BY: KATIE MORGAN.

The Functions of MIDI Keyboards Booklet:

A MIDI Keyboard is known as a piano-style user interface keyboard device with a wide
variety of electronic musical instruments and many more. Furthermore it sends MIDI
signals and commands over to a MIDI cable or a USB. Plus it is also sends these signals
and commands to other devices that are operating or connected on the same MIDI digital
and protocol interface. It sends messages for the following: velocity, pitch and notation.
This controls the signals for all of the parameters. The parameters are: vibrato, volume,
cues, clock signals and audio panning. This is set so all is synchronised to the tempo
between the different multiple devices.
Plus these messages can be used by a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), for example,
Logic Pro X because they are designed to work MIDI as a component that is basic. Also
the MIDIs piano roll has been expanded in the DAWs. This is so the recored MIDI
messages can be greatly redesigned.
Here is a few things that a DAW can do:
Copy (cmd + c) and paste (cmd + v) - items, tracks, notes or plugins/
effects.

Also when you are composing on a MIDI Keyboard the unique HRS (known as High Rate
Scan) will scan the keyboard over 10,000 times per second to capture every single detail
of your performance.
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To produce better music you can sculpt and mix your sound by using the wide range of
smooth-action knobs, low-profile 45mm faders, a custom LCD screen and loads of
different buttons. All of the controls work seamlessly with the major music software. Plus it
can also be mapped to any parameter.
In addition on the MIDI Keyboard there are drum pads and these drum pads are in real
time and are pressure-sensitive. They are used for designing arpeggios, looping drum
samples and rolling beats. Plus these pads also function as multicoloured clip launchers,
for example, in Ableton Live you can tell whether a clip is recording, playing or loaded. You
know this because there are three different colours and they are: red for recording, green
for playing and yellow for loaded.
The MIDI Keyboard can also connect to many things, such as, Windows or Mac. You dont
even need a power supply. Plus there are five pin MIDI outputs that entitles you to connect
your favourite modules or synths. This is because it is USB bus-powered and is also classcompliant.
Furthermore these tools also allows composers to distinguish and modify their work
quickly, but simply. This is easier then the old ways, such as, multi-tracking recording.
Moreover a MIDI Keyboard is a very useful piece equipment in music because it has a
wide range of different specifications and features. Furthermore different MIDI Keyboards
have different controls and elements. Despite there being so many different MIDI
Keyboards they are similar and easy to use. Plus if you can play a MIDI Keyboard then
you can play other instruments. This is because in Logic Pro X and other music making
softwares you can pick an instrument and transfer it over to the MIDI Keyboard. The MIDI
Keyboard records in the instrument that you have chosen. So by knowing about the MIDI
Keyboard and can have a wide knowledge about other instruments that you dont even
play. This can make your music experience even better then before. So lets get started
with why using a MIDI Keyboard is important in music. Then secondly what the
specifications and features of a MIDI Keyboard are. Its simple!
The Impulse MIDI Keyboard is
an expressive and ultraresponsive keyboard, which
has a lot of assignable
controls on it. It can connect to
many different softwares, such
as, Pro Tools, Logic Pro,
Ableton Live and many more.
https://uk.novationmusic.com/keys/impulse#

Why use a MIDI Keyboard?

A composer would use MIDI to use the designed digital synthesizers to produce
music. Plus MIDI is used different people. This is from solo artists to music
producers. This shows us that anyone can use a MIDI Keyboard. Its just a
keyboard with extra settings and controls. These extras are easy to pick up once
you know the basics. The music that can created can be of any genre or style.
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Here are the specifications This spec is from: https://uk.novationmusic.com/keys/
impulse#):
Tech Spec
Product Hardware Specifications

25, 49 or 61 note velocity sensitive piano style keyboard with assignable aftertouch

8 multi-colour large backlit velocity sensitive drum pads

8 endless encoders (infinite rotation)

9 sliders (49 & 61 note) 1 slider (25 note)

6 dedicated transport controls

Pitch bend and modulation wheels

2 octave / transpose buttons

Custom blue-backlit LCD display

6 function buttons (4 with LED indicators)

4 control switch buttons with LEDs (49 & 61 note) 3 control switch buttons with
LEDs (25 note)

9 mute / solo buttons plus toggle button (49 & 61 note)

Arpeggiator with tap tempo and roll

USB socket

DC power socket

Sustain pedal 1/4 jack socket

Expression pedal 1/4 jack socket

MIDI In and MIDI Out din sockets

Kensington security slot

Software Compatibility

Ableton Live Lite 9 is included

If you already have Ableton Live it must be version 8 or greater to work with Impulse. We
recommend that you update to the latest version as previous versions of Ableton Live do not
include the Impulse integration. Impulse will also work as a standard MIDI controller.

Automap DAW and plug-in control software

Works with Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton, Cubase, Reason/Record, Sonar and more

Includes editable QWERTY support for hardware controls

A library of mappings for hundreds of plug-ins is available

Automap works with VST and AU plug-ins, as well as RTAS and TDM plug-ins

Automap with Pro-Tools does not include AAX plugin control

Power Requirements

Fully USB bus powered

Power supply not included

Product Dimensions

Impulse 25: 525mm (20.6) length x 332mm (13) depth x 100mm (3.94) height

Impulse 49: 864mm (33.3) length x 332mm (13) depth x 100mm (3.94) height

Impulse 61: 1022mm (40.2) length x 332mm (13) depth x 100mm (3.94) height

Although using a MIDI Keyboard may seem complicated it really isnt. This is
because it is much easier to compose on a MIDI Keyboard then a computers
keyboard, for example, in Logic Pro X you can use the musical typing tool which is
a keyboard on the software. However it is harder to compose music because there
is very limited space to make music. This is because there is only 11 white keys
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and 7 black keys. Despite there only being this many keys you still change the
pitch, modulation, octave and velocity. This is what it looks like:

However it is difficult to make these changes while playing. It is possible, but it is

quicker and more straightforward to compose on a MIDI Keyboard. The musical
typing tool is mainly for quick melodies and simple editing. So for the MIDI
Keyboard is for complex melodies and effects.
Plus there are so many MIDI instruments and Logic Pro X instruments to chose
from and they are:
Patches/Software Instrument patches
Vintage Synths
Modern Synths
Vintage Keys
Acoustic Instruments
Cinematic
Electronic and Urban Loops. There are also loops that range from Hip Hop to
Blues Garage, Disco Funk, Disco, Indie, Vintage Breaks, Chillwave, Deep House,
Tech House, Modern R&B, Dubstep and Electro House.
Drum Kit Designer, for example, Studio Kit, Neo Soul Kit, Brooklyn Kit, Pawnshop
Kit and many more.
Keyboard Sounds - Alchemy plus Fantasy, Detroit, Reflections, Skyline, Ascend,
Night Drive, Gravity, Momentum, Heist and many more.
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EXS24 Sampler, for example, Classical Guitar

Vintage Keyboards, for example, the hammond B3 organ, the Hohner Clavinet D6
and the Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Hohner Electric Pianos.
Sculpture - this is a very unique instrument because it can produce tones that no
other synthesizer can. Why? Because it re-creates the sounds of vibrating
materials, such as, metal, nylon, glass or wood. This is by the the variations of
Chimes, Bells, Strings and other instruments. You can also control how the
instruments are played, bowed or plucked. The sounds are completely
unexpected, for example, the minimal material morph and the buzzy string space
are two of these unique instruments.
Retro Synths
ES2 - this synthesizer can create many different sounds. These sound can range
from Classic Analog to Modern Digital. Plus it also features extensive modulation
options, three analog-modelled and wavetable oscillators, as well a dual multi
mode analog resonant filters.
Arpeggiator and MIDI Plug-ins, for example, Alien Language, Beep City, Spacey,
Classic Analog and many more.
Guitar Gear - Amp Designers, such as, Vintage British Stack, Stadium Stack,
Large Blackface Combo, High Octane Stack, Studio Combo, Pawnshop Combo,
British Combo, Large Tweed Combo and many more.
Bass Amp Designers, for example, Classic Amp, Modern Amp, Flip Top Amp and
many more.
Pedalboards, for example, The Tie Dye Delay, Tube Burner, Wham, Dr. Octave
and many more.
Although there are all of these instruments and plugins, you need to perform warm
up techniques before you explore them. This is because if you are going to have a
long keyboard session then warming up will make it a better experience. If you
dont then you might strain your hands. This is caused by the repetitive movement
and overuse of muscles, tendons and nerves. This is known as RSI (Repetitive
Strain Injury. Here a warm up technique:
Composing scales (technique from http://www.hanon-online.com/the-virtuosopianist/part-i/exercise-n-1/:
Like this one on the next page (do this about 20 times, it
actually helps):

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BY: KATIE MORGAN.

I have made some melodies on a MIDI Keyboard to warm up for my two MIDI
sessions and here they are:

There are many more different warm up techniques to try. But these ones above
are my favourites. These warm ups can be played and recored on a MIDI
Keyboard. Plus MIDI is integral to todays recording industry.
Furthermore it has been 30 years since the expansion of technology that allows
drum machines and synthesizers to be connected to laptops and computers. This
has made the Musical Instrument Digital Interface transform the world of recording
music.
I think that the future of MIDI will be able to connect and route via a smartphone.
This is accomplished by a combination. Plus the playback will be clearer and there
might even be a software or programme that could start a whole new network for
music. This software or programme may allow us to adjust individual timings. This
is so that all of the devices that are connected can create perfect synchronized
notes or sounds.
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On the other hand MIDI is fine the way that it is. But it could maybe speed up a little
bit, so it fits in with todays technology and media.
Have I used MIDI in my work?
Yes, I have. Here are some examples of my work. (These screen shots show what
MIDI Keyboard effects I have used in my music):
Drum Pads and Octave Change:

Modulation:

Pitch Blending:

When I composed these

MIDI techniques it made
me think about my two
MIDI compositions and here
they
are:

By my composing these melodies and compositions I have reworked on my MIDI

Keyboard skills and I am confident on setting up and using a MIDI Keyboard. Plus my
knowledge of Logic Pro X has also helped me in this project because MIDI connects to
Logic. MIDI is very good in Logic because it works well. I enjoyed this project because I
like composing on a MIDI Keyboard and different creating melodies. All of my melodies are
different and have different MIDI instruments in them. I did this because I wanted to vary
my music styles a little bit. This was very successful because all of my MIDI Keyboard
melodies are new and exciting. I hope that you enjoy them!
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