MIDI Guitars: What to Know
MIDI guitars let you play synthesizers, virtual instruments, and samplers using guitar technique instead of keys. You're not converting audio to MIDI after the fact. These instruments track your playing in real time and send MIDI data directly to your DAW or hardware synths. Guitarists who produce electronic music, score for film, or want access to orchestral sounds without learning piano use these. The technology has improved dramatically in the last few years. Latency is low enough for live performance, and polyphonic tracking is reliable across all six strings.
What to Look For
Polyphonic tracking quality matters most. Can it handle fast chord changes, palm muting, and string bends without glitching? Check the maximum polyphony. Some controllers handle six notes simultaneously, others handle more for complex voicings. Latency specs should be under 10ms for the instrument to feel responsive. Look at connectivity options: USB for studio work, standard 5-pin MIDI for hardware synths, wireless MIDI for stage rigs. Some MIDI guitars are traditional electrics with added pickups. Others are controller-only designs with no magnetic pickups at all. Decide if you need both guitar sounds and MIDI, or just MIDI. Battery life matters if you're gigging. Software bundled with the controller can save you hundreds on virtual instruments. Check what's included and what formats it supports in your DAW.
Top Brands
Korg builds MIDI controllers designed specifically for guitarists who want seamless integration with software synths and DAWs.
Shop MIDI Guitars at Blackout Audio
MIDI guitars open up sound design possibilities that standard pickups can't touch. Layer your guitar parts with strings, brass, or modular synth patches. Build entire arrangements from a single take. Pair a MIDI guitar with a good audio interface and a solid plugin collection, and you've got a production setup that doesn't require relearning your instrument. Free shipping on orders over $199 across Canada. Browse the collection online and contact our team with questions about compatibility with your current rig.