How to use a MIDI keyboard.

What is a MIDI keyboard?

A MIDI keyboard is a controller that sends note data to your music software. It doesn't make sound on its own. When you press a key, it tells the software "play this note at this velocity." The software then generates the sound using its audio engine.

This means one keyboard controls all your instruments. Switch to bass and it plays bass. Switch to synth and it plays synth. The keyboard is just the input device.

Do you need one?

No. You can make complete tracks using only the grid or a mouse. A MIDI keyboard is optional but recommended once you get comfortable with the basics. It makes melody and chord creation faster and more expressive, and it lets you record performances with natural timing and velocity.

What to buy

For beginners, a 25 key mini keyboard is the best starting point. They're small, portable, affordable, and have enough keys to play melodies and simple chords.

• 25 keys - enough for melodies and basic chords. Portable. Under $50.
• 49 keys - more range for two handed playing. Good middle ground. $60 to $120.
• 61 or 88 keys - full piano range. Best for serious keyboard players. $150+.

Look for USB connectivity (simplest setup) and make sure it's "class compliant" which means it works without installing special drivers.

How to connect

1. USB: Plug the keyboard into your computer or phone with a USB cable. On Android, use a USB OTG adapter. No drivers needed for class compliant devices.
2. Bluetooth: Pair through your OS Bluetooth settings first, then open DAWG. Important: when connecting, select the device as a Bluetooth MIDI device, not as a Bluetooth audio device. If you connect it as audio, it won't send MIDI data. Bluetooth adds a small amount of latency.
3. Open DAWG. The keyboard is detected automatically. Play a key and you should hear the active instrument.

What you can do with a MIDI keyboard

• Play notes live. Press keys and hear the instrument respond in real time.
• Record into patterns. Play while the sequencer runs and your performance records into the grid or piano roll.
• Use pitch bend. The pitch wheel bends notes smoothly up or down.
• Use the mod wheel. Modulate filter cutoff, vibrato, or other parameters.
• Use the sustain pedal. If your keyboard has a pedal input, connect a sustain pedal for natural note holding.
• Trigger drums. On drums, each key maps to a different drum sound.

Tips

• You don't need to know piano. A MIDI keyboard is an input device, not a piano lesson. Hunt and peck with one finger is fine.
• Set a scale. When the grid is locked to a scale, the keyboard maps only to notes in that scale. Every key sounds good.
• Use quantize. When recording, quantize snaps your timing to the grid so even imprecise playing sounds tight.