Will latency be an issue when learning to play with a MIDI keyboard controller?
 

Hi,

I hope this post it not off-topic, but it is about wanting to use hardware with Linux.

I have decided that I want to try to learn to play piano as a hobby. As it's mostly for fun, I'm not wanting to spend £1000 or so on a fully-weighted piano and then more money on piano lessons, so I'm looking to spend around £100 on a MIDI keyboard that I can use with Windows/Linux software. I've been playing with Jack, Rosegarden etc. in Linux, and it looks like a great setup for playing around with music and should be fun. I don't like using Windows, but there doesn't seem to be any MIDI piano education software for Linux.

I'm currently undecided whether to get a MIDI controller keyboard (i.e. no speakers) or a stand-alone keyboard. It seems to me that the former is cheaper because the computer is used to make the music and therefore for the same price as the latter, I can get a better keyboard.

I was looking at getting this keyboard MIDI controller:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...61es-main.html
Pros:
* It's keys are semi-weighted (so will be more piano-like).
* It's powered by USB and uses a MIDI USB connection.
* It's quick small and light so it won't take up too much room.

Cons:
* It has no speakers so it must be used with the computer (doesn't bother me too much).
* Might experience latency when playing, making it harder to play.

My other option is a regular electric keyboard (e.g. Yamaha, Casio):
Pros:
* They have speakers so I can play it anywhere.
* Latency won't be a problem useless I'm using MIDI with the computer.

Cons:
* Usually have to spend extra for the MIDI connector.
* Cannot seem to find any semi-weighted ones that are less than £500.
* Can be big and heavy.

What seems like the best option? The M-audio option looks good to me, as long as latency or anything else computer related won't be an issue.

My computer is a AMD 3800 Dual-Core, 2GB RAM with a RealTek motherboard soundcard and I'm using Ubuntu Edgy. Am I likely to experience latency problems with this machine? I think I might need to tweak some kernel options about clock frequency, but I can't find any information on other sources of latency. I don't really want to have to spend more money on a new soundcard or anything. I'm confused at the cause of MIDI latency really. For instance, a wireless mouse and keyboard can be used with virtually zero noticeable latency, so why would a MIDI keyboard have some?

Any advice would be appreciated.

A cheaper solution is a cheap soundcard with MIDI port, and the simplest MIDI keyboard controller.

Usually, there's no latency in MIDI, only in audio. So if you plan to generate the sound with your CPU or soundfonts, you may have to reduce latency.
Anyway, you have a PC a lot more powerful than needed to learn piano.

"a wireless mouse and keyboard can be used with virtually zero noticeable latency"
I don't agree. Wired optical is the sharpest.

"why would a MIDI keyboard have some?"
It's the sound generation that causes latency. You can fix it via the program named jack.

Thanks for the reply.

I've been trying to look for weighted keyboard keys so they are more piano like. The cheapest MIDI keyboards don't have this, so I don't mind paying a little more.

OK, so if I can play a virtual keyboard (i.e. one that appear in a window on the computer that you play by clicking keyboard keys) and the latency seems fine for playing, there shouldn't be any issue with the physical MIDI keyboard?

OK, thanks.