Excellent video. Don't play myself, but my twelve year old spends hours on a toystore keyboard. This Christmas, in isolation, an upgrade is in order. Wonderful input and recommendations.
Just got one of these and I love it. I have a Yamaha P45 as well, but it's in the bedroom so practicing while my SO is in bed wouldn't be ideal. Even with headphones, having a light on wouldn't be good for her sleep. I can set this up in another room easily to practice on it in those circumstances, or I can easily bring it out on the balcony to practice on a nice day.
Thank you very much! I think this is the only youtube channel that presented the list of go piano timbres-tones simultaneously with the musical performances. Congratulations!
usually when i'm looking for a video review about something i want, i just skip skip and skipped to the part where i do need to know of but this video made me watch it entirely from the start to the end because his voice and the points (about the good and bad, should i buy it or not) were made so structured it doesn't get to the point of boring to me. from each second of this video review, everything is quite useful and clearly explain what i need to know. thank you
a very superb comprehensif review! thanks i want to buy this piano and then i found this video ini its really help a lot. thanks sir from Indonesia. i'm your new subscriber!
I agree on the screen. I’d probably tape it over or add some kind of filter on top. I think once you learn what is what there is no need for the screen.
The Roland Go is still out there and it is a nice option. Much of the market information and the prices have been superseded. The Roland FP-10 has been replaced by the Roland FP-30X. These 61-key keyboards are called arranger keyboards and they are called that for a reason. They are very useful for someone who wants to a portable keyboard to use to arrange music on. I am not in any way advanced as an instrumentalist, or even able to play anything at a performance level, but I do know how to work out chord progressions and I am doing some songwriting. I got a Casio CT-200, which is a lower level of arranger keyboard, to take to group vocal class at the senior center. I can see the value of a small portable keyboard to someone who is doing songwriting or arranging. I would say, if possible, try to start a beginner on 88 keys. The 61-key (and 54-key) keyboards are strictly for playing and arranging pop music. Worse yet, there just isn't the quantity of training materials available for the smaller keyboards. I think what I am saying is that the smaller keyboard are really for someone who has at least some musical development already, be it voice or some other instrument.
Great video and demo, covered everything. As someone getting back to the piano after many years I'm after a 61 key and deciding between Roland, Yamaha and the Casio. Wish all demo's were as good as this. Thanks. 👍
Great review that really encouraged me to go buy one of these. Having moved into my own (rather small) apartment, I was missing the family piano and needed something both affordable and compact. This is by far the best compact keyboard in this price range. The keys feel lovely and don't have that cheap/plastic feel that so many of the other keyboard brands have, and while the keys aren't weighted or hammer-actioned, they certainly feel "heavier" and more authentic than most keyboards. The only downside, and as expected with such a small instrument, the speaker quality isn't the best. However, through headphones the different voices (particularly the Concert Grand and European Pianoforte) sound wonderful.
If you have a Macintosh, you could get GarageBand and use an M-Audio keystation 61es or a 88es. That’s what I learned on. (GarageBand is free for those who didn’t know.)
I use it as a portable piano that I can take with me on vacation or to another room. It runs long on batteries and it is great to play to some RUclips videos by connecting audio to piano speakers trough Bluetooth.
I loved your review! Thank you very much! I am getting this one just because I am a total beginner, and because I would like to carry it while traveling. Thank you very much!
I currently have a CASIO CDP-220R, which I also use as a MIDI controller. Has about 700 sounds, including all GM bank as well, you can sample with it, it has a 5 track recorder, you can split and layer sounds (at the same time as well too). One thing you should've checked is if you can play the GM2 bank by sending MIDI to the keyboard. Using your PC or similar. Many products that have MIDI but don't give you access to it have this "hidden feature", which is meant to be used by their song player, for example.
good point, but I'm sure no, i read the manual and no mention of the GM2 bank, i think all it means is that the available sounds comply to the GM standard.
@@WoodyPianoShack This "feature" is often undocumented, as it's not something one is intended to use. An example of that happens with the Yamaha DTX Multi Pad. If you plug a MIDI keyboard into it and set the correct channels, MSB and LSB, you can play the pads and also play a different sound on the plugged keyboard.
This is by far THE best review I’ve found of this keyboard, and I’ve also very much enjoyed your unboxing video. The keyboard should arrive tomorrow and I’m super excited! Keep up the great work. 👍🏻
Hmmm microusb! I'm with you there. MicroUSB is not very strong at all. I would like to see you compare this to the Casio CTX 700 if you have time and can get a model for comparison. The EPS sound nice on the Go don' they - especially that Wurli. Thanks
I play my weighted digital piano 99% of the time, but I still find that a 61-key auxiliary keyboard can be a useful thing, particularly if it gives you some extra sounds or rhythms, or if you travel a lot. The Roland Go Piano looks nicer and sounds nicer than some of the competition, but it is a little expensive for a simple keyboard, particularly considering the poor physical connectivity. I grant that the bluetooth facility is a nice touch. The new Casio CT-S1 will be a strong competitor, because it has nice sounds too and is probably a good bit cheaper. For a main instrument (and space permitting) I would recommend The Alesis Recital Pro over the Roland Go Piano and the CT-S1. The Alesis costs more, but not as much as most weighted action pianos. It has 88 weighted keys, impressive speakers and good connectivity. The Roland Go build quality looks good, but if this is your main instrument you should be upgrading after a year anyway. PS Thomann (German online supplier) finally has the CT-S1, and (to my surprise) it is slightly more expensive than the Roland Go. I think that both instruments are overpriced. There are several full size digital pianos priced under €300, including Thomann's own DP-26. And most interesting right now is the Thomann SP-120 with 73 semi-weighted keys and a €185 price tag. If and when Thomann produces its own 61-key piano, Roland and Casio will not be very happy. If you're reading this and you want a piano for someone to take private lessons on, try to get a well-built digital piano with a fully-weighted action. Typically, these cost €400+
@@TheShinee000 Sorry, I'm not quite sure what you're saying, but I guess you mean about compromising on action and size in favour of a lighter weight for travel. Yes that is/was largely true in my case, though some sounds work better without a weighted action, and do not require many keys. Two years have past, and I have experimented with two 73-key digital pianos for travelling The first was only "semi-weighted" (sprung really) and my new travelling favourite is a Yamaha P-121 with a graded weighted action. It only weighs 10kg. Since I'm mainly interested in vintage jazz now, I only need a few sounds on my pianos, but a weighted action is important, so auxiluary keyboards are not required. I keep an 88-key P-255 in my studio, and I guess I'll continue to use it on the more demanding gigs.
I was hoping against hope that this one would be a weighted key number... In my head at at the top of the video I had already sold my large Kurzweil 88key and was zipping around playing thither and yon in my house and all about the town with it. We continue to live in hope. Thank you for this video.
Thanks for the video Woody! It would be great if you could do a 'beginners digital piano' shootout, with the Casio, Yamaha and Roland options you mentioned (so I guess latest models, up to 500). Or maybe demo some models that can be found second hand in that price-bracket as well.
thanks Woody , I may get one , I'm looking for a backpack keyboard. & what wins me over on this is the electric piano & organ sounds , which aren't always so nice on other similar price/weight keyboards. Appreciate you running thru them at the end .
now seen & heard the Casio CT -S1 , similar keybed & great sounds , I think that wins it for me . I got over my disappointment with Korg Kross 2 keybed , which I returned.
I understand that Digital piano.s run in a contact strip.After a few years the strip wears out and affects the playin usually making some notes louder than others.I changed mine twice after five years ,till they stopped supplying the strip.Of course it depends how much you play.I used mine every day.Portability is my main goal as I gig a lot.
Roland and digital pianos are synonymous in my book. Many quality manufacturers out there, but Roland has always been in the game. For beginners, unless they have space restrictions that simply won't budge, I always start them on an 88 like the "real" thing. Yes, there are pieces that use those keys way up/down there. ;-) Excellent and comprehensive review. If I were a manufacturer, you would be getting every new keyboard I made to analyze. 2 quick notes: 1) There are non-adhesive cling type film products to dim any screen you don't want blinding you that would solve the menu screen problem and 2) even before you did the flash back, I thought to myself, "Wow! Woody really looks sharp today!" Kudos to your barber/hair stylist.
I’m learning piano on the Yamaha P125. It’s a great piano for beginners. I want something to practice on when we go away in our camper and this seems perfect for that. Not sure whether to go for the Go keys or the Go piano. Or if there’s another that might be suitable. I like that this one can run on the battery and the keys are full size. Good video. Thank you 🙏
the sound set looks like sort of a modified general MIDI set and actually sounds fairly useful. The scat vocal sounds like the one from the jv-2080. (that scat vocal is a blast, try some boogie woogie the next time you are around that roland scat singing patch = too much fun, especially if it has velocity control over the voices like the jv patch has). Looks like a fun niche toy I think not having a legit stereo line out is a mistake. people do own mixers, pa's, amps and other "jamming" things. Those speakers have a very limited usefulness beyond a quiet acoustic or unplugged thing or the woods, etc. The headphone outputs are generally slightly different impedance than a standard line level and can strangle the sound if not well impedance-matched to the input device that it is driving, so there COULD be issues with certain other devices that affect the sound quality.
hi, I am reading about this quite weird instrument just because of curiosity what can be good on it - that BT-MIDI if done well is quite useful against some iOS soft-synths or even some newer Android 6+ softsynths or rather tiny romplers (those well done with zero latency, not usual there though). Generally iOS strenght is in softsynths and audiobus, even tiny cheap iPhoneSE can handle some very nice and PRO emulators - wired to some decent portable speaker (JBL Flip3 is FANTASTIC) and controlled by this small batery-powered thing may be also some "bed" use case (other BT-MIDI are some Korg AIR models, but they have really mini-keys). Latency over BT-MIDI is quite perfect too, these days. But for kids say 12+ to learn real piano feel, it screams for weighted full keyboard, to take it seriously.
Brilliant Woody!!! Wonderful playing and demonstration on a compact instrument, that sounds fairly good under your magic fingertips, your demos are absolutely amazing. Elimaika, my beautiful japanese wife, loves the variety of styles and your stunning performance, Great Job!!.
Would you recommend it if I’m not a beginner? Haven’t had a keyboard yet and wish to fit one in my tiny bedroom for creating music and practicing during the night.
Hey Woody, long-time lurker and really enjoy your presentations! In the spirit of your Korg Triton videos, I would absolutely love to see what you make of the beast that is the OG Roland V-Piano. There's barely any demos of it online, and it was such a groundbreaking machine, it's a shame that it seems to be a Roland product that people love to hate - probably due to its outrageous price when it was new! I think seeing you get to grips with the powerful modelling engine would make a great video, especially with your Piano chops!
Woody, this is GREAT and you have definitely convinced me to get this piano as my first beginner option. This is a super review and I love all the details. I will be checking your channel and blog for more help. Thank you
Did you get the piano? I am looking for a beginner piano and I am not sure about using unweighted keys for learning. Would be interesting to know what's your thoughts.
Woody, awesome review, soooo helpful and positive, WELL DONE LAD!!, Wonderful to hear all the SOUNDS...awesome detailed additions!! my only suggestion.....Would have loved to see if the midi worked w. Garage Band at all??
Excellent video. and.. WHERE DID YOU GET THAT TABLETOP STAND? (that U were using outside at 12:12..) (It looks perfect for a keyboard that size) I want one for my GoPiano!!!
I had one of these (61 keys) for a while but I sold it because I thought the keys too heavy to press. Maybe the keys were shorter than other keyboards. I don't know but now I have a Korg Kross now which has a lighter action but noisier action.
Interesting review. I have an old YDP121 which I love more than life itself, but am trying to find a smaller instrument specifically for baroque harpsichord play with as authentic a feel as possible. It's surprisingly difficult to find anything besides the C-30 which is way over budget. I may have to settle for something like a Go Piano. I actually don't need half a billion voices, rhythms and whizzbangs. Just an action that feels like a harpsichord. Gah!
Thanks s lot for the explanation. Certainly a kind Of good Job in That vídeo. Muchas gracias por las explicaciones. Estan muy bien desarrolladas. Con mucho criterio para un usurario novel y ayudan a decidir cómo escoger un teclado en función de lo que necesitas y el precio que puedes llegar a pagar.
I think this keyboard is the right choice for beginners. Not only does it feel nice to play, but it also sounds great! Personally I think it having good sounds is pretty important, because that's what inspires a beginner to play. If the sounds are not so good, that will demotivate a beginner. But as usual, you did an excellent job at reviewing this! And also, thanks for using one of my tracks in the video :D. Really appreciated that of course.. ;)
Sorry but I am certainly not Woody, I have a GO Keys which is the same model with a few extra music creations things built in to it, the keys feel soft but not as good as say my Roland VR-09, however at the end of the day I have a NP32 and I prefer that, the NP32 is the big brother to NP12
I'm impressed by the piano sound. I guess the wave ROMs and synth chipsets and architecture is so ubiquitous and cheap you can put half decent sounds into anything. A definite runner for the cash strapped family to get a young student up and running. You can always move up it they show signs of persisting.
It has some nice sounds on it, are some of them taken from the sound canvas? Interresting that it supports bluetooth midi. This feature is great for iOS users, as it works quite well with some Korg Products. I use the nanokey studio and nanokontrol studio frequently with gadget and the bluetooth LE is marvelous. Sadly, microsoft hasn’t really caught up with this development yet. Windows 10 has some support for this new standard but it a lot of software isn’t ready for it.
This is a really good review. I’ve just ordered the Roland Go Piano and looking forward to learning to play. Been meaning to learn for years. Do you know if Bluetooth headphones can be connected via the Bluetooth? Thanks for the review 👍🏼
Bought the Go:Keys. Good sound and needlessly huge polyphony but I didn’t like anything else. Uses a reverse polarity pedal that requires a more expensive pedal, not fully midi compliant, no direct access to sounds, sound mod strip is almost useless, no settings memory (registrations) and many other weird things. Sold it and bought the Casio CT-X800 for less. Much more useful. Light years more useful.
Thanks for your review. I am thinking about learning to play the piano again. I am a little embarrassed to say this will be my 3rd attempt. Once when I was in my early 20’s, again about four years ago approaching 50. I have always been drawn to the piano and could listen to piano music for hours. Anyway as years go by I regret that did not stick with it and make the commitment to practice. It’s kind of like people who buy exercise equipment with the full intention of using it everyday then in the very short while it becomes something to hang clothes on. With this said, do you think I should go with the Roland GoPro 61? My concern is that the keys are not weighted. I last had a nice used Yamaha 88 weighted keyboard and I liked the feel of the keys. With my background of commitment issues one might ask, why the concern? It’s the voice in the back of my head that keeps drawing me back to the piano, telling me I was meant to play and express myself through music. No more self defeat, I need to go all in and live this dream I have had my whole life. Any advice you can give this lady with music in my soul that I so desperately need to express through the most beautiful sound of the piano?
Love your presentation, Great! Gonna get one! What stand (that the keyboard is sitting on) are you using? I like it! Would you recommend that stand for that particular keyboard? Many thanks
I really like the size of this, if only a company would produce a piano with hammer action keys and a decent sound in in a size that resembling this....thay'd have atleast one thankful customer.
Great video... till the end. Most of KB you present are 88 keys. Would have preferred comparison with others 61 keys (compacts KB). Other than that it was interesting.
glad you found it interesting, you know I don't think there are any other 61 key pianos to compare with, other than the Yamaha, which I hopefully mentioned :)
@@WoodyPianoShack indeed they seem rare besides yamaha or it is not the same price 😁 thanks. By the way I cannot find the good things in go:piano vs go:keys. I would be interested in your opinions (esp. sound quality and keys sensitivity). The Key seems to be the same with more features. Thanks
Does it even exist a portable 61 key digital piano with weighted Keys? Im looking for a compact complement to my big piano which i could stove away easily and practice when i feel for it. But im afraid the cheap Keys would put me off. Is there any alternative or is the go piano my only option?
roland used to make a very nice 61 weighted, but now discontinued, i guess it wasn't a success. got for 88 notes if you have the space is my advice, not so much extra money!
@@WoodyPianoShack I already got a full size 88 Keys piano with weighted Keys, but i want a smaller more compact substitute for those days when i need to be on The go. Do you recall The name of The discontinued piano?
Can't recall where Woody mentioned discontinued 'smaller' weighted keyboards, but could he have meant the Roland RD-64 DP? I've just picked one up on eBay and only actually went looking for sub-88 weighted keyboards because of your question.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I’ve never played music before. I’m teaching myself how to read music. This seems like what I need. Thanks Woody
A very thorough and honest review. It has helped considerably in making my purchase choice.
Excellent video. Don't play myself, but my twelve year old spends hours on a toystore keyboard. This Christmas, in isolation, an upgrade is in order. Wonderful input and recommendations.
Just got one of these and I love it. I have a Yamaha P45 as well, but it's in the bedroom so practicing while my SO is in bed wouldn't be ideal. Even with headphones, having a light on wouldn't be good for her sleep. I can set this up in another room easily to practice on it in those circumstances, or I can easily bring it out on the balcony to practice on a nice day.
Thank you very much! I think this is the only youtube channel that presented the list of go piano timbres-tones simultaneously with the musical performances. Congratulations!
The way you're holding that keyboard is urging me to buy one😍😍😍
usually when i'm looking for a video review about something i want, i just skip skip and skipped to the part where i do need to know of but this video made me watch it entirely from the start to the end because his voice and the points (about the good and bad, should i buy it or not) were made so structured it doesn't get to the point of boring to me.
from each second of this video review, everything is quite useful and clearly explain what i need to know. thank you
The best review of this piano I've seen so far!
a very superb comprehensif review! thanks i want to buy this piano and then i found this video ini its really help a lot. thanks sir from Indonesia. i'm your new subscriber!
Appreciate it!
Looks like a decent little keyboard. I’ve always been a fan of Roland products. And their digital pianos are amazing!
I agree on the screen. I’d probably tape it over or add some kind of filter on top. I think once you learn what is what there is no need for the screen.
What a perfect travel keyboard. Buying one soon. I like the keys are the same as my full size Akai
one thing I like it...its minimalist in design.perfect for beginners like me,not intimidate from lot of controls
The Roland Go is still out there and it is a nice option. Much of the market information and the prices have been superseded. The Roland FP-10 has been replaced by the Roland FP-30X. These 61-key keyboards are called arranger keyboards and they are called that for a reason. They are very useful for someone who wants to a portable keyboard to use to arrange music on. I am not in any way advanced as an instrumentalist, or even able to play anything at a performance level, but I do know how to work out chord progressions and I am doing some songwriting. I got a Casio CT-200, which is a lower level of arranger keyboard, to take to group vocal class at the senior center. I can see the value of a small portable keyboard to someone who is doing songwriting or arranging. I would say, if possible, try to start a beginner on 88 keys. The 61-key (and 54-key) keyboards are strictly for playing and arranging pop music. Worse yet, there just isn't the quantity of training materials available for the smaller keyboards. I think what I am saying is that the smaller keyboard are really for someone who has at least some musical development already, be it voice or some other instrument.
Excellent review, thinking of buying this to get back into playing again.
I have it in use every day. I like it espcecially at distant locations.
I wish every review video was like that! Veeeeery helpful, thanks!
Great video and demo, covered everything. As someone getting back to the piano after many years I'm after a 61 key and deciding between Roland, Yamaha and the Casio. Wish all demo's were as good as this. Thanks. 👍
Really good video! I'm looking for my first digital piano and got good tips and info from this. Thank you! 😊
Great review that really encouraged me to go buy one of these. Having moved into my own (rather small) apartment, I was missing the family piano and needed something both affordable and compact. This is by far the best compact keyboard in this price range. The keys feel lovely and don't have that cheap/plastic feel that so many of the other keyboard brands have, and while the keys aren't weighted or hammer-actioned, they certainly feel "heavier" and more authentic than most keyboards. The only downside, and as expected with such a small instrument, the speaker quality isn't the best. However, through headphones the different voices (particularly the Concert Grand and European Pianoforte) sound wonderful.
The keys feel good then? I'm thinking about buying it (first digital piano/keyboard ever, i want to learn)
What a great review. Thanks for recording it. Cheers from down under.
I think you left out the GO:Keys to be honest, can I ask do you prefer the GO:Keys or GO:Piano or you haven't had a chance to play with the GO:Keys?
the keys seems more like a toy than a real piano, you got more sounds but they dont sound as good in my opinion.
Very helpful and well produced review, thanks a lot.
Most certainly the best produced review ever on RUclips
wow, thanks, i'll take that
Great video woody, your usual high standard. Thanks
What a great review. Belatedly found --> belated thanks!
If you have a Macintosh, you could get GarageBand and use an M-Audio keystation 61es or a 88es. That’s what I learned on. (GarageBand is free for those who didn’t know.)
Or an iPad or even iPhone, SE or other. Bluetooth MIDI on this unit sounds convenient, though. Would not touch b/t audio though.
I use it as a portable piano that I can take with me on vacation or to another room.
It runs long on batteries and it is great to play to some RUclips videos by connecting audio to piano speakers trough Bluetooth.
cool, yes, that's the use case where it really shines!
Thank you for taking the time to make this review. I think this keyboard might be the right one for me!
It’s expensive for that kind of keyboard. But it sounds much nicer than my $120 Casio.
the cat scratcher wall decor is a bold choice.
shack reference :)
Thanks for your video Woody. Inspiring to catch up piano playing ...
Lost the sale because of the position and small size of the headphone jack. Thanks for a good review.
I loved your review! Thank you very much! I am getting this one just because I am a total beginner, and because I would like to carry it while traveling. Thank you very much!
I currently have a CASIO CDP-220R, which I also use as a MIDI controller. Has about 700 sounds, including all GM bank as well, you can sample with it, it has a 5 track recorder, you can split and layer sounds (at the same time as well too).
One thing you should've checked is if you can play the GM2 bank by sending MIDI to the keyboard. Using your PC or similar. Many products that have MIDI but don't give you access to it have this "hidden feature", which is meant to be used by their song player, for example.
good point, but I'm sure no, i read the manual and no mention of the GM2 bank, i think all it means is that the available sounds comply to the GM standard.
@@WoodyPianoShack This "feature" is often undocumented, as it's not something one is intended to use. An example of that happens with the Yamaha DTX Multi Pad. If you plug a MIDI keyboard into it and set the correct channels, MSB and LSB, you can play the pads and also play a different sound on the plugged keyboard.
This is by far THE best review I’ve found of this keyboard, and I’ve also very much enjoyed your unboxing video. The keyboard should arrive tomorrow and I’m super excited! Keep up the great work. 👍🏻
wow, have a happy new keyboard day!
@@WoodyPianoShack Thank you! I’m only a beginner and this seemed the perfect keyboard to start with.
Thanks Woody, nice vid. Your usual good standard😊
Thumbs up to Nate for making the call at that discord screenshot! Good advice as well from an enthusiast's perspective in the video.
Hmmm microusb! I'm with you there. MicroUSB is not very strong at all. I would like to see you compare this to the Casio CTX 700 if you have time and can get a model for comparison. The EPS sound nice on the Go don' they - especially that Wurli. Thanks
I play my weighted digital piano 99% of the time, but I still find that a 61-key auxiliary keyboard can be a useful thing, particularly if it gives you some extra sounds or rhythms, or if you travel a lot.
The Roland Go Piano looks nicer and sounds nicer than some of the competition, but it is a little expensive for a simple keyboard, particularly considering the poor physical connectivity. I grant that the bluetooth facility is a nice touch. The new Casio CT-S1 will be a strong competitor, because it has nice sounds too and is probably a good bit cheaper.
For a main instrument (and space permitting) I would recommend The Alesis Recital Pro over the Roland Go Piano and the CT-S1. The Alesis costs more, but not as much as most
weighted action pianos. It has 88 weighted keys, impressive speakers and good connectivity.
The Roland Go build quality looks good, but if this is your main instrument you should be upgrading after a year anyway.
PS Thomann (German online supplier) finally has the CT-S1, and (to my surprise) it is slightly more expensive than the Roland Go. I think that both instruments are overpriced. There are several full size digital pianos priced under €300, including Thomann's own DP-26. And most interesting right now is the Thomann SP-120 with 73 semi-weighted keys and a €185 price tag. If and when Thomann produces its own 61-key piano, Roland and Casio will not be very happy. If you're reading this and you want a piano for someone to take private lessons on, try to get a well-built digital piano with a fully-weighted action. Typically, these cost €400+
weight only ...The Reason
@@TheShinee000 Sorry, I'm not quite sure what you're saying, but I guess you mean about compromising on action and size in favour of a lighter weight for travel. Yes that is/was largely true in my case, though some sounds work better without a weighted action, and do not require many keys.
Two years have past, and I have experimented with two 73-key digital pianos for travelling The first was only "semi-weighted" (sprung really) and my new travelling favourite is a Yamaha P-121 with a graded weighted action. It only weighs 10kg.
Since I'm mainly interested in vintage jazz now, I only need a few sounds on my pianos, but a weighted action is important, so auxiluary keyboards are not required. I keep an 88-key P-255 in my studio, and I guess I'll continue to use it on the more demanding gigs.
The Go keys has a great action, I have never played this model though. The Go keys have good push and it very springy, kinda like semi weighted.
Very good, thank you. There is also the 'octave shift' on it, up and down, Cheers....
I was hoping against hope that this one would be a weighted key number... In my head at at the top of the video I had already sold my large Kurzweil 88key and was zipping around playing thither and yon in my house and all about the town with it. We continue to live in hope. Thank you for this video.
Thank you, very good and elaborated review to help me making my mind.
Thanks for the video Woody! It would be great if you could do a 'beginners digital piano' shootout, with the Casio, Yamaha and Roland options you mentioned (so I guess latest models, up to 500). Or maybe demo some models that can be found second hand in that price-bracket as well.
This guy specializes in beginner keyboards: ruclips.net/video/lleYtou0kUs/видео.html
A very thorough review, thanks. In my case space is the main priority and the GO:PIANO would appear to tick most of the boxes.
Great review! I think I'm gonna buy it. Thanks a lot Woody :)
great review, thank you ! you've covered all aspects I was looking for.
that was a super informative review, thanks a lot
Good to see practical info about the intrusive lcd display, when will manufacturers address this ‘glaring’ problem ?
best review i have ever seen
thanks Woody , I may get one , I'm looking for a backpack keyboard. & what wins me over on this is the electric piano & organ sounds , which aren't always so nice on other similar price/weight keyboards. Appreciate you running thru them at the end .
now seen & heard the Casio CT -S1 , similar keybed & great sounds , I think that wins it for me . I got over my disappointment with Korg Kross 2 keybed , which I returned.
I understand that Digital piano.s run in a contact strip.After a few years the strip wears out and affects the playin usually making some notes louder than others.I changed mine twice after five years ,till they stopped supplying the strip.Of course it depends how much you play.I used mine every day.Portability is my main goal as I gig a lot.
Definitely best review on youtube.
Roland and digital pianos are synonymous in my book. Many quality manufacturers out there, but Roland has always been in the game. For beginners, unless they have space restrictions that simply won't budge, I always start them on an 88 like the "real" thing. Yes, there are pieces that use those keys way up/down there. ;-) Excellent and comprehensive review. If I were a manufacturer, you would be getting every new keyboard I made to analyze. 2 quick notes: 1) There are non-adhesive cling type film products to dim any screen you don't want blinding you that would solve the menu screen problem and 2) even before you did the flash back, I thought to myself, "Wow! Woody really looks sharp today!" Kudos to your barber/hair stylist.
great feedback! i would put some gaffa tape over the display myself... interesting that the new 88 has lost the display, so not just me then.
Excellent and thorough review. Well done sir.
I’m learning piano on the Yamaha P125. It’s a great piano for beginners. I want something to practice on when we go away in our camper and this seems perfect for that. Not sure whether to go for the Go keys or the Go piano. Or if there’s another that might be suitable. I like that this one can run on the battery and the keys are full size.
Good video. Thank you 🙏
Very good!!!!!!! Perfect review!!!!
the sound set looks like sort of a modified general MIDI set and actually sounds fairly useful. The scat vocal sounds like the one from the jv-2080. (that scat vocal is a blast, try some boogie woogie the next time you are around that roland scat singing patch = too much fun, especially if it has velocity control over the voices like the jv patch has). Looks like a fun niche toy
I think not having a legit stereo line out is a mistake. people do own mixers, pa's, amps and other "jamming" things. Those speakers have a very limited usefulness beyond a quiet acoustic or unplugged thing or the woods, etc. The headphone outputs are generally slightly different impedance than a standard line level and can strangle the sound if not well impedance-matched to the input device that it is driving, so there COULD be issues with certain other devices that affect the sound quality.
I still use my JV-2080!
hi, I am reading about this quite weird instrument just because of curiosity what can be good on it - that BT-MIDI if done well is quite useful against some iOS soft-synths or even some newer Android 6+ softsynths or rather tiny romplers (those well done with zero latency, not usual there though). Generally iOS strenght is in softsynths and audiobus, even tiny cheap iPhoneSE can handle some very nice and PRO emulators - wired to some decent portable speaker (JBL Flip3 is FANTASTIC) and controlled by this small batery-powered thing may be also some "bed" use case (other BT-MIDI are some Korg AIR models, but they have really mini-keys). Latency over BT-MIDI is quite perfect too, these days. But for kids say 12+ to learn real piano feel, it screams for weighted full keyboard, to take it seriously.
Pretty good for the price. Can you imagine having something like this available for relative peanuts during the 70's ?
Brilliant Woody!!! Wonderful playing and demonstration on a compact instrument, that sounds fairly good under your magic fingertips, your demos are absolutely amazing. Elimaika, my beautiful japanese wife, loves the variety of styles and your stunning performance, Great Job!!.
that's very high praise, very much appreciated, thanks and best wishes to you both!
Thx! Really love the shorter body - no use for ultra high & low ranges, but prefer weighted keys. Hmm… so portable though!
An excellent review. Thanks very much!
I think its very nice Roland Go for beginners , and for the money, thanks for the video!
Quite an entertaining review compared to many which are way too serious!
glad to hear that! music making supposed to be fun :)
Would you recommend it if I’m not a beginner? Haven’t had a keyboard yet and wish to fit one in my tiny bedroom for creating music and practicing during the night.
it should be fine, you might like the go:keys more, check around maybe buy used...
This looks like a pretty good piece of kit for the money, seems like good value Cheers again from Australia
ty for this, really good review
Amazing video! Helped me a lot, thanks! :)
Hey Woody, long-time lurker and really enjoy your presentations! In the spirit of your Korg Triton videos, I would absolutely love to see what you make of the beast that is the OG Roland V-Piano. There's barely any demos of it online, and it was such a groundbreaking machine, it's a shame that it seems to be a Roland product that people love to hate - probably due to its outrageous price when it was new! I think seeing you get to grips with the powerful modelling engine would make a great video, especially with your Piano chops!
i agree, it would be very interesting, never come across one, isn't it the piano engine in the new fantom?
Woody, this is GREAT and you have definitely convinced me to get this piano as my first beginner option. This is a super review and I love all the details. I will be checking your channel and blog for more help. Thank you
Did you get the piano? I am looking for a beginner piano and I am not sure about using unweighted keys for learning. Would be interesting to know what's your thoughts.
The used market varies. It's quite good in the UK, but in Spain people either give away used keyboards/pianos or expect stupid high prices for them.
The Dixibell S1 has 68 keys and the sound is prop the best piano and keys money can buy IMO
Really very helpful thank you!
The one I have is the Yamaha DGX 660 full size 88 key electronic piano, very affordable for a full size.
... another nifty little instrument. I like the USB recording feature. What's the hammer action like?
Woody, awesome review, soooo helpful and positive, WELL DONE LAD!!, Wonderful to hear all the SOUNDS...awesome detailed additions!! my only suggestion.....Would have loved to see if the midi worked w. Garage Band at all??
thx, no need to demo that, it will work just fine, standard stuff! :)
The best review. I'll like it
Excellent video. and.. WHERE DID YOU GET THAT TABLETOP STAND? (that U were using outside at 12:12..) (It looks perfect for a keyboard that size) I want one for my GoPiano!!!
I had one of these (61 keys) for a while but I sold it because I thought the keys too heavy to press. Maybe the keys were shorter than other keyboards. I don't know but now I have a Korg Kross now which has a lighter action but noisier action.
I appreciate your post… I usually play a grand piano and a heavier feel is good for me.
Interesting review. I have an old YDP121 which I love more than life itself, but am trying to find a smaller instrument specifically for baroque harpsichord play with as authentic a feel as possible. It's surprisingly difficult to find anything besides the C-30 which is way over budget. I may have to settle for something like a Go Piano. I actually don't need half a billion voices, rhythms and whizzbangs. Just an action that feels like a harpsichord. Gah!
Did you check out the Nektar GX61? I know many organists who play baroque pieces that use three of the Nektars! It has a nice key feeling!
@@ejmusicofficial haven't seen that one I'm afraid. Thanks for the tip.
@@bikkies No problem!
Hi Woody! Can you please make a review for Roland Go Keys. Thank you very much!
it would be fun one day, thanks for the request
Woody Piano Shack Great! Thanks!
Go Roland Go Keys!!!
Thanks s lot for the explanation. Certainly a kind Of good Job in That vídeo.
Muchas gracias por las explicaciones. Estan muy bien desarrolladas. Con mucho criterio para un usurario novel y ayudan a decidir cómo escoger un teclado en función de lo que necesitas y el precio que puedes llegar a pagar.
I think this keyboard is the right choice for beginners. Not only does it feel nice to play, but it also sounds great!
Personally I think it having good sounds is pretty important, because that's what inspires a beginner to play. If the sounds are not so good, that will demotivate a beginner.
But as usual, you did an excellent job at reviewing this!
And also, thanks for using one of my tracks in the video :D. Really appreciated that of course.. ;)
I remember my first keyboard done "Slow Strings" never seen it with most newer keyboards :(
Hi friend! very good your video What about the weight of the keys? are heavier than those of yamaha NP12? and the texture of the keys? thank you!
Sorry but I am certainly not Woody, I have a GO Keys which is the same model with a few extra music creations things built in to it, the keys feel soft but not as good as say my Roland VR-09, however at the end of the day I have a NP32 and I prefer that, the NP32 is the big brother to NP12
@@geekindakitchen you recommand the Yamaha NP12 ? Yamaha NP12 is better than this Roland GoPiano ? Thanks :-)
Great video Woody. Does this have rhythms built in, or just the drum sounds?
don't remember, you'll have to download and check the manual.
I'm impressed by the piano sound. I guess the wave ROMs and synth chipsets and architecture is so ubiquitous and cheap you can put half decent sounds into anything.
A definite runner for the cash strapped family to get a young student up and running. You can always move up it they show signs of persisting.
That piano sound is terrible Peter!!??
@@GavinMcCloy Believe me, in fifty odd years I've heard pianos that sound worse.
great video. what is the Roland stand you are using if you don’t mind me asking?
ks12, i did a recent review of it.
It has some nice sounds on it, are some of them taken from the sound canvas? Interresting that it supports bluetooth midi. This feature is great for iOS users, as it works quite well with some Korg Products. I use the nanokey studio and nanokontrol studio frequently with gadget and the bluetooth LE is marvelous. Sadly, microsoft hasn’t really caught up with this development yet. Windows 10 has some support for this new standard but it a lot of software isn’t ready for it.
i think i remember being told it was JV, or XV tech.
This is a really good review. I’ve just ordered the Roland Go Piano and looking forward to learning to play. Been meaning to learn for years. Do you know if Bluetooth headphones can be connected via the Bluetooth? Thanks for the review 👍🏼
i don't know, i have a hunch it was just for streaming to the piano...
Great video 👍
Bought the Go:Keys. Good sound and needlessly huge polyphony but I didn’t like anything else. Uses a reverse polarity pedal that requires a more expensive pedal, not fully midi compliant, no direct access to sounds, sound mod strip is almost useless, no settings memory (registrations) and many other weird things.
Sold it and bought the Casio CT-X800 for less. Much more useful. Light years more useful.
Must cheap pedals have a polarity switch. Thank God that's all long behind me now.
Thanks for your review. I am thinking about learning to play the piano again. I am a little embarrassed to say this will be my 3rd attempt. Once when I was in my early 20’s, again about four years ago approaching 50. I have always been drawn to the piano and could listen to piano music for hours. Anyway as years go by I regret that did not stick with it and make the commitment to practice. It’s kind of like people who buy exercise equipment with the full intention of using it everyday then in the very short while it becomes something to hang clothes on. With this said, do you think I should go with the Roland GoPro 61? My concern is that the keys are not weighted. I last had a nice used Yamaha 88 weighted keyboard and I liked the feel of the keys. With my background of commitment issues one might ask, why the concern? It’s the voice in the back of my head that keeps drawing me back to the piano, telling me I was meant to play and express myself through music. No more self defeat, I need to go all in and live this dream I have had my whole life. Any advice you can give this lady with music in my soul that I so desperately need to express through the most beautiful sound of the piano?
Thanks, :)
Hey! This is probably a really dumb question, but can you pair a Bluetooth headset to it?
Love your presentation, Great!
Gonna get one!
What stand (that the keyboard is sitting on) are you using? I like it! Would you recommend that stand for that particular keyboard?
Many thanks
the stand is a roland, don't remember the model, but very expensive, so perhaps overkill.
Greetings from Melbourne.. nice demonstration I would really appreciate it if you could please do a review for Go Keys. thanks
I really like the size of this, if only a company would produce a piano with hammer action keys and a decent sound in in a size that resembling this....thay'd have atleast one thankful customer.
roland used to have a 64 note digital piano, with great sounds and action. discontinued now, so I guess not much demand.
Great video... till the end. Most of KB you present are 88 keys. Would have preferred comparison with others 61 keys (compacts KB).
Other than that it was interesting.
glad you found it interesting, you know I don't think there are any other 61 key pianos to compare with, other than the Yamaha, which I hopefully mentioned :)
@@WoodyPianoShack indeed they seem rare besides yamaha or it is not the same price 😁 thanks. By the way I cannot find the good things in go:piano vs go:keys. I would be interested in your opinions (esp. sound quality and keys sensitivity). The Key seems to be the same with more features. Thanks
you play beautifully sir.
i'm just a bluffer, but thank you!
Does it even exist a portable 61 key digital piano with weighted Keys? Im looking for a compact complement to my big piano which i could stove away easily and practice when i feel for it. But im afraid the cheap Keys would put me off. Is there any alternative or is the go piano my only option?
roland used to make a very nice 61 weighted, but now discontinued, i guess it wasn't a success. got for 88 notes if you have the space is my advice, not so much extra money!
@@WoodyPianoShack I already got a full size 88 Keys piano with weighted Keys, but i want a smaller more compact substitute for those days when i need to be on The go. Do you recall The name of The discontinued piano?
Can't recall where Woody mentioned discontinued 'smaller' weighted keyboards, but could he have meant the Roland RD-64 DP? I've just picked one up on eBay and only actually went looking for sub-88 weighted keyboards because of your question.
I find it bizarre and frustrating that this has 40 different sounds and the 88 key model has only 4!