Buying MIDI Keyboard

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You'll need a MIDI keyboard with at least 3 octaves (36 keys). (1 octaves has 12 keys. 5 black keys and 7 white keys.)

If you never had a music keyboard before, here's a introduction.

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is standard for musical instruments to connect. It's analogous to USB. In the 90s, MIDI devices uses a 5-pin plug. Today's MIDI devices use USB interface and are bluetooth.

Many musical instrument support MIDI. it mean, they can be connected to a computer further processing or syncing, or connected to other MIDI instrument.

One type of midi device is called “MIDI keyboard controller”. It usually is a piano keyboard, that itself does not generate any sound, but can be connected to a synth or computer to be played. The computer or synth generates sound.

Desired Features of MIDI Keyboard for Text Input

• light-weight. (you probably don't want those “weight-keys”, which are heavy, because they emulate accoustic piano key feel.)
• 2 octaves (24 keys) to 4 octaves (48 keys) so it's smaller. (as opposed to more common 5 octaves (61 keys) or bigger)
• Compact. Ideally, not much extra space behind keyboard. No speakers, or just tiny one.
• Good if it includes sound. (not just a controller)

On Piano Keyboard Mechanism

If you are into mechanical keyboard (for computer use), you are probably familiar with the art and science of key switch mechanism. [see Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms ] Now, for piano keyboard, the art and science of the key tactile qualities is far deep than for comptuer key switch mechanisms.

In general, there are 2 types:

• Weighted keyboard. These are heavy, called “weighted”. It emulate acoustic pianos.
• Organ keyboard or synth keyboard. These are light.

Weighted keyboard is best for classical piano music. there are not that much variation. The standard is basically accoustic piano, which has extremely elaborate hammer and fulcrum mechanisms to create the key feel. Diginal pianos uses springs and other modern technology to emulate it, to various degrees of success.

For detail, see:

• Piano Keyboard Action: Acoustic vs Modern Weighted
• Piano Keyboard Action: Digital vs Synth
• Piano Keyboard Action: Comparison of 4 Digital Keyboards
• Piano Keyboard Action: Kawai MP9000

Organ-type of keyboard are light. There are many varieties of design. There is no one standard feel.

Good Candidate Midi Keyboard for Text Input

I am still doing research, but here's some items i find that might fit our purpose.

Yamaha REFACE DX synth

• Weight: 1.9 kg, not counting batteries
• No velocity sensitivity (technically, a tiny bit), no after-touch pressure sensitivity.

Yamaha REFACE CS Synth

• Weight: 1.9 kg, not counting batteries
• No velocity sensitivity (technically, a tiny bit), no after-touch pressure sensitivity.
• Sound engine cannot generate piano-type sound.
• Sound cannot be saved.

M-Audio keystation 49 MIDI keyboard

• 49 full size velocity sensitive keys provide a natural feel that captures every subtle nuance of your performance

2021-05-03

Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 Keytar

• 37 velocity-sensitive keys with after-touch for compact size with complete melodic range
• Eight RGB back-lit velocity-sensitive trigger pads enable you to create beats or trigger clips and Eight back-lit faders for controlling volumes or other virtual instrument parameters
• Embedded MIDI-assignable tilt sensor performance control with on/off button and Thumb-controlled volume slider and reversible pitch-bend wheel on neck
• Included USB receiver creates a wireless connection to any Mac or PC, or most keyboards with USB host port
• World-class production software package included: ProTools | First Alesis Edition and Ableton Live Lite, plus DB-33, Eleven Lite, Mini Grand, Hybrid 3, Loom 2, Vacuum Pro, and Xpand!2 by AIR Music Tech and TimewARP 2600 by Way Out Ware

Yamaha Sonogenic Keytar

This is no good. More like a toy. No after-touch.

• Weight: 1.5 kg, not counting batteries
• Bad: keys not pressure sensitive (no after-touch)

• This means it's a toy:Jam Mode lets you focus on playing the rhythms while the instrument worries about playing the right notes of songs
• 1/8″ Aux input takes output from a portable music player, iOS device, mixer or computer and uses the instrument's speakers to play back the audio
• Bluetooth MIDI, wireless iOS connectivity and USB to host functionality with a 1/4″ Line output

If you are serious about using piano keyboard for typing, i only recommend the pro stuff. Get MIDI controller for professional use, or synth keyboard. Don't buy the consumer stuff such as cheap CASIO. Because, the key mechanism of a piano keyboard or digital/synth keyboard is a HUGE DEAL , far bigger deal than computer keyboard mechanism. You want a piano keyboard that you can type for long, can feel it, control the key velocity (expressiveness), etc. Your hand will get tired if you use cheap consumer keyboard of few hundred dollars.

I would actually just recommend you buy a “MIDI Controller” for typing. That is, when you search amazon, just search “MIDI Controller”. MIDI Controller is just a keyboard dedicated as a input device. It is meant to connect to a synthesizer to actually create sound or perform. MIDI Controller is particularly suited for use as typing, because it is actually a dedicated device for it. You pay for the quality key and mechanism only. If you want sound or actually learn music, i recommend that being a separate process.

Here's a bonus photo from a friend into synths. I am still researching what they are.

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