Digital piano

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Draft

A digital piano is a kind of electronic keyboard designed to feel and sound like a traditional piano. In addition, a digital piano can include many features that are found in various other electronic instruments such as:

• a MIDI interface and act as a so-called Midi controller;
• many sounds (including other types of keyboards, strings, guitars, horns, etc.);
• metronome and auto accompaniment with various levels of fingering (chord recognition) support;
• demonstration play-along features, recording, sequencing and play-back.

In this article we particularly will examine some of the features that can are interesting for piano and more general music education.

Features and kinds of digital pianos

This list was put together in september 2011 with the purpose of getting a kind of overview before buying a digital piano. The same models are usually sold over a longer period, i.e. 5 years or more, which is quite a lot when compared to computers. At any time a manufacturer can bring out a whole new series of models and the one you bought yesterday will sell for much less. However, most of todays mid-end and high-end models will last for many more years. Prices were taken from one of the biggest European online stores (including 19.6 % of VAT)

A good digital piano should at least include the following function:

• A few good piano sounds either obtained by carefully sampling a real piano or by modeling a piano sound.
• Connectivity: MIDI, USB, iPAD, CD
• Multi-track squencing in various formats (including MIDI and WAV/MP3)
• Piano-like action, i.e. a weighted keyboard, some kind of grader hammer action and ivory-feel keys.

As of fall 2011, a decent enough digital piano costs about 800 Euros. The cheapest good "arranger" piano (i.e. some built-in orchestra function) costs about 1200 Euros. Most popular makers in alphabetical order are: Casio, Kawai, Korg, Roland and Yamaha.

There exist several kinds of digital pianos, in particular:

Upright e-pianos

These look almost like real pianos but weight less, i.e. about 80kgs. Implement a variety of keyboard sounds. There exist both low-end and high end versions in terms of sound quality, keyboard action and extra features.

Entry models (around 1000 EUR) have decent enough sound and good enough keyboard action for beginners, i.e. no worse than an older cheap accoustic piano. Entry-level models also tend to have fairly poor e-piano and organ sounds and missing connectivity features.

Good quality (Piano sound, e-piano, keyboard action, connectivity) seems to be available around 3000.- EUR. Many of high-end versions also implement "arranger" and and auto-accompaniment features found in "arranger pianos". The difference are a much small LCD screen, less control buttons (which makes it more difficult finding a feature) and less features.

Typical examples:

• Yamaha Arius (YDP) low-end series between EUR 800.- and 1300.-. The popular YDP 161 (EUR 980) features an OK Piano sound, limited other keyboard sounds, a rather difficult interface (using the keyboard), 50 built-in demo songs that can be played.
• Yamaha CLP series represent lower and upper mid-end, e.g. CLP-320 (1300.- EUR), CLP-470 (2700.- EUR) or CLP-480 (4300.- EUR). Most of these models also can be considered to be arranger pianos since they include an auto-accompaniment. However, the LCD screen is very small and they have less control buttons.
• Yamaha F11 / H11 series (good "visual design", between 5000.- and 15000.-)
• Kawai CA, e.g. the CA18 (1600.- EUR), CA63 (3200.- EUR) or CA93
• Kawai CS series
• Roland HP series, e.g. Roland HP307 (EUR 3300)
• Roland RG-1, Roland LX-10, Roland DP series,
• Roland RP-201 (EUR 1400)
• Casio Celviano AP220 (1000.- EUR)

Price range:

• 450 - 10000 Euros

Compact pianos and stage pianos

We probably can distinguish between two kinds: home entertainment "compacts" ans so-called stage pianos for (mostly) professional performers. Some models fall between this and the compact and arranger categories.

Compact e-pianos

Are lighter than upright e-pianos below. Most models are entry-level in terms of sound, keyboard quality and extra features. But there are also high-end models, often also branded/usable as stage pianos.

Typical examples:

• Yamaha YDP series (portable models like the YPG-535, YPG-635
• Yamaha P-95 (540 EUR)
• Casio PX-330 (800 EUR, includes arranger features)
• Casio CDP series, e.g. CDP-100
• Kawai CL series
• Korg SP170, Korg LP350 (1600.- EUR)
• Roland F-110
• Roland FP-4F/7F (stage pianos with rhythms)

Price range:

• 200 - 2000 Euros

Stage pianos

Stage pianos are made for life concert performances. They have the same functions as upright high-end e-pianos but weight much less. They usually do not include accompaniment (rhythms). Compared to "compact" pianos, stage pianos are more solid and therefore heavier. Some don't have speakers, i.e. they need an external amplifier. In addition compared to all other kinds, stage pianos usually feature complex controls for adjustment of sounds. Some models produce the best e-Piano sounds while matching quality of grand piano sounds.

Typical examples:

• Casio PX-3 (cheapest, 700 EUR)
• Yamaha CP series, e.g. CP1 (4400 EUR), CP5 (2260 EUR), CP300
• Clavia Nord series
• Roland FP-7F, Roland RD series (e.g. RD-300NX and RD-700NX), Roland V-Piano
• Korg SP170, SP250, Korg SV-1
• Kawai MP series, e.g. Kawai MP-6 Stage Piano, MP-10

Price range:

• 700 - 5500 Euros

Arranger keyboards

There are several kinds

Upright arranger digital pianos

These types include a built-in orchestra, i.e. add relatively sophisticated auto-accompaniment. They also support multi-track sequencing, editing features and usually feature a nice LCD display. Some models also can connect to the Internet.

Typical examples:

• Yamaha Arius YDP-V240 (EUR 1500.-) is Yamaha's entry model in this category. It has similar features as the Casio AP-620.
• Yamaha CVP series: The CVP 501 (EUR 2300.-) is the entry model and the CVP-505 (EUR 4600.-) is often judged really good in terms of piano sound/action and electronic features. The CVP 509 is often considered to be the best model in its class (between 6800.- and 7600.- EUR according to visual finish). With respect to the 505 it has nicer keys, bettter grand piano
• Kawai CN series, e.g. the nicely priced CN-43 (1600 EUR). Haave a small LCD.
• Kawai CP "concert performer" series (2006), e.g. CP-116 (EUR 3000?) CP-119, CP-136 or CP-179. Not sold in Europe or phased out ? Comparable to the CN series, but larger LCD and more powerful speaker
• Casio AP series: the CASIO AP-620 is considered to be the best price/perfomance model (around 1200 Euros and 1600 for better paint). See also the PX330 compact model which is similar.
• Roland VIMA RK-300 (sold as multimedia entertainment machine since it can produce visual output, e.g. karaoke movies)
• Roland RM-700 (2009) is Roland's high end arranger/entertainer upright piano. It also includes educational applications from the "I" series. It probably compares to a Yamaha CVP-505.
• Roland FP-4F and FP-7F (a stage piano with rhythms)
• Korg PA588 (compact, light weight)
• Roland KR (accompaniment) series, e.g. KR-75, replaced by Vima series ?

Prince range:

• 400 to 10000 Euros

Some grand piano versions exist, e.g. the Yamaha CVP-409. See also upright e-pianos like the Roland HPI and Yamaha CLP series that do have some of the functionalities these "arranger" digitial pianos have. Finally, also see arranger keyboards, of which some are quite close to a digital piano (i.e.g 88 keys and weighed/graded keyboard action)

Educational keyboards

Educational keyboards have the same features digital pianos with arranger plus some educational software and (often) a larger LCD screen. However, keyboard action and technical features are low to mid-end only.

Typical examples:

• Roland HPi series, e.g. HPi-7F (EUR 3500), include DigiScore training programs
• Yamaha DGX-640 (EUR, includes "Yamaha Education Suite"), debatable quality of keyboard action (GHS system)
• See also: Yamaha CVP-509

Price range:

• to 3500 Euros

Compact digital arranger pianos

Same as above, but portable. Probably smaller loudspeakers and not always as good keyboard action.

Typical examples:

• Casio PX-330 (750 EUR or 800 EUR for a stand/pedals bundle, 2009). Probably one of the best price/quality relationship if you need auto-accompaniment. The weakest part seems to be the keyboard, never turn it upside down! Don't expect it to last for many years. With respect to the heavy AP-620, this model has lesser audio and somewhat less good keys.
• Roland VIMA RK-300 (sold as multimedia entertainment machine since it can produce visual output, e.g. karaoke movies)
• Roland FP-4F and FP-7F (a stage piano with rhythms)
• Korg PA588

Arranger keyboards

Most so-called "arranger keyboards" and even high-end models like the Yamaha Tyros line only have 61 "light" keys, i.e. don't have the range and the hammer action of a accoustic piano or digital piano. On the other hand, few digitial pianos seem to have the features of the most recent high-end arranger keyboards. E.g. The Yamaha CVP 509 is based on the Tyros 3 (and not the latest Tyros 4 line). There may be some convergence in the air. Some arranger keyboards have more keys, e.g. 76 and feature so-called semi-weighted action. Some models of the Korg PA series are good examples. Also, some low-end stage pianos do include arranger features (e.g. the Casio PX-330).

Typical examples

• Yamaha PSR series
• Korg PA series
• Yamaha Tyros series
• Roland Prelude
• Casio CTK-700
• Ketron Audya series

Price range:

• 100 to 6000 Euros

Workstations

Workstations are yet another keyboard variant, i.e. offer very good support for managing sound in performances. They may include thousands of sounds, sequencer, synthesizer, drum kits, audio files mangement and playback, etc.

Typical examples:

• Roland GW-8 workstation, Roland Fantom G8

Digital grand pianos

Digital grand pianos can be very sophisticated, i.e. allow to adjust design of sounds and keyboard action. They may or may not include all the features of a good ensemble piano. Except for the sound system (there is a lot of space for speakers) visual aspect I don't see the advantage of building such beasts.

I can't understand why there aren't more high-end compact arranger pinao systems, e.g. a Roland Arranger V-Piano. As of fall 2011, the Yamaha CVP 509 seems to the only upright digital piano with both good sound/keyboard action and good built-in orchestra functionality.

Examples:

• Yamaha CVP 409 (an arranger keyboard, EUR 10'200.-)
• Yamaha CLP-295 (6000.- EUR)
• Yamaha Avant Grand N3
• Yamaha Diskclaviers series (some of these can play alone)
• Roland RG and Roland V-Grand
• Roland KR (accompaniment) series, e.g. KR115
• Kawai CP 209 (arranger keyboard)

Price range:

• 5000 to 20000 Euros

Educational features of digital pianos

Some of these features are not just educational, but can Many mid- and high-end ePianos will implement at least some of these functions.

Twin Piano Mode

Allows to split the keyboard into two equal sections, so that teacher and pupil can play along.

Built-in metronome

Should be adjustable

Spell out chords

Play a chord and see it either as letter code or sheet notation.

Recorder / Sequencer

Multi-track recorder for recording one's own play

MP3/CD player

Be able to play music in the background for playing along

Play along features

• Piano can read a midi file, display the sheet music and/or light keys to hit

MIDI Interface

• Piano can interact via midi cables or a USB key with a PC and interact with composition software.

Digital sheet music

Models with larger screens such as the Yamaha CVP 505 or 509 or the Roland HPi series allow to display sheet music and to interact with the learners actions.

For example, the Roland HPi-7F "digiscore" series is marketed in the following terms: “A large, flat-screen LCD is built into the music rest of each piano, providing “digital sheet music” and a variety of skill-building programs. DigiScore makes learning fun, and can even evaluate your performances and check your finger strength.” (HPi-7F, retrieved 18:54, 5 September 2011 (CEST)).

Software

(to be written)

Links

General introductions

Overviews

• Digital piano (Wikipedia)
• Best Values in Digital Pianos (Non Portable - Home) - A Comparative Review (2009).

Portals

• know-your-keyboard-piano

• Bonedo Portal with good tests ( in German). E.g. Wie Sand am Meer... Home-Pianos im Vergleich by Xaver Fischer, 2010 ?) or

User forums

• Digital pinaos forums at pianoworld.com.

Education

• Piano Education Page, read Getting the Most From The Piano Education Page in order to find contents like:
  • Digital Pianos and Piano Lessons by by John M. Zeigler (updated: 08/29/11 when last checked)
  • Piano and Music Software Reviews

Makers

• Casio (entry portal)
  • Casio musical instruments (Europe), best place for simple real information.
  • Privia line special website (Europe)
  • Celvian line special website (Europe)

• Kawai (entry portal)

• Korg

• Roland
  • Roland Piano Portal
  • Vima Tunes (CDs for the VIMA series)

• Yamaha (Entry portal)
  • Yamaha (Europe)
  • Pianos & Keyboard Instruments

Software

• WebOnlyPiano Midi CDs that play your digitial piano (either through simple midi or moving keys), available in every player-piano format: PianoDisc, QRS Pianomation, Yamaha Disklavier, PianoForce, Baldwin Concertmaster, Suzuki Digitial, Roland moving-key and Live Performance player systems.