A handy program for playing virtual piano as well as generating and playing MIDI events
A handy program for playing virtual piano as well as generating and playing MIDI events
Vote: (123 votes)
Program license: Free
Developer: Pedro López-Cabanillas
Version: 0.8.8
Works under: Windows
Vote:
Program license
(123 votes)
Free
Developer
Version
Pedro López-Cabanillas
0.8.8
Works under:
Windows
Pros
- Easy Windows installation with default settings
- Custom keyboard layouts
- Full MIDI events generator engine
Cons
- Only accepts .INS device files
- Advanced functions can be overwhelming to beginners
The Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard lets you play the piano on your computer, as well as create digital music using MIDI standards. In technical terms, it is a MIDI event generator, which means the software does not create sounds on its own, but uses your computer or another MIDI-compatible device to program and play music. By doing this, you can use the Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard as part of a digital synthesizer.
Setting up the Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard is straightforward if you have prior experience with MIDI devices. The software provides an accessible GUI based on Qt5, including a simple keyboard mode where you play the notes on the screen with a mouse cursor. The MIDI functions are based on the Drumstick RT framework. You will need to provide device definitions in the .INS file format. Additionally, the standard download includes several example device sounds. Additional device sounds can be downloaded at various online directories.
Note that the Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard does not actually produce sounds by itself, but needs to be connected to a MIDI synthesizer. This can be the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth, which is included in the most recent versions of Windows, but other software is available as well. Of course, a physical MIDI synthesizer would be even better, but to use this, you will need the correct hardware ports. In most cases, the Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard should connect to the prepackaged Windows synthesizer upon installation for convenience.
Input is by computer keyboard or mouse clicks on the screen. The standard default setting maps several octaves of piano keys to a QWERTY layout, but you can customize this. You can also adjust the total number of keys available, including a full 88 key layout. Basic functions are easy to use, and the Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard will have you playing music on your computer in no time.
Pros
- Easy Windows installation with default settings
- Custom keyboard layouts
- Full MIDI events generator engine
Cons
- Only accepts .INS device files
- Advanced functions can be overwhelming to beginners
