The only problem is that the computer keyboard only does on/off functions.

Virtually all modern "piano" keyboards also provide velocity information. The velocity information is the increment of time between when the key is struck and when it hits the bottom of it's travel. The logic here is that the faster the key gets to the bottom, the harder the key is struck, and the synth usually translates this into volume. Most better synths also use velocity to affect tone, making the tone brighter as well as louder with higher velocities because most instruments get brighter sounding when they are played louder. Of course this is patch (voice) dependent and each patch should be program to replicate the characteristics of the instrument it is emulating.

Many other "piano" keyboards transmit various schemes of aftertouch data so the player can manipulate the volume, vibrato and other expressive elements after the key hits the bottom of travel.

So if all you want to do is enter notes for a music notation function, the QWERTY keyboard should do just fine. If you want it to provide expressive musical passages, you might want to think about a "piano" keyboard controller.

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Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
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