MIDI controllers bridge the gap between your musical ideas and your digital audio workstation (DAW), allowing you to control virtual instruments, adjust effects, and record in real-time. MIDI controllers provide a tactile, responsive, instrument-like experience that feels like an extension of your own musical intuition. Lets dive into the key benefits of integrating MIDI controllers into your workflow.

Enhanced Control and Expressiveness

The biggest advantage of using a MIDI controller is the expressive control it offers. Unlike a traditional mouse and keyboard setup, a MIDI controller lets you physically interact with your music. It’s likely that your MIDI controller has velocity-sensitive keys or pads that respond to how hard you play, translating to expressive dynamics, useful for capturing natural-sounding instruments. Aftertouch is also becoming available on more controllers today, giving even more depth by responding to pressure changes once a key is pressed, adding another layer for dynamic performances.

Streamlined Workflow and Efficiency

MIDI controllers will dramatically improve your session efficiency by enabling quick access to essential controls without having to click through multiple menus in your DAW. With customizable knobs, faders, buttons, and pads it’s easy to map frequently used parameters, like volume or filter cutoff, directly to the controller. This will lead to a drastic reduction in time spent toggling between settings, allowing you to focus on making music. MIDI controllers usually allow for preset saves, so you can recall complex setups and mappings quickly and easily.

Expanded Creative Possibilities

Many MIDI controllers will come with built-in arpeggiators, drum pads, and pitch or modulation wheels, which are useful tools for creating the sounds you’re after. Drum pads are built for crafting percussive sequences on the fly, while modulation wheels can add anything from expressive vibrato or volume changes to synth lines. With all these features, along with knobs and faders, MIDI controllers give you a creative extension, encouraging experimentation and enabling ‘happy-accidents’ to occur.

Real-Time Performance Capabilities

MIDI controllers can allow you to trigger loops, adjust effects, and perform new parts without breaking the flow of your live performance. By mapping effects and parameters to the MIDI controller, you can manipulate sounds, create live remixes, and improvise on the fly. It’s also worth noting that with features like touch strips, rotary encoders, and drum pads specifically designed for live interactions, it makes MIDI controllers a really great tool for electronic artists who rely on physical performances to keep the audience engaged.

---

Remember – RouteNote Create subscriptions start from as little as $2.99. You also get 10 FREE credits to spend on samples along with access to our FREE sample pack bundle when you sign-up!