How to Use Recording Studio Keyboards and Midi Connections

Midi is a sometimes overlooked but incredibly useful feature in both the home and professional recording studio. Midi has progressed a long way from simple computer music to full and vibrant, not to mention realistic, audio. Setting up a midi keyboard in your studio is a great way to add richness and flexibility to your production options.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find your midi connections on the back of your midi keyboard. Most midi keyboards will have at least 1 midi input and 1 midi output. The midi ports are round and have 5 holes for the pins on the midi cable. Next, find the midi connections to the equipment you are connecting the keyboard to, such as an audio interface or computer.

2. Get your ins and outs straight. You can send midi data both to and from most midi controllers such as keyboards. If you get your inputs and outputs messed up, you won't send your data correctly. This is fairly straightforward when dealing with 2 pieces of equipment, but if you add in more sequencers or other equipment you need to pay special attention to your data flow.

3. Locate some sounds in your equipment. Whether you are using a hardware sequencer or software instruments, sounds are a necessary component of utilizing midi. Midi is simply data and without sequencing, it never ends up as sound. Most recording programs like Pro Tools or Logic have software sequencers you can use for your sounds.

4. Play notes with the keys. Depending on your sequencing options, you will have numerous instruments literally at your fingertips. You can add lush strings or a deep baseline with just a few clicks. Midi keyboards are also a great way to create drum loops and beats. Most melodic instruments will match notes with a typical piano, while different drum sounds like kick and snare will map to different keys.

5. Use the modulation and pitch bend tools on your controller. You can use these tools to create effects or natural sounding slurs and bends. Some keyboards will have both a pitch bend wheel and a modulation wheel, while others may only have a button for modulation. Explore some of the other options on your keyboard.

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase a midi interface that will allow you to connect a midi keyboard to a computer via USB connection. This is a great option if you produce audio but don't have an audio interface or computer soundcard with midi connections.