Yamaha Midi Controller Keyboards (KX Series)
The Yamaha KX series comprises of the KX25 (25 keys), KX49 (49 Keys), KX61 (61 keys) and KX8 (88 keys) keyboards, the important difference between these keyboards being the number of keys.
The compact KX25 or KX49 will appeal more to those who are short of space – be it in the studio, bedroom or home studio, or want something that is more portable.
Yamaha KX61 USB Keyboard Studio Controller
61 keys (Initial Touch), Backlit LCD, Pitch Bend Wheel, Modulation Wheel, Assignable Encoder knobs: 4, Panel Switches: 37, Power Switch: 1, MIDI Connectors IN x 1, OUT x 1, FOOT SWITCH Phone Connector x 1 (Not availavle FC3), USB Connector TO HOST Connector x 1 (USB bus Powwered), DC-IN 1
Dimensions (W x D x H): 937 x 343.9 x 114.6 mm, Weight: 4.5kg
Accessories: AC Adapter PA-130(U) or PA-3C(others), CD-ROM x 2, USB Cable x 1, Owner’s manual
Yamaha KX-49 USB Keyboard Studio Controller
The compact Yamaha KX-49 Keyboard Studio Controller features dedicated DAW control section, assignable synth control section with templates, and over 300 one-touch phrases for instant arpeggiation. Software bundle includes editor software, Cubase AI, HALion One, tons of sounds, top-name VST instruments.
Specs:
49 keys (Initial Touch), Backlit LCD, Pitch Bend Wheel: 1, Modulation Wheel: 1, Assignable Encoder knobs: 4, Panel Switches: 37, Power Switch: 1, MIDI Connectors IN x 1, OUT x 1, FOOT SWITCH Phone Connector x 1 (Not availavle FC3), USB Connector TO HOST, Connector x 1 (USB bus Powwered), DC-IN 1
Dimensions (W x D x H): 830 x 286.6 x 92 mm, Weight: 3 kg
Accessories: AC Adapter PA-130(U) or PA-3C(others), CD-ROM x 2, USB Cable x 1, Owner’s manual
Yamaha KX25 (25-Key) USB Midi Controller
The Yamaha KX-25 USB Keyboard Studio Controller features a dedicated DAW control section, assignable synth control section with templates, and over 300 one-touch phrases for instant arpeggiation. Software bundle includes editor software, Cubase AI, HALion One, tons of sounds, top-name VST instruments.
FEATURES: AI functions provide high-level Cubase integration, extensive range of built-in one-touch phrases. Four control knobs plus templates for 30 software tone modules. KX editor for versatile parameter assignment. Velocity curve control for optimum response with individual tone modules. USB power compatible. Expression pedal and external midi tone generator connectivity.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B0012R7C4C” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link] | Buy on Musiciansfriend
Yamaha KX88 (88-Key) USB Keyboard
Yamaha KX88 USB Keyboard is an 88 Weighted Key Midi Controller. It’s a MIDI controller, produces no sounds. It has a great keyboard action/feel. It’s heavy though. If you’re getting one for gigging, make sure you have someone to help you as its quite heavy. Because of that, it’s also practically bullet-proof!
Yamaha MIDI Controller Keyboards: Guide
Have you seen how professionals record music? Do you know where all the tracks of any recorded music composition are stored?
It is always done on a Computer! The flexibility, power and ease-of-use of using a software sequencer ensures that all the professional recording work is always done on a Computer.
This makes it necessary for you as well to own a Yamaha Midi Keyboard, so that even you can exploit the full power of your computer.
To learn how to connect your Yamaha MIDI keyboard to computer, read here…
What Music Software can be Used?
Here is a list of some of the music software programs that can be used with Yamaha midi keyboards.
If you want to do recording, the primary software that you will use is a Software Sequencer like Cubase, Sonar, etc. In that case, you will just use your Yamaha midi keyboard to trigger notes which can be recorded within the software sequencer on the computer.
With all your recordings stored on the computer, you really do not need additional functions like disk drives and sophisticated recording facilities on your Yamaha keyboard (these features are found on the more expensive Yamaha keyboards).
Besides recording software, you can even use Score Writing Programs like Finale or Sibelius, if you are good at writing music. Using this software, you can write the notes for all the tracks and play it back using the instrument sounds available in the software.
Although some software sequencers will also allow you to print your music, you have much more control with a dedicated score-writing program. Adding Dynamics, slurs and lyrics to your music is much simpler with a specialist score-writing program.
If you are a beginner, you can even use your Yamaha keyboard to connect to a computer and learn using a keyboard / piano learning software.
So as you see, the possibilities are many if you can use your computer along with your Yamaha keyboard to enhance your learning’s.
Note: Some of the advanced Yamaha keyboards even let you connect directly to the Internet using the Internet Direct Connection (IDC), which is Yamaha’s in-house developed technology. You do not need a computer in between!
Once you are connected on the Internet, you can download songs and styles for playback on your keyboard. But this will not give you the flexibility to use the various software programs, mentioned above, which can be used on a computer.
USB to HOST / USB to DEVICE
Most of the recent Yamaha midi keyboards feature USB-interfaces (slots). The USB to HOST will let you connect your Yamaha midi keyboard to a computer – meant for recording and playing back MIDI files and for transferring data to and from your computer.
The USB to DEVICE will let you connect your Yamaha keyboard to external USB storage devices, like pen drives. Now you can save or load the user created songs from the external storage media as well.
Summary – Yamaha Midi Keyboard
Yamaha Midi Keyboards let you exploit the full power of your computer. Once you have the ability to connect your Yamaha keyboard to a computer, you can use a variety of software programs to enhance your music related learning’s. You can even setup a full-fledged music recording system using a computer and Yamaha midi keyboards.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
Leave a Reply