Why Having 88 Weighted Keys in a Digital Piano is Important
The digital pianos of today are far more technologically advanced than the electronic keyboards of old. They all at some point were developed and engineered to simulate the look, feel and the sound of a traditional acoustic type piano. The grand piano is the top of the line when it comes to performance piano and being able to bring a feel and sound that even comes close to that is the primary goal of any digital piano makers.
The standard configuration for today’s digital piano is to have 88 separate keys to create the sound. The familiar black and white keys each represent a sound with 55 white keys and 33 black keys. The sound created ranges across 7 full octaves and with an additional minor third. The standard digital piano across the board uses weighted keys to help simulate the same hammer striking the strings found in an acoustical piano.
Yamaha P-45 Digital Piano
- The Yamaha P-45 Digital Piano is one of the most popular and highly-used pianos, and is truly portable. This piano is fully digital which offers intermediates and even professionals a high level of performance at an affordable price.
- It features 88-key graded hammer standard keyboard keys in a matte black finish. The keys are designed to feel just like analog keys hence needs more effort on lower pitched keys and less effort on higher pitched keys.
- The Yamaha P-45 sounds just as good as you would expect. It uses the Yamaha proprietary AWM stereo for its sound generation that provides astonishing, precise, and accurate acoustic-piano tones, two organ models, two electric piano sounds, strings patch, and classic vibraphone tone.
- Also, it features a split function which makes it suitable for teaching. This means that you can split the keyboard in half, allowing the tutor to play in the same octave with the student. It comes with 64-notes polyphony which is suitable for beginners.
- The P-45 also features a USB port which enables you to connect directly to your laptop. This way you can play, save, edit, transfer, and even record the music using the computer.
- The piano also comes with four reverbs with the dual layer function that adds flexibility when changing effects.
- This keyboard features MIDI in and out connectivity allowing you to connect directly to 10 musical instruments including other modules, your computer, or other compatible devices. Additionally, it features a 6 watts amplifier with two 4.5-inches speakers so you can hear it on its own.
- Authenticity and portability in one: Authentic acoustic piano sound in a compact and portable package -…
- This full size piano offers a graded hammer standard (GSH) 88-key piano keyboard and 10 quality Voices -…
- Lightweight and compact design for ideal portability: It’s slim and light design, makes P-45B your…
Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano
- Most people tend to look for cheap digital pianos, and the Alesis Recital 88-Key is an excellent choice for your first digital piano. Unlike other models, this piano comes included with power supply and 88 premium full-size semi-weighted keys which are soft to the touch. Also, it includes adjustable sensitivity that matches your playing style.
- It also comes with built-in 20 watts speakers which produce excellent and clear sound. Also, it includes effects so you can start playing right out of the box.
- The layering mode of this piano allows you to customise the voices. Also, it enables you to assign sounds to slides, thanks to its split mode function. The lesson mode splits the keyboard into two sections with the same pitch and voice hence allowing the teacher and the student both play the same notes.
- This digital piano is a great buy if you’re beginner. If the piano instructor is not available, you can always take advantage of the included lesson plans. The Skoove (online piano instruction service) was designed to help you be familiar with the functionality of the instrument, and be able to use the piano to its full capacity.
- When it comes to connectivity, you can always use the USB-MIDI output to connect to your laptop to save directly, edit, play and record your music. It also features the RCA stereo output and sustains pedal input.
- You can generate the tone through the stereo sampling that features the 128 note polyphony. The Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano also features 60 preset songs, two demos, and five voices.
- A digital piano that’s tailored to you: Feature-packed electric keyboard with 88 premium full-sized…
- Premium sounds – Five voices (acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, synth, and bass), built-in FX:…
- All the right connections: ¼ Inch sustain pedal input (not included), ¼ Inch stereo headphone output…
Alesis Coda PRO, 88-Key Digital Piano
- The Alesis Coda PRO, 88-Key Digital Piano is a great buy if you’re still on the hunt for a digital piano with semi-weighted keys at a reasonable price. The full 88-key keyboard with the hammer action weighted keys that allow you create a supreme tone similar to that produced by full-sized keyboards like the Acoustic Piano.
- This digital piano has 20 built-in voice like electric piano, grand piano, and drawbar organ. Also, it allows you to split and even layer two voices at the same time.
- The Alesis Coda PRO, 88-Key Digital Piano also allows you to play along with 60 preset songs and even record your own music with the User Record Mode.
- Another impressive feature is the ability to connect to the USB-MIDI port. This means you can connect your laptop via the USB port so you can access the virtual software and plug-ins.
- Also, this digital piano comes fitted with speakers allowing to listen on its own. This means you don’t have to worry extra-speakers just to listen what you’re playing. It has everything you need to create that great music you have been dying to play for a long time.
- It features Duet mode with 50 accompaniment patterns. Other added features include the built-in sounds and the AIR music technology. Also, it comes packed with built-in DSP with adjustable EQ, reverb, and chorus FX.
- A digital piano that’s tailored to you: Feature-packed electric keyboard with 88 premium full-sized…
- Premium sounds – Five voices (acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, synth, and bass), built-in FX:…
- All the right connections: ¼ Inch sustain pedal input (not included), ¼ Inch stereo headphone output…
SDP-2 Stage Piano by Gear4music
- If you’re looking for a digital piano with all the gear included at a reasonable price, then the SDP-2 Stage Piano by Gear4music is the best buy for you. It is a compact and lightweight digital piano by Gear4music ideal for home and stage use.
- It features 88-touch sensitive weighted keys to help to master your playing style. Hence very perfect if you’re a beginner or just want to improve your playing techniques.
- Also, this digital piano comes packed with eight high-quality tones including two electric piano sounds, two high-quality piano sounds, rock and church organ, harpsichord, and vibraphone. Also, it allows playing a wide range of music right from classical to pop and rock.
- The SDP-2 Stage Piano by Gear4music features fully adjustable chorus plus reverb effects to add that unique finishing touch to any performance.
- It comes fitted with stereo RCA output which enables you to plug into any mixer or amplifier without any difficulties. It also comes packed with a USB output to connect directly to your computer. This way you record, save and edit your music quickly.
- It features four integrated speakers that provide an excellent sound projection. The package comes including high-quality stand pedal headphone, bench, sustain pedal, and music rest. The SDP-2 Stage Piano by Gear4music has everything you need at a good price.
- Includes stand, pedal, and headphones
Yamaha Arius YDP-S52 Digital Piano
- If you’re in search of stylish design and a melodic sound in your digital piano, then the YDP-S52 Digital Piano can do the trick. It has a sleek and smooth design hence making it quite attractive. It comes packed with real piano sound and it available both in black walnut and white wood tinge colors hence can be a great addition to your home décor.
- The 88-key keyboard comes with a graded hammer standard key action that offers you that genuine feel of the acoustic piano keys. This handcrafted keyboard emulates the actual grand piano and has a smooth user interface.
- The YDP-S52 Digital Piano comes fitted with three pedals, from right to left, the sustaining pedal, the sostenuto pedal, and the soft pedal. This elegant control surface will give you all the astonishing effects of the real thing.
- Another impressive feature of this digital piano is the speaker system which comes with two 20 watts amplifiers and two oval shaped speakers measuring 12cm by 6cm. Hence providing you with a sound system that lives up to your requirements when you’re talking quality.
- The YDP-S52 Digital Piano support full 192-note polyphony. Also, it features 10-high quality sounds including two electric pianos, three piano voices, organ sounds, strings, vibraphone, and harpsichord.
- With this digital piano, you can use the dual mode to combine two voices at the same time hence creating a layered sound. Also, you can use the duo mode to split the keyboard into two halves for practice sessions or teaching sessions.
- Another impressive feature is the ease of connectivity between the piano and all your devices. This keyboard features Digital Piano Controller Application which allows you to connect the piano with to an iPhone or iPad. There are lots of compatible applications with this keyboard which enables you to write, record, and sample the music for any genre you’re working in.
- The YDP-S52 Digital Piano comes fitted with 900 KB of internal memory that enables you to upload up to 10 songs to your computer. Also, it comes packed with two standard stereo phone jacks to output the tone to any favored speaker system.
- The YDP-S52 Digital Piano comes fully fitted with the USB to HOST connectivity.
- A full size, 88-key digital stage piano with weighted action, 3 velocity sensitivity layers and…
- The Stereo RCA output gives you the connection you need to plug in to mixers and amplifiers when the time…
- Experiment with eight different, high quality voices including both grand piano and electric piano tones,…
Weighted Keys vs. not weighted keys
The weighted keys that are found in most all digital pianos are designed to enhance the overall performance and sound generation of the hammer strikes. As the technology that goes into developing the digital piano continues to evolve, the more the weighted keys played a key role. The detailed hammer action is where the digital pianos shine and they produce a sound that has been said that almost reaches the level of the grand piano. That is really high praise for the makers of digital pianos to be able to make their products being placed at or near the same level as the best of the best pianos in the industry.
While the not weighted keys are not typically used in digital pianos, they are still used in another type of musical instruments that use keys such as the accordion, organs, pipe organ (found in many churches) and other beginner type keyboards. These type of applications don’t require the same precise hammer striking to produce the desired sound.
What makes today’s weighted keys more desirable?
While the weighted keys do have an impact on the sound generation, there is another aspect to them that can be equally desirable to the person playing it and that would be touch sensitive. The weighted keys of today’s digital pianos are far more adjustable and customizable. This gives the overall feel of the digital keys a much more pleasing experience.
The digital piano makers have developed more advanced technologies that go into the sound generation and much of it has gone into the key sensitivity. By making it easier for the user to adjust the sensitivity of the keys makes it much more desirable for them to play. Today’s digital piano models have anywhere from 3 to 5 adjustment level for key sensitivity from soft, medium to hard and fixed sensitivity.
Do weighted 88 key digital pianos cost more?
The truth is whether the digital piano has weighted keys or not isn’t the leading driver in the cost of the piano. There are plenty of options when it comes to digital pianos with weighted 88 key designs. As with most anything, there are generally multiple levels of brands and models that will fit into each price range. There are also a number of other factors that control the overall pricing of each product level.
You simply have to evaluate your budget and needs for the digital piano before you are ready to start looking. You should always figure things out before you begin your search and be sure that you take your time.
The Pros of 88 Weighted Keys in a Digital Piano
One of the biggest advantages of having 88 weighted keys in your digital piano is that it provides you with greater range—something that will be especially beneficial for those playing classical music or pieces with large note ranges. Additionally, having 88 weighted keys allows you to play two-handed pieces without having to stretch across the keyboard or break down chords into their component notes. This makes playing complex pieces much easier, as well as adds an additional level of realism when playing digitally sampled acoustic instruments such as organs or grand pianos. Finally, many modern digital pianos are designed to emulate the feel of an acoustic piano with their weighted key actions, so having more keys can help make this emulation even more realistic.
The Cons of 88 Weighted Keys in a Digital Piano
The main disadvantage to having 88 weighted keys in a digital piano is cost; generally speaking, digital pianos with more than 61 weighted keys tend to be much more expensive than their 61-key counterparts. Additionally, if you are only playing shorter pieces (or don’t need all the extra range), then you may not feel like spending extra money for something that won’t get used often. Lastly, depending on the size of your living space or studio, you may not have enough room for an 88-key digital piano; this could mean sacrificing other elements such as sound quality or portability just so it can fit comfortably in your space.
When deciding whether or not an 88-key digital piano is right for you, it’s important to weigh both its advantages and disadvantages carefully. Do you need all that extra range? Do you have room for this type of instrument? How much do you want to spend on one? Answering these questions can help guide your decision and make sure that your next purchase is one that fits both your needs and budget perfectly!
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API