recording keyboard

[marcacho]

I want to start recording using a keyboard to increase the depth of my songs. Yet I'm not really sure what I'd need to get started. I have Cakewalk Music Creator on my PC laptop. Would I need a USB keyboard (MIDI controller keyboard) to do this? What I really want to do is add things like strings to the background of my rock songs, basic stuff like that. My Cakewalk program has two built in software synthesizers for different sounds, so would I just need a particular kind of USB/MIDI keyboard to access that? Thanks for any recommendations, and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[danny.guitar]

Yea you should look into getting a MIDI controller keyboard. Some of them have a MIDI out, some use USB instead. If you have a MIDI port on your interface/computer, I would recommend that. Otherwise, you can get a USB one.

There's a lot out there, and I'm no expert so I'm not going to recommend any, but I'm currently saving for the M-Audio 88 Key Semi-Weighted for about $200.

If you're just adding strings/synths, you shouldn't need all 88 keys, and you can spend your money on a quality one with less keys and more features, if that's what you want.

I think this is the right forum for you.
https://homerecording.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?f=25