I'm thinking of getting a Digital Piano but I just can't seem to pull the trigger. I've tried out a couple at Guitar Center and even the inexpensive ones sound and feel great. My question is, does anybody here have any experiences with digital pianos? If so would you recommend them over digital keyboards? I'm not at all an experienced player, I'm really looking at just getting better. The reason I'm thinking of a Piano is because I prefer the natural feel of the keys rather than the digital keyboards.
I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but not a beginner either. I bought a Roland FP-4F several months ago. I had the same idea you have: to go for a DP, because of the preference of a piano action. I'd even say the most important thing is the connection with the the keys and the sound. I checked the highly praised Nord Piano. The sound is fantastic, and the tweakability is pretty strong, but I couldn't connect with the sound, because I wasn't so impressed with the action. Not that it was bad, but in a way, they didn't work together for me. The Roland F-110 for instance, has quite a similar light action, but somehow, I felt more connected to the instrument, even though the sound quality is clearly of a lower level — though the speakers are very nice. Finally, you have workstations: DPs with a great amount of tweakability — usually with a pitch bender and mod wheel and other midi parameters. There are more things I'd advice you to think about. Like, do you want to gig with it a lot? Will it stay at home most of the time? Home piano's usually are complete with a whole body (stand) and decent quality speakers, while stage piano's are more compact and usually lighter and those that have on-board speakers which are usually not of a good quality. For example, the Roland FP-4 and the F-110 are practically the same in the sound department and the action, but the former is a stage piano with okay speakers, no stand, while the latter is a full blown upright piano, but not easier to take with you. Also, don't rely on the new technology brands' claims of being the best. It has to work for you, and what you like best. To me, Roland has the best action, especially the new PHA-III keyboard. The SuperNatural (SN) modelling technology is refreshing, though still far from the real thing. The new SN piano sound is that of a dark piano. If you prefer a bright piano sound, I don't think you would find a SN one at the moment. Build quality is incredibly solid. The Roland FP-7F is their current top of the line model (stage piano). The F-110 is a pretty recommended budget model. No SN, but a bright piano sound, good speakers, a light but nice action. It was hard for me to choose between the two (F-110 and FP-4F). Nord is one of the few (maybe the only brand) which comes with very high quality (and therefore big) samples. It's as if it wants to experiment the idea of a midi controller keyboard with a high quality piano VST like Ivory II in one. Build quality is also pretty good, with a nice unique style — you have to like red, though. As I've mentioned earlier, I wasn't so impressed with the action of the keys, though it wasn't bad. Yamaha... To be honest with you, I didn't really like those Yamaha digital piano's I tried. The P-155, which is as a model comparable to the FP-7F, had character but sounded very artificial, too. It's definitely brighter than the Roland's, so I might just not like very bright piano's or something. Interestingly, I do like the tone and sound of the P-155, on several YouTube video's where the instrument is demonstrated. Kawai: Unfortunately, I couldn't find a store where I could try one. I've heard good things about Kawai's. The action is as good as Roland's in its own way. There are more: Casio, Korg, etc., but I'd say go to a store again, and check the action, maybe even mute the speakers, so you can only check the action, and see if you like it. Everything I told you is how I feel about the DPs, you might really like Yamaha or don't mind Nord's action at all, and there's nothing wrong with that. P.S.: Check out www.pianoworld.com
One thing I'm planning to look into is midi controller keyboards with weighted or semi weighted keys. In other words, it won't have built in sounds or anything, it'll just send midi, but the keys will have a more realistic feel than my m-audio radium. We'll see... part of me just wants to buy a used kurzweil or roland synth or something.
dear power metal bands it’s important to use real pianos I really can’t stress this enough we play a low-stakes game a trillion years ago power metal might have meant a paycheck now it’s craft for the love of craft which means that if you’re going to do it you have to be willing to bleed for it or else why bother those of us who respond to what you do with hearts still keen to feel wonder in this world are offended by these digital pianos seriously get a studio with a big honkin’ grand and unleash your inner Liszts put a candle on the damn thing and let the wax drip do the damn thing do the damn thing all night but of this patchy depthless grand-piano-setting style let us hear no more and meanwhile tell your vocalists who think we don’t notice little autotune fixes that I will have words for them in Hell
This digital piano buisness interests me. Whats the price range on them in general? Are they more expensive than synths? Im looking to get one but not spend too much, any specific recommendations?
Rather than make a new topic, I'm wondering if anyone could help me in this thread. First of all I have been playing drums for about 10 years and I am currently practicing for grade 5 violin. I have been interested in properly learning how to play piano for a long time. I don't want to waste my money on something cheap that I will end up replacing quickly, I've been there before... I'm a beginner to piano and I'm basically looking to buy a decent weighted keyboard that has a piano like feel with good dynamics. Having that percussive action on it is important to me. I have been looking at MIDI keyboards after they were recommended to me, mainly the M-Audio keystation range. However these don't have direct headphone jacks that I know (because they are MIDI yes?). I am planning on getting Logic (and maybe Reason) and learning a bit about it, but currently I really don't know much at all about recording or using MIDI. I'm sure I could get hold of samples and all that easily enough. One thing I should note is that I would tend to always wear headphones so I don't really care about the audio quality of any external speakers. I would prefer to get a keyboard instead of an electric piano because I don't really have much room. I think I'll end up mostly using this at home though. I'm thinking maybe an 88 key keyboard might be a bit too much. Right now I think the most I could afford to spend would be around £350. Thanks for reading,
I tried out a Korg SP-170S today. It seemed pretty decent. It was cheapest weighted digital piano they had. You can buy online for £400. I'm quite tempted.
I haven't tried many Korgs, so I can't help you. My brother is always using Korg for its synthesizer feautures; he always found the piano samples to be very lacking, but that might be different now.
Does anyone have experience with weighted or semi-weighted keyboard controllers? I want to upgrade from my Radium to something with a nicer feel.
Turns out I went and bought myself a Korg SP170S. I'm loving it so far. I am so glad I splashed out that little extra for weighted keys on my first keyboard/piano. I have been playing it almost constantly since I got it. Honestly, I feel really idiotic for not learning how to play piano sooner. I have definitely been missing out. It feels and sounds great from the get go and I can practice it as much as I want, quietly. It seems much easier to play than violin (been playing a few years). When I first tried to play that everything sounded horrible. Even now it still seems far harder to play. In comparison, I think piano must feel so much more natural to me because of the hand coordination gained from drumming for 10+ years applies much better to a piano than a violin. I'm still working on scales on the violin, but as soon I as I properly sat down to try this digital piano it felt like everything fell in place very quickly. After a few days with it I can play serveral octaves of all the major scales and arpeggios, which was something I never attempted until now. I know that probably isn't a big deal for any piano players on here whatsoever, but it was for me considering how long it took me to get my violin scales/arpeggios sounding alright. I imagine that I will be less frustated with this than I sometimes am with the violin. Anyway, enough about all that crap. I definitely recommend the Korg and/or something with weighted keys for a beginner who is very keen on learning. I tried a non weighted a few days after playing mine and already I know I would hate to change to that.
Glad you're having fun, dude. If I'm getting one I'm definitely getting weighted keys, too. Regarding the comparisons in difficulty of playing, I notice that, in comparison to guitar, controlling the dynamics (playing quietly and evenly) is far far more difficult. anyone got a link? also, vid of you playing!
I think I have a chance of getting DGX 620 yamaha for like 660 dollars, does anyone how it fares? I already have a synth but I want something with a real piano feel to practice classical music on. EDIT: I also found a DGX 230 for 400. But if I'm going to get it I have to ship it. Would any of you recommend shipping a digital piano? PS In case any of you are wondering my options are limited since I live in Saudi Arabia, and I can't find a wide range of digital pianos without shelling out some serious cash.
I have the DGX 520 and I love it but I always wished I forked out just a little bit more to get the weighted keys.
