How to use a computer keyboard as a midi device?

I think that those who tried to work with sound on a computer, probably heard about such devices as midi-controllers. Yes, and many people far from creating music had the opportunity to contemplate artists on performances with a variety of "twists" and "clicks" for a fabulous price. How to get hold of such a useful thing without spending a penny? A worthy option is a homemade MIDI keyboard.

Small educational program for midi-controller

Midi controller (from the English abbreviation “MIDI” - designation of the interface used in programs) is a device that allows you to expand the capabilities of a computer in terms of midi-communication.

What do these devices allow to do?

MIDI controllers allow you to interact with the program to create and record music (a sequencer, tracker, etc.), and to switch software with external hardware modules. The latter refers to various types of keys, consoles, mechanical mixers, touchpads.

The main problem of this class of lotions, for a novice musician, is their high price: the average cost of a full-fledged new MIDI keyboard instrument is 7 thousand. The amount, of course, is ridiculous if you work somewhere and earn good money. (Indeed, in Russia the salary per capita is 28 thousand, considering the working population of infants and pensioners).

But if you are, for example, a student, then for you such a price tag will be "biting". Because of this aspect, using a homemade MIDI keyboard becomes the best solution.

What you need to do so that you have a self-made midi keyboard?

To begin with, a sequencer must be installed on your computer. (All the nuances will be considered on the example of the Fl Studio sequencer and the Vanilin MIDI Keyboard emulator program - one of the most popular in its class).

1. You need to download and install Vanilin MIDI Keyboard. You can find the program on its official website.
2. Suppose you have already installed this (or a similar) application, now return to the desktop - a shortcut should appear there. Using this shortcut, start the emulator and go to the settings.
3. If the computer has a standard sound card embedded in the chipset, then after clicking on the menu item "Device" you should see two subitems: "MIDI remapping device" and "Sound synthesizer". Click on "MIDI remapping device".
4. Minimize the program. In the lower right corner of the taskbar (somewhere near the clock) should appear already familiar to you program icon.
5. Run the sequencer. Select the Options menu ("Options") and click on the MIDI settings sub-item ("MIDI settings")
6. In the MIDI output line ("Output"), select "MIDI remapping device"

After you redo all these simple actions, create some tool and try to press any letter key on the keyboard. If you did everything correctly and did not install an empty (or muted) instrument, then you should hear a sound.

Everything, now you have a real keyboard instrument in your hands! Now you can not only see and listen to the sound, but also feel the touch on the keys of your own piano.