Revolutionize Your Workflow: The Ultimate Lemon MIDI Visualizer Plugin for Seamless DAW Integration

It’s not uncommon to see a laptop next to the drummer or keyboardist onstage being used for running tracks. They’re likely using Ableton Live and running tracks to help supplement the sound of the band. As a keyboardist, how can you incorporate a laptop into your rig? 

Using a laptop as a keyboardist allows you to create a virtual keys rig using virtual instruments. This allows you to use sounds on your computer as part of your live keys rig. You could also use a MIDI controller with no built-in sounds and use all the sounds from your computer. 

So why would anyone use a computer for their keyboard sounds, and how would you build a virtual keys rig? Here’s how. 

BYOC — Bring Your Own Controller

With a virtual keys rig, all your sounds come from your computer. This allows you to bring your own controller (BYOC) and use whatever controller works for you — maybe even one you already have. With a myriad of options and features available, you can find the perfect controller — perfect keybed, perfect amount of control — and use whatever sounds you want from your computer. 

Because your sounds are hosted on your computer, no matter what controller you use, they’ll always be the same. Start with a controller you have, and upgrade to something else when you need more options. 

Infinitely Expandable

Want to add a B3 to your keys rig? Great, download a plug-in! Need a Rhodes piano for one song? No, you don’t need to rent a Rhodes, just download a plug-in! When your sounds are coming from your DAW on a computer, you can use plug-ins to expand your options or layer sounds.

There are plug-ins that replicate almost any piece of hardware or effect you could imagine. You can quickly add a plug-in that gives you the exact sound you want, without spending money on a new piece of hardware. This also gives you the ability to play classic keyboards that you might never have a chance to actually play in person. Pull up a plug-in model of a rare synth and you’ll get a realistic experience, as if you’re right there playing it. 

Expand your rig with effects pedals just as easily. Download and start using your favorite reverb or delay as a plug-in, and suddenly your sounds are completely transformed. 

Gigs on Gigs

Looking for a super-high-quality realistic piano sound? When you’re using a virtual keys rig, you can download plug-ins that have incredible multi-sampled pianos that you won’t find on a keyboard. If you’re an accomplished piano player or need very responsive piano or other keyboard re-creations, using a multi-sampled plug-in on your computer can provide you with an incredible experience! 

These are only a few of the benefits of a virtual keys rig.

What You Need to Build a Virtual Keys Rig

Computer

This might sound obvious, but in order to build a computer-based virtual keys rig, you’re going to need a computer! Since we’re talking about processing MIDI live and using plug-ins, you need to make sure you have a computer that’s fast enough to handle everything you plan on using. I suggest a minimum of 16GB of RAM, with a quadcore i7 and an SSD. If you can afford a faster, more powerful computer, do it. You’ll need the power for running a virtual keys rig. 

If you’re already running tracks, you might be wondering if you can run keys from the same machine. It’s possible, as long as your computer is fast enough. You’ll definitely want to get a computer that has a lot of cores to handle the multiple tasks and upgrade RAM as well. I suggest at least six cores and 32GB of RAM. 

In a perfect world, you’d buy one laptop that is dedicated to running only tracks and another for only keys. In the real world, that’s probably not possible. One of the benefits of a virtual keys rig is that when your church is looking to buy a computer for you, they’re not only buying a computer that you can work on but also one you can store all your keyboard sounds on. 

If you have a fast computer but have huge sample libraries and need extra storage for your sounds, you can easily add an external SSD hard drive for added space.

Controller

As I mentioned previously, one of the great benefits of using a virtual keys rig is that you can use any controller you’d like. If you have a keyboard already, you might want to consider using it as your controller. As an added benefit, you can blend the sounds from your keyboard with the sounds on your computer. Or worst case, use the sounds on your keyboard as a backup, in case something happens to your computer. 

If you don’t already have a keyboard, you can buy a MIDI controller that doesn’t have onboard sounds and use it solely for sounds from your computer. The benefit of using a MIDI controller is that you can get great keys and lots of control options for an affordable price. You can also upgrade your controller later, without losing your sounds. 

Most likely, your controller will connect via USB, and you’ll be able to plug directly into your computer. You’ll be powering your controller and sending MIDI all from one cable. If your controller doesn’t work with USB, make sure you’ve got a 5-pin MIDI cable and that your audio interface has a 5-pin MIDI input. Alternatively, you could use a mio USB MIDI adapter to convert your 5-pin MIDI keyboard into a USB controller. 

Need some suggestions on MIDI controllers? Check out this article on How to Choose a MIDI Controller. Look for a controller that has plenty of knobs and faders. This will be essential for controlling your sounds on the computer. Also, depending on what type of sounds you’re looking to play and/or your skill level, you’ll want to consider getting weighted keys. If you’re a classically trained pianist looking to play keys with your computer, you should get a controller with a nice weighted keybed. It will most closely resemble playing a real piano. 

If you’re playing synths or if having a realistic piano feel isn’t a concern, consider getting a semi-weighted keyboard. You can even get a 25- or 61-key keyboard that might suit you perfectly. 

Again, you can upgrade your controller whenever you’re ready for a change, and you won’t lose your sounds. 

Audio Interface

You’re going to need to get audio out of your computer. For this, you should use an audio interface. If your sound system or in-ears are in stereo, consider running a stereo setup. You’ll need an interface with at least two outs to run in stereo (left and right). This will help make your sounds “wide” and can help to accurately replicate multi-sampled instruments like pianos.

If you’re running different types of sounds at the same time (i.e., piano, pad, and synth), consider an interface with at least four outputs, but more is preferable. This will allow you to split the sounds to different inputs on your audio console — piano on inputs 1 and 2, pads on inputs 3 and 4, and synth on 5 and 6, for example. Splitting your keys sounds to different outputs will provide your sound engineer with plenty of flexibility. 

For instance, the sound person can turn up your pads without turning up your piano sound or EQ your piano differently than your pad sounds. If you’re using synth bass, it can be treated as if it’s a bass, with EQ, sending it to the subs without affecting your piano sounds. This can help when trying to blend your keys sounds with the rest of the band. 

If you need help choosing the right audio interface, check out this article: Best Audio Interfaces for Your Home Studio.

Host Software

You’re going to need software to serve as your keys “host.” This is software that will run all your plug-ins that you’ll trigger from your MIDI controller. The software will let you load in various sounds, control from your MIDI controller, and save combinations of sounds to create presets you can use throughout your set. The most common keys host is MainStage, but you may want to try Ableton Live for keys onstage. 

Find a host software that suits your needs, but pay particular attention to how it handles CPU, multiple plug-ins running at once, and in particular, its stability. While in the studio, a program crashing slows down your progress, or worst case, costs you a take that you have to re-record. Crashing while onstage is a much more costly experience. Make sure your keys host is up for the challenge of “hosting” your sounds while onstage. 

Since this is software, you can download demos of various host options and try them out before you commit. Find something that looks comfortable to you, functions the way you want, and has the stability you need live onstage.

Sounds

I’ve saved the best for last. Without sounds, no other part of your keys rig matters. When it comes to finding sounds, you’ll be able to find a plug-in that re-creates almost any sound you’re looking for. From vintage keyboards to otherworldly sound effects, it exists out there!

While you’ll be able to find a plug-in for any sound you’re looking for, don’t forget about the sounds included with your host software. Most keys hosts will contain some sort of sound library. Often these built-in sounds are optimized from the company to use minimal CPU when using that host software live. Take the time to learn the basics of synthesis, and you’ll have the ability to create any sound you want.

As mentioned earlier, one of the great benefits of a virtual keys rig is that you can easily expand your sounds to incorporate a sound you might need for just one song, without spending tons of money.

If you’re looking to use keys onstage in a way that’s flexible and powerful without spending tons of money, a virtual keys rig is the way to go. Find a computer that’s powerful enough (you might be able to use your existing computer), grab the controller of your dreams, send as many outputs from your computer as you want with an audio interface, find a stable, powerful keys host, and add as many sounds as needed with plug-ins and the built-in sounds and effects in your host software.

Elevate your music production experience with our innovative Lemon MIDI Visualizer plugin, inspired by the renowned Korg NanoKontrol2. Designed for seamless integration into any DAW, this powerful FX plugin offers unparalleled control and customization over your MIDI setup.

Key Features:

Why Choose Our Lemon MIDI Visualizer?

Our plugin not only enhances the functionality of your MIDI controller but also brings a new level of clarity and precision to your music creation process. With the ability to visually monitor and customize every aspect of your controller, you'll achieve a more intuitive and efficient workflow and live performances.

Perfect for producers, musicians, and sound engineers, this plugin is an essential addition to your music tools. Whether you're tweaking synth parameters, adjusting mix levels, or controlling effects, our Lemon MIDI Visualizer ensures you have full control with clear visual representation.

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Add the Lemon MIDI Visualizer plugin to your music toolkit and transform the way you interact with your MIDI controller. Enhance your creativity, streamline your workflow, and elevate your music production with this essential tool.