Difference in Keyboard 'midi' Controller and Synthesizers?

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AddisonXI

AddisonXI

Argumentative...
I was recently browsing the web looking at keyboards and saw the two names..

Can someone help explain the difference in these? I will eventually want to add a "keyboard" to my arsenal of recording instruments but would like to know exactly what I will be looking for. Thanks guys ^_^
 
A MIDI controller can trigger sounds in an external sound module. A synthesizer generates the sounds internally.
 
Can you give me an example of an external sound module? Would this be like an extra piece of equipment needed in a home studio outside of the audio interface?

I know most keyboards synths come with midi outs so would it be more financially smart to not go with a midi controller and just go with a keyboard synth with midi options? Or am I not making sense with this?
 
Just Google "MIDI sound module".

A keyboard synth is like a controller with its own sound module built in. Generally they can be configured to trigger sounds in an external module as well. You can also trigger the sounds in a keyboard synth with an external controller. I can't tell you what would work best for your situation.
 
A synth would be useful when you don't want to lug other gear around. If you get a controller, you'll have to use either a hardware sound module or the VSTi instruments on your computer to make any sounds.
 
This might be a good place to distinguish between a synth and sampler. A synth generates the sounds while a sampler stores recorded sounds (samples).
 
Thanks guys. I understand better now. Definitely looking for more of a synth. It's going to more of a secondary instrument so I don't need anything amazing. My dad has a keyboard we've had for years that I grew up learning on.. Not sure if it's just a digital piano or synth, but I believe it has a midi out so going to experiment with that when given the chance. :)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
 
A digital piano will have weighted or semi-weighted keys and a selection of traditional keyboard sounds like grand piano, electric piano (Fender Rhodes), harpsichord etc.
 
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