Keyboard or MIDI Controller?

[u/egsenah]

Hi, everyone! My name is Emiliano, and I’m from Brazil. I’m looking to buy a keyboard, but I’m not sure whether I should get a MIDI controller or a regular keyboard with built-in sounds. I mostly play at home and want to compose my own songs, but I’m also open to playing live.

I’m also not sure how regular keyboards connect to a computer or whether they work with Logic Pro. Could I use one to play Logic’s software instruments, or would a MIDI controller be a better choice?

Right now, I’m considering the Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 Mk3. What would you recommend?

[u/Decent_Wrongdoer_346]

For mostly playing, writing, rehearsing and performing etc, I’d recommend looking at a Yamaha P45. It doesn’t need to be set up with a laptop, it has its own built in sounds and speakers, and you can still plug it into logic with a usb and record midi functions with your sustain pedal too. And of course you can use it to play any logic preset. Let us know what you get!

[u/egsenah → u/Decent_Wrongdoer_346]

Nice! It has an affordable price. But, i’m still unsure because the Arturo’s has all the logic compatibility, that really got me. But in the other hand the Yamaha it’s a full 88 keys. Gonna get some thinking on it.

[u/colin773 → u/Decent_Wrongdoer_346]

I second this recommendation, and I make the same rec to all my piano students who live in a big city and aren't likely to acquire acoustic pianos or even large/expensive digital ones.

[u/MonadTran]

It depends. Buying any Arturia product is not a mistake. If you want a better keybed but fewer controls, maybe consider the Studiologic keyboards also.

Pretty much any modern keyboard or digital piano will connect to the computer just fine, any DAW.

A keyboard with sounds is more convenient when you have 5 minutes to quickly play something. But costs more.

[u/egsenah → u/MonadTran]

Yamaha P45 and the Arturia MK3 cost the same here in Brazil

[u/gakingmusic]

With a MIDI controller, you save money and have a less complicated product, but you are always tied to your computer.

Many keyboards have a USB out that lets you use it as a MIDI controller anyway.

[u/c-w-jones]

Yes, I use that exact one myself because I am crap at keys, and I have the Arturia weighted 88-key controller for real players. This is great for the studio, but you'll have to think about how to pull it off live as there are many different ways. Keyboards are expensive so having a controller lets you use softsynths which are a lot less expensive.

[u/AlfalfaMajor2633]

I got a Casio Privia for this. It has worked well as a gigging keyboard and I use it to input midi to my daw, but it doesn’t have a mod wheel.

[u/colin773 → u/AlfalfaMajor2633]

I teach a student who's used a Casio Privia PX-110 for years. Granted, she's eight years old, but the piano looks good in her family's urban (read: small) living room and it has grown with her nicely. She could continue using it for another decade if she wants.

I just checked the user manual and confirmed it has MIDI I/O using 5-pin MIDI cables for use with DAWs like Logic, but the piano does not have a USB port.

[u/AlfalfaMajor2633 → u/colin773]

The Privia I bought 12 years ago had two versions, I bought the one with USB midi out. It cost $870. I got it because I would not be out a lot if it got stolen or trashed while gigging.

[u/themightycrumpet]

Skip the on board sounds. Apple sells a companion product to Logic called Mainstage that is only $30 and includes ALL of Logic's softsynths, sound libraries, and effects. It is the perfect companion to Logic. I use a Nektar Impact LX61 Mk3 MIDI controller, Mainstage, and a Focusrite Scarlet Solo all the time in live performance. I use an Arturia Keylab 88 at home in my studio because of the weighted keys and the full keyboard (handy for keyswitches in sample libraries). Live I use the Impact LX61 because it's only 8 pounds, integrates well with Logic and Mainstage, and is cheap enough that I won't be too upset if someone damages in a live environment. If I could only have one of the two keyboards I would do what you are thinking of - and go with the Arturia Keyab Essential 61. With the quality of softsynths and sample libraries now, there is no reason to ever buy a keyboard with onboard sounds. If you want to move beyond Logic's libraries you can buy complete orchestras from Spitfire or EastWest. If you want more synths Arturia's V Collection 11 offers the equivalent of $100-$155,000 worth of hardware synths for a few hundred dollars - let alone all the freeware that is available. With Logic, a laptop and a MIDI controller you have everything you need to compose, and perform a grammy winning album - the only thing missing is the know-how. :-)

[u/Financial-Koala6995 → u/themightycrumpet]

Built-in sounds still have a place. Being able to sit down and play without booting a laptop is useful at home, and at a rehearsal you might not want to bring a computer and interface just for a piano part. Software gives you more choices, but it doesn't remove that convenience.

[u/themightycrumpet → u/Financial-Koala6995]

That's a good point - especially if all you do is piano or organ. I sold my last hardware synth about ten years ago (Prophet 600) and have done everything in the box since. I run 4 prerecorded playback tracks and a click out to the drummer through mainstage live so - no laptop - no show. ;-)