MIDI BOX FOR KEYBOARD PLUS

These simple controllers use standard non-motorised faders, which makes them relatively inexpensive to build, and most allow you to define what type of MIDI message is sent by each fader. A useful addition for guitar players working alone is an assignable footswitch jack for hands-free punching in and out.

MIDI BOX FOR KEYBOARD PLUS

The simplest type of controller is the familiar MIDI fader box, where a typical model might offer eight or 16 faders, plus a number of knobs or buttons. In a forthcoming issue we'll be talking to specific users about how they manage different types of control surface in practice, but as a prelude to this it makes sense to look at the different types of controller available in more general terms and to focus on their strengths and weaknesses. The problem arises when you come to choose a control surface, because there are several different types at prices from under a couple of hundred pounds to well over a thousand pounds. An obvious solution to this problem is to add some kind of MIDI control surface that will translate the action of physical knobs and faders into MIDI messages, which in turn control the virtual knobs and faders on screen.

One of the most common complaints about computer-based audio systems (other than stability) is that the physical user interface comprises a keyboard and mouse, while traditional studio equipment is operated using knobs and faders, where several parameters can be changed simultaneously if necessary.

But with so many different models available, how do you choose the one that's right for you? If you're tired of mixing on-screen using just your mouse and keyboard, then it's worth considering a hardware MIDI controller.

Midi box for keyboard