page_title: MIDI controller
section_title: Keyboards
hierarchical_section_title: MIDI controller / Performance controllers / Keyboards
caption_attribution_description: There is only one way to describe Onyx Ashanti on the wind controller: bad ass.
context_page_description: A MIDI controller is any hardware or software that generates and transmits Musical Instrument Digital Interface data to MIDI-enabled devices, typically to trigger sounds and control parameters of an electronic music performance.
context_section_description: Keyboards are by far the most common type of MIDI controller. These are available in sizes that range from 25-key, 2-octave models, to full-sized 88-key instruments. Some are keyboard-only controllers, though many include other real-time controllers such as sliders, knobs, and wheels. Commonly, there are also connections for sustain and expression pedals. Most keyboard controllers offer the ability to split the playing area into zones, which can be of any desired size and can overlap with each other. Each zone can be assigned to a different MIDI channel and can be set to play any desired range of notes. This allows a single playing surface to control a number of different devices. MIDI capabilities can also be built into traditional keyboard instruments, such as grand pianos and Rhodes pianos. Pedal keyboards can operate the pedal tones of a MIDI organ, or can drive a bass synthesizer.
caption: MIDI wind controllers can produce expressive, natural-sounding performances in a way that is difficult to achieve with keyboard controllers.
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