In the world of music, hip hop and electronic dance music (EDM) have risen in the ranks of mainstream popularity. As their names suggest, these musical styles rely heavily on electronics to get their distinctive sounds, beats, and bass drops.
One might think that since they are created using electronics that it is not necessary to use “normal” instruments. However, keyboards are often used in making electronic music, so are they necessary?
While you can technically make beats with just your computer and your mouse, it is recommended that you use a keyboard to make beats. Using a keyboard has many benefits including, but not limited to, a more natural sound and increased control of your music.
If creating music is just a hobby that you play around with from time to time, a keyboard might not be necessary. However, keyboards are a very important tool for burgeoning musicians, producers, and even plain old enthusiasts.
We will break down what you need to know, including what some other benefits are, and what type of keyboard you will need to reach your music goals. Read on to find out more.
What Kind of Keyboard Do I Need To Make Beats?
Now that we have established that keyboards are important to create beats, let’s delve into the kind of keyboard you will need. The specific type of keyboard that you will need is called a Midi Keyboard Controller. While it may look like a typical keyboard or piano, it does not make any noise when you touch it.
Instead, it is connected to your computer via a USB cable, and when you press the keys it sends information about what you are playing and how loudly you are playing it.
For example, if you have downloaded piano software, even though the keyboard itself will not make any sound, it will send the information to your computer as if you were playing the piano, and your computer will produce the sound.
What Are The Benefits of a Midi Keyboard?
The main benefit of a Midi keyboard is that it is incredibly versatile. You can create any sound and play any instrument using it, as long as it has been uploaded to a digital domain. When you are creating beats, it is important to have a variety of digital instruments at your disposal, specifically drums.
For those who are using a Midi keyboard to create beats, there are two options to choose from:
- A plain keyboard. You create the drumming effects by playing the keys as you would the piano.
- A keyboard with additional drum pads. This is a great option for those who find that making drumming beats with something that looks like a piano doesn’t come naturally for them. The drum pads mimic the feel of real drums, making the transition to using them much smoother.
Many Midi keyboards are also touch-sensitive. The harder you play them the louder the sound will be. You will have control over the sound, the volume, and the speed of the beat you are creating, as well as each additional part that you add to it.
However, apart from the purely technical advantages that come along with a Midi keyboard, other benefits shouldn’t be underestimated either. When you’re using something that looks and feels like a real instrument it has such benefits as:
- Sparking creativity. You don’t always feel locked into looking and creating with your computer and a mouse. Having your attention flow between the two can help you be more open to new sounds and increase your willingness to try out different things that you might not otherwise even think about.
- It’s easier to add beats or additions on the fly. When you are creating beats with just a mouse and computer, it is a more tedious and laborious process and requires you to work with one part of the song at a time. With a midi keyboard, you can have one sound going and keep it going while you add in another beat to see how it sounds.
Money Is Tight, Should I Still Get A Keyboard?
It is entirely possible to create beats without a MIDI keyboard. I made over hundreds of songs without one and your computer keyboard can be used in many DAWs for MIDI input.
The disadvantage to using your computer keyboard is that you will not be able to record key velocity and performing chords are not as simple as using an actual keyboard.
However!
Performing melodies, tapping in kickdrums, hi-hats, snares, etc. on your computer keyboard will still give that natural human feel and rhythm in your beats! Just manipulate the note velocities afterward to give it even more feeling.
Conclusion
Electronic music, whether EDM or hip hop, has made a strong impression and lasting popularity in the music world. For those who want to create electronic beats, knowing all the equipment you need to be successful and create good music is incredibly important.
One piece of equipment which isn’t always needed but does provide many benefits is a Midi Keyboard Controller.
A Midi can be incredibly beneficial to musicians and producers for its preciseness and its ability to create a variety of sounds like piano and drums. In addition to its precision, it also provides creative benefits such as the ability to create in the moment, as well as its real instrument feeling.
While you don’t strictly need one to make beats, there are many benefits to doing so, and it is highly recommended that you have one.