If you are a pianist and getting put into the same sentence as Beethoven, it usually means that you are doing something right! I will be sure to pass on the compliment to Stu. :)
I play the Yamaha P125…light, great sound options and nice touch. You did mention how many people will be playing the piano for durability. Also it should be always covered, no fluids or drinks around the keyboard , a good case if transporting it and handled with care. Not much is ever said about this in reviews. Careful buying anything used for these reasons as well. Be sure to budget thes items as well as a good stand when making a purchase.
I guess you can say that I am a mid beginner and I went with the Yamaha P515 because I wanted to start off with decent action so I could develop good habits and techniques due to the action. I tested the P125 and do not like the feel of the action as much however there is a massive difference between pricing.
I bought one of the last available Kawai cn29 in March and I cant find any faults with it. The touch and tone fit my style . Im an intermediate player.I also like the cosmetics.
Congrats on your CN29! It is an excellent model with a fantastic touch, tone, and aesthetic. We're happy to hear that you've been pleased with everything it has to offer. :)
I have a Casio wk-200 that I bought brand new in 2009, paid $400 for it, after 15 years and over 2000 gigs, it still works/sounds just as good as it did the day I took it out of the box, especially when I run it out of my Peavey KB 5
I initially bought a Casio PX-S1100 because of its beautiful design, but I returned it shortly after because of its flawed action - which was enjoyable to play, but very light and not mimicking a real piano especially with the black keys - and underwhelming speaker, which completely lacked the low range presence. I then bought a Roland FP-30X after watching a few of Stu's videos and I'm in love with this piano! I'm sure I'll keep it for many years of practice. Very good action, impressive tone generation engine and good speakers.
Thanks for tuning in! We're happy to hear that the videos were helpful through your decision process. The FP30X is a wonderful piano with one of the most authentic touches in its price category. I am confident it will serve you well for many years to come! :)
I actually can‘t believe how well structured, informative and helpful this video is for people like me, who just got into playing the piano and want to find a good entry level digital piano. Massive props for your objective and honest review, one can clearly see that you actually want to help people rather than solely trying to sell your most expensive pianos. I applaud you for that and hope that this approach pays off.
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! We are very happy to hear that you found the video helpful and informative and we appreciate your support of our videos and channel immensely! :)
This is an exceptional video. Thanks Stu! Usually, the price increases along with quality and features, but after a certain point, the marginal benefit/cost comparison gets very personal. A beginner cannot make that decision while still a beginner.
Thank you kindly for the nice words and for checking out the video! I think there is a lot of truth to the sentiments you've shared. As we become more experienced in our playing, we tend to get more fussy or at least a little more certain as to what we want and need out of an instrument to feel fully satisfied.
Interesting story. So recently I purchased a Casio Digital PX-s1100. It was at a piano store, not Guitar Center. They carried a $200,000 Fazioli. I told the clerk that I've never played a really good piano before. I've played a lot of pianos, mostly low-end, bad action, tinny tones. He let me play the Fazioli. I was so excited because I always imagined what a really good piano would be like. And it was then I realized how little I knew about pianos. But I sat down and I couldn't discern between my digital keyboard and a $200K piano. My new keyboard's grand piano sound was sampled from one of the best grand pianos so the Fazioli was very nice, but I've grown used to a nice sound. I hadn't been playing for awhile so I had to play some Billy Joel tunes on a really nice piano. I felt like an idiot after 30 years of playing. Since then, I've learned some harder pieces, e.g., Claire De Lune, Chopin's Nocture in E-flat, authentic rags like Joseph Lamb, Gershwin and I'm getting a better understanding of the nuances of what makes a good piano. One of the biggest drawbacks of my digital piano is the action. When my fingers get too high on the key, the keys are harder to press. Eventually, I would like to go back and play the Fazioli again.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! It is a very good and relevant point. It takes time for our ears and musical preferences to become more discerning, but it is almost inevitably going to happen for every player. Getting the opportunity to play as many pianos as possible is definitely helpful in developing one's tastes as well. :)
Action/touch is the most important thing when it comes to digital pianos. If you are a complete beginer and you buy a digital piano/keyboard that has ''non-standard'' action/touch, even ''non-standard'' keys (spacing, size), ... you sure will learn how to play it, but once you try a real piano or a ''standard feel'' digital piano, you won't be able to play it properly.
This is a very excellent insight! Many pianists and teachers will certainly agree that starting with a weighted key touch and full 88-note range will ultimately save a lot of relearning and readapting down the road. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Excellent buyer’s guide! So much quality information. For my students I recommend the Yamaha Arius series. I find it to be a good balance between touch and sound that (with proper volume adjustment) transfers well to playing an acoustic. Thanks for the video!
Absolutely true, I felt it myself. Been practicing for years on a cheap yamaha, light, soft keys, until I touched the real instrument. The difference is outstanding.
A very respectful way to talk about refinement! I am constantly impressed with your careful delivery as you maintain your mastery while speaking to rank beginners. No hidden elitism here; you know your stuff and don't make me feel shame that I don't. At some point I'd very much appreciate you comparing the utility and the value of external keyboard amp combos and external monitors vs spending extra to get top end internal sound systems in a digital piano. Can I do better going to an external sound system?
Thank you for taking the time to check out our channel and for your very kind and considerate words! We sincerely appreciate it! We try to tackle as many user-submitted video suggestions as possible, but, with so many piano types and models out there, it is difficult to get to every single one. With that said, I think a comparison of internal speakers versus external amps and studio monitors would make for a wonderful and helpful video. Thanks for the suggestion! We will certainly add it to our list. :)
I completely agree with you about the priority on digital being the key bed. That's why I went w/ the Korg D1 as it has the wonderful RH3 keyboard. And I agree with you that the sound is malleable. Because this has legacy MIDI, I could down the road massively upgrade that by running a Dexibell module. I am not sponsored by Korg, but I tried all the sub $1K units and this was winner to me for playability. Honestly my first inclination was to go Yamaha, as all my pro player pals use Yammie.
I am very happy to hear that you found a piano that you connect and resonate with! It is a very personal and subjective thing, so that is fantastic that you've found the option that works for you! And given the fact that MIDI and external speakers/amps allow for variable tone and speaker power, it is common for players to prioritize action when shopping for a digital piano as that is the constant that you will be "stuck with" so to speak.
If your lessons are on an actual acoustic piano, a weighted, graded, hammer action, triple sensor digital piano is what I would select for practice at home. The feel is closer to an acoustic piano. The Casio PX-560 at $1,300 serves that need reasonably well.
The Casio PX560 definitely presents a wonderful playing experience and value! I definitely agree. Budget permitting, a weighted, graded hammer action tri-sensor digital piano helps bridge the gap to an acoustic piano quite well. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights!
All great points Stu, especially about the wine. Yesterday I was at a friends house with a 6-7 foot Baldwin and it was a discernible difference from his 9 foot on the lower section of his home. But I’ve been playing 35 years so there you go to your point. And TRS beginners should not spend more than $800 I agree. An FP30 would be perfect
Back in 2016, when my son started his lessons we purchased a PX350, at that time the second cheapest piano in Casio Previa line. It shown itself perfectly up to the task. I never noticed the instrument was somehow limiting the progress of the learning. My son love it and still play it every single day. And the only maintenance I did is to a quick fix on one of the pedals earlier this year. I also purchased an expensive Roland electric drum kit that is sitting idle. My dother got tired of being a drummer after 5 months. Do yourself a favor and don't overspend on something your are not even sure if it will be used for long. USD 700 piano is just OK for the beginner and I simply don't belive a USD 1500 one will make your kid learn any better or faster.
Every piano shopper is different and has a different assortment of boxes they are trying to check off. With that said, there are wonderful entry level digital pianos out there, like you have experienced with the PX350, that not only offer a great value but also an impressive musical experience that one can get a lot of longevity out of. I am happy to hear that you have had positive experiences with the Casio Privia line! They are doing impressive things these days on the digital piano front. :)
@Mario for many like me even $700 is expensive. I am looking at the Alesis Prestige Artist, Yamaha P45 and Roland FP10 and even these exceed my $500 budget by about $100. Does Casio have something that competes with these 3? As a beginner my primary concern is tactile and sound. If these pianos can sound natural and feel like a more expensive piano I’d be happy. All the extra features don’t interest me as my goal is to learn the basics first. FYI I am retired and learning an instrument I think is good stress free way to pass the time.
@@navinadv Hello Navin. I am not an expert and I am definitively not current with recent launches. I just wanted the people to know that a cheaper piano worked quite well for us. I took a look on Casio's site and I saw they no longer have the PX160, that was their direct answer to Yamaha P45. The cheapest piano in their Privia line in now in USD700 range. They have also the CDP line, but those seem to have less sophisticated mechanics. Yamaha P45 used to be a great choice, and I belive it would certainly do the job. But I really don't know if the competitors toYamaha had come up with even better value during the last couple of years.
I grew up with an old piano in the house that was always really out of tune so I never played. Just recently as an adult with a family we decided that we want to invest in an electric piano. We went into guitar center and played with all of the pianos on display and the one that stood out from all the other brands was the Roland RP501. The sound was pretty good but for my ear it sounded like the Casio and yamaha and most every other piano in there. But the action alone locked my wife and I in. We're pretty set on the rp701 and will be making the plunge soon. I just wanted to say first hand as a new player that a good key action is addicting. Bad key action feels like a disconnect and I concur with this video
Congratulations on stepping back into the realm of pianos with your digital piano! I definitely agree with you in terms of the importance of action. In fact, it really is the only invariable aspect of a digital piano. You can always access different samples and sound libraries via MIDI and you can always access higher power and higher quality speakers with external amplifiers, but the action is the one element that you are stuck with. From that perspective, it makes sense to make it a priority for most players when shopping for a digital piano. :)
Great general introduction, as always. You can’t imagine how you videos helped me in navigating to my first digital piano purchase, and, eventually to the higher end upgrade. Thank you!
Enjoyed watching your video. I have been so fortunate to still have my very first 88-key Yamaha PF-80 Weighted Electric Piano. I had purchased it brand new in 1986 and it still plays as the day I had purchased it. Never had to make any repairs so far. I’m self-taught and I was more worried that I would lose interest in teaching myself and playing it once I had purchased it. I’m thrilled that wasn’t the case. However, it doesn’t have a lot of fancy voices and features, but I’m more of a purist so it not a concern. It was one of the best long-term investment that I have ever made. It still gives me joy playing it after all these years.
That is amazing to hear! I would say it has paid its fair share of dividends on your initial investment at this point. Thanks for sharing and all the best! :)
Thank u for this video! It is very informative. I'm a beginner to piano and I took the leap from a entry level piano to a Casio PX-S7000 within a span of 5 months. I am a late starter but i did have background in drums. I got a cheap piano to try out but I soon realised it is not enough for me. I've not looked back since i got my Casio. I've been practicing so many times a day because I really love the feel of the keys and the sound. The feel of the keys is def important. My teacher commented I've improved recently, it must be all the practices. The need to change came when I tried my frd's Casio AP 270. I never knew that piano can sound so good and I made the switch aft some online reading. I got the privia partly due to space constraints too. I'm not gg back to anything less than my Casio now. Thank u for ur review on Casio PX-S7000. I watch it when I was looking for a new piano. I got it in yellow. Like what u mention, it is really a great piano. 😊
Amazing! Congratulations on your new PXS7000! The yellow finish is super striking too, so I know you will be thrilled with the piano both musically and aesthetically. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! A better piano will have many benefits. There are technical benefits from playing a superior action, but one cannot rule out how effective the additional practice motivation can be for stimulating progress. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
This was great. I just had a piano delivered today. It's a newer model Roland console--an HP704. It ran me right at $4000. I was quite taken with the reviews of the action and the speakers. I am not a beginner. I'm 69, and I started lessons at 4. I just recently retired from the practice of law. I have a Steinway L (recently replaced in the U.S. by the O) in our living room. It's wonderful, but it's LOUD.
I wanted something that I could play late at night and early in the morning. I can't wait to get it put together and take it for a spin. I'm hoping to go back into the classical accompanying business at the University now that I'm not working on big bankruptcy cases. I feel good about my selection after having watched this video.
Thanks so much for tuning in and congratulations on your Roland HP704! It provides an excellent balance of tone, touch, aesthetics, and speaker fidelity! I know it will serve you well musically. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
My personal opinion, the more expensive (and I mean the better feeling and sounding) digital piano (or any instrument for that matter), the more enjoyable and therefore easier to learn.
I went with two boards: An Alesis Recital Pro ($380) and a Roland Fantom 08 ($2150, but I got one for $1800) The Alesis is my "beater" board. I do my exercises on it, and if the key contacts go in a few years, I won't be too upset. (The sounds and action are actually quite acceptable to me - I'm apparently not very discerning) The Roland is my performing and producing board. I figured If I was going to spend $900 on an FP-30X, why not spend $2000 and basically get an FP-30X, plus thousands of other voices, a sequencer, sampler, and DAW controller. Excellent video, tho. Well thought out, and sound, sensible recommendations.
Thanks for taking the time to check out our channel and for writing in! We sincerely appreciate it. Congrats on your two excellent keyboards! The Fantom 08 is an excellent investment if you're heavily into the production/composition realm. The quality and vast number of built-in voices along with all of the other production-oriented features make it an excellent choice within that context. Thanks again and all the best!
I really don´t know if there are people who are realising how precious these informations are. Thank you Stu, that is exactly what many of us need!! ♥ Kind Regards from Austria, Christian
I recently bought a Yamaha P45. It fit into my budget and has a very nice sound which can be spiced up with reverb. I'm just a beginner who always wanted to learn piano and didn't realize digital pianos were so nice.
Digital pianos have certainly come a long way! Even entry level models offer a wonderful playing/sonic experience. We're happy to hear that you found a digital piano that you enjoy and that fit into your budget. Thanks for checking out our videos! :)
I listened to a review of several digital pianos on the lower end of the price scale and at least to me, the P45 sounded the best and most like the real thing.
Hi Stu & Crew. Informative and on point. Hairstyle "after serious Chopine session" fits well :-) Or was it just long night session with friends and delicious wine? If so, i hope that you keep in your vault raw recording of all of those. Every recorded sesion has a value. Field multitrack recorder always in your toolset...
Hi there! Thanks for tuning in and for the complimentary words! We're glad that you found the video informative and helpful. I certainly agree with your sentiment! Every musical recording has its beauty and value. It serves as a time capsule of that one unique and specific moment. :)
Great video. Always a pleasure to watch these. The biggest pain for a 3rd world citizen such as myself is how out of reach 500$ pianos are. That's kind of the baseline for weighted pianos and it's ridiculously expensive especially with shipping costing close to 40% of the full price.
Thank you so much for tuning in! I am very sorry to hear of the expensive shipping costs that you have to deal with in your region. I sincerely hope that more local digital piano dealers pop up in your market that will help curb the expensive shipping costs for you.
Fantastic video (as always)! Your comparison to wine totally rings true; the $20 vs. $50 analogy is a great way to look at mid-priced to more expensive digital pianos. The only thing I would like to add is ease of use/functionality - I traded in my FP-30 even though I loved the action and the sound, because the user interface is so clunky.
Thank you kindly for tuning in! Glad to enjoyed the video! That is a fantastic point as well. The user-friendliness of the interface will also be an important detail for some customers. :)
Stu you are without peer in your well balanced and articulate presentations. Watched a few and yes you lead the pack. Keep them coming. Applaud your skills and keyboard technique. You are a lovely ambassador for the piano business and you do your homeland proud. A fellow Canuck salutes you. Learned so much
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! Stu is awesome and a man of many talents as you have come to know. We are lucky to have him! I will be happy to pass on your kind words and compliments to him on your behalf. :)
It may be outside the scope of digital piano shopping, but I would mention MIDI keyboards for people who may want to play piano, but also explore music production. It does require other equipment (computer, studio monitors, software), but it is a very versatile setup and easily allows you to record your playing. There are several good, 88-key controllers, including one from Kawaii, that have good, fully weighted keys. It is important to note that without a computer, software, and speakers, MIDI keyboards won’t make sounds, but for some shoppers, it may be something they would appreciate. I sure do. I bought a Native Instruments S88 MkII, and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning the piano on it, and toying around with producing music.
Absolutely! That is a very good point. For anyone interested in music production or is simply technologically savvy, a MIDI controller in conjunction with a good piano VST is always an option worth considering. :)
Thank you so much for this great video. I have a peculiar need, which you may have already addressed or find interesting enough to address publicly. I am an adult who used to play the piano at an advanced intermediate level (think Haydn, Mozart piano sonatas) and intermediate jazz. For irrelevant reasons I have not had access to a piano for 13 years. I wish to resume playing and buy a grand piano. BUT, I think it is best to revive my dormant piano skills BEFORE shopping for a grand. Hence my interest in buying a digital piano. Action is paramount for me. I would practice 2-5 hours a day. I don't want to spend $3k, $5k, $10k+ for a digital only to buy a grand in a year. On the other hand, there seem to be pianos with relatively decent actions at the sub-$1k to the $2k+ range. Where is the sweet spot for action, durability, sound quality, and perhaps resale value?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! That is great news that you've rediscovered your passion to play piano. In terms of my top suggestion for the $1000-2000 range, I would personally say that the Roland FP30X is a very difficult piano to beat. It has a heavy action with escapement simulation, which is one of the closest things you'll find to a grand piano touch at this price point. If you want the same core piano experience with some fun bells and whistles, the new Roland FP-E50 option might be of interest too. :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Exactly the clear advice I sought. To ALL RUclips viewers out there: I live in Switzerland and can't buy a piano from Merriam Music. I would if I could because of the courtesy and help I received. If you are looking for a piano, watch their many informative videos and give them strong consideration. Brent, thank you again. Jeremiah @@MerriamPianos
Again, to Merriam Music and interested RUclips viewers. Merriam Music gave me advice about choosing a digital keyboard. I took the advice and purchased (in Switzerland) a Roland FP-30X. I could not be happier. It does exactly what I want. The action is decent. I am making fantastic progress. And the price was super. I watch Merriam Music's videos and always learn something. I think you can trust these guys.
I was asked to check out some affordable digital pianos for a starter, sub $1000. Apparently one art has been lost in time: doing a good job on the ADSR part. Play a note or a chord without using the sustain pedal. The sound dies out way too fast when compared to an acoustic piano. The brand didn't matter much, although the Korg SP-280 seemed to do a slightly better job. My now ancient Roland HP-3000S, which I kept for sentimental reasons, is near perfect in that department. A beginner will probably not notice such details, but I would love to hear your opinion on this.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I think part of this may have to do with the heavy transition from synthesis to sampling. This is a relatively common complaint amongst some players, particularly with the lower sample-based digital pianos. With that said, it is a constant process to improve and refine, so I imagine it is only a matter of time before these gaps are bridged in a meaningful way. :)
The feel/action was my make or break when choosing. I have a real piano in the house which I've started messing around on over the last few weeks. But as I got more into playing and was practising late at night with the kids in bed, I needed another option with headphones for obvious reasons. I have a FP10 now for the last few days and I was sold on this because of multiple reviewers praising the feel and it really is a good representation of my old out of tune acoustic :) At least for the money I could afford.
Absolutely! Every player will have their own priorities when piano shopping. With that said, action is paramount for many players. I am glad you discovered the FP10. It is a wonderful instrument with a fantastic touch. All of the value is packed into the action, which makes it a perfect candidate for what you were looking for. :)
Really appreciate the depth you go into in your reviews. I know next to nothing about pianos, and most of the other channels I've come across basically just read the spec sheet for the different pianos without providing any information as to why any of that matters. I don't even know if we're in the market for a piano, but we've talked about it, and this is exactly the content I needed. So thank you. Also your hair is awesome.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for the incredibly kind words and for tuning in! We're very happy to hear that you find the information helpful in your process. Thanks again for the support and all the best! :)
I recall in a documentary I saw not too long ago, a gentleman said. "The most important instrument in today's music is your laptop." He was right. One good thing in today's digital piano industry is that the low price range gives you a compact and very useful product most of the time. For example, a roland FP60X uses the same action and sound engine you'd find on an FP30X. If you're mostly a piano guy you probably won't need the bells and whistles FP60X has to offer... even if you're an accomplished piano student. Pianos in that price range such as FP-30 / 60X,and ES-520 / ES-920, offer great playability. I studied classical piano through my entire childhood and I definitely consider the PHA4 action better than what you'd find in some not so well maintained uprights, same goes for the equivalent Kawai action. The problem begins however when you want to own a more expensive digital piano. Because in my opinion what a pricier DP offers to the piano player, is mostly stage piano features. That means more sounds, better recording capabilities, better connectivity sometimes, and more complex settings overall. An FP90X does not necessarily have better piano sounds than its predecessors. The MP7SE has the same tone as the ES920. The DGX-670 has the same pianos as the P-515.. So not much! For someone to experience a considerable sound difference then a Nord, (a Nord Grand), would do. It would do indeed but a powerful laptop with a good DAW and some nice VSTs would do better. Even tough workstations offered by Korg and others can't bead a laptop pared with a good controller. I will always say that i'm surprised that DPs, workstations and arrangers alike fail to catch-up with VSTs and so on. Thanks for such an informative and professional video, Stu!
Thank you kindly for taking the time to check out the video and for sharing your insights! There are definitely some very good points that I'm sure our community members will find useful. When it comes to VSTs compared to built-in tone engines, I think many piano aficionados would tend to agree. One thing to consider is that when piano manufacturer's are designing and building digital pianos, they are responsible for many aspects and details (action, speaker system, aesthetics, tone engine, etc.). Because companies that are creating and modelling VSTs are focused on, basically, one thing: the piano sound/engine, it makes sense that they might have an edge in terms of the authenticity and detail they are able to offer.
I appreciate this comment, Stenaldo. Since you know your uprights as well as several digital piano actions that are out there, maybe you could help me. I learned to play on a very basic upright, then on a clavichord. I like a soft action, not one that's modeled on a grand piano's. Do you know which ones might be more likely to suit a player like me? Thanks again for the comment.
Thank you, Elazar. I can't tell you how helpful this has been to me. I'd never even heard of the Studiologic Numa X before, but from what I can see they appear to have broken from he grand piano paradigm. My only question is whether you're familiar with Studiologic's GT action and could compare it to the TP 110. It seems to be a higher quality but it could easily be stiffer than the TP 110.
I bought a Yamaha P100 in 1991, costed a fortune. After using it (Bach/Chopin/Ravel) for 30 years, I decided to replace it by a Kawai MP7SE. Reason was the sound of the Kawai, the more complex tone shaping possibility of the keybed and the weight to carry. Except for a slightly worn out rubber strip, the piano keys of the P100 still were as new. No broken plastic, no uneven keys whatsover. The MP7 was cheaper, but having the RHIII keybed, I expected quite something. And: the keybed feels indeed great, it comes with sort of a hammer release feeling and the sound is beautiful as you could wish for, but the keybed sometimes is emitting clicking noise, as if some plastic resistance would get triggered instead of a filt keystopper. Also, some keys were scratching. I returned the first MP7 and received a new piano, so this has less issues, but still, there are issues. I like the sound a lot, but I watch myself stopping in the middle of a piece because of that clicking keybed. After using it for several months now I think the final statement could be: it is very okay, but a digital piano is a digital piano is a digital piano. And if you do not have to bother about the weight, go for something such the Grand Feel Action (speaking of Kawai).
Hi Tobias! Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your insights and experiences! It is true that all digital pianos will have some semblance of mechanical/key noise. It is virtually unavoidable. Thanks again and all the best! :)
Boy... I can't agree that touch quality is the most important characteristic. The reason is simple; nothing will do more to end a budding pianist's interest in the instrument than a shallow, dull, unconvincing sound. If it's not fun and inspiring to play, the student won't play it; and that ends the hobby/career before it starts. Sound is number one, with a bullet. Yes, keyboard action matters; but keyboard action varies widely, not only between electronic instruments but also between acoustic pianos. A skilled pianist will compensate without thinking twice. The idea that a great sounding keyboard with a less than perfect action will somehow ruin all chances of a young student ever learning to play properly, is just silly. Sound is paramount. Everything else is just 'nice to have'.
Every player and person is different and, as such, their priorities will differ when it comes to shopping for the right instrument for them. With that said, when it comes to digital pianos, the action is a constant where as the sound and speaker system can both be variable. Given that virtually all digital pianos have MIDI capabilities these days, you are not restricted to the built-in piano sounds of your instrument. Through MIDI, you can access a whole world of exciting VSTs in order to discover a sound that you truly connect with. Furthermore, if you are dissatisfied with the power or quality of your built-in speakers, you can always run your piano through an external PA, amplifier or speaker system.
Ad a beginner, I can say the action is the most important. I'm more in-touch with my music and most digital pianos offer multiple piano sounds, especially Roland on the fine tune app.
@@pachimari360 FP-90X is perfect in this respect. It is much better than higher end Roland and all Kawai digital pianos because it has Digital Audio Interface built in. I am connecting FP-90X to my Mac computer with just one USB cable that goes from MIDI output to the computer. The same cable is bringing digital signal back to FP-90X. I do not need any interface and I use DAC of Roland together with its amplifier and speakers. It is simple - Roland Digital Piano is the output for a VST. I have to warn you though that PCs are not that great with VSL Synchron piano VSTs. They are OK with Pianoteq and Garritan although a bit more complicated than MAC. By the way, Yamaha digital pianos also have Digital Audio Interface. I forgot to add that you disable Local Control in FP-90X to play only external piano sound
Interesting video, thank you for it. I've always asked myself this question without really knowing the answer as I bought a Yamaha CLP 340 approx 20-25 years ago for $2500. For that same price nowadays you can get the CLP 745. But what's the difference and can you feel it, you know? Also, you're totally right about digital versus acoustic and touch versus sound. Back to the CLP 340 which I still own and is in prestige condition; It's hooked up to my DAW and a pair of HS5 monitors + subwoofer. Together with pianoteq or other VSTs the CLP 340 sound better than ever.
Hi Chris! Thanks for taking the time to check out the video and write in! We're glad to hear that you found the video review helpful. It is also awesome to hear that you're still enjoying the CLP340 and finding ways of keeping things fresh and inspiring with the addition of VSTs into your arsenal. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
I bought a technics SX-PX228 in 1998 for almost six thousand dollars. The weighted keys are so good you couldn't differentiate the difference between a Steinway baby grand and it. The sound was also fashioned after a Steinway, so amazing. Though the general weight action couldn't be adjusted, you could change the sensitivity to soft or hard and the tone from mellow to bright. This allowed a sort adjustment to what would be comparably done one an acoustic unit for the action and hammers. All these years later, it still sounds amazing though the power supply burnt out and a couple of the capacitors. I am having a specialist rebuild a custom power supply and new capacitors because parts can no longer be found. He is also installing a couple of cooling fans over the computer boards. The unit didn't have them and those are crucial to a healthy mother board. Turning the unit off and on frequently is what kills it fast. If you turn it on then leave it on for the day. Using it a couple of hours and then hitting that power button over and over is what wears it out. Sitting in power on mode isn't that hard on it. It's like leaving a light bulb on for years. Turning them off and on is what wears it out... same with electronic components.
I'm sorry to hear that you've been experiencing some issues with your SXPX228. However, that is awesome that you have found a skilled technician that can service it and restore it to a playable state again. It is hard to find an instrument you truly connect with, but, when you do, it is certainly worth doing everything you can to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. :)
I play at home Kawai 920 and it feels great, but when I come to my teacher who has acoustic piano, I struggle, it’s so much different. The other thing to consider is that even very simple acoustic piano sustain pedal allows you to really fine tune the sound while digital pedal is mostly on-off. Kawai tried to reach that but at this price point I have to say they failed.
At the end of the day, even the finest digital pianos are emulations of the "real thing". With that said, the ES920 is a remarkable all-in portable digital piano that has a lot to offer musically, which is especially impressive given its reasonable price tag. Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your insights! :)
@@MerriamPianos I wonder how different Nord Stage 3 is. All the jazz musicians I know play it and they say it’s fantastic. What do I get doubling my investments compared to Kawai 920? What playing level is required to really feel and enjoy this difference? Or maybe, they are so much different that this comparison makes no sense?
When I was a kid, I played a lot of ragtime and favoured the keybed of the Wurlitzer upright pianos at school. I enjoyed the light-ish touch, but still liked the feedback. I tend to get fatigued by heavier action while still disliking the ultra light, no-weight keyboards. I’ve been looking at the Roland FP series. The stores here don’t carry anything except the FP 39 and I dislike the controls. The new FP E50 seems to have a nice balance of everything-I like the accompaniment features, but I’d forego them if you thought I’d REALLY like say the 60x or even Kawai models. I saw your 60x versus E50 and I know you prefer the 60x keybed, but given I’m not a pro and what I’ve told you, what do you think as it relates to my situation specifically? Thanks in advance, Stu. You’re the best! Literally the best.
Hi Jason! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for writing in! The FP60X and FPE50 use the same PHA4 action. With that said, even the same action within different enclosures can have slightly different feels. I would say that the FPE50 might be a better option for you, especially if you disliked the controls of the FP30X. The FPE50 has a very intuitive control interface that you'd appreciate. The accompaniment features are awesome too and a lot of fun! :)
It all depends on where you stand. If you are a beginner with past experience or an intermediate player who wants to come back, and what you want is acoustic piano emulation above all, then the Roland FP-30X qualifies as a masterpiece at the top of the entry level price point. If you have other experience or other goals, consider your needs and do your own research. Keep in mind, every type of digital keyboard is an instrument of its own accord, not an imitation of something else. A digital keyboard can emulate some other keyboard instrument. It does not imitate. If you are buying for a child or you do not want to play on the heavy piano action of the Roland, and piano emulation is your aim, the Alesis Prestige Artist might be a good and very user-friendly choice. The Williams Allegro IV apparently has a weighted and graded keyboard and an even lower price point than the Alesis. Whatever you buy, do your kid or yourself a favor and get a full-feature keyboard. Full feature means weighted and graded keys and at least 128-tone polyphony. If you do not know what these terms mean, research the market until you do. The other instrument at the top of the entry-level price point along with the Roland FP-30X is the Yamaha P125/225. The Casio Previa SX-1100 is another instrument at the top of the entry-level price point. I am neutral on this instrument. It might be a good choice for someone who is already playing jazz or pop gigs or who is at that level. I am not sure if it is a good acoustic piano emulator. I got the Roland based on my needs as a past intermediate level acoustic piano beginner, but the Yamaha P-125 and the Yamaha P-225 are great instruments with a lighter keyboard action. Call me a researcher though. I am not an advanced musician.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights and experiences! The FP30X is certainly an impressive instrument and one of my favourite pianos in that price category. With that said, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference and context of use of course. Different players will have different needs as you've mentioned. :)
After 5 years of playing piano I looked for a really good digital piano and bought a Roland LX 708 (about 4000 Euro) last year. This year I looked for a surprise present for someone who just had a small keyboard and thought of a low budget digital piano. I bought a Kawai Es 110 (about 500 Euro). The Kawai I liked best in the low budget range, it is small and light, has not many features but feels and sounds like a piano. I love my Roland LX 708, great sound, but it weighs more than 100 kilo, is very high and resembles an accoustic piano.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your journey with us! The ES110 is undeniably a wonderful value at the entry-level price point. And, needless to say, Roland's LX708 is an absolute powerhouse of a digital piano! It sounds like you are well-equipped for the next phase of your piano journey. :)
Here is my story as an "audiophile": After quitting the piano lessons forced on me as a child, I - 40 years later - decided to pick up playing again. I surfed the internet, got very confused over actions, soundprocessing, samples... and finally visited a local store. I looked at and listend to Yamaha, Kawai, Roland etc. and went home with a Kawai CA-49 bundled with a bench and headphones. Over one year I played a lot and learned a lot, but something was missing. So I visited an excellent hifi store and - after a very relaxing listening session - bought a pair of audiophile headphones by Focal. The sound of the CA-49 via these headphones was incredibly good! Quite a lot better than the internal speakers. The sound quality of the internal speakers compared to the headphones was so poor, I revisited my dealer and switched from the CA-49 to a CA-901. What a difference! And now I'm finally happy with my piano.
Congrats on your CA901! The CA49 is an impressive instrument for its price point, but, needless to say, the improved speaker system, tone engine, and soundboard system combine for a meaningful difference in terms of the sonic experience. I think you will be beyond thrilled with what the CA901 offers musically. :)
As honest as you are always, stud. I bought one year ago a roland fp30x based on your videos and have not regret it a simple second. Thanks for your work!!!?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I will certainly pass on the incredibly kind words to Stu. I know he really appreciates them! We're all very glad to hear that our RUclips channel has been helpful in your piano journey. All the best and happy playing! :)
I just bought a piano keyboard in the $600+ range and for me, I figure in 4 years I will have learned enough to move up to a high quality piano. It will give me time to budget and just buy what I feel is the best quality for my future playing should I live that long. I'm 66 now and I could live another 30 more years. Who knows I'm health so maybe I will get lucky. Thank you for you honest review.
Thank you for tuning in and sharing your kind words! Congrats on your new keyboard! That will definitely provide a great starting point and give you time to figure out what the best instrument will be for the longterm. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Personally, at least from my limited experience, I would group synth-action and semi-weighted keyboards together, rather than semi-weighted and hammer-action weighted keyboards. This is because most (I believe) semi-weighted keyboards are designed more like synth-action keyboards, with the only difference being the force needed to depress the keys. Maybe there are exceptions, but generally semi-weighted keyboards are closer in price to synth-action keyboards, which I think tells us something, and some hardly feel different at all. Others are actually very heavy--even more so than typical hammer-action "fully" weighted keyboards--but feel rather different. The main reason semi-weighted keyboards exist at all is their lower cost, which means they don't have the more expensive mechanisms required to make them feel and play like acoustic pianos. If they did, then why not make them authentic-feeling hammer-action weighted keyboards instead? See what I mean? They're just synth-action keyboards with heavier springs and maybe, in some cases, something a bit fancier, but not the ones I've tried, which either feel exactly like synth-action or heavy but otherwise very much like synth-action or somewhere in between.
Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to share your insights! It al comes down to a matter of preference and context. Some players actually prefer synth and semi-weighted actions because they're not using their specific instrument for piano sounds primarily. The correlation between the touch and the attack envelope and sonic profile of the patches you are primary playing are an important consideration when shopping for a piano/action that is best suited for your needs and playing. :)
I think it missed a few categories at the top range, where parents are concerned about the looks of a piano when considered among furniture :). Like if they want a nice new upright piano look that can fool people to think it is much more expensive acoustic one. (Like some kawai or roland LX708/9 can do).
I've been shopping around for a digital piano for about 6-8 weeks now and this is the video that really helped me narrow my search ( so I subscribed). I haven't played piano for 50 years now and wasn't formally trained nor any good the first time around. But I really miss the enjoyment I used to have of just figuring out how songs are put together. Learning to recognize talent, it steered me into jazz and classical piano. This time around, I plan to work on drills and music theory so maybe I can get competent at it. Thanks for the great video. I've pretty much decided to go with the Yamaha P225. Tough choice.
Thanks so much for taking the time to tune in and subscribe! We sincerely appreciate the support. It's great to hear that you've decided to resume your piano journey. We're also glad to hear that you found our videos helpful in narrowing down your search. Wishing you all the best with the next phase of your piano journey! Happy playing! :)
I wanted one for home use and that even if it was expensive it would be worth it along it’s years of use, and that it could hold on from beginner level up to intermediate maybe a little into advanced level, so I went for the Roland RP701, it is a good one?
Thanks for tuning in and congratulations on your Roland RP701! The RP701 is a very solid instrument with an excellent touch and tone. It will serve you well for many years to come! :)
I'm a new player shopping for a digital piano and found this video helpful. My budget is in the $1000-1500 range and I wonder what your recommendation would be for touch and speaker wattage? I'm using a borrowed Yamaha P-45 and it's OK for now, but I find that the volume I can produce is minimal and the touch is only OK. You recommended the the Roland PHA4 system earlier - what Roland in this price range with that action would you recommended?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! The Roland FP30X would fit nicely within that price point and offer an excellent balance between tone, touch, and speaker quality. It features the PHA4 action, which is one of the best performing actions in its price category. :)
I'd like to add go and try out as many pianos as you can. Based of my own experience, I watched many reviews on potential pianos but after playing and listening them in real life, I ended up buying one I originally didn't even consider. Also, buy a digital piano from a local store with good service verses buying online. I bought a digital piano last year and it started to develop clicky keys, but thankfully I was able to bring it into the local music store in which I bought it and get a loaner while mine was being repaired. Good luck trying to get that quick and easy service online.
Thanks for tuning in and adding to the conversation! These are all very wonderful insights and words of advice to our community. Thanks for sharing! :)
Yes action and feel is the thing. A beginner is going to want to play an acoustic piano when needed without being surprised too much. Mid ranged pianos will sound like piano to the inexperienced ear but even expensive digital pianos never sound like the real thing. There is too much going on with acoustic piano sound. They have "attitude". There is much more upper harmonics and ping. As a jazz player the test is with closed chord voicings. The tension between the two notes, a semitone apart in the middle of these chords is the ultimate test.
Hi! Thanks for checking out the video and for sharing your thoughts! Your insight about closed position chord voicings for testing the authenticity of the sound through the interaction of particular intervals is an excellent one. Sometimes, it is within these fine details that make it easier to discern and decide between multiple models/tone engines. :)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here. Thanks for tuning into our channel. We are happy to hear that you have been enjoying our videos. I personally think Stu's hair looks awesome! Exciting and interesting people merit having exciting and interesting hairstyles and Stu certainly falls into that category.
Hmmm.... I agree to a certain point... I started with a yamaha psr e 363.... I liked playing and practicing that much that I bought mysel a.... kawai mp 11se....but, here is the but..... the action is Great but vulnerable .... had to send it back twice because of sticky keys....its fixed now, but the repair cost me time, therefore I bought myself a yamaha p515 to go with it.... maybe overkill.... but if you buy something and you hardly ever use it, its a very expensive item....if you buy something and you use it a lot.... its worth every penny...
Thanks for tuning into the video and for taking the time to share your experiences and thoughts! We appreciate it. :) I definitely agree with your assessment that a lot of the whole debate about how much to invest comes down to the amount of use that you will get out of it. However, the counterargument to that of course is a more satisfying instrument will stimulate more motivation and inspiration to practice and get more use of it. There is a balance to be met and that balance will be a little different for every player and person.
Headphone shock and awe. I plugged my dollar store earbuds into my Roland and they work. You can play your exercises and not worry about bothering the neighbor or worrying about what think about what they are hearing.
@@MerriamPianos I was surprised that the dollar store headphones worked adequately at all. The low notes sounded like something played on a saw blade but they came through down to note one. For a dollar, they get an A grade.
I have always found an issue with the playability of vst pianos I own. The best two I have are Garritan CFX and Ivory II Grand Pianos. While they may sound good for recordings, they sound disconnected from me for live playing. So far, I prefer a digital piano internal sound to play live, even if it sounds worse than a vst. Digital piano internal sounds have been matched to that specific action and they give you a strong connection between your playing and the sound, whether is a Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, or Casio. But vst pianos always sound "detached" from my playing. I remember that, in vst forums, people always mentioned a downside of vst pianos and that was: playability. Each digital piano has a different action and the MIDI response is different, which affects the specific sample triggered by the piano software. There is a video of somebody playing a Nord piano sample using both the Nord's own keyboard and also an M-Audio 88-key keyboard (MIDI in/out). You can hear that, although the M-Audio is capable of triggering the Nord piano, it sounds strange and not as accurate as using the Nord keyboard. It makes sense, as the Nord engineers designed the action for that piano sample (velocity matched). In a similar manner, all good digital pianos are velocity matched. But when you use a software piano, you don't have any guarantee that you are triggering the most adequate samples, and I think it is reflected in the synergy (or lack of) between the sound and the action. After trying a few vst pianos, I prefer a machine that does it all. There are also very nice workstations that have great piano sounds.
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 True. Plus not all laptops meet the requirement for vst pianos, and you still need a separate audio interface in many cases. On top of that, many vst pianos sound worse than the built-in piano sounds of reputable brands. An example is "The Grandeur" from Native Instruments. My DGX-670 internal sample sounds much better.
This is an excellent insight and definitely one that a lot of digital piano players can relate to! The action, sensors and tracking will always be designed and engineered with that specific piano and the interconnectivity of those elements in mind (aside from out-and-out MIDI controllers). With that said, many of the upper end digital pianos have upped their game in terms of their ability to also be used as a viable MIDI controller. Thanks again and all the best! :)
Nice vid. For me personaly both action, and sound should go together. It would be such a shame to have a nice feeling action, but not a sound that responds to that action🎹🎶
You can always use external VSTs to have the sound you want (I actually do not even use the built-in sounds of my FP-90X). You cannot upgrade the action
@@mfurman That's the thing buyers should never accept. FP-90X is not a controller.It is a sophisticated digital piano that for the price should give you at least one superb acoustic piano variant; which most digitals don't. It matters not how much they cost. That's like buying a Playstation 5 and still playing games in your PC.
@@stenaldomehilli8809 I strongly disagree. There is no digital piano that has sound comparable to, let’s say, VSL Synchron Concert D-274 running on high end computer - there is simply not enough storage to hold 100GB of data. People buy Kawai NV5-S and use VSL Synchron pianos. I use the amp and speakers of my digital piano
Thank you kindly! We're glad you enjoyed the video! I think many players will agree. For some, it is difficult to separate sound and action. The ideal situation is to find an instrument that you are fully satisfied with both in terms of its sound and playability. The best of both worlds as they say! :)
@@mfurman hi Michael. Due to my eye condition, and the space where my digital piano is at I find it a hassel to use a computer. The point I made in my comment is not about the sound not sounding nice enough or that it doesn't sound like an acoustic piano , but how the sound responds to playing dynamics. I tried a roland digital with the PHA 4 wile the PHA 4 feels nice on it's own it feels IMO hard to play softly on it because notes will eather play too loud or not at all. You've made a great choice with the FP90X. I tried the GP609 with the same action with your FP90X, and to me that action was spot on🎹🎶
As a guitarist of close to thirty years, just now getting into the keyboard market, buying a keyboard feels much more like buying a used car than a musical instrument. So many products and so much forced product differentiation, it’s really distasteful. I’ve determined, I want the Yamaha P515, but with the arranger features and connectivity of the PSR SX900. Problem being is that they really don’t make that. I could get a CSP 170 and get the same keybed as the P515, but it costs three times the price, and importantly, it wouldn’t be portable. If I picked up the PSR SX900, I would only get 61 synth action keys. They ask you to make so many trade offs, and I feel that the customer is left never feeling satisfied. I bought in 1997, an American Fender Stratocaster brand new for $600, which was a deal at the time, but I have been happy ever since and never would have needed to buy another. Recently, I bought one of the cheapest Gibson guitars that they sell, a Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker, and I was blown away. A player would never need to buy another. I actually feel buying the lower tier saved me from some of the finish quality control issues gibsons are known for.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Given that guitar is actually my primary instrument, I can definitely understand the sentiment. One of the big differences I find between the world of electric guitars and digital pianos is the ability vs lack of ability to customize and alter to your tastes. With guitars, there are many adjustments and modifications that can be made to even inexpensive models to make you more satisfied with the overall playing experience. From changing the action, frets and bridge for a different touch and feel to changing the pickups, pots amp you're plugging into for a different sound, guitars are a little more flexible. With that said, some digital pianos offer a lot of adjustment to custom-tailor the sound. Furthermore, you can always run your instrument through an external amp for more tonal options/volume. With that said, you are definitely a little bit stuck when it comes to actions of digital pianos. Thanks for taking the time to check out the video and write in! We appreciate it immensely. :)
@@MerriamPianos there are definitely way more options on the lower end for guitars, and the rabbit hole of mods can be fun, but once you’ve paid for all the parts and work, you might has well of just bought a little bit nicer instrument from the start. Buying an American guitar also supports an industry the pays living wages and benefits here in the USA. That said, I get your points and appreciate your videos. Since I’m now a digital piano junkie, I’m subscribed. Funny thing is though, as much strides that have been made with guitars, I would never go digital. Nothing compares to a Deluxe Reverb, Marshall Stack, or Vox AC played at the appropriate volume.
The closest you can get to an affordable portable arranger with the CFX tone engine of the P515 and some of the arranger capabilities of the PSR-SX900 is the DGX-670. While you lose the NWX action, chances are that the GHS will be more than adequate for the type of music you would be playing with an arranger anyway. There are definitely some trade-offs, but in practice I find the DGX-670 to be an impressive combo of piano and arranger. For example, I used to have a top of the line PSR-S arranger and also a Roland piano with the now-famous PHA-4 action. The Roland piano didn't impress me much and the top-of-the-line PSR-S arranger had way more than I ever needed.
Hi! Brent here! We have not received our first shipment of the Roland RP107 yet, so, unfortunately, at this time, I will not be able to offer any insights. With that said, once we do receive our first shipment, you can certainly expect some review and comparison videos. :)
I’m a little surprised you didn’t touch on polyphony. One of my biggest issues as a beginner, after a few months practicing, was that big chords or long sustained pedalling clearly ‘lost’ earlier hit keys pretty quickly. Now this was many years ago, things may have changed, and I now solely play acoustic nowadays, but if I were to buy one again now: yes to touch (incl multi phase pedal sensitivity), then polyphony, then tone in terms of what I’d find important.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Things have certainly changed in this regard in recent years. Even most "entry level" digital pianos have 128 note polyphony as a minimum. There are some smaller non-weighted keyboards that may cap at 64 notes, but the vast majority have ample headroom for even the most advanced arrangements and repertoire. :)
@@MerriamPianos thanks. It’s not just polyphony in the sense of the simultaneous notes. It’s also about how long they keep ‘singing’. On an acoustic piano, due to overtones, they never really die out. I’d have to try it out with more modern digital piano versions. It’s just very distracting if a certain sustained note just ‘disappears’.
@@Misteribel You're very correct, but as others have said, this was more of an issue in long-ago years, when plenty of high-priced keyboards had only 32-note polyphony, which of course halved if you were playing in dual/split mode, which yielded fairly diabolical results. Now, much higher polyphony is pretty standard, and more than adequate for the majority of players. Even entry-level Clavinovas from 10-15 years ago often had 128-note polyphony.
For me the Yamaha P115 was the end of my search for the perfect digital piano that feels like a real piano to me - and it's the cheapest and lightest I ever owned - and I owned quite some
Great comparisons! Another thought, although in a slightly different category, is an 88 weighted midi controller. I use the Arturia 88 key Mk2 and paired with NI Kontakt and various sample libraries, it’s a combo that is hard to beat.
Steve.....I like the way you think. But Brent was talking entry level pianos. I don't think the average suburban couple shopping for their kid is gonna go down this rabbit hole. But yeah......by going MIDI you can get into the Fatar key beds for a fraction of the price of a Nord or Dexibell sand alone.
Hi Stu, I'm an adult beginner and initially bought a Kawai CA49, because the old school piano teachers and some RUclipsrs were of the opinion that you absolutely need a keyboard made of solid wood to start with. But this Kawai CA49 had a keyboard that was much too heavy for me. And the keyboard wasn't precise enough for me either. Some keys had a very strong pressure point, some keys had no pressure point at all. Some keys had a lot of lateral space, causing the key to wiggle back and forth up to 2mm, some keys didn't wiggle. If you ran your hand very lightly over the keys, the keys were not of the same height! But the worst was that I got stuck between the black keys with my broad fingers, or pressed one of the black keys too. After 6 months I tested the Ymaha CLP-735 and what can I say. The GHS keyboard needs less than half the force to press the keys, I don't get stuck between the black keys with my broad fingers and all keys are equally precise. I assume that a wooden keyboard cannot be built as precisely as a plastic keyboard - but that is irrelevant in this case! Importantly, a Yamaha CLP-735 is much easier to play with a lot less power, and I think that's important for beginners. After 6 months, I still don't have the strength to press all the keys evenly on the Kawai CA49 for chords, although I've practiced between 30 and 45 minutes a day in these 6 months. This will be much better with the Yamaha CLP-735. This is very important: You should enjoy playing the piano and not have to fight against the instrument. Greetings from Vienna in Austria in the middle of Europe - Klaus Translated with Google translator because my mother tongue is German
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your journey with us! At the end of the day, the playing experience is very personal and subjective. What works for one player may not work for another. The most important thing is to find an instrument that works for your style of playing and motivates and inspires you to practice as much as possible. It sounds like you have found that solution, which is fantastic! Thanks again and all the best from here in Canada! :)
Really interesting, after playing for 9 months I've now switched from my Korg C1 Air to a Kawai CA59 (same keyboard as the CA49) because I found Kawai's Grand Feel Compact to be much lighter and more joyful to play on. Before, I had sent back an FP90x because the PHA50, about which I had read that it was relatively light and probably didn't spend enough time with at the store, because - you probably guessed it - I found it too heavy after a couple of hours. I didn't try the CLP 735 but found the 745 (same keys with wooden elements added) to be light but with too hard a keybed for my personal taste. I guess the problem is that there's much more than just the downweight of the key that shapes people's impression of the keys (upweight, design of the mechanism that influences the distribution of the required force along the movement of the key, touchcurve settings...). Moral of the story: Don't spend too much money without spending enough time with an instrument in person.
@@Garrus4Spectre That's true, but in my town the sellers think you're not intelligent enough as a newcomer. When I got my broad fingers stuck between the black keys of the Kawai CA49, the answer was: All keyboards are the same - and that's just not true. I don't get stuck with my fingers at the Yamaha CLP-735. In my opinion, the Yamaha NU1X has the same smooth-running keyboard as the CLP-735, although it comes from solid wood from a real upright piano, but the travel of the individual keys is 1/4 less. When I mentioned that, the answer was: There isn't! Then I said that the saleswoman should try it out - only then did she say: You're right - that's probably a variation in production. And it's not. Every manufacturer makes their own keyboards for their digital pianos. With my Kawai CA49, 100 g fit on the C1 key up to the pressure point. The Yamaha CLP-735 weighs less than 50 g, because the 50 g weight of the CLP-735 pushed the C1 key right through to the stop! It would be helpful if you could find this weight information in the descriptions - but you won't find it, but this weight information is certainly used during production. In any case, one thing is certain: the more a manufacturer adapts the keyboard to a concert grand, the tighter the keys become, because a grand piano simply has stiff keys. The length of the keys increases, making it easier to vary between pianissimo and crescendo, but this comes at the expense of a much higher weighting. I tried that. I was of the opinion that the Grand Feel III keyboard of the Kawai CA79 should be easier to press because the levers are longer (simple law of physics)! But I was amazed when I tried out the keyboard: the keys needed twice as much force to the stop as the Kawai CA49 - unimaginable You're right - you should definitely try it. But at the beginning you have no idea about pianos, you can't play them and you don't know what's important with a keyboard. So you have to believe the statements of the piano teachers, the sellers or the RUclipsrs who test such pianos. Waking up from the dream comes much later when your fingers swell and pain extends to the middle of your hand. It is important that you only rent your first piano and do not buy it - then you can switch to another piano after a while 😉
It is a matter of personal preference of course. I wouldn't say Donner piano actions are bad. However, in my personal opinion, companies like Kawai and Roland are doing a better job at simulating the feel of real acoustic pianos.
A more expensive digital piano would have better quality action that would last longer. Unlike a conventional piano with hammers hitting strings, a digital with microprocessors is much less reliable. Paying more money is no guarantee that nothing would go wrong in the first few years. The sound quality and the action is highly subjective. Some people like DPs with a lighter action while others prefer a heavier action. A cheaper keyboard tend to have a more artificial piano simulation. When you get pass a certain price point the piano sound sampling is highly subjective. It's like choosing between a Yamaha P-515 & Roland FP-90 which is a personal preference. When it comes to getting a realistic piano sound, many keyboards can be used as a MIDI device by plugging a cable into the computer. This means you can use sound samples of a Steinway, Bechstein or Bösendorfer from software such as Pianoteq. The artificial sound out of a cheap keyboard is no longer an issue. Many learners starting piano would choose the cheapest keyboard / DP that offers a reasonable quality. Adults / parents paying for a few lessons for their kids are not sure if playing would continue after a year. I've seen parents buy an acoustic piano for their kids as part of the Suzuki / Yamaha music program. After a year the kids want to quit and the piano sits in the house like a piece of furniture. Another scenario the learner makes progress and wants to continue after the first year. Time to upgrade to a better DP and pass the cheap keyboard to another beginner. Unlike an acoustic piano that would stay in the house for many years, electronic devices including phones, computers, DPs are upgraded regularly as new models with better features come out. Some people would keep a DP for more than 5 years. Even with very basic instrument sounds, there is the software plug-in option.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! There is no denying that choosing the right digital piano is a highly subjective and personal process. We have many customers that prefer lighter actions without sensations like let-off/escapement, which are usually featured on less expensive instruments. It is all a matter of what the player resonates with in terms of tone and touch and every player is a little different. :)
Not a beginner, but my advice is to look at the, Alesis prestige. $400 range, fully weighted, action hammer and yes, even graded. Honestly people sleep on this brand. Truth be told, even their recital was better than most semi weighted keyboard for $200. Recommendation. Go to a guitar center or music shop and just have fun with the keys. This will allow you to understand the different styles and feels that's associated with the price.
The CN201 is excellent! It comes down to your own preferences. This piano has a lot to offer in terms of touch and tone, but you may eventually find that making the move to either an acoustic upright/grand or a digital piano with a longer key stick/pivot length such as the CA99 (or soon to be available update, the CA901) might offer more potential in terms of performance and expressivity.
People always ask too much for used digital pianos. They figure it was worth $800 ten years ago and works perfectly fine so they ask $500 or $600. Meanwhile it was already 5 or 10 year old technology when they bought it and the sound and touch has been left far behind by newer pianos. I also want a good Rhodes sound and good organ sound
Those are very excellent insights! The value retention of digital pianos is certainly not the same as with acoustic pianos. The fast rate of improvement and innovation definitely has an impact.
Thanks you very much for the vídeo. I play piano with several Styles with my KORG krome ex88 but I look for a keyboard similar Classical grand piano. I had thought in Kawai VPC1 so I use pianotec8 . Is it a good election or I should think in Roland PHA50 or another instead of Kawai RM3?
You're welcome! It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. Personally, I would give an edge to the VPC1 over Roland pianos with the PHA50 action, but there are many players that favour the PHA50 action. My suggestion would be to test both out at a showroom to see which action you resonate with. :)
I like the wine comparison analogy, although I think I wouldn't be able to do it... ...but I'm confident that I would be able to do up to Grade 4 or Grade 5 level of comparisons with beer! :)
Nice videos! Do you have some info on the Fatar keybeds? Thanks! I have a Keylab 88 MK2 controlling a Pianoteq 7, amplified by a Topping 22 connected to a pair of B&W hometheater speakers and a pair of active ht subwoofers. Oh ... an observation: my mom, who plays accoustic since 1949 was impressed with the Arturia but says it's not the same thing so she goes back to her 1949 Brazilian Essenfelder accoustic - which is in need of some adjusting.
Hi! Brent here! Thank you kindly! We're glad you enjoyed the videos! :) I have not had a chance to play Fatar instruments myself, so, unfortunately, I can't really comment on their actions and performance. With that said, I have heard some positive words about what the brand offers.
I bought a yamaha p45 for £369 and the action feels sliky smooth compared to the Roland fp10, the Roland was £20 extra. As a noob I preferred the yamaha. I assume its an okay piano since my grandad was amazed by it, but confused why it had a noticeable tone difference around midC. Great piano tho
At the end of the day, it comes down to a matter of preference. The best instrument is the one to invest in that is going to continually inspire you and motivate you to play and practice. Enjoy your P45! :)
Thanks for the question! That is not necessarily true. A good example of this is Roland. I would say their digital pianos are top-tier instruments. For instances, despite the fact that they do not build acoustic pianos, they make impressively authentic feeling actions. :)
And once again, we have the same taste! (Although in this case, it's more like we share the same assessment...) Touch for digital; tone for acoustic. Fun aside #1: Aren't they all digital, in one sense? It's not like we play piano with our heels (Jerry Lee Lewis [RIP] excepted). Fun aside #2: My new phone struggled with the word 'acoustic' at first, and really wanted to make pianos either digital or acidic.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I certainly concur with Stu's assessment as well. And that is a very good call regarding the term "digital". As for acidic pianos, playing one sounds like it may be a bit of a danger endeavour! ;)
Congrats on your PXS1000! They're wonderful pianos and very portable! Many professional gigging players have relied on them for their excellent musical offering and portability. :)
Weighted keys and velocity sensitivity are definitely important components of the playing experience. With that said, there are varying gradients of touch authenticity, which are connected to other details, such as grade-weighting, counterweighting, and let-off/escapement simulation.
I've been strongly considering a Korg B2 as an upgrade from a semi-weighted to a fully weighted, and its in the $4-600, depending on the seller and if its the model with the furnished stand. I watched this video wondering if its really worth it to get something more expensive and I think I've made the decision to get a better one - for touch *and* tone. I'm not a beginner so I have tone and better touch in my mind. Thanks for helping me decide!!
We're glad you found the video helpful! If you are a more experienced player, I agree that it is a very good idea to invest into an instrument that has a tone and touch that will satisfy and inspire you. :)
Hi Walter! It is difficult to help troubleshoot or identify the issue without inspecting your exact setup. There are a number of reasons as to why this may be happening. Depending on the VST plugins you are using, this may be a very simple fix. Many VST synth plugins (as well as some piano VSTs) have a selectable "polyphony" value. This determines the total number of notes the plugin itself will sound. If you happen to be using one of these VST plugins, you can simply increase the "polyphony" value.
Looking at the internet the PHA-4 and GHS actions have a reputation for being noisy. For many of us that is a big problem. Please name some actions that are quiet and stay quiet.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Heavier actions and actions with pronounced escapement can have a bit more mechanical key noise. If you are looking for a quiet action, I would recommend the Casio PXS models or the new Kawai ES120. The extra cushioning on the action of the ES120 reduces the key noise quite significantly. :)
If you are looking to make a digital piano upgrade, I usually recommend to consider moving up to a piano that has a better and more authentic action/touch. You can always add speakers or change the sound through VST plugins, but the action is the invariable component of a digital piano.
I think your new hairstyle looks like Beethoven.
If you are a pianist and getting put into the same sentence as Beethoven, it usually means that you are doing something right! I will be sure to pass on the compliment to Stu. :)
LOL🎹🎶
Or boris Johnson
Beat-haven
My thought was “squirrel”.
I play the Yamaha P125…light, great sound options and nice touch. You did mention how many people will be playing the piano for durability. Also it should be always covered, no fluids or drinks around the keyboard , a good case if transporting it and handled with care. Not much is ever said about this in reviews. Careful buying anything used for these reasons as well. Be sure to budget thes items as well as a good stand when making a purchase.
These are all very excellent and valid points! Thanks for sharing. We appreciate it. :)
I guess you can say that I am a mid beginner and I went with the Yamaha P515 because I wanted to start off with decent action so I could develop good habits and techniques due to the action. I tested the P125 and do not like the feel of the action as much however there is a massive difference between pricing.
That is definitely fair! Sometimes, getting a higher end instrument earlier on can have a lot of benefits as you've mentioned. :)
I bought one of the last available Kawai cn29 in March and I cant find any faults with it. The touch and tone fit my style . Im an intermediate player.I also like the cosmetics.
Congrats on your CN29! It is an excellent model with a fantastic touch, tone, and aesthetic. We're happy to hear that you've been pleased with everything it has to offer. :)
I have a Casio wk-200 that I bought brand new in 2009, paid $400 for it, after 15 years and over 2000 gigs, it still works/sounds just as good as it did the day I took it out of the box, especially when I run it out of my Peavey KB 5
That is awesome to hear! That is impressive longevity. You're certainly getting your money's worth out of the investment. :)
@@MerriamPianos a lot of cascio's gear is slept on but I'm an expert at pulling the best sounds out of inexpensive gear
I initially bought a Casio PX-S1100 because of its beautiful design, but I returned it shortly after because of its flawed action - which was enjoyable to play, but very light and not mimicking a real piano especially with the black keys - and underwhelming speaker, which completely lacked the low range presence.
I then bought a Roland FP-30X after watching a few of Stu's videos and I'm in love with this piano! I'm sure I'll keep it for many years of practice. Very good action, impressive tone generation engine and good speakers.
Thanks for tuning in! We're happy to hear that the videos were helpful through your decision process. The FP30X is a wonderful piano with one of the most authentic touches in its price category. I am confident it will serve you well for many years to come! :)
I actually can‘t believe how well structured, informative and helpful this video is for people like me, who just got into playing the piano and want to find a good entry level digital piano. Massive props for your objective and honest review, one can clearly see that you actually want to help people rather than solely trying to sell your most expensive pianos. I applaud you for that and hope that this approach pays off.
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! We are very happy to hear that you found the video helpful and informative and we appreciate your support of our videos and channel immensely! :)
I agree, this introduction is really helpful! I'm very grateful.
Which digital piano did you choose?
We have bought Yamaha YDP145 for a kid who goes to musical school. I love it. Nice in touch and sound is good.
This is an exceptional video. Thanks Stu! Usually, the price increases along with quality and features, but after a certain point, the marginal benefit/cost comparison gets very personal. A beginner cannot make that decision while still a beginner.
Thank you kindly for the nice words and for checking out the video! I think there is a lot of truth to the sentiments you've shared. As we become more experienced in our playing, we tend to get more fussy or at least a little more certain as to what we want and need out of an instrument to feel fully satisfied.
A beginner cannot make that decision while still a beginner...so true
19
Interesting story. So recently I purchased a Casio Digital PX-s1100. It was at a piano store, not Guitar Center. They carried a $200,000 Fazioli. I told the clerk that I've never played a really good piano before. I've played a lot of pianos, mostly low-end, bad action, tinny tones. He let me play the Fazioli. I was so excited because I always imagined what a really good piano would be like. And it was then I realized how little I knew about pianos. But I sat down and I couldn't discern between my digital keyboard and a $200K piano. My new keyboard's grand piano sound was sampled from one of the best grand pianos so the Fazioli was very nice, but I've grown used to a nice sound. I hadn't been playing for awhile so I had to play some Billy Joel tunes on a really nice piano. I felt like an idiot after 30 years of playing.
Since then, I've learned some harder pieces, e.g., Claire De Lune, Chopin's Nocture in E-flat, authentic rags like Joseph Lamb, Gershwin and I'm getting a better understanding of the nuances of what makes a good piano. One of the biggest drawbacks of my digital piano is the action. When my fingers get too high on the key, the keys are harder to press.
Eventually, I would like to go back and play the Fazioli again.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! It is a very good and relevant point. It takes time for our ears and musical preferences to become more discerning, but it is almost inevitably going to happen for every player. Getting the opportunity to play as many pianos as possible is definitely helpful in developing one's tastes as well. :)
Action/touch is the most important thing when it comes to digital pianos. If you are a complete beginer and you buy a digital piano/keyboard that has ''non-standard'' action/touch, even ''non-standard'' keys (spacing, size), ... you sure will learn how to play it, but once you try a real piano or a ''standard feel'' digital piano, you won't be able to play it properly.
This is a very excellent insight! Many pianists and teachers will certainly agree that starting with a weighted key touch and full 88-note range will ultimately save a lot of relearning and readapting down the road. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Excellent buyer’s guide! So much quality information. For my students I recommend the Yamaha Arius series. I find it to be a good balance between touch and sound that (with proper volume adjustment) transfers well to playing an acoustic. Thanks for the video!
Absolutely true, I felt it myself. Been practicing for years on a cheap yamaha, light, soft keys, until I touched the real instrument. The difference is outstanding.
A very respectful way to talk about refinement! I am constantly impressed with your careful delivery as you maintain your mastery while speaking to rank beginners. No hidden elitism here; you know your stuff and don't make me feel shame that I don't.
At some point I'd very much appreciate you comparing the utility and the value of external keyboard amp combos and external monitors vs spending extra to get top end internal sound systems in a digital piano. Can I do better going to an external sound system?
Thank you for taking the time to check out our channel and for your very kind and considerate words! We sincerely appreciate it!
We try to tackle as many user-submitted video suggestions as possible, but, with so many piano types and models out there, it is difficult to get to every single one. With that said, I think a comparison of internal speakers versus external amps and studio monitors would make for a wonderful and helpful video. Thanks for the suggestion! We will certainly add it to our list. :)
I completely agree with you about the priority on digital being the key bed. That's why I went w/ the Korg D1 as it has the wonderful RH3 keyboard. And I agree with you that the sound is malleable. Because this has legacy MIDI, I could down the road massively upgrade that by running a Dexibell module. I am not sponsored by Korg, but I tried all the sub $1K units and this was winner to me for playability. Honestly my first inclination was to go Yamaha, as all my pro player pals use Yammie.
I am very happy to hear that you found a piano that you connect and resonate with! It is a very personal and subjective thing, so that is fantastic that you've found the option that works for you! And given the fact that MIDI and external speakers/amps allow for variable tone and speaker power, it is common for players to prioritize action when shopping for a digital piano as that is the constant that you will be "stuck with" so to speak.
If your lessons are on an actual acoustic piano, a weighted, graded, hammer action, triple sensor digital piano is what I would select for practice at home. The feel is closer to an acoustic piano.
The Casio PX-560 at $1,300 serves that need reasonably well.
The Casio PX560 definitely presents a wonderful playing experience and value! I definitely agree. Budget permitting, a weighted, graded hammer action tri-sensor digital piano helps bridge the gap to an acoustic piano quite well. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights!
Thank you for providing your well thought out and valuable insight on this topic Stu!
We're glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful! Thanks for tuning in! :)
All great points Stu, especially about the wine. Yesterday I was at a friends house with a 6-7 foot Baldwin and it was a discernible difference from his 9 foot on the lower section of his home. But I’ve been playing 35 years so there you go to your point. And TRS beginners should not spend more than $800 I agree. An FP30 would be perfect
Thanks for taking the time to check out the video and write in! We sincerely appreciate it! All the best and happy playing! :)
Back in 2016, when my son started his lessons we purchased a PX350, at that time the second cheapest piano in Casio Previa line. It shown itself perfectly up to the task. I never noticed the instrument was somehow limiting the progress of the learning. My son love it and still play it every single day. And the only maintenance I did is to a quick fix on one of the pedals earlier this year. I also purchased an expensive Roland electric drum kit that is sitting idle. My dother got tired of being a drummer after 5 months. Do yourself a favor and don't overspend on something your are not even sure if it will be used for long. USD 700 piano is just OK for the beginner and I simply don't belive a USD 1500 one will make your kid learn any better or faster.
Every piano shopper is different and has a different assortment of boxes they are trying to check off. With that said, there are wonderful entry level digital pianos out there, like you have experienced with the PX350, that not only offer a great value but also an impressive musical experience that one can get a lot of longevity out of. I am happy to hear that you have had positive experiences with the Casio Privia line! They are doing impressive things these days on the digital piano front. :)
@Mario for many like me even $700 is expensive. I am looking at the Alesis Prestige Artist, Yamaha P45 and Roland FP10 and even these exceed my $500 budget by about $100. Does Casio have something that competes with these 3?
As a beginner my primary concern is tactile and sound. If these pianos can sound natural and feel like a more expensive piano I’d be happy. All the extra features don’t interest me as my goal is to learn the basics first. FYI I am retired and learning an instrument I think is good stress free way to pass the time.
@@navinadv Hello Navin. I am not an expert and I am definitively not current with recent launches. I just wanted the people to know that a cheaper piano worked quite well for us. I took a look on Casio's site and I saw they no longer have the PX160, that was their direct answer to Yamaha P45. The cheapest piano in their Privia line in now in USD700 range. They have also the CDP line, but those seem to have less sophisticated mechanics. Yamaha P45 used to be a great choice, and I belive it would certainly do the job. But I really don't know if the competitors toYamaha had come up with even better value during the last couple of years.
I grew up with an old piano in the house that was always really out of tune so I never played. Just recently as an adult with a family we decided that we want to invest in an electric piano. We went into guitar center and played with all of the pianos on display and the one that stood out from all the other brands was the Roland RP501. The sound was pretty good but for my ear it sounded like the Casio and yamaha and most every other piano in there. But the action alone locked my wife and I in. We're pretty set on the rp701 and will be making the plunge soon. I just wanted to say first hand as a new player that a good key action is addicting. Bad key action feels like a disconnect and I concur with this video
Congratulations on stepping back into the realm of pianos with your digital piano! I definitely agree with you in terms of the importance of action. In fact, it really is the only invariable aspect of a digital piano. You can always access different samples and sound libraries via MIDI and you can always access higher power and higher quality speakers with external amplifiers, but the action is the one element that you are stuck with. From that perspective, it makes sense to make it a priority for most players when shopping for a digital piano. :)
Great general introduction, as always. You can’t imagine how you videos helped me in navigating to my first digital piano purchase, and, eventually to the higher end upgrade. Thank you!
You're very welcome! It makes us very happy to hear that the videos have been helpful to you throughout your piano journey! Thanks for the support! :)
Enjoyed watching your video. I have been so fortunate to still have my very first 88-key Yamaha PF-80 Weighted Electric Piano. I had purchased it brand new in 1986 and it still plays as the day I had purchased it. Never had to make any repairs so far. I’m self-taught and I was more worried that I would lose interest in teaching myself and playing it once I had purchased it. I’m thrilled that wasn’t the case. However, it doesn’t have a lot of fancy voices and features, but I’m more of a purist so it not a concern. It was one of the best long-term investment that I have ever made. It still gives me joy playing it after all these years.
That is amazing to hear! I would say it has paid its fair share of dividends on your initial investment at this point. Thanks for sharing and all the best! :)
I'm currently in the position you were in 1986. Going for a Yamaha P-45 and hopefully I can end up just like you!
Thank u for this video! It is very informative.
I'm a beginner to piano and I took the leap from a entry level piano to a Casio PX-S7000 within a span of 5 months. I am a late starter but i did have background in drums. I got a cheap piano to try out but I soon realised it is not enough for me.
I've not looked back since i got my Casio. I've been practicing so many times a day because I really love the feel of the keys and the sound. The feel of the keys is def important. My teacher commented I've improved recently, it must be all the practices.
The need to change came when I tried my frd's Casio AP 270. I never knew that piano can sound so good and I made the switch aft some online reading. I got the privia partly due to space constraints too. I'm not gg back to anything less than my Casio now.
Thank u for ur review on Casio PX-S7000. I watch it when I was looking for a new piano. I got it in yellow. Like what u mention, it is really a great piano. 😊
Amazing! Congratulations on your new PXS7000! The yellow finish is super striking too, so I know you will be thrilled with the piano both musically and aesthetically. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! A better piano will have many benefits. There are technical benefits from playing a superior action, but one cannot rule out how effective the additional practice motivation can be for stimulating progress. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
wow: it's a nice piece of design! congratulations!
6th year piano student here, I swear by my LX-7.
That is awesome! The LX7 still holds up as a very solid instrument! :)
This was great. I just had a piano delivered today. It's a newer model Roland console--an HP704. It ran me right at $4000. I was quite taken with the reviews of the action and the speakers. I am not a beginner. I'm 69, and I started lessons at 4. I just recently retired from the practice of law. I have a Steinway L (recently replaced in the U.S. by the O) in our living room. It's wonderful, but it's LOUD.
I wanted something that I could play late at night and early in the morning. I can't wait to get it put together and take it for a spin. I'm hoping to go back into the classical accompanying business at the University now that I'm not working on big bankruptcy cases. I feel good about my selection after having watched this video.
Thanks so much for tuning in and congratulations on your Roland HP704! It provides an excellent balance of tone, touch, aesthetics, and speaker fidelity! I know it will serve you well musically. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
My personal opinion, the more expensive (and I mean the better feeling and sounding) digital piano (or any instrument for that matter), the more enjoyable and therefore easier to learn.
The motivation/inspiration to practice that an instrument provides you with is certainly an important consideration! :)
I went with two boards: An Alesis Recital Pro ($380) and a Roland Fantom 08 ($2150, but I got one for $1800)
The Alesis is my "beater" board. I do my exercises on it, and if the key contacts go in a few years, I won't be too upset. (The sounds and action are actually quite acceptable to me - I'm apparently not very discerning)
The Roland is my performing and producing board. I figured If I was going to spend $900 on an FP-30X, why not spend $2000 and basically get an FP-30X, plus thousands of other voices, a sequencer, sampler, and DAW controller.
Excellent video, tho. Well thought out, and sound, sensible recommendations.
Thanks for taking the time to check out our channel and for writing in! We sincerely appreciate it. Congrats on your two excellent keyboards! The Fantom 08 is an excellent investment if you're heavily into the production/composition realm. The quality and vast number of built-in voices along with all of the other production-oriented features make it an excellent choice within that context. Thanks again and all the best!
I really don´t know if there are people who are realising how precious these informations are. Thank you Stu, that is exactly what many of us need!! ♥
Kind Regards from Austria,
Christian
Thank you so much for the kind words and for tuning in! We appreciate it. I will be sure to pass on your thoughtful words to Stu on your behalf. :)
I recently bought a Yamaha P45. It fit into my budget and has a very nice sound which can be spiced up with reverb. I'm just a beginner who always wanted to learn piano and didn't realize digital pianos were so nice.
Digital pianos have certainly come a long way! Even entry level models offer a wonderful playing/sonic experience. We're happy to hear that you found a digital piano that you enjoy and that fit into your budget. Thanks for checking out our videos! :)
U cannot go wrong with a P45 but I think Roland do a better deal price for performance and Stu might agree.
I listened to a review of several digital pianos on the lower end of the price scale and at least to me, the P45 sounded the best and most like the real thing.
Hi Stu & Crew.
Informative and on point.
Hairstyle "after serious Chopine session" fits well :-)
Or was it just long night session with friends and delicious wine?
If so, i hope that you keep in your vault raw recording of all of those. Every recorded sesion has a value.
Field multitrack recorder always in your toolset...
Hi there! Thanks for tuning in and for the complimentary words! We're glad that you found the video informative and helpful.
I certainly agree with your sentiment! Every musical recording has its beauty and value. It serves as a time capsule of that one unique and specific moment. :)
Great video. Always a pleasure to watch these. The biggest pain for a 3rd world citizen such as myself is how out of reach 500$ pianos are. That's kind of the baseline for weighted pianos and it's ridiculously expensive especially with shipping costing close to 40% of the full price.
Thank you so much for tuning in! I am very sorry to hear of the expensive shipping costs that you have to deal with in your region. I sincerely hope that more local digital piano dealers pop up in your market that will help curb the expensive shipping costs for you.
@@MerriamPianos 👍
Fantastic video (as always)! Your comparison to wine totally rings true; the $20 vs. $50 analogy is a great way to look at mid-priced to more expensive digital pianos. The only thing I would like to add is ease of use/functionality - I traded in my FP-30 even though I loved the action and the sound, because the user interface is so clunky.
Thank you kindly for tuning in! Glad to enjoyed the video! That is a fantastic point as well. The user-friendliness of the interface will also be an important detail for some customers. :)
that is exactly the reason why I dropped the FP30 off my list (hard decision, because the action is amazing compared to its costs.)
Most digital pianos I have tried have clunky action. What did you get? Is the action still quiet? Are you happy with it?
I’ve seen the Kawai ES110 selling new for USD $425 + tax, and the Korg B2N selling new for USD $281 + tax. So you don’t have to go with cheap brands.
That is a great point! There many reputable brands that have excellent cost-effective options available right now. :)
Where have you seen it?🎹🎶
Stu you are without peer in your well balanced and articulate presentations. Watched a few and yes you lead the pack. Keep them coming. Applaud your skills and keyboard technique. You are a lovely ambassador for the piano business and you do your homeland proud. A fellow Canuck salutes you. Learned so much
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! Stu is awesome and a man of many talents as you have come to know. We are lucky to have him! I will be happy to pass on your kind words and compliments to him on your behalf. :)
It may be outside the scope of digital piano shopping, but I would mention MIDI keyboards for people who may want to play piano, but also explore music production. It does require other equipment (computer, studio monitors, software), but it is a very versatile setup and easily allows you to record your playing.
There are several good, 88-key controllers, including one from Kawaii, that have good, fully weighted keys.
It is important to note that without a computer, software, and speakers, MIDI keyboards won’t make sounds, but for some shoppers, it may be something they would appreciate. I sure do. I bought a Native Instruments S88 MkII, and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning the piano on it, and toying around with producing music.
Absolutely! That is a very good point. For anyone interested in music production or is simply technologically savvy, a MIDI controller in conjunction with a good piano VST is always an option worth considering. :)
Thank you so much for this great video. I have a peculiar need, which you may have already addressed or find interesting enough to address publicly. I am an adult who used to play the piano at an advanced intermediate level (think Haydn, Mozart piano sonatas) and intermediate jazz. For irrelevant reasons I have not had access to a piano for 13 years. I wish to resume playing and buy a grand piano. BUT, I think it is best to revive my dormant piano skills BEFORE shopping for a grand. Hence my interest in buying a digital piano. Action is paramount for me. I would practice 2-5 hours a day. I don't want to spend $3k, $5k, $10k+ for a digital only to buy a grand in a year. On the other hand, there seem to be pianos with relatively decent actions at the sub-$1k to the $2k+ range. Where is the sweet spot for action, durability, sound quality, and perhaps resale value?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! That is great news that you've rediscovered your passion to play piano. In terms of my top suggestion for the $1000-2000 range, I would personally say that the Roland FP30X is a very difficult piano to beat. It has a heavy action with escapement simulation, which is one of the closest things you'll find to a grand piano touch at this price point. If you want the same core piano experience with some fun bells and whistles, the new Roland FP-E50 option might be of interest too. :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Exactly the clear advice I sought. To ALL RUclips viewers out there: I live in Switzerland and can't buy a piano from Merriam Music. I would if I could because of the courtesy and help I received. If you are looking for a piano, watch their many informative videos and give them strong consideration. Brent, thank you again. Jeremiah @@MerriamPianos
Again, to Merriam Music and interested RUclips viewers. Merriam Music gave me advice about choosing a digital keyboard. I took the advice and purchased (in Switzerland) a Roland FP-30X. I could not be happier. It does exactly what I want. The action is decent. I am making fantastic progress. And the price was super. I watch Merriam Music's videos and always learn something. I think you can trust these guys.
The big advantage from digital pianos for me are the volume control to play at home without having problems with neibourghoud
For sure! Volume control and headphone capabilities are very useful functions for certain situations where noise constraints are a concern.
And another advantage is that they don't need regular tuning.
Like all your reviews Stu, I find this a clear, honest and informative presentation!
We're glad you have been enjoying Stu's reviews! Thanks for tuning in! :)
I was asked to check out some affordable digital pianos for a starter, sub $1000. Apparently one art has been lost in time: doing a good job on the ADSR part. Play a note or a chord without using the sustain pedal. The sound dies out way too fast when compared to an acoustic piano. The brand didn't matter much, although the Korg SP-280 seemed to do a slightly better job. My now ancient Roland HP-3000S, which I kept for sentimental reasons, is near perfect in that department.
A beginner will probably not notice such details, but I would love to hear your opinion on this.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I think part of this may have to do with the heavy transition from synthesis to sampling. This is a relatively common complaint amongst some players, particularly with the lower sample-based digital pianos. With that said, it is a constant process to improve and refine, so I imagine it is only a matter of time before these gaps are bridged in a meaningful way. :)
The feel/action was my make or break when choosing. I have a real piano in the house which I've started messing around on over the last few weeks. But as I got more into playing and was practising late at night with the kids in bed, I needed another option with headphones for obvious reasons. I have a FP10 now for the last few days and I was sold on this because of multiple reviewers praising the feel and it really is a good representation of my old out of tune acoustic :) At least for the money I could afford.
Absolutely! Every player will have their own priorities when piano shopping. With that said, action is paramount for many players. I am glad you discovered the FP10. It is a wonderful instrument with a fantastic touch. All of the value is packed into the action, which makes it a perfect candidate for what you were looking for. :)
Happy with my Casio GP-510 after 35 years with a Steinway Model M. Not enough space after downsizing home.
That is excellent to hear! The GP510 is a heckuva piano. The Bechstein-collaboration is very evident in the amazing touch and tone. :)
Really appreciate the depth you go into in your reviews. I know next to nothing about pianos, and most of the other channels I've come across basically just read the spec sheet for the different pianos without providing any information as to why any of that matters. I don't even know if we're in the market for a piano, but we've talked about it, and this is exactly the content I needed. So thank you.
Also your hair is awesome.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for the incredibly kind words and for tuning in! We're very happy to hear that you find the information helpful in your process. Thanks again for the support and all the best! :)
I recall in a documentary I saw not too long ago, a gentleman said. "The most important instrument in today's music is your laptop." He was right.
One good thing in today's digital piano industry is that the low price range gives you a compact and very useful product most of the time. For example, a roland FP60X uses the same action and sound engine you'd find on an FP30X. If you're mostly a piano guy you probably won't need the bells and whistles FP60X has to offer... even if you're an accomplished piano student. Pianos in that price range such as FP-30 / 60X,and ES-520 / ES-920, offer great playability. I studied classical piano through my entire childhood and I definitely consider the PHA4 action better than what you'd find in some not so well maintained uprights, same goes for the equivalent Kawai action.
The problem begins however when you want to own a more expensive digital piano. Because in my opinion what a pricier DP offers to the piano player, is mostly stage piano features. That means more sounds, better recording capabilities, better connectivity sometimes, and more complex settings overall. An FP90X does not necessarily have better piano sounds than its predecessors. The MP7SE has the same tone as the ES920. The DGX-670 has the same pianos as the P-515.. So not much! For someone to experience a considerable sound difference then a Nord, (a Nord Grand), would do. It would do indeed but a powerful laptop with a good DAW and some nice VSTs would do better. Even tough workstations offered by Korg and others can't bead a laptop pared with a good controller.
I will always say that i'm surprised that DPs, workstations and arrangers alike fail to catch-up with VSTs and so on.
Thanks for such an informative and professional video, Stu!
Thank you kindly for taking the time to check out the video and for sharing your insights! There are definitely some very good points that I'm sure our community members will find useful. When it comes to VSTs compared to built-in tone engines, I think many piano aficionados would tend to agree. One thing to consider is that when piano manufacturer's are designing and building digital pianos, they are responsible for many aspects and details (action, speaker system, aesthetics, tone engine, etc.). Because companies that are creating and modelling VSTs are focused on, basically, one thing: the piano sound/engine, it makes sense that they might have an edge in terms of the authenticity and detail they are able to offer.
Which do you prefer between the Roland fp60x and Kawai es520? For me I play mainly piano 70% and Rhodes 30%. ?
I appreciate this comment, Stenaldo. Since you know your uprights as well as several digital piano actions that are out there, maybe you could help me. I learned to play on a very basic upright, then on a clavichord. I like a soft action, not one that's modeled on a grand piano's. Do you know which ones might be more likely to suit a player like me? Thanks again for the comment.
@@Warren.I I suggest the tp110 of the new Studiologic Numa x piano.
Thank you, Elazar. I can't tell you how helpful this has been to me. I'd never even heard of the Studiologic Numa X before, but from what I can see they appear to have broken from he grand piano paradigm. My only question is whether you're familiar with Studiologic's GT action and could compare it to the TP 110. It seems to be a higher quality but it could easily be stiffer than the TP 110.
I bought a Yamaha P100 in 1991, costed a fortune. After using it (Bach/Chopin/Ravel) for 30 years, I decided to replace it by a Kawai MP7SE. Reason was the sound of the Kawai, the more complex tone shaping possibility of the keybed and the weight to carry. Except for a slightly worn out rubber strip, the piano keys of the P100 still were as new. No broken plastic, no uneven keys whatsover. The MP7 was cheaper, but having the RHIII keybed, I expected quite something. And: the keybed feels indeed great, it comes with sort of a hammer release feeling and the sound is beautiful as you could wish for, but the keybed sometimes is emitting clicking noise, as if some plastic resistance would get triggered instead of a filt keystopper. Also, some keys were scratching. I returned the first MP7 and received a new piano, so this has less issues, but still, there are issues. I like the sound a lot, but I watch myself stopping in the middle of a piece because of that clicking keybed. After using it for several months now I think the final statement could be: it is very okay, but a digital piano is a digital piano is a digital piano. And if you do not have to bother about the weight, go for something such the Grand Feel Action (speaking of Kawai).
Hi Tobias! Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your insights and experiences! It is true that all digital pianos will have some semblance of mechanical/key noise. It is virtually unavoidable. Thanks again and all the best! :)
Boy... I can't agree that touch quality is the most important characteristic. The reason is simple; nothing will do more to end a budding pianist's interest in the instrument than a shallow, dull, unconvincing sound. If it's not fun and inspiring to play, the student won't play it; and that ends the hobby/career before it starts. Sound is number one, with a bullet. Yes, keyboard action matters; but keyboard action varies widely, not only between electronic instruments but also between acoustic pianos. A skilled pianist will compensate without thinking twice. The idea that a great sounding keyboard with a less than perfect action will somehow ruin all chances of a young student ever learning to play properly, is just silly. Sound is paramount. Everything else is just 'nice to have'.
Piano action is the most important. Sound will come from a good VST (VSL Synchron for instance). I do not even use built-in sounds of my FP-90X.
Every player and person is different and, as such, their priorities will differ when it comes to shopping for the right instrument for them. With that said, when it comes to digital pianos, the action is a constant where as the sound and speaker system can both be variable. Given that virtually all digital pianos have MIDI capabilities these days, you are not restricted to the built-in piano sounds of your instrument. Through MIDI, you can access a whole world of exciting VSTs in order to discover a sound that you truly connect with. Furthermore, if you are dissatisfied with the power or quality of your built-in speakers, you can always run your piano through an external PA, amplifier or speaker system.
Ad a beginner, I can say the action is the most important. I'm more in-touch with my music and most digital pianos offer multiple piano sounds, especially Roland on the fine tune app.
@@pachimari360 FP-90X is perfect in this respect. It is much better than higher end Roland and all Kawai digital pianos because it has Digital Audio Interface built in. I am connecting FP-90X to my Mac computer with just one USB cable that goes from MIDI output to the computer. The same cable is bringing digital signal back to FP-90X. I do not need any interface and I use DAC of Roland together with its amplifier and speakers. It is simple - Roland Digital Piano is the output for a VST. I have to warn you though that PCs are not that great with VSL Synchron piano VSTs. They are OK with Pianoteq and Garritan although a bit more complicated than MAC. By the way, Yamaha digital pianos also have Digital Audio Interface. I forgot to add that you disable Local Control in FP-90X to play only external piano sound
Interesting video, thank you for it. I've always asked myself this question without really knowing the answer as I bought a Yamaha CLP 340 approx 20-25 years ago for $2500. For that same price nowadays you can get the CLP 745. But what's the difference and can you feel it, you know?
Also, you're totally right about digital versus acoustic and touch versus sound. Back to the CLP 340 which I still own and is in prestige condition; It's hooked up to my DAW and a pair of HS5 monitors + subwoofer. Together with pianoteq or other VSTs the CLP 340 sound better than ever.
Hi Chris! Thanks for taking the time to check out the video and write in! We're glad to hear that you found the video review helpful. It is also awesome to hear that you're still enjoying the CLP340 and finding ways of keeping things fresh and inspiring with the addition of VSTs into your arsenal. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
I bought a technics SX-PX228 in 1998 for almost six thousand dollars. The weighted keys are so good you couldn't differentiate the difference between a Steinway baby grand and it. The sound was also fashioned after a Steinway, so amazing.
Though the general weight action couldn't be adjusted, you could change the sensitivity to soft or hard and the tone from mellow to bright. This allowed a sort adjustment to what would be comparably done one an acoustic unit for the action and hammers.
All these years later, it still sounds amazing though the power supply burnt out and a couple of the capacitors. I am having a specialist rebuild a custom power supply and new capacitors because parts can no longer be found. He is also installing a couple of cooling fans over the computer boards. The unit didn't have them and those are crucial to a healthy mother board.
Turning the unit off and on frequently is what kills it fast. If you turn it on then leave it on for the day. Using it a couple of hours and then hitting that power button over and over is what wears it out. Sitting in power on mode isn't that hard on it. It's like leaving a light bulb on for years. Turning them off and on is what wears it out... same with electronic components.
I'm sorry to hear that you've been experiencing some issues with your SXPX228. However, that is awesome that you have found a skilled technician that can service it and restore it to a playable state again. It is hard to find an instrument you truly connect with, but, when you do, it is certainly worth doing everything you can to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. :)
I play at home Kawai 920 and it feels great, but when I come to my teacher who has acoustic piano, I struggle, it’s so much different. The other thing to consider is that even very simple acoustic piano sustain pedal allows you to really fine tune the sound while digital pedal is mostly on-off. Kawai tried to reach that but at this price point I have to say they failed.
At the end of the day, even the finest digital pianos are emulations of the "real thing". With that said, the ES920 is a remarkable all-in portable digital piano that has a lot to offer musically, which is especially impressive given its reasonable price tag. Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your insights! :)
@@MerriamPianos I wonder how different Nord Stage 3 is. All the jazz musicians I know play it and they say it’s fantastic. What do I get doubling my investments compared to Kawai 920? What playing level is required to really feel and enjoy this difference? Or maybe, they are so much different that this comparison makes no sense?
When I was a kid, I played a lot of ragtime and favoured the keybed of the Wurlitzer upright pianos at school. I enjoyed the light-ish touch, but still liked the feedback. I tend to get fatigued by heavier action while still disliking the ultra light, no-weight keyboards. I’ve been looking at the Roland FP series. The stores here don’t carry anything except the FP 39 and I dislike the controls. The new FP E50 seems to have a nice balance of everything-I like the accompaniment features, but I’d forego them if you thought I’d REALLY like say the 60x or even Kawai models. I saw your 60x versus E50 and I know you prefer the 60x keybed, but given I’m not a pro and what I’ve told you, what do you think as it relates to my situation specifically? Thanks in advance, Stu. You’re the best! Literally the best.
Hi Jason! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for writing in! The FP60X and FPE50 use the same PHA4 action. With that said, even the same action within different enclosures can have slightly different feels. I would say that the FPE50 might be a better option for you, especially if you disliked the controls of the FP30X. The FPE50 has a very intuitive control interface that you'd appreciate. The accompaniment features are awesome too and a lot of fun! :)
@@MerriamPianos I was thinking the same. Thanks so much for your input and wonderful video reviews. ❤
It all depends on where you stand. If you are a beginner with past experience or an intermediate player who wants to come back, and what you want is acoustic piano emulation above all, then the Roland FP-30X qualifies as a masterpiece at the top of the entry level price point. If you have other experience or other goals, consider your needs and do your own research. Keep in mind, every type of digital keyboard is an instrument of its own accord, not an imitation of something else. A digital keyboard can emulate some other keyboard instrument. It does not imitate.
If you are buying for a child or you do not want to play on the heavy piano action of the Roland, and piano emulation is your aim, the Alesis Prestige Artist might be a good and very user-friendly choice. The Williams Allegro IV apparently has a weighted and graded keyboard and an even lower price point than the Alesis. Whatever you buy, do your kid or yourself a favor and get a full-feature keyboard. Full feature means weighted and graded keys and at least 128-tone polyphony. If you do not know what these terms mean, research the market until you do. The other instrument at the top of the entry-level price point along with the Roland FP-30X is the Yamaha P125/225. The Casio Previa SX-1100 is another instrument at the top of the entry-level price point. I am neutral on this instrument. It might be a good choice for someone who is already playing jazz or pop gigs or who is at that level. I am not sure if it is a good acoustic piano emulator.
I got the Roland based on my needs as a past intermediate level acoustic piano beginner, but the Yamaha P-125 and the Yamaha P-225 are great instruments with a lighter keyboard action. Call me a researcher though. I am not an advanced musician.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights and experiences! The FP30X is certainly an impressive instrument and one of my favourite pianos in that price category. With that said, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference and context of use of course. Different players will have different needs as you've mentioned. :)
excellent video: very informative and put togehter, thanks ! 🧡🎹
You're welcome! Thank you so much for tuning in! :)
After 5 years of playing piano I looked for a really good digital piano and bought a Roland LX 708 (about 4000 Euro) last year. This year I looked for a surprise present for someone who just had a small keyboard and thought of a low budget digital piano. I bought a Kawai Es 110 (about 500 Euro). The Kawai I liked best in the low budget range, it is small and light, has not many features but feels and sounds like a piano. I love my Roland LX 708, great sound, but it weighs more than 100 kilo, is very high and resembles an accoustic piano.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your journey with us! The ES110 is undeniably a wonderful value at the entry-level price point. And, needless to say, Roland's LX708 is an absolute powerhouse of a digital piano! It sounds like you are well-equipped for the next phase of your piano journey. :)
@@MerriamPianos Your channel helped me a lot with both decisions!
Here is my story as an "audiophile": After quitting the piano lessons forced on me as a child, I - 40 years later - decided to pick up playing again.
I surfed the internet, got very confused over actions, soundprocessing, samples... and finally visited a local store. I looked at and listend to Yamaha, Kawai, Roland etc. and went home with a Kawai CA-49 bundled with a bench and headphones. Over one year I played a lot and learned a lot, but something was missing.
So I visited an excellent hifi store and - after a very relaxing listening session - bought a pair of audiophile headphones by Focal. The sound of the CA-49 via these headphones was incredibly good! Quite a lot better than the internal speakers.
The sound quality of the internal speakers compared to the headphones was so poor, I revisited my dealer and switched from the CA-49 to a CA-901. What a difference! And now I'm finally happy with my piano.
Congrats on your CA901! The CA49 is an impressive instrument for its price point, but, needless to say, the improved speaker system, tone engine, and soundboard system combine for a meaningful difference in terms of the sonic experience. I think you will be beyond thrilled with what the CA901 offers musically. :)
As honest as you are always, stud. I bought one year ago a roland fp30x based on your videos and have not regret it a simple second. Thanks for your work!!!?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I will certainly pass on the incredibly kind words to Stu. I know he really appreciates them! We're all very glad to hear that our RUclips channel has been helpful in your piano journey. All the best and happy playing! :)
I just bought a piano keyboard in the $600+ range and for me, I figure in 4 years I will have learned enough to move up to a high quality piano. It will give me time to budget and just buy what I feel is the best quality for my future playing should I live that long.
I'm 66 now and I could live another 30 more years. Who knows I'm health so maybe I will get lucky.
Thank you for you honest review.
Thank you for tuning in and sharing your kind words! Congrats on your new keyboard! That will definitely provide a great starting point and give you time to figure out what the best instrument will be for the longterm. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Personally, at least from my limited experience, I would group synth-action and semi-weighted keyboards together, rather than semi-weighted and hammer-action weighted keyboards. This is because most (I believe) semi-weighted keyboards are designed more like synth-action keyboards, with the only difference being the force needed to depress the keys. Maybe there are exceptions, but generally semi-weighted keyboards are closer in price to synth-action keyboards, which I think tells us something, and some hardly feel different at all. Others are actually very heavy--even more so than typical hammer-action "fully" weighted keyboards--but feel rather different. The main reason semi-weighted keyboards exist at all is their lower cost, which means they don't have the more expensive mechanisms required to make them feel and play like acoustic pianos. If they did, then why not make them authentic-feeling hammer-action weighted keyboards instead? See what I mean? They're just synth-action keyboards with heavier springs and maybe, in some cases, something a bit fancier, but not the ones I've tried, which either feel exactly like synth-action or heavy but otherwise very much like synth-action or somewhere in between.
Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to share your insights! It al comes down to a matter of preference and context. Some players actually prefer synth and semi-weighted actions because they're not using their specific instrument for piano sounds primarily. The correlation between the touch and the attack envelope and sonic profile of the patches you are primary playing are an important consideration when shopping for a piano/action that is best suited for your needs and playing. :)
I think it missed a few categories at the top range, where parents are concerned about the looks of a piano when considered among furniture :). Like if they want a nice new upright piano look that can fool people to think it is much more expensive acoustic one. (Like some kawai or roland LX708/9 can do).
That is a good point! Pianos have a considerable footprint, so the aesthetics of an instrument can be a major concern for some piano shoppers.
I've been shopping around for a digital piano for about 6-8 weeks now and this is the video that really helped me narrow my search ( so I subscribed). I haven't played piano for 50 years now and wasn't formally trained nor any good the first time around. But I really miss the enjoyment I used to have of just figuring out how songs are put together. Learning to recognize talent, it steered me into jazz and classical piano. This time around, I plan to work on drills and music theory so maybe I can get competent at it. Thanks for the great video. I've pretty much decided to go with the Yamaha P225. Tough choice.
Thanks so much for taking the time to tune in and subscribe! We sincerely appreciate the support. It's great to hear that you've decided to resume your piano journey. We're also glad to hear that you found our videos helpful in narrowing down your search. Wishing you all the best with the next phase of your piano journey! Happy playing! :)
500 can get you a Yamaha or Casio. 300 a donner. Fully weighted.
Yup - there are certainly some solid options on the market for customers on a tight budget.
I wanted one for home use and that even if it was expensive it would be worth it along it’s years of use, and that it could hold on from beginner level up to intermediate maybe a little into advanced level, so I went for the Roland RP701, it is a good one?
Thanks for tuning in and congratulations on your Roland RP701! The RP701 is a very solid instrument with an excellent touch and tone. It will serve you well for many years to come! :)
I'm a new player shopping for a digital piano and found this video helpful. My budget is in the $1000-1500 range and I wonder what your recommendation would be for touch and speaker wattage? I'm using a borrowed Yamaha P-45 and it's OK for now, but I find that the volume I can produce is minimal and the touch is only OK. You recommended the the Roland PHA4 system earlier - what Roland in this price range with that action would you recommended?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! The Roland FP30X would fit nicely within that price point and offer an excellent balance between tone, touch, and speaker quality. It features the PHA4 action, which is one of the best performing actions in its price category. :)
@@MerriamPianos thank you. I was searching on line and the FP-60X has a little more wattage - is it worth the extra money over the FP-30X?
I love my 1927 Cable 52 inch upright, but the thing I love about digital is it stays in perfect tune!
There are pros and cons to acoustic and digital pianos of course! Having one of each is a best of both worlds solution I suppose! ;)
I agree. Thanks to Keyscape and Roland Cloud you can pretty much get any sound you want.
Absolutely! It is an exciting time in the world of virtual instruments and pianos. :)
I'd like to add go and try out as many pianos as you can. Based of my own experience, I watched many reviews on potential pianos but after playing and listening them in real life, I ended up buying one I originally didn't even consider.
Also, buy a digital piano from a local store with good service verses buying online. I bought a digital piano last year and it started to develop clicky keys, but thankfully I was able to bring it into the local music store in which I bought it and get a loaner while mine was being repaired. Good luck trying to get that quick and easy service online.
Thanks for tuning in and adding to the conversation! These are all very wonderful insights and words of advice to our community. Thanks for sharing! :)
Yes action and feel is the thing. A beginner is going to want to play an acoustic piano when needed without being surprised too much. Mid ranged pianos will sound like piano to the inexperienced ear but even expensive digital pianos never sound like the real thing. There is too much going on with acoustic piano sound. They have "attitude". There is much more upper harmonics and ping. As a jazz player the test is with closed chord voicings. The tension between the two notes, a semitone apart in the middle of these chords is the ultimate test.
Hi! Thanks for checking out the video and for sharing your thoughts! Your insight about closed position chord voicings for testing the authenticity of the sound through the interaction of particular intervals is an excellent one. Sometimes, it is within these fine details that make it easier to discern and decide between multiple models/tone engines. :)
Big fan of your videos! Not so much of the bum look 😂...
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here. Thanks for tuning into our channel. We are happy to hear that you have been enjoying our videos. I personally think Stu's hair looks awesome! Exciting and interesting people merit having exciting and interesting hairstyles and Stu certainly falls into that category.
Hmmm.... I agree to a certain point... I started with a yamaha psr e 363.... I liked playing and practicing that much that I bought mysel a.... kawai mp 11se....but, here is the but..... the action is Great but vulnerable .... had to send it back twice because of sticky keys....its fixed now, but the repair cost me time, therefore I bought myself a yamaha p515 to go with it.... maybe overkill.... but if you buy something and you hardly ever use it, its a very expensive item....if you buy something and you use it a lot.... its worth every penny...
Thanks for tuning into the video and for taking the time to share your experiences and thoughts! We appreciate it. :)
I definitely agree with your assessment that a lot of the whole debate about how much to invest comes down to the amount of use that you will get out of it. However, the counterargument to that of course is a more satisfying instrument will stimulate more motivation and inspiration to practice and get more use of it. There is a balance to be met and that balance will be a little different for every player and person.
@@MerriamPianos Absolutely true!
Headphone shock and awe. I plugged my dollar store earbuds into my Roland and they work. You can play your exercises and not worry about bothering the neighbor or worrying about what think about what they are hearing.
Yup! Virtually any wired headphones will work in conjunction with digital pianos. :)
@@MerriamPianos I was surprised that the dollar store headphones worked adequately at all. The low notes sounded like something played on a saw blade but they came through down to note one. For a dollar, they get an A grade.
I have always found an issue with the playability of vst pianos I own. The best two I have are Garritan CFX and Ivory II Grand Pianos. While they may sound good for recordings, they sound disconnected from me for live playing. So far, I prefer a digital piano internal sound to play live, even if it sounds worse than a vst. Digital piano internal sounds have been matched to that specific action and they give you a strong connection between your playing and the sound, whether is a Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, or Casio. But vst pianos always sound "detached" from my playing. I remember that, in vst forums, people always mentioned a downside of vst pianos and that was: playability. Each digital piano has a different action and the MIDI response is different, which affects the specific sample triggered by the piano software. There is a video of somebody playing a Nord piano sample using both the Nord's own keyboard and also an M-Audio 88-key keyboard (MIDI in/out). You can hear that, although the M-Audio is capable of triggering the Nord piano, it sounds strange and not as accurate as using the Nord keyboard. It makes sense, as the Nord engineers designed the action for that piano sample (velocity matched). In a similar manner, all good digital pianos are velocity matched. But when you use a software piano, you don't have any guarantee that you are triggering the most adequate samples, and I think it is reflected in the synergy (or lack of) between the sound and the action. After trying a few vst pianos, I prefer a machine that does it all. There are also very nice workstations that have great piano sounds.
+ it can be a hassel for people who have no space to put the PC or laptop🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 True. Plus not all laptops meet the requirement for vst pianos, and you still need a separate audio interface in many cases. On top of that, many vst pianos sound worse than the built-in piano sounds of reputable brands. An example is "The Grandeur" from Native Instruments. My DGX-670 internal sample sounds much better.
This is an excellent insight and definitely one that a lot of digital piano players can relate to! The action, sensors and tracking will always be designed and engineered with that specific piano and the interconnectivity of those elements in mind (aside from out-and-out MIDI controllers). With that said, many of the upper end digital pianos have upped their game in terms of their ability to also be used as a viable MIDI controller. Thanks again and all the best! :)
@@MerriamPianos I appreciate the feedback :)
@@Instrumental-Covers I would like to know? Do you agree that NY Steinways are inconsistant compared to Hamburg Steinways in terms of quality?🎹🎶
Nice vid. For me personaly both action, and sound should go together. It would be such a shame to have a nice feeling action, but not a sound that responds to that action🎹🎶
You can always use external VSTs to have the sound you want (I actually do not even use the built-in sounds of my FP-90X). You cannot upgrade the action
@@mfurman That's the thing buyers should never accept. FP-90X is not a controller.It is a sophisticated digital piano that for the price should give you at least one superb acoustic piano variant; which most digitals don't. It matters not how much they cost. That's like buying a Playstation 5 and still playing games in your PC.
@@stenaldomehilli8809 I strongly disagree. There is no digital piano that has sound comparable to, let’s say, VSL Synchron Concert D-274 running on high end computer - there is simply not enough storage to hold 100GB of data. People buy Kawai NV5-S and use VSL Synchron pianos. I use the amp and speakers of my digital piano
Thank you kindly! We're glad you enjoyed the video! I think many players will agree. For some, it is difficult to separate sound and action. The ideal situation is to find an instrument that you are fully satisfied with both in terms of its sound and playability. The best of both worlds as they say! :)
@@mfurman hi Michael. Due to my eye condition, and the space where my digital piano is at I find it a hassel to use a computer. The point I made in my comment is not about the sound not sounding nice enough or that it doesn't sound like an acoustic piano , but how the sound responds to playing dynamics. I tried a roland digital with the PHA 4 wile the PHA 4 feels nice on it's own it feels IMO hard to play softly on it because notes will eather play too loud or not at all. You've made a great choice with the FP90X. I tried the GP609 with the same action with your FP90X, and to me that action was spot on🎹🎶
A good digital piano is the piano you can afford.
That is a very good and true point! :)
As a guitarist of close to thirty years, just now getting into the keyboard market, buying a keyboard feels much more like buying a used car than a musical instrument. So many products and so much forced product differentiation, it’s really distasteful.
I’ve determined, I want the Yamaha P515, but with the arranger features and connectivity of the PSR SX900. Problem being is that they really don’t make that. I could get a CSP 170 and get the same keybed as the P515, but it costs three times the price, and importantly, it wouldn’t be portable. If I picked up the PSR SX900, I would only get 61 synth action keys.
They ask you to make so many trade offs, and I feel that the customer is left never feeling satisfied.
I bought in 1997, an American Fender Stratocaster brand new for $600, which was a deal at the time, but I have been happy ever since and never would have needed to buy another. Recently, I bought one of the cheapest Gibson guitars that they sell, a Les Paul Special Tribute Humbucker, and I was blown away. A player would never need to buy another. I actually feel buying the lower tier saved me from some of the finish quality control issues gibsons are known for.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Given that guitar is actually my primary instrument, I can definitely understand the sentiment. One of the big differences I find between the world of electric guitars and digital pianos is the ability vs lack of ability to customize and alter to your tastes. With guitars, there are many adjustments and modifications that can be made to even inexpensive models to make you more satisfied with the overall playing experience. From changing the action, frets and bridge for a different touch and feel to changing the pickups, pots amp you're plugging into for a different sound, guitars are a little more flexible. With that said, some digital pianos offer a lot of adjustment to custom-tailor the sound. Furthermore, you can always run your instrument through an external amp for more tonal options/volume. With that said, you are definitely a little bit stuck when it comes to actions of digital pianos. Thanks for taking the time to check out the video and write in! We appreciate it immensely. :)
@@MerriamPianos there are definitely way more options on the lower end for guitars, and the rabbit hole of mods can be fun, but once you’ve paid for all the parts and work, you might has well of just bought a little bit nicer instrument from the start. Buying an American guitar also supports an industry the pays living wages and benefits here in the USA.
That said, I get your points and appreciate your videos. Since I’m now a digital piano junkie, I’m subscribed.
Funny thing is though, as much strides that have been made with guitars, I would never go digital. Nothing compares to a Deluxe Reverb, Marshall Stack, or Vox AC played at the appropriate volume.
The closest you can get to an affordable portable arranger with the CFX tone engine of the P515 and some of the arranger capabilities of the PSR-SX900 is the DGX-670. While you lose the NWX action, chances are that the GHS will be more than adequate for the type of music you would be playing with an arranger anyway. There are definitely some trade-offs, but in practice I find the DGX-670 to be an impressive combo of piano and arranger. For example, I used to have a top of the line PSR-S arranger and also a Roland piano with the now-famous PHA-4 action. The Roland piano didn't impress me much and the top-of-the-line PSR-S arranger had way more than I ever needed.
What would recomend ydp 146 or rp 107
Hi! Brent here! We have not received our first shipment of the Roland RP107 yet, so, unfortunately, at this time, I will not be able to offer any insights. With that said, once we do receive our first shipment, you can certainly expect some review and comparison videos. :)
I’m a little surprised you didn’t touch on polyphony. One of my biggest issues as a beginner, after a few months practicing, was that big chords or long sustained pedalling clearly ‘lost’ earlier hit keys pretty quickly. Now this was many years ago, things may have changed, and I now solely play acoustic nowadays, but if I were to buy one again now: yes to touch (incl multi phase pedal sensitivity), then polyphony, then tone in terms of what I’d find important.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Things have certainly changed in this regard in recent years. Even most "entry level" digital pianos have 128 note polyphony as a minimum. There are some smaller non-weighted keyboards that may cap at 64 notes, but the vast majority have ample headroom for even the most advanced arrangements and repertoire. :)
You're talking of digital pianos from yesteryears. Things have changed a lot.
@@MerriamPianos thanks. It’s not just polyphony in the sense of the simultaneous notes. It’s also about how long they keep ‘singing’. On an acoustic piano, due to overtones, they never really die out. I’d have to try it out with more modern digital piano versions. It’s just very distracting if a certain sustained note just ‘disappears’.
@@Misteribel You're very correct, but as others have said, this was more of an issue in long-ago years, when plenty of high-priced keyboards had only 32-note polyphony, which of course halved if you were playing in dual/split mode, which yielded fairly diabolical results. Now, much higher polyphony is pretty standard, and more than adequate for the majority of players. Even entry-level Clavinovas from 10-15 years ago often had 128-note polyphony.
For me the Yamaha P115 was the end of my search for the perfect digital piano that feels like a real piano to me - and it's the cheapest and lightest I ever owned - and I owned quite some
The most important thing is that you found a piano that you resonate with in terms of touch and tone! :)
@@MerriamPianos Yes exactly :-)
Great comparisons! Another thought, although in a slightly different category, is an 88 weighted midi controller. I use the Arturia 88 key Mk2 and paired with NI Kontakt and various sample libraries, it’s a combo that is hard to beat.
Thanks for the suggestion Steve! I know many of our community members appreciate it! Thanks for tuning and supporting our channel! :)
Steve.....I like the way you think. But Brent was talking entry level pianos. I don't think the average suburban couple shopping for their kid is gonna go down this rabbit hole. But yeah......by going MIDI you can get into the Fatar key beds for a fraction of the price of a Nord or Dexibell sand alone.
Hi Stu, I'm an adult beginner and initially bought a Kawai CA49, because the old school piano teachers and some RUclipsrs were of the opinion that you absolutely need a keyboard made of solid wood to start with. But this Kawai CA49 had a keyboard that was much too heavy for me. And the keyboard wasn't precise enough for me either. Some keys had a very strong pressure point, some keys had no pressure point at all. Some keys had a lot of lateral space, causing the key to wiggle back and forth up to 2mm, some keys didn't wiggle. If you ran your hand very lightly over the keys, the keys were not of the same height! But the worst was that I got stuck between the black keys with my broad fingers, or pressed one of the black keys too.
After 6 months I tested the Ymaha CLP-735 and what can I say. The GHS keyboard needs less than half the force to press the keys, I don't get stuck between the black keys with my broad fingers and all keys are equally precise. I assume that a wooden keyboard cannot be built as precisely as a plastic keyboard - but that is irrelevant in this case! Importantly, a Yamaha CLP-735 is much easier to play with a lot less power, and I think that's important for beginners.
After 6 months, I still don't have the strength to press all the keys evenly on the Kawai CA49 for chords, although I've practiced between 30 and 45 minutes a day in these 6 months. This will be much better with the Yamaha CLP-735. This is very important: You should enjoy playing the piano and not have to fight against the instrument.
Greetings from Vienna in Austria in the middle of Europe - Klaus
Translated with Google translator because my mother tongue is German
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your journey with us! At the end of the day, the playing experience is very personal and subjective. What works for one player may not work for another. The most important thing is to find an instrument that works for your style of playing and motivates and inspires you to practice as much as possible. It sounds like you have found that solution, which is fantastic! Thanks again and all the best from here in Canada! :)
The CLP-735 is a great piano with the new GrandTouch-S action -- the action is two big steps up from the GHS (and two big steps up in price too).
Really interesting, after playing for 9 months I've now switched from my Korg C1 Air to a Kawai CA59 (same keyboard as the CA49) because I found Kawai's Grand Feel Compact to be much lighter and more joyful to play on. Before, I had sent back an FP90x because the PHA50, about which I had read that it was relatively light and probably didn't spend enough time with at the store, because - you probably guessed it - I found it too heavy after a couple of hours. I didn't try the CLP 735 but found the 745 (same keys with wooden elements added) to be light but with too hard a keybed for my personal taste.
I guess the problem is that there's much more than just the downweight of the key that shapes people's impression of the keys (upweight, design of the mechanism that influences the distribution of the required force along the movement of the key, touchcurve settings...). Moral of the story: Don't spend too much money without spending enough time with an instrument in person.
@@Garrus4Spectre That's true, but in my town the sellers think you're not intelligent enough as a newcomer. When I got my broad fingers stuck between the black keys of the Kawai CA49, the answer was: All keyboards are the same - and that's just not true. I don't get stuck with my fingers at the Yamaha CLP-735.
In my opinion, the Yamaha NU1X has the same smooth-running keyboard as the CLP-735, although it comes from solid wood from a real upright piano, but the travel of the individual keys is 1/4 less. When I mentioned that, the answer was: There isn't! Then I said that the saleswoman should try it out - only then did she say: You're right - that's probably a variation in production. And it's not.
Every manufacturer makes their own keyboards for their digital pianos. With my Kawai CA49, 100 g fit on the C1 key up to the pressure point. The Yamaha CLP-735 weighs less than 50 g, because the 50 g weight of the CLP-735 pushed the C1 key right through to the stop!
It would be helpful if you could find this weight information in the descriptions - but you won't find it, but this weight information is certainly used during production. In any case, one thing is certain: the more a manufacturer adapts the keyboard to a concert grand, the tighter the keys become, because a grand piano simply has stiff keys. The length of the keys increases, making it easier to vary between pianissimo and crescendo, but this comes at the expense of a much higher weighting.
I tried that. I was of the opinion that the Grand Feel III keyboard of the Kawai CA79 should be easier to press because the levers are longer (simple law of physics)! But I was amazed when I tried out the keyboard: the keys needed twice as much force to the stop as the Kawai CA49 - unimaginable
You're right - you should definitely try it. But at the beginning you have no idea about pianos, you can't play them and you don't know what's important with a keyboard. So you have to believe the statements of the piano teachers, the sellers or the RUclipsrs who test such pianos. Waking up from the dream comes much later when your fingers swell and pain extends to the middle of your hand. It is important that you only rent your first piano and do not buy it - then you can switch to another piano after a while 😉
I think you got a reagect🎹🎶
Is Donner bad when it comes to touch?
It is a matter of personal preference of course. I wouldn't say Donner piano actions are bad. However, in my personal opinion, companies like Kawai and Roland are doing a better job at simulating the feel of real acoustic pianos.
A more expensive digital piano would have better quality action that would last longer. Unlike a conventional piano with hammers hitting strings, a digital with microprocessors is much less reliable. Paying more money is no guarantee that nothing would go wrong in the first few years.
The sound quality and the action is highly subjective. Some people like DPs with a lighter action while others prefer a heavier action. A cheaper keyboard tend to have a more artificial piano simulation. When you get pass a certain price point the piano sound sampling is highly subjective. It's like choosing between a Yamaha P-515 & Roland FP-90 which is a personal preference.
When it comes to getting a realistic piano sound, many keyboards can be used as a MIDI device by plugging a cable into the computer. This means you can use sound samples of a Steinway, Bechstein or Bösendorfer from software such as Pianoteq. The artificial sound out of a cheap keyboard is no longer an issue.
Many learners starting piano would choose the cheapest keyboard / DP that offers a reasonable quality. Adults / parents paying for a few lessons for their kids are not sure if playing would continue after a year. I've seen parents buy an acoustic piano for their kids as part of the Suzuki / Yamaha music program. After a year the kids want to quit and the piano sits in the house like a piece of furniture. Another scenario the learner makes progress and wants to continue after the first year. Time to upgrade to a better DP and pass the cheap keyboard to another beginner.
Unlike an acoustic piano that would stay in the house for many years, electronic devices including phones, computers, DPs are upgraded regularly as new models with better features come out. Some people would keep a DP for more than 5 years. Even with very basic instrument sounds, there is the software plug-in option.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! There is no denying that choosing the right digital piano is a highly subjective and personal process. We have many customers that prefer lighter actions without sensations like let-off/escapement, which are usually featured on less expensive instruments. It is all a matter of what the player resonates with in terms of tone and touch and every player is a little different. :)
Thanks, you've helped me a lot ❤️
You're very welcome! We're really happy to hear that! :)
As always, best explanations, to people that may have bought or thinking about purchase their first digital piano.
Thank you! That is an incredible compliment and one that we appreciate very much! :)
Not a beginner, but my advice is to look at the, Alesis prestige. $400 range, fully weighted, action hammer and yes, even graded. Honestly people sleep on this brand. Truth be told, even their recital was better than most semi weighted keyboard for $200.
Recommendation. Go to a guitar center or music shop and just have fun with the keys. This will allow you to understand the different styles and feels that's associated with the price.
Very sound advice! Thanks for tuning in and for sharing! :)
I bought a Kawai cn201, I’m a grade 8-9 player. Will this be enough for now and the next few years?
The CN201 is excellent! It comes down to your own preferences. This piano has a lot to offer in terms of touch and tone, but you may eventually find that making the move to either an acoustic upright/grand or a digital piano with a longer key stick/pivot length such as the CA99 (or soon to be available update, the CA901) might offer more potential in terms of performance and expressivity.
People always ask too much for used digital pianos. They figure it was worth $800 ten years ago and works perfectly fine so they ask $500 or $600. Meanwhile it was already 5 or 10 year old technology when they bought it and the sound and touch has been left far behind by newer pianos.
I also want a good Rhodes sound and good organ sound
Those are very excellent insights! The value retention of digital pianos is certainly not the same as with acoustic pianos. The fast rate of improvement and innovation definitely has an impact.
Thanks for a great discussion!
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)
You are a great presenter.
Stu is awesome and we are very lucky to have him! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Thank you!!
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Thanks you very much for the vídeo. I play piano with several Styles with my KORG krome ex88 but I look for a keyboard similar Classical grand piano. I had thought in Kawai VPC1 so I use pianotec8 . Is it a good election or I should think in Roland PHA50 or another instead of Kawai RM3?
You're welcome! It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. Personally, I would give an edge to the VPC1 over Roland pianos with the PHA50 action, but there are many players that favour the PHA50 action. My suggestion would be to test both out at a showroom to see which action you resonate with. :)
I like the wine comparison analogy, although I think I wouldn't be able to do it...
...but I'm confident that I would be able to do up to Grade 4 or Grade 5 level of comparisons with beer! :)
Haha that is certainly fair! ;)
🤔...perhaps the 5$ wine can help to make the 400$ piano sound like a real Steinway concert grand...?🧐
Haha you might be onto something there! ;)
Nice videos! Do you have some info on the Fatar keybeds? Thanks!
I have a Keylab 88 MK2 controlling a Pianoteq 7, amplified by a Topping 22 connected to a pair of B&W hometheater speakers and a pair of active ht subwoofers. Oh ... an observation: my mom, who plays accoustic since 1949 was impressed with the Arturia but says it's not the same thing so she goes back to her 1949 Brazilian Essenfelder accoustic - which is in need of some adjusting.
Hi! Brent here! Thank you kindly! We're glad you enjoyed the videos! :)
I have not had a chance to play Fatar instruments myself, so, unfortunately, I can't really comment on their actions and performance. With that said, I have heard some positive words about what the brand offers.
I bought a yamaha p45 for £369 and the action feels sliky smooth compared to the Roland fp10, the Roland was £20 extra. As a noob I preferred the yamaha. I assume its an okay piano since my grandad was amazed by it, but confused why it had a noticeable tone difference around midC. Great piano tho
At the end of the day, it comes down to a matter of preference. The best instrument is the one to invest in that is going to continually inspire you and motivate you to play and practice. Enjoy your P45! :)
Roland FP-10 is close to the bottom of the price ranges you mention and is from a big name. Just sayin'.
That is true, but the value packed into the FP10 is exceptional. It is a very impressive instrument for the money. :)
In terms of companies, do you find the manufacturers that produce acoustic pianos are better at making digital ones (ex Yamaha, Kawaii).
Thanks for the question! That is not necessarily true. A good example of this is Roland. I would say their digital pianos are top-tier instruments. For instances, despite the fact that they do not build acoustic pianos, they make impressively authentic feeling actions. :)
Very informative! Thanks! PS: Looking a little windswept in the black T-shirt there, Stu... 😁
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're glad you found the information helpful.
And once again, we have the same taste! (Although in this case, it's more like we share the same assessment...) Touch for digital; tone for acoustic.
Fun aside #1: Aren't they all digital, in one sense? It's not like we play piano with our heels (Jerry Lee Lewis [RIP] excepted).
Fun aside #2: My new phone struggled with the word 'acoustic' at first, and really wanted to make pianos either digital or acidic.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I certainly concur with Stu's assessment as well. And that is a very good call regarding the term "digital".
As for acidic pianos, playing one sounds like it may be a bit of a danger endeavour! ;)
I bought a Casio PX-S1000 for $1,050. recently. I need it for outdoor busking. The high price pianos might be too heavy to push around on a trolley.
Congrats on your PXS1000! They're wonderful pianos and very portable! Many professional gigging players have relied on them for their excellent musical offering and portability. :)
if it's weighted and isn't missing keys, including velocity sensors. It will play like a real piano. Yamaha has great instruments in the 3/400$ range
Weighted keys and velocity sensitivity are definitely important components of the playing experience. With that said, there are varying gradients of touch authenticity, which are connected to other details, such as grade-weighting, counterweighting, and let-off/escapement simulation.
I've been strongly considering a Korg B2 as an upgrade from a semi-weighted to a fully weighted, and its in the $4-600, depending on the seller and if its the model with the furnished stand. I watched this video wondering if its really worth it to get something more expensive and I think I've made the decision to get a better one - for touch *and* tone. I'm not a beginner so I have tone and better touch in my mind. Thanks for helping me decide!!
We're glad you found the video helpful! If you are a more experienced player, I agree that it is a very good idea to invest into an instrument that has a tone and touch that will satisfy and inspire you. :)
Slightly off subject, but related. I have various keyboards all
Hi Walter! It is difficult to help troubleshoot or identify the issue without inspecting your exact setup. There are a number of reasons as to why this may be happening. Depending on the VST plugins you are using, this may be a very simple fix. Many VST synth plugins (as well as some piano VSTs) have a selectable "polyphony" value. This determines the total number of notes the plugin itself will sound. If you happen to be using one of these VST plugins, you can simply increase the "polyphony" value.
Looking at the internet the PHA-4 and GHS actions have a reputation for being noisy. For many of us that is a big problem. Please name some actions that are quiet and stay quiet.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Heavier actions and actions with pronounced escapement can have a bit more mechanical key noise. If you are looking for a quiet action, I would recommend the Casio PXS models or the new Kawai ES120. The extra cushioning on the action of the ES120 reduces the key noise quite significantly. :)
i have a YAMAHA P-125, is it worth upgrading to something a lot more expensive, or should i invest in better speakers to pair it with?
If you are looking to make a digital piano upgrade, I usually recommend to consider moving up to a piano that has a better and more authentic action/touch. You can always add speakers or change the sound through VST plugins, but the action is the invariable component of a digital piano.
What keyboards do you have Stu? Particularly Roland
Stu had a Roland RD2000 for a while, but has recently switched to the new FANTOM-08 model. He also has a Kawai NV5 hybrid digital.