A MIDI keyboard is a musical device that is often used in conjunction with music production software (DAW) via a USB connection in order to play various virtual instrument plug-ins (i.e. AAXs, VSTs, AUs, etc.) or to trigger drum samples.

Note: It's important to know a MIDI keyboard does not produce any sound of its own but sends messages to a music production software (DAW).

The messages sent by a MIDI keyboard are then interpreted in relation to what key you have pressed including articulations like pressure (also known as midi aftertouch).

For example, if you press middle C on a MIDI keyboard, consequently a Digital Audio Workstation will take notice of that and will either record the MIDI notes on a piano roll or simply make a virtual instrument generate a sound playing at middle C only (i.e. if your DAW isn't set to MIDI recording mode).
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