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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => DIY Discussions ARCHIVE => Topic started by: jacobwilliam1 on Thu, 05 November 2009, 03:50:10

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: jacobwilliam1 on Thu, 05 November 2009, 03:50:10

I'm just wondering if a keyboard could be used as an alternative for a piano. I have no room in my house lol. so i finally found this old keyboard i have from.. 2003 i think.
its like some weird dj thing, too. could i still use it ir just get a newer keyboard?



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Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: Mnemonix on Thu, 05 November 2009, 04:28:52

No, I don't think a computer keyboard will be good enough. Many keyboards block certain key combinations so that you won't be able to play chords properly. If you have one with n-key rollover, though, it might work for you.

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: DreymaR on Thu, 05 November 2009, 05:35:44

Domo arigato, mister spamboto.

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: ak_nala on Thu, 05 November 2009, 07:31:31

Yeah, not a good idea at all.

You can use a computer keyboard in a pinch to hit the notes, but fingering will kill you, key feel will make you miserable (no weighting to the keys if you are used to an actual piano), and the lack of velocity sensors will make it sound like sh*te.

You need a USB music keyboard controller at the very least, together with a decent synth module for your computer. These can be had on the small side (not much larger than a model M), though that size only covers a few octaves.

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: AndrewZorn on Thu, 05 November 2009, 07:45:24

wow the spam is getting creative nowadays

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: Mnemonix on Thu, 05 November 2009, 08:39:36

Quote from: DreymaR;130477

Domo arigato, mister spamboto.

Quote from: AndrewZorn;130493

wow the spam is getting creative nowadays

Hey, this isn't spam, this is a serious discussion! :wink:

Well, alright then...

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: Rajagra on Thu, 05 November 2009, 09:38:29

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: jacobwilliam1 on Fri, 13 November 2009, 22:44:01

Quote from: ak_nala;130492

Yeah, not a good idea at all.

You can use a computer keyboard in a pinch to hit the notes, but fingering will kill you, key feel will make you miserable (no weighting to the keys if you are used to an actual piano), and the lack of velocity sensors will make it sound like sh*te.

You need a USB music keyboard controller at the very least, together with a decent synth module for your computer. These can be had on the small side (not much larger than a model M), though that size only covers a few octaves.

Ooh thanks guys

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: jacobwilliam1 on Fri, 13 November 2009, 22:51:42

Quote from: Mnemonix;130502

Hey, this isn't spam, this is a serious discussion! :wink:

Well, alright then...

Hi Mnemonix,

They don't know the difference between a real post and a spam post.

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: lowpoly on Sat, 14 November 2009, 09:26:33

Quote from: jacobwilliam1;132313

Hi Mnemonix,

They don't know the difference between a real post and a spam post.

http://www.google.de/#hl=de&q=%22Jacob+William%22+Airport+Parking+and+Airport+Hotels+Find+Best+Schools+and+Colleges&start=30&sa=N&fp=aee56cdaa1a6cf9 (http://www.google.de/#hl=de&q=%22Jacob+William%22+Airport+Parking+and+Airport+Hotels+Find+Best+Schools+and+Colleges&start=30&sa=N&fp=aee56cdaa1a6cf9)

You seem to have a lot of interests. :violin:

Just because you spread your spam manually, it doesn't mean it's not spam.

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: chimera15 on Wed, 18 November 2009, 10:22:02

What's the best mini midi controller or musical computer keyboard for the price then?  I've had my eye on this one a friend recommended.

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250468814098&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250468814098&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: ak_nala on Thu, 19 November 2009, 05:46:54

M-Audio Axiom's are good for the price point - A lot of bang for the buck. I have one.

That one (they come bigger) is fine if you can do with only 2 octaves at a time (you have to hit a button to transpose up or down the range). Nice thing about this size is that it's about as wide as a normal extended/enhanced alpha-numeric keyboard so all I have to do is move my regular keyboard back on its shelf and slide this one in front. It's also pretty well plug-and-play, but note that it has semi-weighted keys. That makes it somewhere between a synth and a piano - better feel than a springy synth-type key, but really nothing like a fully weighted piano action IMO.

Oh, one other nice thing about it is that it has MIDI thru as well, so you can use it as a computer interface to another MIDI device like a synth module.

Can't go too wrong with either M-Audio of Eiderol/Roland controllers. If you are looking at a particular board, do be sure and check out the maker's website to see if there are any driver or software issues with your particular OS version - though most are largely plug-and-play, they all have features that aren't fully realized without their software.

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: chimera15 on Thu, 19 November 2009, 09:51:01

cool thanks ;)

My friend is from Spain and has difficulty speaking English, so he couldn't give much of a review or description of it.

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 21 November 2009, 20:20:05

Quote from: ripster;132390

Since this is in the Mods section LET'S GET BACK ON TRACK here!

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5689&stc=1&d=1258217314)

Stupid hole.  My coke ran out the wrong ones.

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=4104&stc=1&d=1251471829)

Is that keyboard a Bos-Com? I don't recall the Model M 122-key keyboards having drainage holes.

Title: Is a keyboard a good alternative for a piano?
Post by: chimera15 on Wed, 25 November 2009, 01:05:19

I wanna do this on my keyboard. roflol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcvvUWhckww (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcvvUWhckww)

I wonder how many wpm that would translate to. roflol