How to Setup a MIDI Keyboard in a Home Studio

Updated: May 18, 2024

This article will show you how to install a MIDI Keyboard in FL Studio. Setting up a MIDI Keyboard in a home studio is REALLY easy!

Before you start, you want to make sure to install the MIDI Keyboard’s drivers, then plug in the MIDI Keyboard with its USB Cable, then turn it on for the first time!

The most confusing part of a MIDI Keyboard is that there is no sounds in the MIDI Controller itself.. so people often ask, “How can I play sounds with my MIDI Keyboard”.

The short answer is that we play sounds inside our music program, and the MIDI Keyboard triggers these sounds, whereas a Hardware Synthesizer has the sounds built into the unit (but hardware synths are super expensive compared to a MIDI Keyboard’s average cost of about $300, depending on how many piano keys you get, its features and build quality).

This video shows the M-Audio Oxygen Pro MIDI Keyboard.

Here’s the step-by-step process to setup a MIDI Keyboard:

• Install the MIDI Keyboard Drivers
• Plug in your MIDI Keyboard with the USB Cable
• Turn on the MIDI Keyboard (if it has a switch)
• In your DAW, go to the settings, and enable the MIDI Keyboard

Use FL Studio? View How to Setup MIDI Controller in FL Studio.

That’s it for the MIDI Keyboard setup! It’s really easy! Your USB cable is both power and data transmission for the MIDI Controller (MIDI Keyboard), and most often you want to install the drivers for the latest updates and best performance of your MIDI Keyboard.

You may like to check out my custom midi keyboard tray!

What’s the Best MIDI Keyboard for FL Studio?

View my FL Studio MIDI Keyboard Reviews.

Or see results of my best MIDI Keyboards for FL Studio.

There’s also more videos in this Music Studio Reassemble Series.

About Author: GratuiTous

GratuiTous manages his Beatmaker Training Platform, authors Beatmaking Books, and hosts the "Music Production Made Simple Podcast". Introduced to FL Studio by his good friend in 2009.. he began FL Studio tutorials in 2011, eventually leading to his 35+ Courses in the platform. Fun Fact: He was an electrician for 10 Years!

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