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Orrex

(63,219 posts) Sun Dec 17, 2017, 01:58 PM Dec 2017

Need a suggestion on a Christmas gift

Our 11 year old son is very interested in digital animation, and he'd like to be able to add music. Currently he can generate simple tunes on various software platforms, but we'd like him to be able to create his own stuff more directly.

To that end, we'd like to get him an entry level keyboard that can feed into his Windows 10 laptop. Is there such an animal?

Price is an issue, because we don't want to buy a $400 keyboard that he'll ignore in two weeks. But we also want something a little better than the $19.99 keyboard that you can get in Walmart's toy aisle.

Can anyone recommend something for $100 or less that would work? The two features we'd like are an AC input (rather than battery-only) and a direct interface with the laptop. It doesn't need a full 88-key range, either.

Thanks for your input!

12 replies

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Need a suggestion on a Christmas gift (Original Post) Orrex Dec 2017 OP

For Christmas, I plan to CONSUME books underthematrix Dec 2017 #1

Well, that's 100% unhelpful. Thank you. Orrex Dec 2017 #2

I'm not much help, but maybe check at your local music shop? Kali Dec 2017 #3

I might do that--thanks Orrex Dec 2017 #4

yeah, the best outcome would be a rec for something they don't even carry. Kali Dec 2017 #5

I love to support mom-n-pop businesses, but I'm not a charity! Orrex Dec 2017 #6

I can not help you with tech fierywoman Dec 2017 #7

Great tip--thanks! Orrex Dec 2017 #8

You are welcome ; any time! fierywoman Dec 2017 #9

Sounds like you just need a MIDI controller. Dave Starsky Dec 2017 #10

Oooh--nice! Orrex Dec 2017 #11

M-Audio makes nice controllers diva77 Dec 2017 #12

underthematrix

(5,811 posts)

1. For Christmas, I plan to CONSUME books

Reply to Orrex (Original post)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 02:05 PM

Dec 2017

and get rid of our Sprint.

Orrex

(63,219 posts)

2. Well, that's 100% unhelpful. Thank you.

Reply to underthematrix (Reply #1)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 02:05 PM

Dec 2017

Kali

(55,019 posts)

3. I'm not much help, but maybe check at your local music shop?

Reply to Orrex (Original post)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 03:47 PM

Dec 2017

They would probably know exactly what you are looking for.

Orrex

(63,219 posts)

4. I might do that--thanks

Reply to Kali (Reply #3)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 03:52 PM

Dec 2017

I'm a bit leery, since they once recommended a $45 set of violin strings that Amazon had for $9.99, but it's worth a try.

Thanks!

Kali

(55,019 posts)

5. yeah, the best outcome would be a rec for something they don't even carry.

Reply to Orrex (Reply #4)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 03:54 PM

Dec 2017

Orrex

(63,219 posts)

6. I love to support mom-n-pop businesses, but I'm not a charity!

Reply to Kali (Reply #5)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 04:00 PM

Dec 2017

If it's a matter of a few bucks, I'll happily buy it in the shop. But when we're talking about a 50, 75 or 100 percent markup, well sorry mom and pop, but I'm out!

fierywoman

(7,688 posts)

7. I can not help you with tech

Reply to Orrex (Reply #4)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 04:06 PM

Dec 2017

but I can tell you about violin strings: Never pay retail at a local store. Go to sharmusic.com (I’ve dealt with them since the 1970s — very reliable.) They sell strings for about half off list price and because they have such a large volume their strings are “fresh”. You could get a deal on Amazon but (depending on the vendor) your strings might be knockoffs or they might be old and “stale”. OR you coul deal with Shar via Amazon.

Orrex

(63,219 posts)

8. Great tip--thanks!

Reply to fierywoman (Reply #7)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 04:07 PM

Dec 2017

My wife practices violin as a pure hobby, and for some crazy reason she likes to replace the strings when they snap!

fierywoman

(7,688 posts)

9. You are welcome ; any time!

Reply to Orrex (Reply #8)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 04:45 PM

Dec 2017

Dave Starsky

(5,914 posts)

10. Sounds like you just need a MIDI controller.

Reply to Orrex (Original post)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 05:58 PM

Dec 2017

Check this out...

http://www.akaipro.com/products/keyboard-controllers/mpk-mini-mkii

Orrex

(63,219 posts)

11. Oooh--nice!

Reply to Dave Starsky (Reply #10)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 06:02 PM

Dec 2017

That does sound just about right.

I'll consult with my wife and decide what to do...

diva77

(7,652 posts)

12. M-Audio makes nice controllers

Reply to Orrex (Original post)

Sun Dec 17, 2017, 07:06 PM

Dec 2017

link to 88 key one:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/keystation-88es

They also make ones with fewer keys. The sounds would come from whatever software he has on his laptop -- maybe Garageband for starters. He would have to run the keys through a USB interface if he wanted to add in vocals, or other live instruments

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