HoboKa Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 Finally got a MIDI Keyboard...should I get a stand for it? Or should I just get a bigger desk? How do the MIDI keyboard users of OCR do your set ups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorito Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 I just put it on my desk between the screen and the keyboard. That way I can easily use it while recording some parts and still access the keyboard to put it in record mode or to stop recording. You need a decent amount of space though (depending on your controller). TheChargingRhino, HoboKa and classic_gamer_76 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garpocalypse Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 Get an armless chair that you can sit up well in. Posture is key to avoiding injury over the long run. You might also want to build/buy a simple desk shelf to put your monitors (audio and that other kind) on to save desk space. HoboKa and TheChargingRhino 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timaeus222 Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I have a small controller, so it's just on my pull-out desk. HoboKa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynolf11 Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 What keyboard did you get? A stand is usually a good idea for larger keyboards, but if you can fit it on your desktop that can be better (but the working height might be a problem). I once built a shelf for my keyboard that could be folded up against the wall, so it didn't take up any desktop space when I didn't use it. There are lots of solutions, but it all depends on your desktop situation and your keyboard of course. HoboKa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkEco Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I would highly recommend a multi-tier desk! TheChargingRhino, HoboKa, timaeus222 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelCityOutlaw Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 1 hour ago, DarkEco said: I would highly recommend a multi-tier desk! Water bottle right next to the controller and a cup, presumably also full of liquid actually resting ON the MIDI controller. The balls on this guy... TheChargingRhino, classic_gamer_76, HoboKa and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkEco Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 3 minutes ago, AngelCityOutlaw said: Water bottle right next to the controller and a cup, presumably also full of liquid actually resting ON the MIDI controller. The balls on this guy... Haha there was a perfect space on the synth for a coaster and a cup, the water bottle's empty though. I have faith in myself to not ruin my life. HoboKa and timaeus222 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabeel Ansari Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 On 4/18/2017 at 5:06 PM, AngelCityOutlaw said: Water bottle right next to the controller and a cup, presumably also full of liquid actually resting ON the MIDI controller. I've spilled water on my keyboard multiple times and I eat messy food over it all the time. It's not so bad. :3 DarkEco and HoboKa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoboKa Posted April 20, 2017 Author Share Posted April 20, 2017 Judging by all of the room limitations I'm likely gonna face, I'm gonna have to send the MIDI keyboard back. An 88-keys is roughly 5 feet long and won't be very convenient for the set up I am thinking of. Gee, I wish I had just asked at OCR and done more research before I took the plunge. Luckily, AVSound has a return policy I'm thinking I MIGHT escape with a 77 key, but it's prob gonna wind up being 61 once all is said and done. Which makes me a bit sad, but c'est la vie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorito Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 I'm not a real keys player, but I've never really considered an 88 keys keyboard. I've worked with 49 and 61 keys a lot, I found 49 keys perfectly doable and 61 very comfortable. Hardly use the octave +/- buttons on it. HoboKa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timaeus222 Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 For non-piano work, I think you'll manage with 49 or 61 keys. I have 37 and I haven't needed more for my music, but for working out intricate parts, 49 may be the minimum I would recommend for semi-limited space. HoboKa and The Nikanoru 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynolf11 Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 Yeah, 49 is fine for most home recording purposes. HoboKa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkEco Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 On 20/04/2017 at 8:52 PM, HoboKa said: Judging by all of the room limitations I'm likely gonna face, I'm gonna have to send the MIDI keyboard back. An 88-keys is roughly 5 feet long and won't be very convenient for the set up I am thinking of. Gee, I wish I had just asked at OCR and done more research before I took the plunge. Luckily, AVSound has a return policy I'm thinking I MIGHT escape with a 77 key, but it's prob gonna wind up being 61 once all is said and done. Which makes me a bit sad, but c'est la vie. The dimensions of the product should always be listed in the specifications. Get a tape measure and make sure before you buy anything. I always do this to avoid immense disappointment later. I've modded my desk along the way to be able to cram as much as i can and leave space for new things in the future. I'm pretty much always thinking about something i can get to fill a space on my desk. In regards to getting an 88 key to put on the desk i would argue that it's excessive in any case. You're desk is also you workspace for pen and paper so you want some space on it! I'd suggest having a keyboard that large on a stand to the side so you can turn your chair to it when you need to. Get a wireless keyboard so you can sit it on top of the piano when you go to use it, set up key shortcuts for record, loop start, track start and undo so if you make a mistake during recording you can undo and try again without any need to move back to your computer screen. The only reason i could see to get an 88key is if you're looking to play a realistic piano or synth performance. It wouldn't really be of any benefit for orchestral arrangement (minus piano), since most instruments have quite a limited octave range, and you certainly won't need it for electronic music. On your desk have a 3 (maybe 4) octave keyboard controller with a bunch of assignable knobs for your soft plugins and leave the 88 key for anything that requires you to play right and left hand simulataneously more than 3/4 octaves apart. You'll find the capable remixers on here (as Timaeus has already shown) don't really need a large keyboard because of the vast possibilties MIDI programming offers. HoboKa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoboKa Posted April 23, 2017 Author Share Posted April 23, 2017 8 hours ago, DarkEco said: The dimensions of the product should always be listed in the specifications. Get a tape measure and make sure before you buy anything. I always do this to avoid immense disappointment later. I've modded my desk along the way to be able to cram as much as i can and leave space for new things in the future. I'm pretty much always thinking about something i can get to fill a space on my desk. In regards to getting an 88 key to put on the desk i would argue that it's excessive in any case. You're desk is also you workspace for pen and paper so you want some space on it! I'd suggest having a keyboard that large on a stand to the side so you can turn your chair to it when you need to. Get a wireless keyboard so you can sit it on top of the piano when you go to use it, set up key shortcuts for record, loop start, track start and undo so if you make a mistake during recording you can undo and try again without any need to move back to your computer screen. The only reason i could see to get an 88key is if you're looking to play a realistic piano or synth performance. It wouldn't really be of any benefit for orchestral arrangement (minus piano), since most instruments have quite a limited octave range, and you certainly won't need it for electronic music. On your desk have a 3 (maybe 4) octave keyboard controller with a bunch of assignable knobs for your soft plugins and leave the 88 key for anything that requires you to play right and left hand simulataneously more than 3/4 octaves apart. You'll find the capable remixers on here (as Timaeus has already shown) don't really need a large keyboard because of the vast possibilties MIDI programming offers. Gotcha. Those are good tips, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiesty Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 On 4/18/2017 at 2:38 PM, DarkEco said: I would highly recommend a multi-tier desk! Rockin' the classic Wharfdale diamonds! DarkEco and HoboKa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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