using VST instruments

[Foo-bu]

if i have a keyboard with a midi out on it can i use it for VST instuments? or do i need a midi controller?

[Scinx]

A "keyboard" is a controller plus sounds in the broad, general scope of things. So yes - you can use it as a controller.

[Foo-bu]

so what is the difference between the two then

[trogdor]

The difference is that a "MIDI Controller" is strictly that: it outputs key information to 'control' another synthesizer/sampler/etc. It has no sounds of its own.

A Keyboard synthesizer is a MIDI Controller that also has a synthesizer onboard. It will still output midi information...so you have the option of controlling other units with it. But you can also use it by itself to controller the sounds of its own synthesizer (inside).

Make sense?

[Foo-bu]

i think im getting it. im not very educated in midi so some things are still blurry.

but if i have a keyboard and it does what i want then thats all i need to know

is there any advantages to having one over the other? to me it just seems like having a keyboard would be better because it is more flexible

[trogdor]

It depends on what you want to do.

I don't know if I'd say more flexible, but a keyboard would be more CONEVENIENT if you needed to use your sounds in a live situation and wanted to haul just the keyboard instead of your computer or a rack of synthesizers.

For me, it makes more sense financially to just buy a midi controller because I only use VST instruments (synthesizers contained on my computer).