What is the best touch sensitive 88 key keyboard to use with my PC for Dorico note input. I would much rather play my input than input individual notes. Thanks
Welcome @Noxie
You’re right that having a MIDI keyboard is a much better way of entering notes.
However, all MIDI keyboards will work in the same way with Dorico, so “best” is quite subjective.
Do you want the most realistic key action? Additional MIDI controls?
I’d just search for the functions and features that you think you’ll need (in your budget!). You’re not going to buy a “bad” keyboard for Dorico.
if you’re going to play in live and want also to record the live dynamics and tempo, you need something with good touch sensitivity and the only way to determine what’s best for you is to try out one or two. If you’re only using step input, then any MIDI compatible keyboard will do. My own has no additional MIDI controls but if you’re planning also to use a DAW to change some CC parameters in real time (like the Mod wheel to control tone/expression or vibrato as with many virtual instruments), then you may indeed want inbuilt MIDI sliders.
You (@Noxie ) may want to take a look at this thread
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It all comes down to keybed, Faders, manufacturers name on the box, blinking lights- these are bells and whistles.
If you want to go in-depth then the best piano-like keyboard is Kaway VPC1 with RM3II wooden key action.
Many manufacturers with different names use Fatar keybeds (Fatar has also few keybed models). Roland A88 mk2 uses their own Roland PHA-4 keybed.
If you are a pianist and can afford it: get Kawai VPC1.
OFFTOPIC:
I am using old Fatar Studiologic VMK188… but I am far from being a pianist. I also never use real-time note entry,
In my cottage (space issues) I am using Nektar Impact GXP61 with normal synth keyboard, on travels iRig Keys 37.
I use a Nektar Panorama T6 that I’m happy with.
Well, it depends if you want to do anything computer-ish with it other than inputting notes in a scorewriter. If one also wants to utilize it in a DAW, it’s different.
I would put it this way: If you’re a pianist and want to play your virtual pianos pianistically (and don’t want much more than that), then the VPC1 may be the best option. But as I read it, this thread is more about inputting music. The VPC1 may be a fantastic piece of hardware, but it is also very specialized. Even without speakers, the sophisticated action leads to a weight that most other digital pianos reach only with potent built in speakers. Additionally, the action requires a height of the unit that disqualifies it for a lot of keyboard trays of stock studio desks on the market.
I recently got an Arturia KeyLab MkII (used), the 88-key variants of those have a weighted keybed (I got the 49-key version with diving board keys, I’ve got my Roland FP80 for playing piano). The two main reasons for this were the 4x4 pad matrix (mainly for inputting drums and percussion without the need to remap standard drum maps in Groove Agent or Ableton*) and the faders, which I need in DAWs and do plan to map to Dorico’s faders*.
@Noxie
So, long story short: It all comes down to what you want to do with it. If keybed quality is indeed of great importance to you, I would strongly advice you to physically test them yourself in a store anyway, if there is one within your reach. It is also a heavily subjective matter of taste which keybed feels good. As for myself, I am so used to Roland actions (apart from real pianos) that even playing a medium grade Kawai action recently (ES920) felt super awkward for me.
*P.S. A feature request for the developers: It would be great if Dorico’s faders could natively react to those of a class compliant MIDI controller and if there was an option for the drum pads in write mode to be arranged to the most standard 4x4 layout by default instead of the current two rows. @dspreadbury
I have used the Novation Launchpad X, which is effective and has quite a few keyboard layouts but most of the time I used Finale, with the three octaves on a computer keyboard.
If use Dorico a lot - which I probably will now - I will explore that controller in detail and decide which layout is most suitable. As it has 64 pads it could be use for just over 5 octaves, if you don’t mind the strange layout.