Such helpful reviews and such a helpful site!! In your review you called the Numa the best deal at the price point. I wonder how you would compare it to the Korg D1, which at the same price point has none of the features but has the RH3 keybed from the top line Korgs like Kronos and Nautilus. That turned my head, but then you said the Numa is a perfect balance between hammer and synth weighting plus all the features. I definitely wish Studiologic didn't have the orange and white logo that looks like Amazon, but your review of the keybed is hard to ignore. In your opinion, for around $750, does the Numa beat the D1? Just bought you a coffee - appreciate you.
Hey thanks so much for the coffee and the kind words, super appreciated! I've never seen a D1 in person so I can't really offer much of an opinion. I've watched some reviews and it looks like a cool "bread and butter" stage option, it does have hammer action keys though (I've never played that action before either). As far as the Numa keys go, I'm not a synth player at all but I started as piano and have moved to 80% hammond organ and 20% piano and the keybed on the Numa is an awesome compromise for those, you can still play piano with some expression and resistance, but it's the best organ keybed I've encountered that's not ON an organ (Hammond, Nord Electro, Yamaha YC61). Sorry I can't be more help! Thanks again!
Bluetooth Audio would be really nice, it gets frustrating to have to plug a USB cable every time you want to practice with backing tracks/rhythm/iReal Pro on your phone.
If you were to choose an keyboard (or controller) solely to sit on your desk to function as a midi controller based exclusively on key-action. Which one would you pick? (also consider the space it will take on your desk). Thanks.
To be honest I don’t use midi often, and as such haven’t tested many midi controllers. Once again I would recommend getting a fully weighted action that you like for piano pieces, or a semi weighted action you like for organ. Pretty much every keyboard now sends MIDI, so whatever keyboard has the action you like would be a good choice. If you’re an advanced piano player and want to send the most accurate midi, then something like a Roland with triple sensor (vs dual on many Yamahas) may send more accurate MIDI velocity signals - but you have to like the action too (I find Roland PHA4 to be heavy and “mushy” but many people love it)
Thank you very much for your excellent review. I somehow always assumed "compact" comes from shrinking keys (shorter length in sense of pivot), but now I have to add it to my purchase list. And I love the fact they don't add pedal -- I don't know why so many manufacturers force this, after all this increase the price and the overall keyboard is less competitive. On the other hand it is a pity there is no music rest and even no place to attach one if someone would like to buy it separately. Yes, yes, stage piano, I hear you, but does one have to buy 2 pianos (one for home practice, and the other one for stage)?
Good point on the music stand; I should have mentioned that! I didn't think of it because I have a tablet clamp for my iPad attached to my keyboard stand that I always use instead of music stands. As far as the keys go, they MIGHT be a tiny bit shorter than normal, when I mentioned "true full size" I was referring to the octave width. But even if there is a shorter pivot point, with a semi-weighted non graded keybed I don't think that's really an issue (at least for me). Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone I wouldn't miss your video for the world, of course I am subscriber 🙂 Thank you for the replying. As for the length, in general, if they shortened pivot indeed you didn't notice that the black keys are harder to press, anyway, right? It is too easy to get overboard and either make black keys so short they are hard to press, or countermeasure it, so all of the sudden they are too easy to press.
@@SynthLife-sd6gb I'm not classically trained (I just pound on chords lol) but I definitely didn't notice an issue - again probably minimal since they're just semi-weighted.
That's a big "depends". For purely piano/electric piano, the CK88 is way better (fully weighted and graded Yamaha action). But for organ (which is most of what I play) the fully weighted action isn't great. The Numa's action (semi-weighted) is basically a great compromise if you play both organ and piano (it's adequate for playing piano pieces expressively, but is actually pretty good for organ). So it depends what you're after.
@@PianoTone Thank you very much for answering my questions! I'm after a midi controller with at least 73 keys, that have a nice keybed and take the least space on my desk. If I can take it for a gig (like compact2 or ck88 it's a big plus) but my main goals are great keybed on smaller amount of space. The other equipment I have it's the LX-705 roland which I love the keybed. Any suggestions will be much appreaciated thanks again!
Hi Tony, just watched more content and subscribed your channel!, between the numa compact 2x and the korg liano, which one would think it will work better for a nice midi controller keybed? Both seems compact... which one would you pick?
Thanks for the review! Do you have any experience with the Numa x Piano series? I'm looking for a keyboard with great feel primarily, and don't need features like speakers or ease to play organ/synth styles. I find the world of keyboards quite overwhelming but I like the look of Studiologic products. Not sure what to go for. Any thoughts?
To be honest no I don't - stores where I live don't carry Studiologic in store so I've never seen a Numa X (or compact) in person I had to order the Numa Compact and take my chances :) I know alot of people talk about how Roland PHA4 is a great action and very "piano like" (triple sensor with escapement) but I personally don't like that action I find it mushy, heavy and sluggish compared to Yamaha actions. But, piano action is totally personal preference - best advice I can offer is try out as many actions in person as you can. Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
I don’t play classical music so I’m not the best person to ask; many classical players will demand a fully weighted and graded hammer action, this keyboard is semi weighted in the interest of being portable, and being a decent compromise to play both piano and organ and synth on the same keyboard. So, some might say no it’s not; others (someone who wants to play classical at a cafe and only have to carry around a 15 pound keyboard) might say it’s fine/be willing to get used to it. Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
No it’s still sitting in the living room :). I do still really like playing it the action feels better than the GHS on other Yamahas does (I think it’s because of the heavy case it’s housed in). But for band practices and gigs? Love the 15 lb Numa!
Hey, I have a question. I'm not a beginner; I've been playing on an acoustic piano for about 8 years and I'm looking for a 61 key portable digital piano. I'm mainly considering the Roland GO:KEYS 5 and the Casio CT-S500, though I'm open to other suggestions. Specifically about key action, between the mentioned models which do you think mimics the graded hammer action of a real acoustic piano better? Thanks!
To be honest I haven’t seen the new Roland yet, neither one really mimic a weighted action, but for synth actions they’re not bad. I’ve never been a huge fan of Roland, but one thing in its favour is the keys are true full octave width (the Casio is narrower). A couple others to consider are the Alesis Recital 61; the sounds are “ok” (not as good as either you mentioned), but the keys are actually semi weighted so it’s a great budget portable action. My personal favourite for portable piano is the Korg Liano; it’s also not weighted, but it has a really decent “piano like” action, and it’s super light and portable, but is 88 keys not 61. Hope that helps! I have reviews on the Recital and Liano on my channel if you want to check them out. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
To be honest it's bizarrely not rigid - not in a way that ever bothered me, but if you tried to, you could twist it corner to corner. Part of why it's so light I guess. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
How is your new Hammond organ? Do you need Numa at all? I am confused about what you really use. One way or another, you seem to be moving more and more away from focusing on piano playing (as a solo activity). Michael Ps. I hopefully finally settled down by buying P-525 😊. I considered RD-2000 (lower price in Canada) as well.
I love the new SK Pro. I'm using it for most things with my band and it's my primary instrument for sure; (I think the main piano sample on it is from Yamaha, it sounds SO much like my CK88 did) but our band is also talking about just a trio (guitar. keys and vocals) to play much smaller gigs like cafes or even busking etc. For that the Numa will be ideal since it's so super portable (and that project will probably be 80% piano 20% Hammond as opposed to the band which is the other way around). Did you end up getting / liking the RD-08? I see L&M has the RD-88 on sale for the same price as the RD-08 which is a massive discount (25%!). I still have the P-525 on my "to do" list for reviewing this year.
@@PianoTone I did like RD-08 but when listening to my recording I heard key clicking. It is unacceptable for me! The action felt OK to me but I have given up on PHA-4. Thought of getting RD-2000 but it is too expensive for me even with current discount. I saw the big reduction of RD-88 price and I was really glad that I returned RD-08. I am looking forward to your reviews.
Very useful video.. Thanks again 💜
Thanks so much glad you liked the video. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Such helpful reviews and such a helpful site!! In your review you called the Numa the best deal at the price point. I wonder how you would compare it to the Korg D1, which at the same price point has none of the features but has the RH3 keybed from the top line Korgs like Kronos and Nautilus. That turned my head, but then you said the Numa is a perfect balance between hammer and synth weighting plus all the features. I definitely wish Studiologic didn't have the orange and white logo that looks like Amazon, but your review of the keybed is hard to ignore. In your opinion, for around $750, does the Numa beat the D1? Just bought you a coffee - appreciate you.
Hey thanks so much for the coffee and the kind words, super appreciated! I've never seen a D1 in person so I can't really offer much of an opinion. I've watched some reviews and it looks like a cool "bread and butter" stage option, it does have hammer action keys though (I've never played that action before either). As far as the Numa keys go, I'm not a synth player at all but I started as piano and have moved to 80% hammond organ and 20% piano and the keybed on the Numa is an awesome compromise for those, you can still play piano with some expression and resistance, but it's the best organ keybed I've encountered that's not ON an organ (Hammond, Nord Electro, Yamaha YC61).
Sorry I can't be more help! Thanks again!
Excellent review!! Answerd a lot of questions for me. Big thanx:)
Awesome, glad you liked the review! And thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
Bluetooth Audio would be really nice, it gets frustrating to have to plug a USB cable every time you want to practice with backing tracks/rhythm/iReal Pro on your phone.
It would be nice for sure! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
If you were to choose an keyboard (or controller) solely to sit on your desk to function as a midi controller based exclusively on key-action. Which one would you pick? (also consider the space it will take on your desk). Thanks.
To be honest I don’t use midi often, and as such haven’t tested many midi controllers. Once again I would recommend getting a fully weighted action that you like for piano pieces, or a semi weighted action you like for organ. Pretty much every keyboard now sends MIDI, so whatever keyboard has the action you like would be a good choice. If you’re an advanced piano player and want to send the most accurate midi, then something like a Roland with triple sensor (vs dual on many Yamahas) may send more accurate MIDI velocity signals - but you have to like the action too (I find Roland PHA4 to be heavy and “mushy” but many people love it)
Thank you very much for your excellent review. I somehow always assumed "compact" comes from shrinking keys (shorter length in sense of pivot), but now I have to add it to my purchase list. And I love the fact they don't add pedal -- I don't know why so many manufacturers force this, after all this increase the price and the overall keyboard is less competitive. On the other hand it is a pity there is no music rest and even no place to attach one if someone would like to buy it separately. Yes, yes, stage piano, I hear you, but does one have to buy 2 pianos (one for home practice, and the other one for stage)?
Good point on the music stand; I should have mentioned that! I didn't think of it because I have a tablet clamp for my iPad attached to my keyboard stand that I always use instead of music stands.
As far as the keys go, they MIGHT be a tiny bit shorter than normal, when I mentioned "true full size" I was referring to the octave width. But even if there is a shorter pivot point, with a semi-weighted non graded keybed I don't think that's really an issue (at least for me).
Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone I wouldn't miss your video for the world, of course I am subscriber 🙂 Thank you for the replying. As for the length, in general, if they shortened pivot indeed you didn't notice that the black keys are harder to press, anyway, right? It is too easy to get overboard and either make black keys so short they are hard to press, or countermeasure it, so all of the sudden they are too easy to press.
@@SynthLife-sd6gb I'm not classically trained (I just pound on chords lol) but I definitely didn't notice an issue - again probably minimal since they're just semi-weighted.
Nice video! Which action do you like the most CK88 or Numa Compact's 2x?
That's a big "depends". For purely piano/electric piano, the CK88 is way better (fully weighted and graded Yamaha action). But for organ (which is most of what I play) the fully weighted action isn't great. The Numa's action (semi-weighted) is basically a great compromise if you play both organ and piano (it's adequate for playing piano pieces expressively, but is actually pretty good for organ).
So it depends what you're after.
@@PianoTone Thank you very much for answering my questions! I'm after a midi controller with at least 73 keys, that have a nice keybed and take the least space on my desk. If I can take it for a gig (like compact2 or ck88 it's a big plus) but my main goals are great keybed on smaller amount of space. The other equipment I have it's the LX-705 roland which I love the keybed. Any suggestions will be much appreaciated thanks again!
Hi Tony, just watched more content and subscribed your channel!, between the numa compact 2x and the korg liano, which one would think it will work better for a nice midi controller keybed? Both seems compact... which one would you pick?
I would choose the Numa since it has extra built in MIDI functionality that you might be able to take advantage of
Thanks for the review! Do you have any experience with the Numa x Piano series?
I'm looking for a keyboard with great feel primarily, and don't need features like speakers or ease to play organ/synth styles.
I find the world of keyboards quite overwhelming but I like the look of Studiologic products. Not sure what to go for. Any thoughts?
To be honest no I don't - stores where I live don't carry Studiologic in store so I've never seen a Numa X (or compact) in person I had to order the Numa Compact and take my chances :)
I know alot of people talk about how Roland PHA4 is a great action and very "piano like" (triple sensor with escapement) but I personally don't like that action I find it mushy, heavy and sluggish compared to Yamaha actions. But, piano action is totally personal preference - best advice I can offer is try out as many actions in person as you can.
Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
Is it possible to play classical music on this keyboard?
I don’t play classical music so I’m not the best person to ask; many classical players will demand a fully weighted and graded hammer action, this keyboard is semi weighted in the interest of being portable, and being a decent compromise to play both piano and organ and synth on the same keyboard. So, some might say no it’s not; others (someone who wants to play classical at a cafe and only have to carry around a 15 pound keyboard) might say it’s fine/be willing to get used to it.
Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
If you were to sell a keyboard. Which one would you sell the CK88 or the numa 2x? :) thanks
I actually traded in the CK88 towards the Numa and my Hammond M-Solo; just more appropriate for my needs with my band
Interesting keyboard. Did you ditch the overly complex and as heavy as a Mack truck DGX?
No it’s still sitting in the living room :). I do still really like playing it the action feels better than the GHS on other Yamahas does (I think it’s because of the heavy case it’s housed in). But for band practices and gigs? Love the 15 lb Numa!
Hey, I have a question. I'm not a beginner; I've been playing on an acoustic piano for about 8 years and I'm looking for a 61 key portable digital piano. I'm mainly considering the Roland GO:KEYS 5 and the Casio CT-S500, though I'm open to other suggestions. Specifically about key action, between the mentioned models which do you think mimics the graded hammer action of a real acoustic piano better? Thanks!
To be honest I haven’t seen the new Roland yet, neither one really mimic a weighted action, but for synth actions they’re not bad. I’ve never been a huge fan of Roland, but one thing in its favour is the keys are true full octave width (the Casio is narrower). A couple others to consider are the Alesis Recital 61; the sounds are “ok” (not as good as either you mentioned), but the keys are actually semi weighted so it’s a great budget portable action. My personal favourite for portable piano is the Korg Liano; it’s also not weighted, but it has a really decent “piano like” action, and it’s super light and portable, but is 88 keys not 61.
Hope that helps! I have reviews on the Recital and Liano on my channel if you want to check them out. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
how rigid is the frame? thanks
To be honest it's bizarrely not rigid - not in a way that ever bothered me, but if you tried to, you could twist it corner to corner. Part of why it's so light I guess.
Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
How is your new Hammond organ? Do you need Numa at all? I am confused about what you really use.
One way or another, you seem to be moving more and more away from focusing on piano playing (as a solo activity).
Michael
Ps. I hopefully finally settled down by buying P-525 😊. I considered RD-2000 (lower price in Canada) as well.
I love the new SK Pro. I'm using it for most things with my band and it's my primary instrument for sure; (I think the main piano sample on it is from Yamaha, it sounds SO much like my CK88 did) but our band is also talking about just a trio (guitar. keys and vocals) to play much smaller gigs like cafes or even busking etc. For that the Numa will be ideal since it's so super portable (and that project will probably be 80% piano 20% Hammond as opposed to the band which is the other way around).
Did you end up getting / liking the RD-08? I see L&M has the RD-88 on sale for the same price as the RD-08 which is a massive discount (25%!). I still have the P-525 on my "to do" list for reviewing this year.
@@PianoTone I did like RD-08 but when listening to my recording I heard key clicking. It is unacceptable for me! The action felt OK to me but I have given up on PHA-4. Thought of getting RD-2000 but it is too expensive for me even with current discount. I saw the big reduction of RD-88 price and I was really glad that I returned RD-08. I am looking forward to your reviews.