Good advice about learning keys. I held my playing back for decades by relying on the computer (especially due to editing the MIDI data instead of practicing to play it right). I ended up taking piano lessons and learnt way faster than all the years I tried to teach myself.
Jade you were the inspiration for me to get back into making music. I started as a DJ but always wanted to make my own tracks. I tried using a computer but since I work in IT it seemed like work. After coming across your videos about going dawless I took the jump and bought a Korg MS-20m and Volca Sample and haven't looked back. Now I have a full eurorack case and really enjoy making tracks on the fly. Thanks for your help!
Omg! Thank you for this! I'm coming at this from the opposite direction (analog to digital in my older age) and this video finally clears up a LOT of my confusion.
Fun listening to your basics. I beg to differ though. I've been making music with electronics of and on since 1985 and I have never been a keyboard player. I know the keyboard and can use it when I need to but it is most definitely not necessary in electronic music. All you need is a control voltage source.
I'd like to chime in with my story too lol ~ Im gonna send this video to the newbies that are interested in what I do. I did enjoy listing this intro to synths and midi controllers. My intro was hardwear first, then I sold it all to buy a MacBook pro with protools and midi controllers... the first MacBook (2006) pro, Oxygen 49, and MPD 24 to be exact. Then I found Reason 3.5 in the protools bundle. I used only that up until reason 7, then I was like... I need some hardware again. Now its all integrated. Its been a fun journey, but hearing this story took me back. I like the emotions of new discovery, when your first getting into something cool. I dig it. Have fun Newbies, its all about the journey!
Agreed. Working in MIDI just means more computer use. Regarding the audio feed through USB I wonder if this is somehow not as quality as what's coming out of the headphone jack. Sometimes I think what's coming through my headphones direct from the synth sounds really good but when I put it onto the computer doesn't sound as good for some reason. Roland TD-50X drum module.
I got a midi controller of my friend we both thought it was a synth I couldn't understand where to plug the the speaker then I found out it was a midi controller...so will definitely come in handy
Great video. One thing to point out about old Casios or other cheaper keyboards like Yamaha EM or PSRs or even current sub $100 keyboards sold at big box non music stores, often they have midi outs but the keyboard does not have velocity control and could have other limitations like only playing 4 notes at once even through the outputs. If it's your first keyboard I wouldn't recommend this type of thing, you'll get higher quality keys and midi capabilities from a midi controller than a cheap Casio type.
Cool video and wow nice music at the end, real nice. 👏🏻 Theres so many ways to make music, it’s about finding the best workflow for (u) keep things as simple as possible but also as fun and intuitive as well.
The Korg pad kontrol has stood the test of time for me. I think the Digitakt is my favorite for midi controlling since it has an awesome sequencer for midi gear. However I just use the computer keyboard when using a daw like Bitwig or Live.
The keyboard is still the basic of making music, I mean one have some note knowledge of the 61 keyboard, which can be a mid cost set and them you can always hook that to the pc later on daw and sample. That way one can learning the octave better and moved upward.
XD Beat steps pro is literally the first sequencer I've ever bought (a few days ago), I haven't got far into synth yet because I am still building the circuit for it. I really need keys though more than anything.... I stopped making music because I've been burnt out on it... hoping this will revive it because I really miss making music
so true, over the years I've bought 19 midi controllers, but only 3 synths, 3 workstations and 10 keyboards, and I actually play the piano smh Now I've learned sooo much about digital, analog, conversion, recording, effects, VSTs, midi control commands, mapping, scripting, computers, acoustic treatment, frequencies, sound design, and gear that Im a professional lol It only took 33 yrs lol Im 38
I am a complete beginner, with just the knowledge of the key identification like from c1 to b1 and so on , but which one I should buy to start learning to play piano , synthesiser or MIDI?
Jade - Is the Novation MiniNova worth getting in 2022? Looking for R&B, Pop & Hip Hop sounds. Warm basses, soft leads, atmospheric pads. Can I get those sounds out of the MiniNova?
As a beginner with no piano experience, would a good option be to just get a regular keyboard with a midi input? that way I can learn with all the keys and also have the midi option available
Hi from the UK...You're awesome...Great advice...You talk super quick like me! Brain spinning at a million miles an hour... Quick question though... I'm not actually sure I want / need..Ive got ableton which ive not started using yet but want a synth to record. Is it best to record directly into ableton via midi out or record the synth and then somehow add that sound into ableton. How would I go about that and what synth with maybe 49 keys for size, would be good for that Thanks
The arranger has a song structure, letting you make songs from start to finish, a synth is normally just for sounds, sometimes they have built in sequencers but they never go as deep as workstations in the arranging part
Yes but it requires a 3.5 MIDI adaptor that comes with it when you buy it new, so if you're buying it used make sure to ask for it! If you just want to use it to control VSTs on your laptop, you can do that using the USB B. Hope that helps, join Patreon, it's free and lots of learning resources and other dope 🤙
@@JAdeWii_ Wow thanks for the fast reply. actually yes I was planing on buying it second hand and then using it with my rc 600 looper and as a midi keyboard for ableton. Will join your patreon. all the best from berlin germany.
You think it's better to purchase a multi-input audio interface or a console-mixer for stereo-output synths? Also can DI boxes be useful for the line output of a synth?
If you have no problem using your computer in your workflow, I would go with the interface! If you're going for mostly a dawless rig than the mixer is more hands on.
Hi great video thank you! :) Just to make sure I understand you correctly, I should learn how to play keyboard piano before worrying about any of the extra things like synthesizers and midi? I have been wanting to play piano for awhile now and I'm thinking of getting a digital piano! Would you say that digital piano is for learning and playing while synthesizers and midi's are more for music production when you already have background on playing?
I hope you can help me with your experience. I Have Artura Drumbrute, Drumbruue Impact, Minibrute 2s, Behringer Crave + TD3, Volca Bass, Nubass, FM and Kick. Now iam looking for a device as main control center. I also own a Keystep pro, but this can only control 4. Thx
I ordered an akai keyboard midi controller. It seems what im looking for, aftertouch, lots control surfaces... i got an old compaq last gen tower...uh... yah it sill has dual core 3.2 ghz. Im going to upgrade it to 16 gb ram, n from what I read, usb 2 connection can handle the input. Im so nervous hoping shit goes well letsgo asio 4 all! Save me!
Hi Jade, bought a minilab controller like the one shown in your vid here years ago also and quickly realized that I wanted to go "dawless" (yikes). There's something more organic and creative about a hardware/modular setup that inspires me greatlyrather than logging into ableton. My question is which of the new Keysteps do I get?! Not sure if to go all out for the Pro model or just start off with the newer 37 model recently released. Would greatly appreciate any feedback, recommendations may you could offer on both. Would love to own a rack based system at some point also.... Thanks again!
Cool, it depends how many synths you’re trying to sequence. The pro can controller 4 instruments at the same time, the 37 is meant for one, although u could set different channels to different synths and play them that way too, just not at the same time.
My question is, can I use a synthesizer as a midi controller? So I have a microKorg and want use it on Abelton as a different instrument. Is that possible? I have a midi controller but is smaller and the microKorg has more keys to work with.
Says to learn to play keys before buying a synth. Me who can come up with stuff but can't honestly claim to know how to play and just bought a moog grandmother. 🤦♂️🤣
I'm currently getting into dawless music production so I'm new to this fascinating world. I just purchased a keystep 37. I was wondering (and let me see if I can even phrase this properly), if I was plugging my keystep 37 into my computer and using Ableton, I would use a VST which would give me a variety of synth patches to choose from. In a dawless setup, what is the name for the piece of hardware that would serve the same purpose as the VST? I noticed that the Roland D-05 does this. If I wanted a classic Juno sound with my Keystep, how could I achieve this without a VST and computer? Total beginner question I know! 🤣 Edit: is it called a synth module?
One question from a beginner. I have a got a maschine mikro lately and I am using it right now with my maschine software. Ive stumbled over the yamaha reface dx syntheziser and Iam thinking about getting one. My idea is to connect the reface dx with my maschine software and use it as a external instrument and record it into maschine. So I can use the maschine mikro for drumming and playing samples, using all the great features it has and at the same time use the yamaha reface dx and do some looping with both inside maschine. Is that possible and makes any sense? Since Ive already have a maschine mikro and really like it I wanna stick with it for finger drumming, step sequencer, sampling, etc. and use maschine as DAW Thank you for helping out:)
Sure thing. You'll be running audio out of the Yamaha into the Maschine (assuming the micro has inputs) you can also use it as a midi controller to control the maschine sounds by sending MIDI out of the Reface into the maschine. Hope that helps!
@@JAdeWii_ Thanks for your reply. No the micro does not have any inputs.... But I have a behringer audio interface with midi in and out...I mean the micro is connected via usb to my laptop, so is the audio interface, the only thing I have to do now is connect the reface via midi to my audio interface and via usb to my laptop? I just want to record the sounds of the reface in my maschine daw to go along with the drum patterns and samples of my micro.... Being able to use the reface as midi controller and play VSTs from maschine is an awesome add on. As long as an synthesizer has midi out or usb it can be used as midi controller? Thanks for your reply and time :)
Since your target audience is not experienced musicians, you owe them to explain what VSTs are when using the term. Also, please cut down on the "like" if you want the video to be bearable for non-Americans :) But nice and informative video anyway. Thanks.
Good advice about learning keys. I held my playing back for decades by relying on the computer (especially due to editing the MIDI data instead of practicing to play it right). I ended up taking piano lessons and learnt way faster than all the years I tried to teach myself.
Learning to play the piano FIRST can not be overstated. Very important.
My first one was Yamaha PSR 225 GM
Jade you were the inspiration for me to get back into making music. I started as a DJ but always wanted to make my own tracks. I tried using a computer but since I work in IT it seemed like work. After coming across your videos about going dawless I took the jump and bought a Korg MS-20m and Volca Sample and haven't looked back. Now I have a full eurorack case and really enjoy making tracks on the fly. Thanks for your help!
I love my Synths. There's so much you can get out of them.
Ditto some gems out there
@@acidtechno I treated myself to a Profit 6 last year. I'm in love
@@TannithVQ wow, hey I got the AS-1 and a Mopho , monos from the 6six. epic trance synth
@@acidtechno Awesome stuff. The Arturia Minibrute 2 is also a damn fine mono. There's so much you can do with that patch bay
Yeah, I'm ready to go DAWless!!
Omg! Thank you for this! I'm coming at this from the opposite direction (analog to digital in my older age) and this video finally clears up a LOT of my confusion.
Fun listening to your basics. I beg to differ though. I've been making music with electronics of and on since 1985 and I have never been a keyboard player. I know the keyboard and can use it when I need to but it is most definitely not necessary in electronic music. All you need is a control voltage source.
Seriously underrated content. You have one of the only vids that covers this topic and you were very thorough yet practical! 👌
Lol. This reminds me of the time I sold my midi keys and the dude calls me up later telling me it makes no sound...
Nice allround tutorial for midi/synths - I LIKE! Thank you for your work and your time.
I'd like to chime in with my story too lol ~ Im gonna send this video to the newbies that are interested in what I do. I did enjoy listing this intro to synths and midi controllers. My intro was hardwear first, then I sold it all to buy a MacBook pro with protools and midi controllers... the first MacBook (2006) pro, Oxygen 49, and MPD 24 to be exact. Then I found Reason 3.5 in the protools bundle. I used only that up until reason 7, then I was like... I need some hardware again. Now its all integrated. Its been a fun journey, but hearing this story took me back. I like the emotions of new discovery, when your first getting into something cool. I dig it. Have fun Newbies, its all about the journey!
Thank you! You’ve helped me decide to buy the key lab mkii :) need to learn keys! Appreciate the advice
Thanks so much. I've been looking for this type of video for a long time.
Well done explaining this. Very good video. Cheers! 🎹👍😊
Agreed. Working in MIDI just means more computer use. Regarding the audio feed through USB I wonder if this is somehow not as quality as what's coming out of the headphone jack. Sometimes I think what's coming through my headphones direct from the synth sounds really good but when I put it onto the computer doesn't sound as good for some reason. Roland TD-50X drum module.
Wow so much information in just few minutes this is cool!
I got a midi controller of my friend we both thought it was a synth I couldn't understand where to plug the the speaker then I found out it was a midi controller...so will definitely come in handy
THANK YOU!!!! I think ima get the Novation Mininova
Big hearts for this vid, well done, thank you!
Thank you so much for this vid, so important!
Great video. One thing to point out about old Casios or other cheaper keyboards like Yamaha EM or PSRs or even current sub $100 keyboards sold at big box non music stores, often they have midi outs but the keyboard does not have velocity control and could have other limitations like only playing 4 notes at once even through the outputs. If it's your first keyboard I wouldn't recommend this type of thing, you'll get higher quality keys and midi capabilities from a midi controller than a cheap Casio type.
Cool video and wow nice music at the end, real nice. 👏🏻 Theres so many ways to make music, it’s about finding the best workflow for (u) keep things as simple as possible but also as fun and intuitive as well.
The Korg pad kontrol has stood the test of time for me. I think the Digitakt is my favorite for midi controlling since it has an awesome sequencer for midi gear. However I just use the computer keyboard when using a daw like Bitwig or Live.
So happy to see you killing it!
Thank you for this video!
The keyboard is still the basic of making music, I mean one have some note knowledge of the 61 keyboard, which can be a mid cost set and them you can always hook that to the pc later on daw and sample. That way one can learning the octave better and moved upward.
XD Beat steps pro is literally the first sequencer I've ever bought (a few days ago), I haven't got far into synth yet because I am still building the circuit for it. I really need keys though more than anything.... I stopped making music because I've been burnt out on it... hoping this will revive it because I really miss making music
Lovely. Thank you much
YAY JUST THE VIDEO I NEEDED
I would drown a basket of kittens for a 16 voice moog one and or a iiip with a duophonic controller
i drilled that to my brain, imma buy one now xD
so true, over the years I've bought 19 midi controllers, but only 3 synths, 3 workstations and 10 keyboards, and I actually play the piano smh Now I've learned sooo much about digital, analog, conversion, recording, effects, VSTs, midi control commands, mapping, scripting, computers, acoustic treatment, frequencies, sound design, and gear that Im a professional lol It only took 33 yrs lol Im 38
Lovin yur setup Jade...👊🏿👍🏿
I am a complete beginner, with just the knowledge of the key identification like from c1 to b1 and so on , but which one I should buy to start learning to play piano , synthesiser or MIDI?
A cheap polyphonic synth!
i adore your vibes
This rocks & you're a badass. Thank you!
I had to watch it on playback speed 0.75 otherwise was too fast haha but very helpful info thanks!
Love your videos so much
Jade - Is the Novation MiniNova worth getting in 2022? Looking for R&B, Pop & Hip Hop sounds. Warm basses, soft leads, atmospheric pads. Can I get those sounds out of the MiniNova?
As a beginner with no piano experience, would a good option be to just get a regular keyboard with a midi input? that way I can learn with all the keys and also have the midi option available
yes
Was that Ann Annie?
Hi from the UK...You're awesome...Great advice...You talk super quick like me! Brain spinning at a million miles an hour... Quick question though... I'm not actually sure I want / need..Ive got ableton which ive not started using yet but want a synth to record. Is it best to record directly into ableton via midi out or record the synth and then somehow add that sound into ableton. How would I go about that and what synth with maybe 49 keys for size, would be good for that Thanks
Are u filippino as well? Kumsta thanks for the video. Good info here
My fly37 midi have a midi out does that mean I can play it without a laptop?
So can you use a midi synthesizer as a midi controller without a regular midi control ?
if it has something to control e.g. keys than keys
Anyone who didn't like this vid were here for the wrong reasons. Great advice 👌
what is the difference of arranger workstation and a synthesizer?
The arranger has a song structure, letting you make songs from start to finish, a synth is normally just for sounds, sometimes they have built in sequencers but they never go as deep as workstations in the arranging part
Would it be better to buy a keyboard or synth first if I’m a beginner? Or does it not really matter that much
thanks for the great video. i saw you also using the dx reface synth, this one also works as a midi controler right?
Yes but it requires a 3.5 MIDI adaptor that comes with it when you buy it new, so if you're buying it used make sure to ask for it! If you just want to use it to control VSTs on your laptop, you can do that using the USB B. Hope that helps, join Patreon, it's free and lots of learning resources and other dope 🤙
@@JAdeWii_ Wow thanks for the fast reply. actually yes I was planing on buying it second hand and then using it with my rc 600 looper and as a midi keyboard for ableton. Will join your patreon. all the best from berlin germany.
Hello Jade, I'm going to buy an Ableton Push 2 for producing house music, could that one be enough and a good option to begin?
You think it's better to purchase a multi-input audio interface or a console-mixer for stereo-output synths? Also can DI boxes be useful for the line output of a synth?
If you have no problem using your computer in your workflow, I would go with the interface! If you're going for mostly a dawless rig than the mixer is more hands on.
can you use a midi controller with a digital synth to get the synthesizer sounds?
Hi great video thank you! :) Just to make sure I understand you correctly, I should learn how to play keyboard piano before worrying about any of the extra things like synthesizers and midi? I have been wanting to play piano for awhile now and I'm thinking of getting a digital piano! Would you say that digital piano is for learning and playing while synthesizers and midi's are more for music production when you already have background on playing?
Correct!
I hope you can help me with your experience. I Have Artura Drumbrute, Drumbruue Impact, Minibrute 2s, Behringer Crave + TD3, Volca Bass, Nubass, FM and Kick. Now iam looking for a device as main control center. I also own a Keystep pro, but this can only control 4. Thx
I ordered an akai keyboard midi controller. It seems what im looking for, aftertouch, lots control surfaces... i got an old compaq last gen tower...uh... yah it sill has dual core 3.2 ghz. Im going to upgrade it to 16 gb ram, n from what I read, usb 2 connection can handle the input. Im so nervous hoping shit goes well letsgo asio 4 all! Save me!
Hi Jade, bought a minilab controller like the one shown in your vid here years ago also and quickly realized that I wanted to go "dawless" (yikes). There's something more organic and creative about a hardware/modular setup that inspires me greatlyrather than logging into ableton. My question is which of the new Keysteps do I get?! Not sure if to go all out for the Pro model or just start off with the newer 37 model recently released. Would greatly appreciate any feedback, recommendations may you could offer on both. Would love to own a rack based system at some point also.... Thanks again!
Cool, it depends how many synths you’re trying to sequence. The pro can controller 4 instruments at the same time, the 37 is meant for one, although u could set different channels to different synths and play them that way too, just not at the same time.
Neondrops on steam is both ;)
My question is, can I use a synthesizer as a midi controller? So I have a microKorg and want use it on Abelton as a different instrument. Is that possible? I have a midi controller but is smaller and the microKorg has more keys to work with.
The OG Microkorg doesn't have USB B, so you'll need to use 5 pin and an adaptor
There many forms of non keyboard midi and analogue controllers. It is not all about keys.
Great video
Puh, you speak very fast. I come from Germany and i understand not all. 🙈
I love your video.
Says to learn to play keys before buying a synth.
Me who can come up with stuff but can't honestly claim to know how to play and just bought a moog grandmother. 🤦♂️🤣
I'm currently getting into dawless music production so I'm new to this fascinating world. I just purchased a keystep 37. I was wondering (and let me see if I can even phrase this properly), if I was plugging my keystep 37 into my computer and using Ableton, I would use a VST which would give me a variety of synth patches to choose from. In a dawless setup, what is the name for the piece of hardware that would serve the same purpose as the VST? I noticed that the Roland D-05 does this. If I wanted a classic Juno sound with my Keystep, how could I achieve this without a VST and computer? Total beginner question I know! 🤣
Edit: is it called a synth module?
That is correct! You will need a synth module :)
@@JAdeWii_Nice, thanks! 😄
❤
You have any interest in the Korg Wavestate?
Looks cool, haven't had the chance to try one, hopefully in the near future.
One question from a beginner. I have a got a maschine mikro lately and I am using it right now with my maschine software. Ive stumbled over the yamaha reface dx syntheziser and Iam thinking about getting one. My idea is to connect the reface dx with my maschine software and use it as a external instrument and record it into maschine. So I can use the maschine mikro for drumming and playing samples, using all the great features it has and at the same time use the yamaha reface dx and do some looping with both inside maschine.
Is that possible and makes any sense? Since Ive already have a maschine mikro and really like it I wanna stick with it for finger drumming, step sequencer, sampling, etc. and use maschine as DAW
Thank you for helping out:)
Sure thing. You'll be running audio out of the Yamaha into the Maschine (assuming the micro has inputs) you can also use it as a midi controller to control the maschine sounds by sending MIDI out of the Reface into the maschine. Hope that helps!
@@JAdeWii_ Thanks for your reply. No the micro does not have any inputs.... But I have a behringer audio interface with midi in and out...I mean the micro is connected via usb to my laptop, so is the audio interface, the only thing I have to do now is connect the reface via midi to my audio interface and via usb to my laptop?
I just want to record the sounds of the reface in my maschine daw to go along with the drum patterns and samples of my micro....
Being able to use the reface as midi controller and play VSTs from maschine is an awesome add on. As long as an synthesizer has midi out or usb it can be used as midi controller?
Thanks for your reply and time :)
musical instrument digital interface
👍!
Hardware fan
Since your target audience is not experienced musicians, you owe them to explain what VSTs are when using the term. Also, please cut down on the "like" if you want the video to be bearable for non-Americans :) But nice and informative video anyway. Thanks.
Let people talk however they want and get a grip Raúl 🙄
If you want to explain ... slow down your speech :(