[hldan]

Hi I am really new to portable keyboards and I was interested in buying the M-Audio Keyboard that Apple recommends. My question is how does it actually simulate an 88 key Grand Piano when there are only 49 keys on the M-Audio keyboard? The on-screen keyboard in Garageband has all 88 keys. Will I not get the full piano effect due to the lack of keys? Pardon my ignorance but I have been singing for years and am only familiar with full pianos and not electronic keyboards.
Any help will do. Thanks.

[bbales]

I don't have an answer but another question. Can you use any electronic, MIDI-capable keyboard? In other words, can I go to Best Buy and buy a larger keyboard from yamaha or Casio (remember seeing those before Christmas) and plug it in?

[druber]

Well, they have few keys, so they obviously can't play the full range at once. There may be a setting that allows them to move the keyboard up or down an octave to get more notes, but this isn't a given. Have you tried tossing off an email to M-Audio or reading their FAQs? Or hit a local music store. If those folks don't know, they'll know where to ask and find out for sure.

Sure you can buy a MIDI keyboard, but there has to be a way to get the MIDI signal into the computer. There are a number of MIDI>USB devices out there, if MIDI's all you're interested in adding. Or you could get something like the Tascam US-122, which has 1/4" and XLR inputs as well. HTH

[spiky_dog]

Originally posted by bbales:
I don't have an answer but another question. Can you use any electronic, MIDI-capable keyboard? In other words, can I go to Best Buy and buy a larger keyboard from yamaha or Casio (remember seeing those before Christmas) and plug it in?

yes. you will need a usb midi interface, like one from m-audio:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...002&is=REG

you would also need 2 (i believe -- maybe you can make by with just midi in, i'm not sure) midi cables, take your pick based on length desired:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=search&Q=

[SCUmacadvocate]

The keyboard that John Mayer used in the Garageband demo at MacWorld was not by M-Audio, but by Studio Logic-- the SL 990 I believe. I had to replay it several times to see it. That is a full size - 88 key keyboard with graded hammer effect or something like it. I've been looking at buying it myself.