Load up your beat and record a few different chords playing on your piano. Playing a great MIDI keyboard is completely different – often strikingly similar to playing the piano. And most music producers can agree that jamming on your laptop keys isn't the most intuitive way of producing music. However, while this means you can use your laptop as your MIDI keyboard, it doesn’t mean it’s the best way. 'C' reduces velocity, and 'V' increases it. ‘Z’ takes you one octave lower ‘X’ goes one octave higher. In the case of Ableton Live, you use the buttons A-L for your white keys and W-O for your black or sharp keys. That’s right, with the switch of a button, you can use your normal keyboard as a MIDI keyboard with full control of velocity and octaves. How To Play Chords In AbletonĪll popular DAW’s worth their name, like Ableton Live 11, give you the ability to play notes with your computer or laptop keyboard. Some of the best electronic music in the world is made straight on a laptop – without external hardware.īut while that's true, it's not the full truth. You don’t need a MIDI keyboard to make professional music.

If you browse Instagram or check out any music producer's studio, chances are you'll see a MIDI keyboard neatly decorated on their desk. Is a MIDI keyboard necessary to make great music? Do You Need A MIDI Keyboard To Make Music? The list is purposefully crafted to give you options for different budgets, low, medium to high – and functionality and portability.īut first, if you’re new to the world of MIDI keyboards, let’s answer the question that's on all new producer's lips. In this article, we’ll go through ten of the best and most loved MIDI keyboards that you can find in stores today.

Are you looking for the best MIDI keyboards for music production in 2023?

Mpc one midi keyboard