Synthesizers can also be without any keys, such as the MOOG Minitaur bass synth.įor the purpose of this roundup, I’ve considered every sort of keyboard. A synthesizer usually combines a keyboard with the sound synthesis mechanism, such as the Roland Juno. synthesize) its own sounds via an onboard sound engine (either digital or analog). Importantly, MIDI keyboards or controllers don’t produce any sound of their own.Ī Synthesizer is an instrument that can create (i.e. Or they might be in the form of a keyboard. These might be in the form of a series of buttons (a la Ableton Push). MIDI controller or keyboard is an umbrella term for instruments used to control MIDI notes on a computer. Read more about them in our guide to digital pianos. Digital pianos replicate the sound and feel of a piano through a computer-based sound engine. A digital piano is like a piano, except it is entirely electric (i.e. Piano is the instrument you all know and all. A keytar has a keyboard, as does a Steinway piano. If it has black and white keys, it can be called a “keyboard”.

Keyboard is a broad term for any key-based musical instrument.

Casio 88 keyboard weighted keys