Last Updated on April 10, 2023
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Maybe you just got your MIDI keyboard. Or maybe you’ve had it for a while.
Either way, you might be looking for things to do with your MIDI keyboard. When it comes right down to it, it’s an amazing, versatile tool, and it’s more than just a piano or synthesizer. It can literally be used alongside any virtual instrument, including strings, drums, bass, and more.
But that’s not all. There are also MIDI sequencers and editors, scoring and composing apps, piano apps, Digital Audio Workstations, and various VST plugins, all of which you can use to unlock the full potential of your MIDI keyboard.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at the best MIDI keyboard software for Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android, and even Linux and Raspberry Pi.
Contents
MidiEditor
MidiEditor is a simple, attractive, no-nonsense graphical interface (featuring a design circa mid-2000s) you can use to edit, play, and record MIDI data.
From creating new MIDI content with your MIDI keyboard to loading in and editing existing MIDI files, MidiEditor is a capable workhorse for Windows and Linux.
Sequencing and recording MIDI is often done inside Digital Audio Workstations these days, but DAWs can take a while to learn, and all the clutter onscreen can prove a little distracting when you’re just trying to write and edit new parts.
That’s where we think MidiEditor shines. It offers a distraction-free environment where you can focus on the notes and get your sequencing done perfectly and to your satisfaction (before loading it up in a DAW or another editing environment).
That’s about all there is to this, really. If you need help, refer to the video below, or spend some time going through the manual on the MidiEditor website. It’s always good to familiarize yourself with the software you’re using, as that gives you the ability to make the most of it!
Download: MidiEditor
Piano Time by Revel Software
For those who want a dedicated environment in which to play, experiment, and work on their piano parts, Revel Software’s Piano Time hits the spot.
This is a Windows-only multitouch piano app with 36 onscreen keys and selectable octaves. The app comes with several fun and handy features like the metronome, as well as unlimited record and playback. You can even customize the look and feel of the app to your liking.
In addition to MIDI controller input, the app supports multitouch screen, keyboard, and mouse inputs.
Recordings can be saved as MP3s and shared with your friends.
So, if you’re passionate about the piano and want to document your journey, this is an excellent and fun distraction-free tool to help you grow as a musician and instrumentalist.
The app works on HoloLens, PC, mobile devices, and Hub.
Download: Microsoft Store
GarageBand for Mac by Apple
With GarageBand, Apple made music production accessible to even the greenest of beginners. With its launch, it wasn’t long before everyone and their dog was making beats and publishing online.
With the included samples and loops, anyone could combine them in their own unique ways, and create their own beats. Fun!
Turns out GarageBand is so much more than just a beginner DAW, or at the very least, it has evolved into more. It is streamlined and easy to use, to be sure, but in addition to messing around with loops and samples, or recording MIDI tracks, you can also record audio tracks, mix and master, and even publish your projects!
If that wasn’t enough, GarageBand has built-in lessons for piano and guitar, so if you’re looking to become a better musician and instrumentalist, or don’t know your way around a MIDI keyboard yet, you can take advantage of these.
We also like the built-in virtual instruments like piano, organ, synth, and more. These all sound surprisingly good and are capable even for professional projects.
GarageBand is usable on all Apple devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. It is not compatible with Windows or any other platform, though there are some free GarageBand alternatives for Windows PC that are worth a look (some of these work with other OS platforms too).
With all these features and a great deal more, it’s hard not to recommend GarageBand as a competent tool for MIDI keyboard. And if you own an Apple device, it might be installed on it already!
Download: Apple
Piano 10 by JEFBCreating, A Top Free Midi Keyboard App
Here’s another simple Windows Piano app compatible with HoloLens, PC, mobile devices, and Hub. It’s called Piano 10, and it’s an acoustic piano app with the ability to choose your octave.
The interface is simple and attractive. It creates a nice distraction-free environment where you can practice and work on your piano skills.
There’s not a whole lot more to say about it, but if you’re looking for a simplistic piano app to mess about with, you’ll probably enjoy Piano 10.
Download: Microsoft Store
Waveform Free by Tracktion
Tracktion’s Waveform Free is one of our favorite free DAWs, and whether you’re looking to record or sequence MIDI tracks, it’s an excellent, streamlined working environment in which to do exactly that.
Additionally, you might be inclined to play with piano, synth, strings, or other virtual instruments. The easiest way to do this is with a proper host, like Waveform Free.
It just so happens that Waveform also has an amazing synth called 4OSC built right into it. It might not look like much from the outside, but it can produce a lot of different classic synth sounds, making it highly versatile. It also has multiple presets you can choose from, if you need a little inspiration, or don’t know how to dial in your own synth sounds.
Waveform also comes with an FM synth, sampler, and micro drum sampler. Not a huge selection of tools, but still handy. Besides, the DAW is compatible with most VST plugins, and there might be a few virtual instruments on this list you’d like to install on your machine.
Waveform’s MIDI editor might seem intimidating at first (at least it was to me), but once you get used to it, you’ll be sequencing like a pro in no time. And there are an insane number of presets for grooves and chords, not to mention the ability to transpose and quantize on the fly.
There’s a lot of noise out there about MIDI chord packs these days, and sure, these can be great, but Waveform puts all chord types at your fingertips. All you need is a bit of a theory background, a willingness to Google ideas, or a spirit of experimentation to come up with effective progressions your listeners will be mesmerized by.
Much of this can be done without your MIDI keyboard, of course, but there’s nothing stopping you from recording MIDI tracks inside Waveform. It’s practically built for it!
You can basically do all your MIDI editing work inside Waveform, and you can even import your other saved MIDI tracks and load up your favorite virtual instruments inside.
Amazingly, Waveform is compatible with Mac, Windows, Ubuntu, and Raspberry Pi.
If you don’t mind taking some time to learn the Waveform workflow, it will probably become a fast favorite of yours.
Download: Tracktion
Perfect Piano by Revontulet Soft Inc
Revontulet Soft Inc’s Perfect Piano has been described as an “intelligent piano simulator” for Android phones and tablets.
This app features an 88-key piano keyboard, multiple modes (single-row, double-row, dual players, chords), multitouch screen support, force touch, keyboard width adjustment, built-in effects (grand piano, bright piano, music box, pipe organ, Rhodes, synthesizer), MIDI and ACC audio recording, metronome, direct sharing of your recorded files (as well as the ability to set them as ringtones), and Open SL ES low latency audio support.
Perfect Piano also makes multiplayer connection and competitions possible, with real-time online chat, weekly song challenge rankings, guilds, and more.
Demo videos of Perfect Piano show a user using the app on multiple phones, with the keyboard set to different octaves on each device. You could certainly have a lot of fun doing something like that!
But the app does indeed support standard MIDI protocol, which means you can connect your MIDI keyboard through USB to start experimenting with the app.
So, if you’re looking for a fun and convenient Android piano app you can take with you wherever you go, you’ll love Perfect Piano.
Download: Google Play
LABS by Spitfire Audio
Welcome to the ultimate composer’s playground.
Spitfire Audio’s LABS encompasses a wide range of beautiful, organic sounding virtual instruments, including strings, guitars, pianos, brass, drums, vocals, percussion, synths, and experimental. There aren’t many gaps in their incredible library!
These virtual instruments “stay in their lane,” as it were, and though not configurable to the nth degree as some virtual instruments are, what they do, they do exceptionally well.
To use LABS instruments, you’ll need a host (DAW) like Waveform. If you’re already using a DAW you like, then you should be good to go. Otherwise, you may want to take a moment to look over our list of best free DAWs you can download immediately (each of them can be great MIDI keyboard applications in their own right).
If you’re going to be playing around with your MIDI keyboard anyway, it’s nice to be able to work with high quality sounds, and LABS puts a ton at your fingertips.
LABS is not all sunshine and rainbows, though, which is something we figured out through trial and error.
For one, to download any of the LABS instruments, you will need to download the Spitfire Audio app. In theory, this would be fine, but we find their app to be quite error prone. Oftentimes, plugins would not get installed properly, and even after they were, we would still sometimes get error messages. “Repair” functions either worked poorly or didn’t work at all.
Personally, I would much prefer being able to download DLL files and store them away under the appropriate category in my VST plugin library. I like to keep my VST library organized! Spitfire Audio is messing with my system.
Each LABS instrument also requires 500 MB of hard drive space, if not double or quadruple that amount.
I guess it can’t all be upsides, right? But if Spitfire Audio ever works out all the kinks, they would probably be our go-to for most if not all virtual instruments, and we’d be able to give them a “perfect” rating.
Download: Spitfire Audio
Surge
The Surge synth is one of those VST plugins that lives up to the hype. If you haven’t heard of it, here’s the lowdown – it’s a free, powerful, versatile, open source, award-winning, hybrid synth that’s compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows systems.
We’ve already covered Surge in multiple guides (and raved about it), so we won’t be going over all its features again. Suffice it to say, Surge is so versatile that you could create entire projects with it (without the need of relying on another synth – hardware, software, or otherwise).
That’s kind of what makes it a hard product to review, honestly, because you can do just about anything with it sound wise, though a lot of the sounds seem primitive, or video game inspired.
As with other virtual instruments mentioned here, Surge needs a host to work. If you don’t have a DAW, you’ll want to download and install one on your machine.
What makes Surge a great product for your MIDI keyboard is obviously that you can create just about any kind of sound you want with it. That makes practicing, sequencing, and messing around with your MIDI keyboard that much more fun!
So, if you’re looking for the ultimate synth to add to your virtual instrument library, this is probably it!
Download: GitHub
Atmos Piano by Prism Audio
This one is a recent discovery for us, though it’s entirely possible you’ve come across Prism Audio’s Atmos Piano before.
So far as free “soft piano” sounds are concerned, yeah, LABS – Soft Piano might do a better job, but Atmos Piano is still quite solid for evocative, atmospheric, ambient piano sounds. Throw on a little reverb or delay and play around with it. I’m sure you’ll get some pleasing, usable sounds for projects requiring toned-down piano sounds.
With Atmos Piano, I like that, unlike many modern plugins, you can just download the DLL file and add it to your VST library on your hard drive, instead of having to download an unreliable installer or worse, an app that manages all your downloads, before having to scan for new plugins within your DAW, crossing your fingers, and hoping that it all works out (and sometimes it doesn’t).
Look, in our production environments, speed is of the essence!
Anyway, this is more of a free VST than anything, and it requires a host (Digital Audio Workstation) to run. If you don’t already have a DAW, then grab one of the free ones from above, or check our guide on the best free DAWs.
Atmos Piano is simplistic. It only features a few controls. But again, for soft piano sounds, it’s quite reliable, and fun to play with. A great practice and recording tool overall.
Atmos Piano is available as a VST or AU for Mac, and VST for Windows.
Download: Prism Audio
BRELS MIDI Editor
Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in the 90s? Do your friends always find subtle ways to remind you that you’re not “with” the times?
Well, you might as well embrace who you are (and what you like), and with BRELS MIDI editor, you can pretend that you’re still in the early days of computer software. It even brands itself as a free, open-source, old-school MIDI editor.
And while it indeed carries an old-school look, it was originally developed in 2004.
This editor gives you the ability to create and edit MIDI files in a straightforward interface. Saved file sizes are optimized to remain small (not that MIDI files are large to begin with!).
The entire content of MIDI files can be edited inside BRELS, and the composition length is controllable too.
This one is a tribute to all those who liked old school applications and prefer simple interfaces to more complex ones.
Download: BRELS MIDI Editor
MuseScore
MuseScore is the self-proclaimed “world’s most popular notation software” for Windows 10, with millions of users.
The latest version of MuseScore is a free, open-source application, and the most significant change they’ve made is with the appearance of the sheet music itself, which is more professional than ever.
Multiple staves can be added for each of the instruments you’re looking to compose for, and individual instruments can even be set up as soloists. All instruments automatically organize themselves onscreen in the appropriate sections too.
MuseScore put a lot of effort into their typefaces, which is probably the biggest change they’ve recently made.
Naturally, MuseScore supports MIDI keyboard input, which means you can easily write music for piano, guitar, orchestra, jazz, choir, band, marching, and more.
In case you didn’t get this from what we’ve said so far, though, it should be stressed that MuseScore is a scoring and composing tool more than anything. So, if you aren’t interested in notating your music, or don’t need a tool dedicated to notation, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
MuseScore is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Download: MuseScore
Aria Maestosa
Aria Maestosa is yet another bare-bones open-source MIDI sequencer and editor. Inside, you can compose, edit, and play MIDI files quickly and easily, utilizing its user-friendly interface. All this can be done in multiple, convenient views including score, keyboard, guitar, and controller.
For those who like sequencing MIDI, but also want to be able to see their music in standard notation form, this could prove quite handy.
Aria Maestosa is available for Mac, Linux, and Windows, and has been translated to multiple languages, including French, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian.
Download: Aria Maestosa
Denemo
Here’s another free music notation program for Linux, Mac, and Windows.
Music can be typed in using a PC keyboard, played on a MIDI controller, or even be inputted acoustically into a microphone connected to your computer’s soundcard.
Denemo utilizes the Lilypond music engraver, which generates beautiful sheet music up to high publishing standards. Music entered in can be edited after the fact in case there are any changes you want to make.
Other unique features include the ability to add links to the score to the original source document it was transcribed from.
Denemo is an excellent tool for those looking to score and compose, or even prepare music for musicians who read (rather than reading tabs or improvising).
Download: Denemo
MPC Beats by Akai Pro
For simple beat making purposes, we like Akai Pro’s MPC Beats.
This is a powerful, sophisticated, feature-rich DAW designed specifically with beat making and compact MIDI keyboards/controllers in mind.
Its built-in features make it easy for you to get up and running with your beats, with genre templates for various popular styles of music, as well as the ability to start remixing included songs, which is a great way to learn the workflow and included tools.
MPC Beats comes bundled with 2 GB worth of sample, loop, and built-in virtual instrument plugin content, which means you won’t necessarily need to hunt down additional plugins and content to begin enjoying the process of making amazing beats.
Akai Pro sets you up to win in a lot of ways, not the least of which is their various expansion packs, as well as their MPC Beats Academy for those who want to know how they can take full advantage of their MIDI keyboard and the DAW itself.
If you want to focus more on scoring, composing, or piano, then there are apps better suited to those purposes. But if you’re ready to start making beats with your MIDI keyboard, you’ll probably get a kick out of MPC Beats.
Download: Akai Pro
MiniSpillage Compact Drum Synthesizer by AudioSpillage
Sure, there’s a lot you can do with your MIDI controller (as we’ve already seen).
You can use it to work on your piano and keyboard skills.
You can use it to record and sequence MIDI tracks.
You can even score and compose entire projects for a variety of instruments, from start to finish.
But let’s not forget – you can also make drumbeats using your MIDI controller. Sure, it forces you to think a little differently about your keyboard and work on your rhythm, but that’s not a bad thing at all, is it?
That’s why we figured the MiniSpillage Compact Drum Synthesizer wouldn’t be a bad addition to this list.
The highly praised MiniSpillage features three synthesis algorithms, along with distortion effects and resonant filters. You get a single oscillator bass drum synth with pitch sweep, internal FM and harmonic controls, a flexible wooden drum with natural and synthetic timbres, and a six-oscillator closed and open hi-hat generator with noise source and dual resonant filters.
Though simple and easy to use, MiniSpillage is also powerful. You might just be amazed at how many sounds you can create using this seemingly streamlined drum synth.
Producers are giving MiniSpillage rave reviews. Though it’s basically a sample pack with a basic GUI, it’s sheer flexibility makes it one of the best free drum synthesizers available, if not the absolute best.
Download: AudioSpillage
Is A MIDI Keyboard An Instrument Unto Itself?
Technically, no.
MIDI keyboards require a device that can read its code – that could be a computer or another device that generates internal sounds.
Digital keyboards, for example, usually have internal sounds as well as MIDI compatibility. They are more versatile than MIDI only keyboards, but they are also more expensive.
A MIDI keyboard is most useful when connected to a computer (and DAW) because it gives you the ability to transmit code to your DAW to produce recording information.
Once your keyboard is connected, not only can you record your MIDI tracks and edit them after the fact, but you can use any virtual instrument with it. That means you aren’t limited by its internal sounds (which digital keyboards are), but only by the number of virtual instruments installed inside your DAW and the tweakable parameters (which can be quite extensive, especially for synths).
I suppose it could be argued that the best keyboard is one with multiple connectivity options, with internal sounds, the ability to send code to software recording, and the ability to plug it into an amplifier or speaker. As already noted, such options do exist, and they can be a little more expensive.
The advantages of a MIDI keyboard are that they are generally cheaper, more portable, and give you the flexibility of composing, songwriting, sequencing, and making beats anywhere, assuming you have your laptop with you (with DAW software installed).
The MIDI keyboard can be an exciting discovery for some, especially when they realized it can be used to trigger any virtual instrument installed in their DAW.
Best Free Midi Keyboard Software, Final Thoughts
Do you feel unleashed on your MIDI keyboard yet?
At this point, we might be beating a dead horse, but there is just so much you can do with your MIDI keyboard you may not have even been aware of. In some ways, it truly is the most versatile and useful studio tool you could have!
Of course, it works great for general usage too – songwriting, jamming, sequencing, composing, scoring, and even practice.
And, if we’re being honest, there’s a near endless supply of free virtual instruments, DAWs, and apps you can take advantage of. So, if for whatever reason the above isn’t enough, you can always go looking for more.
Happy trails!
Try the most reliable music programs to use with your MIDI keyboard
by Tashreef Shareef
Tashreef Shareef is a software developer turned tech writer. He discovered his interest in technology after reading a tech magazine accidentally. Now he writes about everything tech from… read more
Updated on
- If you’re a music producer, you need the best music production software to use with your MIDI keyboard.
- Find here a tool that works great with your MIDI keyboard, microphone and other musical equipment.
- Another great program gives you 56 effects for audio and MIDI processing.
- You can also choose an app for both beginners and professionals with MIDI enhancements.
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A MIDI keyboard is one of the essential pieces of equipment to have in your music studio. These ultra-portable keyboards work with your computer directly via USB connection allowing to increase your workflow as well as get creative with your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or notation software.
While having a MIDI keyboard is an excellent addition to your studio, what’s equally important is to find a perfect software to use for MIDI keyboard. Now if you are not sure what music production software to use with your MIDI keyboard, we got you covered.
We have created a comprehensive list of the best software to use for MIDI keyboard to bring your musical fantasies to life. These programs will also help you to optimize workflow and make the composition process easier.
Best software to use with MIDI keyboards
FL Studio – Well-designed interface
FL Studio is a big name in the music composition industry and for all the right reasons. It is one of the oldest in the business and offers a complete music production suite with composing, arranging, recording, editing, and mixing features to master pro-quality music.
On the bright side, FL Studio is beginner friendly. That said, the more advanced version offers more tools and features for professional and seasoned artists.
The user interface is well-designed keeping beginners in mind. For anything else, you can watch YouTube videos or use the community forums to get your doubts cleared.
FL Studio works greatly with MIDI Keyboard, Microphone, and other sets of music equipment. The Mixer allows you to create effects chains, audio sends, advanced automation, and plugin delay right from the software.
Furthermore, it has Piano Roll to send notes and automation data to plugin instructions, a detailed browser and playlist area, 80+ plugins, and more.
FL Studio is an excellent piece of music production software that offers enough features to get new users started with the standard pack and advanced features for professionals to do more.
How we test, review and rate?
We have worked for the past 6 months on building a new review system on how we produce content. Using it, we have subsequently redone most of our articles to provide actual hands-on expertise on the guides we made.
For more details you can read how we test, review, and rate at WindowsReport.
FL Studio
A complete music production suite to help you achieve the best music experience.
Avid Pro Tools – Collaboration feature
Avid Pro is the industry standard in mixing and mastering work. It is also one of the affordable music production software for beginners while offering an advanced version for professionals.
Avid Pro offers multiple versions of its music composition software. Pro Tools First is the free version of the software and provides a limited set of functionalities including the ability to create up to 16 audio tracks.
The premium version offers more features with up 128 and 256 audio track support in Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate version.
From virtual instruments, samples, and sounds to tons of track presets and MIDI enhancements, Avid Pro Tools offers everything to keep you on track.
The collaboration feature allows you to collaborate with other artists in the cloud or studio to maximize your efficiency.
Avid Pro Tools
Maximize your sound efficiency and try the Avid Pro Tools software.
ACID Pro – Advanced technology
Acid Pro from Magix is a professional music production software. The latest version comes with a modern and sleek user interface making it easier for both professionals and beginners to work with it.
It is a premium software and comes in only one version. The company offers a fully functional free trial with 30 days validity, which is good enough to test the software.
The latest version now uses the more powerful 64-bit technology. It also comes with flexible multitrack recording, multiple new plug-in instruments and effects, advanced MIDI and Audi editing features improved loop-based composition, and up to 9 GB of new ACIDzied loops to get you started right off the bat.
Acid Pro is a fully featured professional music production software that works with MIDI keyboard and other instruments and offers professional recording, editing, and mixing features to keep your creativity flowing.
ACID Pro
Enable your creativity and use professional recording, editing, and mixing features.
Ableton Live – Various instruments
Ableton Live has no reason to be second on this list and is as good as FL Studio if not better. It is also one of the most popular DAW ( Digital Audio Workstation) that can please both beginners as well as seasoned professionals alike.
One big advantage of Ableton Live is the inclusion of the sound package that comes bundled with the software. This package consists of 23 sound libraries which are a whopping 50 GB of sound files for you to use.
In addition, it also comes with 13 instruments to try including Wavetable, Operator, Sampler, Analog, and more. You also have 56 effects for audio processing and MIDI. It has an instant mapping feature that allows you to use the software with keyboard and controller.
Ableton Live should be your go-to software if you want to perform live on the stage. Take the trial for a spin to see if it is something that can help you do more with your music.
⇒ Get Ableton Live
Reason by Propeller Heads – Good edit functionality
Last but not least, we have Reason which is a Digital Audio Workstation that is easy to get started with yet can go deeper depending on the producer’s knowledge.
It is the ultimate tool to create, compose, mix, and produce the next chartbuster for audiophiles and casual alike.
Reason allows you to better organize the work area which is divided into four parts namely Browser, Mixer, Reason Track, and Sequencer enabling you to deal with instruments, sounds, effects, record, and edit functionalities.
It also has other essential features including Mixer, CV & Routing, Rack, and Layout that allows you to create the music from scratch and add a final touch to your music.
⇒ Get Reason
All the software listed in this article can be used with a MIDI keyboard. However, what software to use strictly depends on your use, requirements, and experience with the music production software.
If you enjoy music so much, why don’t you take a look at this great list of the best music production software. You’ll be pleased with their features and offers.
We have listed one of the most expensive as well as the cheapest music production software that you can use to create the next chartbuster for your studio.
11 Best Free MIDI Keyboard Software for Windows, Mac, And Android
January 12, 2022 7479
What if you own a MIDI keyboard and just want a piece of software for practicing piano or messing around? Then you most certainly don’t need to purchase any expensive DAW. In this post, we take a deep dive into the best free MIDI keyboard software for both Windows, iOS, Linux, and Android.
Let’s dive right in!
At a Glance: Our Pick of the Best Free MIDI Keyboard Software
- Best Overall: Waveform Free
- Best for macOS: GarageBand
- Best for Windows: Piano 10
- Best for Linux: Surge
- Best Android App: Perfect Piano
For Every Platform
Waveform Free
Compatibility: macOS | Windows | Linux
Waveform Free is a fully-featured DAW software with built-in MIDI keyboard software that offers some great compositional tools on hand.
If you’re a mediocre keyboardist like myself, the MIDI Chord Player puts all chord types at your fingertips. It’s a great way to create and experiment with interesting chord patterns without having to play the chords yourself. It also allows producers to create custom chords, which expands the possibilities even further.
The MIDI Pattern Generator is a great MIDI tool for generating leads and basslines. It allows you to create synchronized melodies at the push of a button. This is great if you want to experiment and unlock some ideas quickly.
Overall, Waveform Free is more than a great free MIDI keyboard software. Its powerful working environment allows for seemingly endless possibilities for both audio recording and MIDI sequencing.
Download: Waveform Free
LABS by Spitfire Audio
Compatibility: macOS | Windows
Unlike Waveform Free, LABS by Spitfire Audio is standalone software, and it requires a DAW like Waveform to act as a host. Feel free to take a look at our list of the best free DAWs that you can download immediately and start using LABS.
With that being said, it’s definitely one of the best free MIDI keyboard software on the market.
Spitfire Audio’s LABS is a free MIDI library that encompasses a wide range of beautiful, organic-sounding instruments. The library includes instruments such as strings, pianos, drums, vocals, synths, and brass.
Even if the tweaking possibilities are limited compared to premium VSTs, you’ll get tons of pre-configured high-quality sounds at your fingertips. The interface is simple yet intuitive, and easy to use for beginners.
One drawback is that you have to download the Spitfire Audio app to be able to use any of the sounds in LABS. Installing the instruments can be frustrating. For instance, I had some error messages that kept popping up even if I installed everything correctly.
Lastly, if you want to use the full library of instruments you probably need to free up some space on your hard drive. Each LABS instrument requires a minimum of 500 MB.
Download: LABS by Spitfire Audio
Surge
Compatibility: macOS | Windows | Linux
If you’re into electronic music, you’ll love this free MIDI keyboard software. Surge is a powerful, versatile, open-source, award-winning synthesizer. Since Surge offers many synthesis methods, the tweaking possibilities are endless. This free VST does everything a $200 premium synthesizer does. In fact, it was previously sold for $99.
At a first glance, Surge looks rather complex. But because of how it’s put together, the effortless workflow is easy to learn. So what makes Surge a great software for MIDI controllers?
First, you can create just about any sound you want. Secondly, if your MIDI device features knobs or faders, you can map them to any parameter within Surge and control them directly from your keyboard.
With Surge, you can both practice synthesis and sequence in your DAW. It’s the perfect software for your MIDI controller!
Download: Surge
MuseScore
Compatibility: macOS | Windows | Linux
Before explaining MuseScore any further, it’s important to point out that this is a scoring and composing tool dedicated to notation. Even if it supports MIDI keyboard input, if you’re not interested in notation I would recommend any other free MIDI keyboard software on this list.
One of the coolest things about MuseScore is that you can input MIDI files and convert them into music notation. You can also import PDF files of orchestral music and have MuseScore create notations that you can edit with the help of your MIDI controller.
Even if MuseScore is completely free, it can compete with premium music notation software. The interface is clean yet powerful, and if you’re a beginner you’ll find it very easy to navigate. Also, the software gets updated frequently with even more powerful features.
Download: MuseScore
Pianu.com
Compatibility: macOS | Windows | Linux
Tired of messing around with downloading software? Then I’ve got some good news for you! Pianu.com is a web-based MIDI keyboard software that allows you to start playing within seconds. All you need is a network connection and to have your MIDI keyboard connected to your computer. Then, head over to pianu.com/keyboard-page and press “Detect My Keyboard”. That’s it!
Pianu.com is not very complex. Think of it as a platform for learning to play the piano rather than recording and editing MIDI. There is a lot of built-in piano lessons that can take you from an absolute beginner to a decent keyboardist.
One drawback is the piano sound. Although it works like a charm for practice, you don’t want to use pianu.com for recording or live performances. The notes lack sustain and they don’t ring out as a real piano would.
Aria Maestosa
Compatibility: macOS | Windows | Linux
Aria Maestosa is an open-source MIDI sequencer and editor. Although the interface looks rather bare-bones, it’s full of editing capabilities. Similar to MuseScore, Aria Maestosa is more of a composition tool than it is a recording tool. However, it’s a MIDI keyboard software that allows you to record and edit MIDI files.
The software includes a standard piano editor where you can see notes and chords. It also features a guitar editor for tablature, a drum editor for beats, and a score editor for editing of classical musical notation. Lastly, the controller editor allows you to adjust levels, envelope, sustain, dynamic curves, and more.
Unfortunately, Aria Maestosa is limited when it comes to voicings. All you have are tracks for piano, guitar, and drums. As with any MIDI track, you can always export it to your DAW of choice and manipulate the voicing.
Overall, Aria Maestosa is an easy-to-handle environment for creating and editing MIDI files. The software is light and it runs smoothly even if you don’t own a high-end computer
Download: Aria Maestosa
MIDI Keyboard Software For Windows
Piano Time
Compatibility: Windows 10 (10240.0 or higher)
Piano Time is a great option if you’re on a Windows 10 system and want a free MIDI keyboard software that allows true plug-and-play.
It’s more of an app but that doesn’t mean you need a phone or a tablet to use it. Similar to Apple, Windows is narrowing the gap between their different devices. This means that if you have Windows 10240.0 or higher, you can head over to the Microsoft Store and download Piano Time for free.
The ease of use is incredible as Piano Time will instantly recognize your MIDI keyboard as soon as you plug it into your computer. On the other hand, all you can really do with the app is jam and record. If you want to export your tracks, you’ll have to pay a small fee to be able to upgrade to the premium version. There are no options for tweaking the sound and you won’t find any additional effects like reverb or delay.
With that being said, Piano Time is great for learning as it comes pre-loaded with a few very basic tracks that you can play along with. The keys will light up and show you how to play along, and if you’re a beginner you have the option to slow the track down. There are also a few basic scale exercises you can play along with.
So who is Piano Time for? Any absolute beginner or child who wants to learn to play the piano. If you’re into songwriting and producing your own tracks, a dedicated DAW like Waveform Free will be more suitable for your needs.
Download: Piano Time
Piano 10
Compatibility: Xbox | Windows 10 (10240.0 or higher) | Windows 8.1
Similar to Piano Time, Piano 10 is a free piano app available for download in the Microsoft Store. To be able to use your MIDI keyboard, you have to enable MIDI support in the main menu and select your controller. It took me a while to figure that one out, and by only looking at the interface you can’t really tell what the different symbols in the top left corner mean.
So what differs Piano 10 from other piano apps? Surprisingly, it includes 126 different sounds to choose from. You can also alter the sound with various effects like reverb, echo, and sustain. Unfortunately, only one effect can be used at the same time.
Besides the effects and many sounds, Piano 10 also includes an auto-chord function. It lights up the keys of the chords while you’re playing, and you can scroll through different chord types to see how they’re played. Great for learning!
With Piano 10, you can save your work by exporting the clips as .xscore-files. Unfortunately, you can’t import them into another software, as they only can be opened in Piano 10.
Overall, Piano 10 is a great free MIDI keyboard software with more features than you would expect. The interface has some limitations, but that’s usually the case when it comes to pianos in pocket format.
Download: Piano 10
MidiEditor
Compatibility: Windows | Linux
MidiEditor is a capable free MIDI software for Windows and Linux. Even if the graphical interface is outdated with its design from the mid-2000s, there is a lot of features under the hood. You can play, record, and edit MIDI data without any complications, and the distraction-free environment is a lot simpler to use than a full-featured DAW.
MidiEditor also comes with VST support, meaning you can load external virtual instruments to expand your compositions even further. It’s probably not necessary for beginners since MidiEditor already includes a wide range of patches, drum samples, loops, and more.
Overall, this is one of the best free MIDI software available today. Thanks to its simplicity, it’s a great learning tool for those who have never edited MIDI files before. It’s easy to adjust the BPM and make changes to your note patterns or drum beat.
The user interface isn’t that creative to work with but when you’re ready for more functionality, you can easily export your MIDI files into a full-featured DAW.
Download: MidiEditor
GarageBand
Compatibility: Mac | iPhone | iPad
The widely popular free audio editing software GarageBand needs no introduction. It comes with every iOS device, and the app is incredibly powerful for a free DAW. The Smart Controls is particularly powerful as they dynamically highlight the most effective parameters to tweak for any given sound you’ve loaded in GarageBand.
When it comes to built-in sound libraries, GarageBand includes a vast array of beautiful sampled pianos, acoustic basses, drums, leads, and pads. GarageBand also offers support for third-party AU plugins, meaning you can buy or download any external virtual instruments and load them into your projects.
This free DAW supports MIDI and allows you to edit and transpose MIDI files. The piano roll gives you a detailed overview of all notes, and you can change velocity, positioning, pitch, and duration, etc. The automated drummer track can convert audio files such as drum loops into MIDI, making them easier to edit.
Lastly, GarageBand comes with 40 free basic guitar and piano lessons that you can download and import into the interface. If you’re looking to become a better musician or instrumentalist, you can practice with the help of a MIDI controller.
Overall, Garageband is one of the most powerful free MIDI keyboard software available, and if you own an Apple device you probably already have it installed.
Download: Garageband
MIDI Keyboard Software On Android
Perfect Piano (Standalone)
Perfect Piano is a great piano app for Android phones and tablets. The app support standard MIDI protocol, meaning you can connect your MIDI keyboard through USB and start playing. Perfect Piano is extremely versatile as it includes multi-functional modes such as single-row, double-row, dual players, and chords.
One cool feature is the multiplayer connection. It allows you to participate in a real-time online chat, weekly competitions, song challenges, and more. It also features a “Learn to Play”-mode which allows you to learn thousands of popular music scores.
Like with all piano apps that I’ve tested, the sounds are programmed and not sampled from a real instrument. However, the sounds in Perfect Piano are quite impressive. Even if the app has an 88-key piano keyboard set to default, you can switch between instruments such as strings, synths, pipe organs, horns, and guitar. You can also download additional instruments within the app for free. Another handy feature that I liked was the possibility to change the number of keys on the screen.
Perfect Piano is the best free MIDI keyboard software for Android devices. With the multiplayer connection, it almost feels like a game where you can learn to play the piano. If you want to get rid of advertising and have even more songs to play along with, you can upgrade to the premium version for $2.99/month.
Download: Perfect Piano
How to Connect a MIDI Controller to Android
Connecting a MIDI controller to an Android device is easy. However, no phones or tablets have a standard USB slot built-in. What you need is an adapter cable.
So which one should you buy? It depends on what connections you have available on your phone/tablet and MIDI keyboard.
These are the most common USB types available on Android devices:
- USB C
- Micro-USB (for slightly older devices)
- Mini-USB (old devices)
If you don’t know what type of USB connectivity you have on your Android device, try and Google it or have a look in your user manual.
So what about the MIDI keyboard? Most standard keyboards feature a USB type B port, while some older controllers have dedicated MIDI in/out ports.
What you usually need is a converter that has a standard USB-A slot (female connection) at one end where you can connect your MIDI keyboard. At the other end, you’ll need a USB-C connection (male).
How Does MIDI Work?
First thing first, MIDI itself doesn’t produce any sound. It’s just a series of messages like “note on” and “note off”. MIDI signals are a series of binary digits that computers understand. When you press a note on your MIDI keyboard, it sends instructions to your computer. Besides “note on” and “note off”, these instructions include:
- Note
- Velocity
- Aftertouch
- Pitchbend
- Channel
The instructions are picked up and followed by a MIDI instrument to produce sound. It could be a piece of hardware or a virtual instrument (VST).
There are many advantages of using MIDI. First, it’s extremely easy to modify and manipulate notes without having to re-record. All you have to do is drag and drop the MIDI notes in your MIDI software.
Secondly, MIDI also makes it easy to change instruments in your tracks. Remember, MIDI only describes which notes to play, and how they’re played. This information can be sent to any instrument that understands MIDI.
What Is A MIDI Keyboard Software?
A MIDI keyboard software can be a standalone program, or as part of a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Its job is to translate the code from MIDI controllers, into MIDI tracks where you can load and play virtual instruments.
Conclusion
A MIDI keyboard software is a must-have if you want to use a MIDI controller. Nowadays, there is plenty of free MIDI keyboard software and apps available that you can download. As you learn more advanced techniques for music production, the best option is to start recording MIDI straight into a DAW with more editing possibilities.
So which is the best free MIDI keyboard software available? It depends on what you want to do with it.
If you’re looking for a plug-and-play app where you can learn to play the piano, I suggest downloading Perfect Piano for Android or GarageBand for iOS.
If you need more features I recommend using Waveform Free. It offers more advanced functionality such as multitrack MIDI recording and the support of third-party plugins.
Современное программное обеспечение позволяет запросто создавать собственные мелодии или партии с использованием специальных устройств, называемых MIDI-клавиатурами, которые по своему основному назначению не отличаются от обычного пианино. Различие состоит только в принципах работы и удобству исполнения, в зависимости от того, какие и сколько клавиш на них может присутствовать. Естественно, просто так на компьютере применять такие устройства нельзя. Для использования всего скрытого потенциала любого такого девайса используются специальные программы для МИДИ-клавиатуры, которые могут отличаться друг от друга достаточно сильно. Описать все такие приложения и программные пакеты нереально просто физически, поэтому рассмотрим наиболее часто используемые и рекомендуемые специалистами программы.
Что такое стандарт MIDI?
Прежде чем приступать к рассмотрению выбора программного обеспечения, немного стоит остановиться на понятии стандарта MIDI. Сокращение образовано от английского термина Musical Instrument Digital Interface, то есть «цифровой интерфейс музыкального инструмента».
Некоторые ошибочно полагают, что к этому понятию относятся только звуковые наборы вроде GM, GS или XG. На самом деле посредством применения специальных команд с любого MIDI-устройства можно передать массу дополнительных сведений, включая и сам выбранный звук, и его привязку к клавиатуре, и используемый в данный момент эффект, и силу нажатия клавиши, и модуляцию, и канал передачи, и еще много всего. Посредством таких команд осуществляется двусторонняя связь между инструментами и программным обеспечением. И любой набор может быть записан в виде соответствующего MIDI-файла, который можно воспроизвести либо в какой-то то специализированной программе для написания (создания) музыки, либо в самом обычном программном плеере.
Какую MIDI-клавиатуру выбрать?
Что же касается выбора клавиатуры, тут посоветовать что-то универсальное достаточно сложно. Такие устройства различаются по типу самой клавиатуры (рояльная взвешенная или синтезаторная), количеству клавиш (например, 49, 66, 88), по наличию встроенных саундбанков, по типу подключения к компьютеру и т. д. Но на сегодняшний день абсолютно все «железные» синтезаторы поддерживают стандарт MIDI. Если же речь идет о домашнем использовании, можно подобрать недорогие устройства от Alesis, Korg, Akai и т. д. Профессиональные девайсы, скажем, от M-Audio, стоят достаточно дорого. Но тут все зависит от ваших предпочтений. Если вы играете на фортепиано и не изменяете своим принципам, лучше приобрести полновзвешенную клавиатуру рояльного типа с 88 клавишами (можно купить даже недорогой инструмент линейки Yamaha DGX).
Если привыкли пользоваться простенькими синтезаторами, для записи партий хватит и устройств вроде Alesis Q49 с синтезаторной клавиатурой и 49 клавишами.
Основные типы программ для МИДИ-клавиатуры
Теперь перейдем непосредственно к программному обеспечению. Приложений для работы с MIDI сегодня можно насчитать очень много. Однако следует учесть, что все современные программы для МИДИ-клавиатуры (на русском языке в том числе) условно можно разделить на несколько основных типов:
- простейшие клавиатурные приложения для игры в реальном времени с поддержкой минимальных звуковых наборов;
- программы-трекеры с поддержкой MIDI;
- MIDI-секвенсоры (в том числе, и для визуализации партитуры);
- полноценные виртуальные студии с расширенными возможностями.
Далее кратко остановимся на каждом типе программ и выделим среди всего этого ПО наиболее популярные и практичные приложения.
Простая программа для МИДИ-клавиатуры Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard
Данное приложение представляет одно из самых простых решений для домашнего использования и выполнено, как следует из названия, в виде виртуального пианино. в приложении имеется звуковой банк General MIDI, включающий в себя в общей сложности 127 звуков, среди которых можно найти пэды, лиды, басы, синтезированные звуки, оркестровые и народные инструменты, спецэффекты, а также несколько комплектов ударных. Это так называемый стандартный набор.
Некогда корпорация Yamaha решила расширить его до стандарта XG (Extended MIDI), однако наибольшее распространение он получил только на инструментах собственного производства и программах для МИДИ-клавиатуры именно этого разработчика. В свою очередь компания Roland презентовала собственный набор GS. Оба стандартных банка поддерживались звуковыми картами Sound Blaster.
Но вернемся к программе. Несмотря на такие скромные возможности описываемого приложения, в нем есть одна интересная особенность, которая состоит в том, что, помимо стандартного MIDI-банка, в приложение можно загружать звуки в формате SF2 (Soundfonts), что, несомненно, расширяет его возможности. Но создать полноценную композицию, как уже понятно, именно в этой программе не получится.
Трекеры и MIDI-секвенсоры
Еще одно из направлений, представленных в программах для работы с МИДИ-клавиатурой, — популярные некогда трекеры (от английского Tracker). В них также можно сыграть и записать отдельные партии, а затем соединить в конечный полноценный трек. Однако, отображение записанных нот отличается от общепринятого, и многие пользователи признают некоторое неудобство работы с ними. Самыми известными среди таких приложений можно назвать классические программы вроде Renoise, ModPlug Tracker, Mad Tracker и другие.
Программы для МИДИ-клавиатуры в виде секвенсоров стали особо популярными 90-х.
Ярчайшими представителями музыкальных пакетов того времени стали программы линейки Cakewalk Pro Audio. Сегодня многие пользователи отдают предпочтение приложениями вроде Anvil Studio. А вот среди MIDI-программ, позволяющих создавать полноценные музыкальные произведения, используя для этого не только всевозможные звуковые библиотеки, но и запись нотной партитуры, лучшим, несомненно, считается уникальное в своем роде приложение Sibelius.
Виртуальные студии
Но самыми мощными признаны виртуальные студии (FL Studio, Cubase, Sonar, Reason, Studio One и т.д.).
Любая такая программа для компьютера с МИДИ-клавиатурой может работать практически со всеми известными звуковыми форматами и подключать дополнительные плагины VST, AAX, RTAS и DX, в которых присутствуют и непосредственно инструменты VSTi (виртуальные синтезаторы, сэплеры, ромплеры) и всевозможные эффекты для обработки звука, причем, с максимально полным контролем всех MIDI-параметров и событий.
Что же касается именно плагинов, одной из самых мощных программ является программный сэмплер Kontakt, выпускаемый и в виде самостоятельного приложения (Standalone), и в виде подключаемого к студиям плагина. Кстати сказать, именно для этого инструмента на сегодняшний день создано больше всего звуковых банков, а звучание синтезаторов, имитирующих настоящие инструменты, невозможно отличить от «живого» исполнения.
Английский
BSD
Приложение для практики и улучшения навыков игры на фортепиано с компьютерной клавиатуры или MIDI-клавиатуры любым VST-инструментом.
Характеристики:
- поддержка DirectSound, WASAPI, ASIO и MIDI;
- поддержка инструментов VST 2;
- полностью настраиваемая клавиатура;
- запись музыки и экспорт в MP4.
Поскольку это портативная программа, она не оставляет никаких следов в реестре Windows.
Её можно скопировать на любой USB-накопитель или в другое устройство и брать с собой всякий раз, когда нужно играть на виртуальном пианино, без необходимости выполнять установку.
FreePiano отличается чистым и интуитивно понятным интерфейсом, который позволяет выполнять большинство операций с минимальными усилиями.
Программа отображает клавиши, которые необходимо нажать для воспроизведения звука, и автоматически выявляет соответствующие клавиши пианино.
Более того, можно записать сеанс воспроизведения и заставить утилиту воспроизводить его, импортировать данные из файлов FPM или LYT, прослушивать аудиофайл и просматривать, как он воспроизводится правильно, а также экспортировать записанный элемент в формат файла MP4 или WAV.
Одна из главных функций этого инструмента в том, что он позволяет назначить для каждой клавиши ноту, октаву и канал.
Когда дело доходит до настроек конфигурации, можно устанавливать специальные параметры с точки зрения скорости, октавы, канала, аудиоустройства, громкости и скорости воспроизведения.