Choosing a digital piano

Digital piano – compactness, convenience and functionality. The musical instrument is suitable for music school students, experienced concert performers, professional composers and anyone who loves music.

Modern manufacturers produce models for specific purposes that musicians set for themselves and places of use.

How to choose a digital piano

For home and beginner musicians

Pictured Artesia FUN-1 BL

Artesia FUN-1 BL is a digital piano for children aged 3-10. There are 61 keys, 15 learning songs for the specified age. This is not a toy, but a real model that is compactly placed in the nursery and will be convenient for the child to use. Keyboard sensitivity is adjustable for children’s comfort.

Becker BSP-102 is a model equipped with headphones. In view of this, it is suitable for use even in a small apartment. The BSP-102 automatically turns off the power so that the musician saves on utility bills. The LCD display shows functions and information. There are also two tracks for audio recordings.

The Kurzweil M90 is a digital piano with 16 built-in presets and a weighted keyboard with 88 keys equipped with a hammer action . Full size cabinet adds resonance a. The polyphony consists of 64 voices, the number of timbres is 128. The instrument has transposition and layering modes, chorus and reverb effects. It is easy to operate, so it is suitable for learning. The model is equipped with a 2-track MIDI recorder, Aux, In/Out, USB, MIDI inputs and outputs, and a headphone jack. The Driverless Plug’n’Play feature connects the piano to an external sequencer via the USB input. There are 30 watts in the casestereo system with 2 speakers. Three pedals Soft, Sostenuto and Sustain will help the performer quickly master the game.

The Orla CDP101 is an instrument with a keyboard that simulates the sounds of acoustic models thanks to the resistance in the lower or upper registers . It adds dynamism to the game. The convenient display of Orla CDP101 shows all settings. Musical effects recreate the playing in the halls of the Philharmonic: this piano can be used to play Bach’s many-voiced compositions. The built -in sequencer records the melodies played by the musician. 

The Orla CDP101 digital piano is equipped with USB, MIDI and Bluetooth connectors: mobile devices or a personal computer are connected to the instrument. The model will be appreciated by professionals and beginners: high-sensitivity settings of the keys provide great dynamics for experienced musicians and easy playing for beginners.

The Kawai KDP-110 is the successor to the popular Kawai KDP-90, from which this instrument inherited 15 tones and 192 polyphonic voices. It has a weighted keyboard action , so the sound of the melodies you play is realistic. When a musician touches the keys of this piano, it feels like an acoustic grand piano. The model has a 40W speaker system . USB and Bluetooth connect the piano to external media. The Virtual Technician feature allows the player to customize the piano according to specific requirements.

Features of Kawai KDP-110 are:

• touch keyboard;
• Virtual Technician function for precise piano tuning;
• communication with a computer and mobile devices via MIDI, USB and Bluetooth;
• melodies for learning;
• acoustic system with 2 speakers;
• sound realism.

Casio PX-770 is a digital piano for the beginner. A beginner needs to learn how to place their fingers correctly, so the Japanese manufacturer has installed a 3-touch mechanism to balance the keys. The digital piano has a polyphony of 128 voices, which is enough volume for a novice musician. The instrument has a Morphing AiR processor. Damper Noise – open string technology – makes the sound of the instrument even more realistic. 

Controls are moved separately. The performer does not touch the buttons, so accidental switching of settings is excluded. The innovation affected the appearance and parameters of the piano: now the instrument has become more compact. To manage all the settings, Casio introduced the Chordana Play for Piano function: the student learns new melodies interactively. 

Casio PX-770 is attractive due to the lack of joints. The speaker system looks neat and does not protrude excessively beyond the boundaries of the case. The music stand has sharper lines, and the pedal unit is compact. 

The Casio PX-770 speaker system has 2 x 8- watt speakers. The instrument sounds powerful enough if you practice in a small room – at home, a music class, etc. In order not to disturb others, the musician can put on headphones by connecting to two stereo outputs. The USB connector syncs the digital piano with mobile devices and a personal computer. You can connect iPad and iPhone, Android devices to use learning apps. 

Concert Play is an optional feature of the Casio PX-770. Many users like it: the performer plays accompanied by a real orchestra. Additional features include a built-in library with 60 songs, splitting the keyboard for learning, setting the tempo manually when playing a melody. The musician can record his works: a metronome, a MIDI recorder and a sequencer are provided for this .

For music school

Pictured Roland RP102-BK

Roland RP102-BK is a model with SuperNATURAL technology, hammer action and 88 keys. It is connected via Bluetooth to a personal computer and smart devices. With 3 pedals, you get the sound of an acoustic piano. A set of necessary characteristics will give the beginner a feel for the instrument and learn the basic techniques on it.

Kurzweil KA 90 is a universal instrument that will suit a student, including a child, and a teacher in a music school. Here timbres are layered , there is keyboard zoning; you can apply transposition , use the equalizer, reverb and chorus effects. The piano has a headphone jack.

Becker BDP-82R is a product with a large selection of demo works by different composers – classical melodies, sonatinas and pieces. They are interesting and easy to learn. The LED display shows the selected tones , required parameters and functions. Working with the tool is easy. There is a headphone jack for studio or home work. Becker BDP-82R has a compact size, so it is convenient to use.

For performances

Pictured Kurzweil MPS120

Kurzweil MPS120 is a professional instrument that is used in concerts due to the variety of tones . The sensitivity-adjustable keyboard of the model is close in rigidity to that used on acoustic pianos. You can record melodies on the instrument. The 24W speaker system outputs high-quality sound. The piano performs a large number of tasks. There are 24 timbres and 88 keys; headphones can be connected.

The Becker BSP-102 is a high-end stage instrument that is comfortable and easy to use. It has 128-voice polyphony and 14 timbres . Keyboard sensitivity can be adjusted in 3 settings – low, high and standard. It is convenient for the pianist to press with his fingers and convey the manner of playing. The product has compact dimensions that will fit it in a concert hall or on a small stage.

The Becker BSP-102 is a stage model that delivers the natural sound of an acoustic piano. It has keyboard sensitivity calibration so that the performer can adjust this parameter according to the way they play. The piano provides 14 tones so that the player will get the most out of it.

For rehearsals

Pictured Yamaha P-45

Yamaha P-45 is an instrument that provides a bright and rich sound. Despite its apparent simplicity, it has a rich digital content. The keyboard can be configured in 4 modes – from hard to soft. The piano has 64-voice polyphony . With AWM sampling technology, realistic piano-like sound is provided. The keys of the bass register and weigh more than the top.

The Becker BDP-82R is a studio instrument. It is equipped with an LED display for displaying functions, automatic power off, which occurs after half an hour of inactivity. Together with the Becker BDP-82R, there are headphones included. With their help, you can play at a convenient time, without being distracted by extraneous noise. The instrument has a hammer action keyboard with 88 keys, 4 sensitivity modes, 64-voice polyphony .

Universal models in terms of price / quality ratio

Pictured Becker BDP-92W

Becker BDP-92W is a model with an optimal ratio of quality and price. The range of features makes the piano suitable for the beginner, intermediate player or professional. With 81-voice polyphony , 128 tones, a ROS V.3 Plus sound processor, digital effects including reverb, and a learning function, this variety will be enough for different performers.

YAMAHA CLP-735WH is a universal model that allows a student, a creative person or a professional musician to hone their skills. It contains 88 graduated keys and a hammer action that makes it sound as good as an acoustic instrument.

On a limited budget

Yamaha P-45 is a budget instrument for concert and home use. The model has a tone generator, several samples of which make the sound identical to the piano. Additional elements add melodies of overtones, timbres and harmonics. The tone is identical to a high-end Yamaha grand piano. Polyphony consists of 64 notes. The acoustic system is represented by two speakers of 6 W each .

The Yamaha P-45 keyboard is equipped with a springless hammer action . Thanks to this, each of the 88 keys is balanced, has the elasticity and weight of acoustic instruments. The keyboard is customized to suit the user. For convenience, a beginner can separate the keys thanks to the Dual/Split/Duo function. The 10 demo tunes are designed to help beginners practice. 

The interface of the model is minimalistic and ergonomic. The control is simple: several keys are used for this. They adjust the timbres and volume, including .

The Kurzweil M90 is a budget model with 88 keys, 16 presets, a weighted hammer action keyboard and an easy-to-use 2-track MIDI recorder. Plug and Play sends a MIDI signal to an external computer sequencer . Inputs and outputs are USB, MIDI, Aux In/Out and headphone outputs. The built-in stereo system has 2 speakers of 15 watts each. Three pedals Soft, Sostenuto and Sustain provide a full sound of the instrument. 

The polyphony of the digital piano is represented by 64 voices. The model has 128 timbres . Demo tunes are suitable for beginners. You can use layers and transposition m, there are chorus, duet and reverb effects. The instrument has a built-in metronome; The recorder records 2 tracks. 

Kawai KDP-110 is an improved model of Kawai KDP90, which took polyphony with 192 voices and 15 timbres from its predecessor . The features of the tool are:

• springless keyboard that provides a smooth sound, with a triple sensor;
• weighted keys: bass keys are heavier than treble, which expands the range of sounds;
• acoustic system with a power of 40 W ;
• USB, Bluetooth, MIDI I/O for connecting with mobile devices or personal computer;
• Virtual Technician – a function for adjusting the sound of headphones;
• timbre , replicating the realistic sound of a grand piano for concert performances;
• pieces and etudes by famous composers for training beginners;
• DUAL mode with two layers;
• reverberation;
• choice of sensitive keyboard;
• the ability to record 3 works of not more than 10,000 notes in total.

Dear models

The YAMAHA Clavinova CLP-735 is a premium instrument with a GrandTouch-S keyboard that features a wide dynamic range , precise response and controllable tone. The model has an Escapment effect. This is the auslecation mechanism in concert grand pianos: when the hammers strike the strings, it quickly retracts them so that the string does not vibrate. When the key is pressed softly, the performer feels a slight click. The YAMAHA Clavinova CLP-735 has 6 levels of keyboard sensitivity. 

The instrument has polyphony with 256 voices, 38 timbres , 20 built-in rhythms, reverb, chorus, etc. The musician uses 3 pedals – Soft, Sostenuto and Damper. The sequencer has 16 tracks. The performer can record 250 melodies. 

Roland FP-90 is a high-quality Roland model with a multi-channel audio system, sounds of various musical instruments. Roland FP-90 allows you to play songs of different musical styles. To interact with a computer or mobile devices, the Piano Partner 2 application has been developed: just connect via Bluetooth. 

The sound of the Roland FP-90 is indistinguishable from that of an acoustic piano thanks to authentic sound technology. With its help, the most subtle nuances of performance are reflected. The PHA-50’s keyboard is made up of different elements: it is durable and looks authentic.

Sound evaluation criteria

To choose the right electronic piano, you should:

1. Listen to several instruments and compare their sound. To do this, just press any key. It should sound for a long time and fade slowly, without a sharp break.
2. Check how much the sound changes depending on the pressing force.
3. Listen to demos. These songs will help you evaluate how the instrument sounds from the outside as a whole.

Keyboard Evaluation Criteria

To choose an electronic piano that best suits the performer, you should:

1. Check key sensitivity.
2. Listen to how the sound of the keys is close to the acoustic sound.
3. Find out how much power the speaker system has.
4. Find out if the tool has additional features relative to the keyboard.

Summary

The choice of a digital piano should be based on the purpose for which the instrument is purchased, who will use it and where. It is also important to decide on the price.

For home, studio, rehearsal or performance, as well as study, there are models from Becker, Yamaha, Kurzweil, Roland and Artesia.

It is enough to inspect the selected instrument in more detail, test it in the game, guided by the criteria given above.