Music Technology in Education

Have you ever wanted to have a virtual keyboard to try out some sounds using one of your VSTs or DAWs while you are waiting around? Sure, GarageBand has one that can be controlled with your QWERTY keyboard, but what if you are a PC user, or want to use Reason or one of your virtual synths? Sure, a hardware based USB MIDI keyboard controller should always be your first choice, but what if you’re on a plane or just forgot it? Meet Chirp, a new virtual MIDI keyboard controller for Windows XP/Vista or your Mac OSX from Tanager Audioworks. At a great price of $39.95, Chirp offers users a two octave keyboard with “full size” keys that correlate to letters on the QWERTY keyboard. There are also 10 assignable pad controllers, a pitch bend, and a modulation wheel. Chirp works with any DAW or VST - which makes it very different from the built in keyboard that comes with GarageBand. For a cool little video that demonstrates who Chirp works, click HERE.

I welcome your comments and suggestions.