| In this article, I will discuss what keyboard features that | | | | you will want reverb on your keyboard. |
| are not essential but can ease the learning process | | | | The next feature to look for is a recording facility. |
| and operation of your keyboard. | | | | Recorders are built in to keyboard, they don't use tape, |
| The first feature you might find useful is the use of | | | | they use memory chips to record actions made on a |
| memory buttons. These normally range from four | | | | keyboard such as playing a piece of music. These |
| memory buttons to eight buttons, in your price range. | | | | recorders are referred to as music sequencers and |
| The memory button remembers the complete set up | | | | can create very complex almost orchestral pieces of |
| of the keyboard, which might include the sound you | | | | music although the features on a sequencer at your |
| are using plus the rhythm and speed and volumes of | | | | price range will be limited. As a beginner you will not |
| each part. This is especially useful if you have spent | | | | get a lot of use from this feature however, it can be |
| hours setting up your keyboard and you want to save | | | | used as a teaching aid, for example a teacher can |
| your settings. There's nothing worse than trying to find | | | | play a section of music in to the sequencer and the |
| that perfect setting again, when you could have saved | | | | pupil can then listen and practice the sequence of |
| it. Also some keyboards will have a floppy drive which | | | | music as many times as is needed. If this feature is |
| can save the entire settings of the keyboard including | | | | pushing your budget, then I would say you don't need it. |
| memory buttons just in case there is a power cut or | | | | The choice is yours. |
| your memory buttons get wiped, again not essential, | | | | Finally, most keyboards made today have two or |
| but useful. | | | | three "MIDI" connections; these can normally be found |
| The next feature is reverb. This setting on a keyboard | | | | on the back of the keyboard and look like five pin din |
| can dramatically transform the sound of any | | | | sockets and are marked up as MIDI In, MIDI Out and |
| instrument sound on your keyboard. An example of | | | | MIDI Through. MIDI stands for "musical instrument digital |
| natural reverb can be found in a church or a large hall | | | | interface" As a beginner you will not use these |
| or an underground cavern. If you have visited any of | | | | connections. These connections enable your keyboard |
| these places then you know the sound created is | | | | to play and be played by other keyboards. They can |
| echo like. Of course, it is very difficult to describe the | | | | also connect to a computer and music can be played |
| sound difference when adding reverb but again this is | | | | and created using MIDI and computer programs. MIDI is |
| another advantage to visiting a music shop where you | | | | a complex subject and if you wish to learn more about |
| can actually listen to the keyboard sounds. The | | | | this subject, you can search the internet where you will |
| difference between reverb and no reverb is quite | | | | find lots of information about MIDI. So if your keyboard |
| dramatic. If you haven't heard the difference it is | | | | does not have MIDI connections, its does not matter, if |
| unlikely you will miss it but be warned once you have | | | | your keyboard does have MIDI connections it still |
| heard the difference between reverb and no reverb | | | | doesn't matter. |