The World of Digital Keyboards
by Eric Alli
The world of digital keyboards can often come across as complex and sometimes misleading. With several different varieties to choose from including; Workstations, Synthesizers, Digital Stage Pianos, and the slew of technical jargon that goes along with them, It’s difficult to find the right one for you.
In this buyers guide, we’ll break down each of the aforementioned types and highlight both their advantages and disadvantages to help you to acquire a great digital keyboard to fit your needs / style.
A few questions to ask yourself
What is my budget?
In the world of keyboards, prices can quickly jump from affordable to very expensive, so deciding on an initial budget for your investment will play a major role in the selection you’ll ultimately have to choose from.
What features do I need?
Though you may not be familiar with all of the functions that are possible with a digital keyboard, it’s important to keep in mind some of the features you’d like to have. This could be anything from the basics, like size and weight or something more specific such as, the feel of the keys. Anything you can think of ahead of time will help narrow things down during your research.
Where will I be using it?
If you plan on gigging and playing shows frequently, you may decide to sacrifice more complex features or scale back on the number of keys which, in turn, will accommodate constant transporting and ensure reliability . On the other hand if you have a home studio and size or weight might not be a deciding factor, a full-size keyboard may be a better and more flexible option.
What will I be using it for?
If you’re looking to easily write songs with multiple instruments, a
Workstation could be a great option. However, if you’re attempting to simply learn or play piano, a Workstation or a Synthesizer can be major overkill and may not offer features you would benefit from. Knowing how you plan on using your keyboard is one of the main deciding factors you will have.
Some of the major brands and the varieties that they produce
- Korg (http://korg.com) – Workstations,
Synthesizers, Digital Stage Pianos - Roland (http://www.roland.com) –
Workstations, Synthesizers, Digital Stage Pianos - Yamaha (http://www.yamaha.com) –
Workstations, Synthesizers, Digital Stage Pianos - Kurzweil (http://www.kurzweilmusicsystems.com) – Workstations, Digital Stage Pianos
- Nord (http://www.clavia.se) – Synthesizers, Digital Stage Pianos
- Moog (http://www.moogmusic.com) –
Synthesizers - Kawai (http://www.kawaius.com) – Digital Stage Pianos
- Casio (http://www.casio.com/products/Musical_Instruments/) – Digital Stage Pianos
Before going in-depth on the contrasting differences between the varieties of keyboards, lets take a brief look at some of their similarities.
Action
There are many different types of key action manufacturers develop and you’ll quickly notice nearly every one uses a unique name to describe the type of feel they produce. This certainly adds a level of confusion when researching and trying to decide on one that will suit your playing style or preference. So, lets break down several of the different types.
Ports & I/O
Almost every type of digital keyboard will share, to some extent, the following I/O.
- Stereo Analog Outputs (TRS 1/4” or XLR)
- Midi In / Out / Thru
- Pedal In’s (Damper / Expression)
- Headphone Out
Also keep in mind, there may be a much more extensive I/O setup, depending on the type of keyboard.
Workstations
Most workstations are available in 3 configurations, a 61-key, 76(or sometimes 73)-key, and a full-size 88-key. Deciding on the size of keyboard is completely up to you, however, beware, with a bigger size comes a bigger price tag, and getting those extra keys can cost up to $400 extra.
Also keep in mind, most workstations may require a steep learning curve in order to maximize their full potential.
Synthesizers
Synthesizers are essentially glorified sound generators. They provide various types of basic waveforms which you can mix together and manipulate in limitless ways to create a massive palette of different sounds and creations. Since the keys on a synth are utilized mostly as triggers for the different sounds, most synthesizers don’t offer a very realistic piano feel.
Also like workstations, synthesizers are available in various configurations, from a mini 25-key to a full-size 88-key and several other sizes in between. In addition, nearly every synth will feature a display and a slew of knobs, buttons and sliders. These are used for control different properties and shaping sound waves that can be triggered with their keys.
Digital Stage Pianos
Digital Pianos (aka Stage Pianos) are designed to serve as an alternative to traditional pianos through both playability and sound. Though, most Digital Stage Pianos typically offer a selection of other sounds including strings and electric pianos, their primary focus is achieving the most authentic traditional piano replication as possible.
The configurations for Digital Stage Pianos are usually limited to 76 or the full 88-key configurations. You may also notice stand’s being included with some Stage Pianos, depending on the manufacturer, it may even be designed to have the appearance of a traditional upright piano.
Compared to Workstations and Synthesizers, Stage Pianos have almost no learning curve. They’re main options mostly include settings for adjusting piano-specific properties (such as velocity and ) and a few controls for browsing through presets and effects.
Synth’s also have a fairly steep learning curve, but for most models, their functions happen with physical knobs and controls, making a bit easier to experiment with right from the start.
Final Thoughts
I hope after reading this article you’ll quickly find that there is a keyboard out there that can do almost exactly what you need. Feel free to add your own experiences and info in the comments section below!
Add a Comment