts like a wrist guard. This makes transitioning from your homework to music VERY simple and easy. I loved this keyboard when I didn't have room. And for only $50 its pretty good compared to a fancy MIDI controller that can easily hit $200.

Now, if you have a lot more room than that, are a keybaord player, and still just want a bear minimum, just go for a cheap keyboard. It'll serve well in the long run. A cute little Yamaha or Casio, again as said prior to this post, will be fine.

Finally, if you're a piano player, AND have room, I STRONGLY recommend not going down for anything less than a weighted keyboard/controller. A keyboard player vs a piano player are considerably more different than most people think because of the techniques and feel of each. I recommend a Yamaha P-series for the best sound. This option is a lot more longterm. So without knowing what you want your music future to be, this might just be completely too expensive and un-nessecary.

So, I hoped this helped. Goodluck at college!