Digital Piano Advice

Here are some questions you need to know answers of all of these

How to choose your piano?

Digital piano or real piano?

Used or New? Should we rent it or buy it?

I will try to answer all these questions!

Choose your piano:

So, you have just enrolled your child for piano lessons. Did you first think that half an hour a week is enough?

You will therefore have to make room and choose your piano to practice between lessons! As we have already seen previously (working on the piano) the most important work will be done at your place.

You will therefore spend a lot of time on your keyboard, so choosing your piano is an important decision!

To choose your piano, there are several possibilities:

• Digital piano or real piano
• Rent or buy
• New or used
• Grand or upright piano
• German or Japanese
• Known brand or Low-Cost
• Etc …

We will see together that it is not that difficult to choose your piano …

Digital piano or real piano:

First, is it really worth investing in a real piano?

Choose your digital piano:

In fact, a digital piano doesn’t have to cost less than a real piano. If you choose an electric piano in particular, it will have to be of good quality!

• The criteria for choosing a digital piano
• 88 keys
• Hammer mechanics
• It must be a piece of furniture and not just a keyboard
• The 3 pedals must be embedded and not flying
• A good piano bench to sit well
• Therefore, do not buy a toy or a synthesizer (arranger): it is another instrument! So the only thing that matters is that the student can learn to play the piano. Buying a used digital piano is not necessarily the best idea … Everything is electronic, we do not know the problems are there!

It takes a minimum of 400 $, below it is difficult to find good quality. For a few euros more you can easily find a used piano.

Advantages of the digital piano

• The price (although you can find second-hand pianos for the same price range)
• The place (Attention! You will need a piece of furniture, so the gain is not huge either …)
• Neighbors! If you have an apartment and don’t want to disturb the neighbors. The digital piano is then the least expensive solution. We will see later that there are other possibilities.

Disadvantages:

• The digital piano does not have the same feel as a real piano. It disturbs the student. Some sellers will tell you the opposite. No! I have tried a lot of digital pianos before and I can tell you that it is not the same.
• The sound is really different and sounds artificial.
• You can often find used pianos at the same or even cheaper.
• Since you have to buy a piece of furniture anyway, then a digital piano doesn’t necessarily take up less space.
• All buttons are completely unnecessary and distract him more than anything else.
• However, the digital piano motivates the student less than a real piano. You can feel the difference. Many students who had lost their motivation regained their taste as soon as they bought a real piano.
• A piano is for life. But an electronic piano … it holds the time of electronics. Think about the next time you’re going to change your phone.
• When the student progresses, he will have to buy a real piano anyway
• If you want to buy a digital piano, avoid second-hand digital pianos. It is not known how they were maintained.

So, digital piano or real piano?

Beginners who buy a digital piano find it difficult to play the course because the feel is different. Often they hit the key but nothing comes out because they don’t pick up the note all the way. On a digital piano you don’t need to lift the key all the way.

I have also noticed that students progress faster when they have a real piano.

Be careful not to buy a toy! But a musical instrument.

If you have no choice and want to buy a digital piano,

Rent or buy:

I understand that choosing your piano is intimidating, but renting is the worst possible solution!

I have students who have spent 5 years with a rental piano! Do the math: $ 50 per month * 12 = $ 600 per year * 5 = $ 3,000! For that price you could already have bought a beautiful new piano!
Some stores offer credits with a trade-in option. If you stop the piano, the store will take it back, otherwise the piano will belong to you at the end of the loan.
If you don’t want to spend big bucks, you can head to a used piano.

Here is the digital piano you might be interested in

New or Used piano:

If the budget allows it and you want to indulge yourself, you might as well buy a new piano directly! It’s like a car, a new is better.

Keep in mind that there are also great opportunities that can be found for much less.

I would still like to draw attention to piano vendors! Obviously you can run into someone good … But, with my experience, they are salespeople so you shouldn’t buy into all their words. Their main goal will be to sell you their most expensive piano!
I advise you to come up with a fixed price idea! You can listen to what he has to say to you, but don’t get sucked into it. A 6 year old student doesn’t always need a $ 10,000 Jump! So come armed and educated. Know what you want, compare and come up with a price order before you walk into a store.

The “Silent” system:

The Silent system allows you to mute the piano without disturbing the neighbors. You will need a new piano where the system is already installed from the factory. Do not add a system, despite what the seller will tell you. In general these systems are installed on rather high-end piano. You can find pianos for 3000 $, but on average my students pay 5000 $ minimum.

Grand piano:

If you have the space and the budget, buy a grand piano! It looks better, it sounds better, but it’s not essential either. Be careful not to buy an old saucepan that is 150 years old, the piano must be 20 to 30 years old at most. Not an old piece of furniture with candles (at least not for learning to play). You have to count at the very least 10,000 $. Looking for the economical option here is the option

German or Japanese piano:

German pianos are excellent for playing in concert. Japanese pianos are cheaper and I recommend them to work. They sound more mechanical so it will be easier to adapt in concert.
Who can do the least can do the most!

The great concert performers will probably tell you the opposite

Piano brand or sub-brand:

Branded pianos are better. The sub-brands are sold as a low-cost brand built in the old Yamaha or Kawai factory. The only difference is the materials, but if you’re under budget a sub-brand will do just fine too. You just have little parts to fix every now and then, and more maintenance to do.

Interviews:

Obviously a point to take into account is the maintenance of the piano. A digital piano is virtually maintenance free. A new piano will require less maintenance than an old piano. A brand will be of better quality than a sub-brand but more expensive.

How to choose your used Piano:

First you can go to the store, sometimes they have great deals for too much money. The advantage is that the transport is already taken into account. Also often the first chord! Which saves us around 200 to 300 $.

Secondly on second hand sites! Sometimes there are even pianos to give away, but you have to be careful! People want to get rid of their piano because their kids are gone and they need space. Or else no one has played it for years.

The piano must look new. If he has candle holders, that’s no good! Also pay attention to the soundboard, if it is cracked the piano is dead.

So the easiest way would be to look at a piano that you like. Then ask a professional what they think. If you know of movers they will be able to move it to you. So we can get away with a little overhaul for around $ 500-600. Under this budget you can buy it

In summary:

If you have money, then buy a grand piano or a new piano in the store! But come armed knowing what you want.
Rather than renting, I recommend credit with the option to buy! Never rent, you will regret it.
Don’t hesitate to look for used pianos, you can really find some good deals.

The objective of this article is to help all those who want to undertake the adventure of buying a musical keyboard, either to learn or to improve the one they already have, it is always difficult to make this decision given the large number of options that exist in the market .

The first thing we should do is segment all the possibilities and characteristics in order to direct our gaze towards a smaller group of products and facilitate the purchase decision … as that takes time and requires knowledge, we are going to do it for you. It goes without saying that this categorization is very subjective and everyone can make their own, for our part we start from the base of our experience on the needs of buyers.

REGARDING THE NUMBER OF OCTAVES, TOUCH OF THE KEYS AND THE DESIGN

We have keyboards on the market that range from 25 keys, 49, 61, 76 and 88 … (it is commonly named by the number of octaves as 2, 4, 5, 6 or 8 octaves) although this describes them imprecisely (88 keys are not 8 octaves). Octaves are groups of 12 notes. Normally knowing the number of keys we want to have does not solve the doubt of which keyboard to buy but it helps a lot.

Apart from the number of keys that the keyboard has, these can also be normal or mini-keys, although this is a smaller segment.

25 KEYS KEYBOARDS:

They are the smallest keyboards, allow you to play practically with one hand and are useful for the stage where we only need a little support or triggering sequences or samples using keys. They are easy to transport and inexpensive due to their fewer number of keys, although not as much as one might think compared to those with 49 or 61 keys, since the control part is usually common to the various models of a range or brand and the keys they are the cheapest component.

This type of short keyboard is often widely used in MIDI controller keyboards (lacking internal sounds) or in authentic analog synthesizers or their digital simulations, since these types of analog sounds are commonly applied to creating bass lines and playing them with only the left hand while using the right for another keyboard is common practice.

49 OR 61 KEYS KEYBOARDS:

They allow you to play with both hands and the difference of one more octave in 61 is definitely something that anyone who knows how to play the piano will appreciate, as it will allow them to make longer phrases. The extra keys can also be used as control keys or articulation adjustment keys, which is useful when triggering certain sounds loaded in software samplers like Kontakt from the keyboard.

While 49-key keyboards are almost always soft keys, in the 61-key range we find brands that offer double or triple choice, soft keys (softkey), semi-weighted (semi weighted), or weighed in the acoustic piano style. (fully weighted).

Because they are keyboards that allow a comfortable interpretation (soft key for little-trained hands) of all kinds of sounds and complete (two-handed), they are the best-selling keyboards and also those that usually come integrated with synthesizers of all kinds. Soft key and 4 or 5 octaves is what we usually find in all kinds of backing keyboards with rhythms, whether they have these speakers or not, and also in a large number of MIDI controller keyboards.

76 AND 88 KEYS Digital Piano:

They are definitely a professional option, given that it is rare for a beginner to buy a keyboard with these characteristics unless the beginning of regulated piano studies is considered very seriously, for which one of these keyboards is undoubtedly necessary; not only because of the number of octaves available, corresponding to those of a classical acoustic piano, which will allow you to practice and perform works of classical or blues-jazz music with it, but also because they are usually weighted touch keyboards, also called «fully weighted »In English or hammer action« hammer action ».
This means that the keys will have a lot of weight and simulate the bouncing of the hammers of the pianos against the taut strings which produces a characteristic bouncing effect without which classical musicians cannot interpret well. Their greater weight and size make them options to place in the studio or for live professionals who carry them well protected within good flight cases.

The 88 keys are usually the format used in furniture digital pianos, since these are intended for the study of classical piano, although it is also used in many MIDI controller keyboards since the piano establishes a long-term relationship with the pianist as they get used to it. completely to your touch, so it is usual not to pay much attention to the sound (synthesizer) part of the keyboard since it is preferred that this be external to be able to change it over time, acquiring different external sound modules while keep the same keyboard for many years, if not for life.

ADDITIONAL CONTROL ELEMENTS:

Very commonly keyboards, especially those that belong to the group of MIDI controllers, therefore lacking internal sounds and audio outputs, have a large number of extra control elements on their front panel (Pad keys, faders, encoders, controls transport and even display screens) with which it is intended to facilitate the musician the arduous task of controlling the large number of synthesis parameters present in current virtual instruments, as well as the transport control of the most common DAWs in software or to facilitate the Track mixing tasks with these programs.

TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING THE DIGITAL PIANO OR KEYBOARD:

Choose a 25-key keyboard to play little bass lines or sequence some chords and if you do a lot of little direct ones. Choose to be compatible for the control of some reference software, like this Reloop Keyfdr of 25 mini-keys for Ableton Live, which ensures functionality and integrated workflow immediately. Sei also includes some LE version of the software, well bingo.

Choose a keyboard with 49 or 61 keys if you make modern music and generally play synthetic sounds (typical of the keyboard or virtual) and not so much if you use classical pianos and make compositions of soundtracks with a large number of orchestrations, in this case you will lack keys and you will prefer the 88.

The fact that they are compatible with software for iOS, like this SAMSON Graphite 49 and that we can use our iPad with the keyboard can be an interesting differentiator.

Choose a keyboard with 76 or 88 keys if you are going to study classical piano or are a professional pianist and are looking for a team that will accompany you for a long time live or in the studio.

Read Full review Casio CDP 88 Key Digital Piano

Do not be impressed by a huge number of extra controls on the front panel, since although they can be useful since the designers have put them there for that, the current trend is that certain virtual instruments or DAW’s incorporate their own additional control surfaces and specifically designed for them (with a very competitive price) like MASCHINE, for example. Using all of these controls depends on creating a personal workflow that typically takes a long time to develop and rarely has any specific functionality when opening the product box.

Focus on the keys and their quality and feel to make a lasting investment.

Apart from the number of keys and their touch, keyboards can have some characteristics to take into account such as velocity sensitive keys and the aftertouch in them.

Regarding the pulsation sensitivity that will make the sounds sound louder or looser reflecting the force exerted (or rather speed) when playing on them, years ago it might be a factor to take into account but today what it would be. news is that a keyboard did not have it. Only the mini-keyboard models can make us doubt in that sense so we should ask.

As for the after touch effect, we will say that it is the ability of a keyboard to send constant MIDI data depending on the force we make on the keys once they have been pressed and that they are applied to affect different aspects of the sound that is sounding. The vast majority of current keyboards have this capacity at least in its monophonic version (the same sensor for all keys). The polyphonic after touch (involving different sensors for each key) is reserved for the more expensive keyboards.

REGARDING ITS SOUND CHARACTERISTICS:

The keyboards are for playing music, so the built-in sounds seem like something to consider when deciding on one. Let’s see the aspects to consider in this regard.

MIDI CONTROL KEYBOARDS:

They do not have hardware sounds (that is to say on the keyboard itself), their essential task is to trigger the external sounds of synthesizer modules or those present in the computer in the form of virtual instruments. Their production technology is generally low and therefore we will find dozens of competitors offering us “clone” options in all possible price ranges and sizes.

When choosing one of these, concentrate on the keys and their quality, the absence of gaps or mechanical noises when playing since they are very annoying and if the keyboard provides us with extra functionalities when it comes to integrating with some reference software in the market, such as Cubase, Reason, Ableton Live, Complete or Machine. In many cases some of these applications in a reduced version are included, which represents a great added value that is often neglected.

The long-term availability of drivers will force us to trust reference manufacturers with many years in the market. It is preferable to avoid very unknown brands.

It is common that some keyboards do not have a power supply and are “USB bus powered” which can be an advantage in the live stage but it can overload the buses of our computer and if you ever want to use it outside of it, you will not be able to.

That the keyboard has standard MIDI output may seem silly these days when everything has USB, but it guarantees compatibility with any external equipment and allows keyboards bought 15 or 20 years ago to work without the need for drivers in all current operating systems and They can be used in many different situations and in the absence of a computer.

Read Complete Yamaha P85 Digital Piano Review

Parameter Mapping:

One of the most tedious things any musician can do is have to map the existing controls on the front panel of a keyboard to the virtual instruments that they open at any given time.

As we do not have internal sounds, the fact that the manufacturer includes us a good set of quality virtual sounds is decisive in the final value for money obtained when buying our keyboard.

Some brands have tried with more or less success to find communication standards that allow this assignment (mapping) of parameters automatically, although it can be modified by the user and in such a way that we do it only once and forget it forever.

One of the brands that has achieved this with great success is Native Instuments, which thanks to the development of the COMPLETE CONTROL S-Series keyboards and the NKS technology for programming virtual instruments, allows an automatic assignment of each parameter to the 8 controls that we have on the front panel of the 4 keyboards in the range. Countless software manufacturers have already joined this standard and it seems that this is going to be the definitive solution to the headaches of computer musicians for decades. You can read more information about this format here.

In addition, these keyboards incorporate advanced search technology for presets, by labels, among all the VST instruments that we have loaded on our computer and many other interesting technologies, such as the RGB light guide lights above each key, smart scales, single-key chords , arpeggiator, etc.

You can see below a complete video tutorial on how the COMPLETE CONTROL sound choice works and other functionalities of what a smart keyboard should be today.

ACCOMPANYING KEYBOARDS AND RHYTHMS:

They represent a product segment in themselves as they are aimed at a very specific type of audience. Typically 49 to 61 soft keys and with or without built-in speakers, these keyboards represent the gateway to music for thousands of people in the same way that the Spanish guitar or recorder is for others, they certainly are (or should be) an inexpensive and low-difficulty way to enter the world of the keyboard.

Their main argument is that they are “plug and play” equipment, that is, extremely easy to use and offer a wide range of popular dance sounds and rhythms (in some cases user-modifiable or expandable by purchasing external cards. ). They are multi timbral (that is, we can create complete songs that include different instruments or “timbres”). They have simple sequencers to record our sequences and evolutions. They are located in an amateur and learning segment (although there are some very professional models and brands) and it is difficult for you to see pop or rock bands whose members use this type of keyboard.

TIPS: Other features to be evaluated will be that they have headphone and line outputs, microphone inputs for singing or auxiliary for playbacks, expression and volume pedals inputs, modulation and pitch wheels, MIDI OUT for use of external modules, MIDI IN for use of external sequencers with the internal sounds, USB as MIDI Interface or also for loading more user sounds or the possibility of expansion through memories or SD cards of the most common.

To compete with computers, many DAWs have incorporated large control screens or have developed integration systems with them.

DIGITAL PIANOS:

This category encompasses different user niches and despite having many of its features and sounds in common, it is subdivided into two very well differentiated groups, those for the study of piano technique with a design focused on the home or school and those for the live performance. .

Those destined to study at home or at school, these tend to be «furniture», eliminating the need for unsightly supports and legs and integrating the pedal board into the furniture itself. The materials used for its design take into account the factor «decoration »Choosing fashionable colors, such as beech, cherry, lacquered or aluminum or metal finishes, which are well integrated into the furniture and decoration of the houses. At benchmark brands such as Casio, the “decoration” factor never leaves the search for outstanding sound quality and performance aside.

As for the sounds, digital pianos usually have a small set of them but of enormous quality. Varied sounds of classic acoustic pianos, electric pianos, vintage “rhodes” or “hammond” type organs, and more. These sounds will be multi-sampled with as much detail as possible such as internal mechanical resonances, harmonic simulations, etc, etc.

Of recent appearance are the Casio Grand Hybrid digital pianos, which represent a great advance since they involve the integration of the mechanical parts of an acoustic piano thanks to the century-old technology of the German firm Bechstein with the electronic and sound generation part of the Japanese Casio. that have led the industry for decades. Detailed information about these new keyboards can be found by clicking here.

As for digital pianos for live performances, we will also generally find products of enormous quality as they are intended for specialized users with great experience who play in bands where all the other components also have the best. Aspects such as sound should be left out of all doubt and the quality of its reproduction should not present any problem in professional environments. Details like separate balanced stereo outputs with 1/4 or XLR jacks or even multi-format are common, group outputs to direct different sounds to them are also highly appreciated as well as digital outputs, etc.

The sound set of a good digital piano usually contains a good handful of presets of all kinds, from acoustic, electric and organ pianos to pad and string sounds, as well as possibilities (on the more sophisticated models) for loading sampler samples that allow us to attack the most “modern” musical styles or with synthesis sounds. The ability to easily layer and split the keyboard with the different sounds is a must. In general these pianos will not seek so much to have thousands of presets but perhaps a few dozen or a hundred, but of the highest quality. The touch and quality of the keys must be in line with the market to which they are directed.

TIPS: In these keyboards, due to the demanding conditions of use that they usually experience, the after-sales service that the different manufacturers can give is very important. A reasonable repair time or the existence of spare parts for many years are points to take into account when choosing. Save a few euros or it makes sense if you later have to rent a keyboard for your performances.

Before buying, spend enough time to test the keyboard you like well, ask that they turn it on and connect it to a sufficiently powerful equipment, such as what is usually used as a stage monitor, touch and feel each key, its weight and Play it slowly and then harder to assess its dynamics, turn the volume all the way up without touching anything and make sure there are no background noises like blowing.

Buy a good cover or flight case for the keyboard, well padded or with cushioning foam, with lock for the keys and no gaps that allow vibrations or shocks when transported.

In this article we talk about what you need to know to record a voice in your home studio, but that’s not all!

Hello everyone! Today I want to offer you a short guide on how to record a voice at home. I state that the microphone, the sound card and the pre amplifier are essential to obtain good recordings. Usually, however, in a home studio, the pre will coincide with that of the sound card we have available. The reason, as you will understand, is the economic one. A good preamp has prices that not everyone can afford.

But if all this does not interest you, because you simply have to record a “battle” voice, you can use the sound card and microphone integrated into the computer, clearly the result will not be professional, but depending on your needs, it could be fine anyway. If you don’t have pro tools or other professional daw and you need a “battle” program to simply record a voice, a business conversation or other, there are various free solutions. Among these I point out: Audacity, Quick Time player (although not everyone knows it, this software for mac has a function to record the voice), OBS Studio. If you are using a mac, the input volumes can be adjusted from “System Preferences -> Sound”. But back to how to record a voice professionally at home.

Professional voice recordings: the choice of instrumentation:

As I mentioned earlier, the sound card, pre amplifier and microphone are important to get good results. There are many sound cards with good preamps by now: focus rite, native instrument, pres onus or motu, just to name a few, are good solutions. If you have a little more economic possibilities, in my opinion universal audio is a really good choice!

As a microphone, I recommend using a condenser one, as it is more suitable for this type of recording. Also in this case there are many types of microphones on the market. Good brands, not too expensive, can be akg, whether electronics, sontronics or rode, just to name a few. However, I advise you to ask for opinions around or, if you have the possibility, to try them directly in the store. To learn more, I suggest you read my article dedicated to the difference between condenser microphone and dynamic microphone. But now let’s see how to proceed with the registration.

How to record a voice at home: Practice:

First of all, we find a position in the room where there is not too much reverberation, usually close to a wall (avoid corners), better if there is also a curtain. It would also be important to have the anti-pop filter and a panel to dampen the resonances, to be positioned behind the microphone. In this regard, you can find many on the market, even on amazon (below you will find a series of products that I have selected and that I consider valid). As for the polarity of the microphone, it is generally used “cardioid” and, if present, I suggest you also activate the high pass filter.

At this point we connect the microphone to the mic-in of the sound card (we check that the sound card is set to mic and not on line, in order to accept our microphone signal) or connect the usb microphone to the computer.

Casio CDP 130 You might be interested in

If you use a condenser microphone it will be necessary to power it with the phantom, the 48 volt power supply (it is always indicated with 48V). To do this, just push the 48V button, always present in the preamps.

At this point, let’s go to our daw, create a new track and arm it, so that it is possible to receive the input signal and evaluate its volumes.

The next step will be to adjust the input volumes through the pre amplifier gain. I recommend that you adjust the volume on the higher parts of the song, so as not to saturate the signal while recording. When you need to sing the lower parts, you can move closer to the microphone so as not to record too low. If the recording is a “voice over” or a simple voice recording, test the volume that you will also use in recording, otherwise you will end up with a different signal from the one tested. At this point you are ready to record the vocal track.

If you want, you can create a send to add some effect to the voice. If you use protools (but the principle is the same for every daw) you can proceed as follows: create a stereo aux track and insert your reverb, then assign an input bus to it. Now send some of the signal from the vocal track to the aux track via send.

Do you have a musical keyboard (eg Roland, Yamaha, Casio, etc …) that you want to use by connecting it to your PC and doing various operations? Or are you a karaoke lover and want to connect the keyboard to your PC to use its sounds in the performance of your midi files?

In this article we see how to connect midi keyboard to PC. What you need are essentially two things:

1. MIDI-USB connector to connect keyboard to computer
2. Software that allows PC and Midi keyboard to communicate

Guide: How to Connect Midi Keyboard to PC:

First make sure that your musical keyboard has MIDI input and output. Once you’ve verified this, you’ll need to get a MIDI-USB cable like the one pictured below:

If you don’t have it, you can also buy it online from Amazon from this link.

Once you have obtained this cable proceed to connect the keyboard to the PC (the USB connector goes into the USB port of your PC). If the connection is made correctly, a green light on the cable should illuminate (if available).

Evergreen Keyboard You might be interested in

Now on your PC download and install a program that allows you to communicate with the keyboard. For example, you can download and install KANTO KARAOKE a program that allows you to play midi, kar, mp3, video karaoke, etc. files to make karaoke on your PC. By connecting your PC to the keyboard you can take advantage of the sounds of the keyboard itself.

Once Kanto Karaoke is installed and started on your PC you will see this main window:

To make the program communicate with the keyboard and make the sounds come out of the keyboard, click on the EDIT menu at the top

Select the MIDI OUT box and then, from the drop-down menu select the name of your keyboard connected to the PC.

Now play any music file via Kanto Karaoke (midi, kar, mp3, cdg, etc…) and check that the sound comes out from the keyboard.

If by chance it Does not work, There is this other Solution:

1. Download and install Cool Soft Virtual Midi Synth (http://coolsoft.altervista.org/download/CoolSoft_VirtualMIDISynth_1.13.2.exe) and in the configuration go to the “Midi Mapper” tab and from the drop-down menu relating to the “Default Midi Device” select the keyboard sound card
2. Then open Kanto Karaoke and choose the “Microsoft Midi Mapper“ as the Midi Out device.
3. Close and reopen Kanto Karaoke and try playing a music file. This way the sounds will pass through virtual midi synth on the keyboard.

There is more than one way to acquire the sound of a piano with the computer, so let’s see what the alternatives are and how to proceed.

At one time, even non-professionals had only one way to record their music: by going to a recording studio. Things have changed and fortunately today a computer is enough to connect a digital piano and good music software. And, if until a few years ago, the procedure was more complicated, today it’s all plug and play, so just plug in the instrument and you’re ready to record.

The Cables:

How is the connection between the computer and the musical instrument? Of course via cable. Which? Of course, the USB one. Today everything connects in this way … too bad you have a cheap digital piano without a USB interface, notice! So what do you do? Do you give up on the idea of ​​recording your piece? Absolutely not because there is an alternative. What you need is a cable with two 3.5 jacks. If the piano’s headphone output requires a larger jack, then you also need an adapter but don’t worry because they cost practically nothing, as well as the cable.

So how do you proceed? Insert one end of the cable into the piano’s headphone input while the other end is connected to the microphone input of your computer. Do not be afraid if you do not hear the audio from the integrated speakers of your piano, nothing is broken, the audio simply bypasses the speakers precisely because the jack is inserted in the headphone output so you must listen to the music that you play from the computer speakers .

Earlier we mentioned the USB interface. We definitely prefer it compared to the first solution, so if your digital piano is equipped with the aforementioned interface, it is preferable to use it also because the audio quality of the recording is better. The connection is very simple, just use one of the free USB ports on your computer.

There is another type of cable you can use but in this case you also need a sound card with a MIDI interface. The cable in question, you will have understood from the type of sound card you need, is precisely the MIDI one. Look for the MIDI OUT output on your digital piano and insert the cable while the other end is connected to the MIDI IN port of the sound card which of course in turn is connected to the computer.

Music Software:

Music software have great potential and allow a single user to compose an entire song using different instruments, clearly it is not the software that gives you the necessary technical skills and even less the talent but this is not the point. However, if you make a mistake you can always intervene later to make corrections.

Let’s see some of these programs. We would like to start with Garage Band which owners of Mac computers as well as iPads and iPhones find already installed on their device, so there is no need to buy a license. This shouldn’t suggest that the program is bad, quite the opposite. We can think of it as a recording studio enclosed in your computer.

For Windows, Audacity is widely used. Graphically it may not be very attractive but it is quite simple to use and, not to be underestimated, it is free. Maybe you start practicing with Audacity and later, if you want, you can move on to something more complete. Check this Keyboard , It is in budget.

Very popular is Cubase which in the 90s depopulated and which, over time, has been enriched more and more with new functions that have made it a favorite of professionals. Logic Pro is another program that should be of interest to Mac owners with the difference that, compared to Garage Band, it must be bought (however we are talking about a competitive price).

If you are interested in electronic music, EDM, Ableton Live is the program for you. The software offers many effects and virtual instruments. But we reiterate, only consider Ableton if you like dance music and not very demanding. Reason puts a virtual recording studio at your complete disposal and is a faithful friend of many famous artists.

Many piano teachers use acoustic pianos for lessons. However, they are very expensive. As digital pianos are an affordable alternative, many piano schools use them to teach beginners. Before, using digital pianos for lessons was out of question. That’s because their sound and feel wasn’t comparable to acoustic pianos. But over the past few years, that has completely changed.

The digital pianos today feature excellent sound quality. The feel of the keys is very similar. No wonder they’re becoming more popular. And best of all, they require no tuning. So no more hefty bills. As a result of their affordability, many schools are purchasing digital pianos to teach aspiring pianists.

Also, independent teachers are beginning to use them to teach their students. What’s also great is the headphone outputs that come with pretty much every digital piano. Another great features for learners include metronome, and duet mode – in which two people can play simultaneously. This makes the learning experience better for both the instructor and the student.

While the 88-keys piano are standard, some teachers even use 76-key models. However, it’s better to stick to 88-keys. If you’ll be providing your instrument for the lessons, it’s a good idea to invest in a digital piano for the new learner in your home. This saves you a lot of money as you get excellent features for a reasonable price. The ideal price range for entry and mid-level models is $500-$1,000.

However when the student becomes more advanced, it’s better to switch to an acoustic piano. That doesn’t mean that digital pianos can’t be used by professionals. Many high-end models by Yamaha and Roland cater to advanced pianists. With technology continuously advancing, there will be time when it will be difficult to tell the difference between digital and acoustic pianos.

Piano lessons online:

Watch the video and find out how online piano lessons work
Online piano lessons are ideal if you have difficulty scheduling regular lessons in a music school, cannot reach a teacher in person or have little time to devote to music.

With online piano lessons, you can teach whenever you want, at home, even in the evening. All you need is a computer, a webcam, an internet connection, and the desire to learn to play! Piano lessons on Skype are comfortable and affordable for everyone.

Do you play the piano and are not satisfied with your progress?
Do you always play the same songs and can’t make progress?
Would you like to learn more difficult pieces, but don’t know how to deal with them?

There are no miraculous tricks or methods to learn music, it takes time, effort and guidance from an experienced teacher. Sometimes, however, it is not easy to find a teacher close to home, often music schools have limited hours or impose a fixed schedule, which not everyone can respect. In this case, online piano lessons can represent a practical solution, which allows you to optimize times by teaching when you can, without a fixed weekly commitment. Also, if you take piano lessons on Skype you don’t waste time physically going to the music school for your piano lesson, you meet the music teacher at your home, at the times most convenient for you.

Organize Work… to Improve:

If you play alone, you have most likely gone around in circles, always playing the same things without improving. If you want to make progress the most important thing is to organize your work and know how to practice to push your limits and play better and better. So my first goal is to establish a personalized study program with you, and then help you put it into practice. Instead of playing random songs, or jumping from one YouTube video to another trying to learn, I will provide you with the right songs for you. Growing up will be easier and you’ll stop wasting your precious time on the piano and music.

How online piano lessons work:

The first meeting:

First we’ll have a chat on the phone, I’ll ask you to tell me who you are, how long you’ve been playing and what your interests are. We will thus be able to decide together a personalized study plan, based on your goals and the time you can dedicate to music. We will then make an appointment for the first online lesson.

The first lesson:

In the first online piano lesson I will ask you to play what you already know how to do. Thanks to the chat before the lesson, I will already have concrete study proposals for you: exercise books, passages to study. In this way, at the end of the first piano lesson on Skype you will already know what you need to do to improve, you will start practicing the piano with much clearer ideas.

The study materials:

After over 25 years of teaching, my digital archive of books and scores is boundless. A lot of the materials are original, written by me for my students. In addition to providing you with the right study materials for you, I will always be available to prepare exercises, recorded examples (audio and video), didactic cards to help you overcome difficulties. I will take care of the study materials, you will not have to buy other books and waste more time: you start playing and improving immediately.

Do you need help?

Between one piano lesson and another, at any time you can write me an email or on Whats App if you encounter any particular difficulties or need advice and help. I will be happy to lend you a hand and help you get back to work, without wasting time. I always like when a student of mine writes to me because he has some difficulties: it means that he is practicing the piano and that he is trying to make progress.

Whether it’s an advanced student or an amateur, the pleasure of talking about music is always the same for me. Each person is different and must make his own path, I try to adapt and be of help.

My mission is not to convey notions, but to convey passion. I’m lucky because I have a job I love, and I never get tired of talking about music. Online piano lessons are a way to make new friends, meet and help students in many different places.

If you need piano lessons on Skype, count on my help. Write to me and tell me what I can do for you. I look forward to hearing from you!

Compared to acoustic (traditional) pianos, digital pianos come in more variety and choices. You can get a smaller, portable stage model, or go with the upright ones that look similar to a acoustic piano. As you probably know, digital pianos are designed as an alternative to acoustic one, which is why they look similar to each other.

What about the sound? In digital pianos, sounds are produced electronically. Basically, the sound is produced by making use of the sound sample. The acoustic ones on the other hand produce sound from the striking of hammers against the strings. The better and more expensive the instrument, the better quality samples it uses to produce sounds.

Speaking of sounds, digital pianos comes with several sound types, including those of other musical instruments. For example, there might be an option to produce the sound of a pipe organ, which can be played using the keys. Generally, the more expensive the model, the more sound types you will get. You can even compose a symphony using the basic features. How easy and cool is that!

As they are “digital”, these instruments come with the benefit of newer, improved technology. Many models come with MIDI capabilities. With this very feature, you can connect your instrument to a computer and use it as a recording studio. You can easily compose and record music, and even load MIDI files from CDs and into your instrument’s hard drive. If you are looking for built-in recording and better playback features, you may need to pay more.

The technology in digital pianos is not limited to itself or the computer. The latest models allow you to connect the instrument to the internet, and often include built-in expansion slots. Such features let you download compositions from the internet onto the instrument’s built-in hard drive , thus preventing it from becoming outdated.

And of course, there is the benefit of having headphone output(s) – something that all currently available models are fitted with. That means you can play anytime with disturbing others. It also helps you, the player, from getting distracted from others. Some models have more than one headphone output, meaning you can practice with a partner or your teacher.

Digital Piano Reviews – Conclusion

Digital Pianos combine the elegance of a traditional acoustic piano with more portability, flexibility, and affordability. We are guessing you now have enough reasons to choose this type of instrument instead of an more traditional acoustic model. Fortunately, there has never been a better time to buy a digital piano or keyboard, especially with the superior technology it comes with. They are getting more affordable and better by the day.

Digital Piano Reviews thanks you for reading the article.

But wait, we’re still not done with the keys, yet. We need to see how the touch sensitivity or response is. This only applies if your piano has a touch response feature. If it doesn’t, you can skip this step. Anyways, touch response is basically the volume depending on how hard or soft the keys are hit. When this feature is on, the volume will be higher if you hit the keys hard. And lower if the keys are hit lightly. The volume will be steady if the response feature is turned off.

It’s better to have touch response since your digital piano will feel more like an acoustic one. Once again, play each key several times with hard and light hits. If few keys have lost their sensitivity, it may be fine. If more keys have, than decide if you’re fine with it.

Next, we move on to the pedals. Before test them, make sure that you’re at least getting the pedals. If not, you can get some good ones online. Digital Piano Review recommends you buy pedals from Amazon for $20-$40. So as long as the pedals are in working condition, that’s good.

The usual three pedals are: sustain or damper, soft, and sostenuto. Some models may only come with the damper pedal. This is fine, too. Hold the pedal or pedals and play each note. Don’t play the next note before releasing, and re-pressing the pedal. This may seem like a lot, but it’ll save you from being unsatisfied.

Now, test the speakers, and the volume. Start by listening to sounds when volume is fully turned down. You won’t here any music, but you may here clanks, squeaks or any other odd noises. This may be because a mechanical problem. If it’s not too significant, that’s fine.

Then, listen to how loud the volume goes up to. That sound that comes out of the speakers should be clear. If you hear any crackles at any volume, you decide if you’re fine with it or not. If there is a headphone output, you can try the sound with headphones for your own satisfaction.

Now, remember we first scanned to look for any damages. This time, we will fully inspect the instrument. Don’t just ask the owner and believe him/her. The person could lie just to sell you the used product. To check if something was ever spilled, press down each key and look for stains. Even if there are stains, and sound’s still fine, there could be potential problems in the futures. Also look around for anything unusual.

Digital Piano Reviews – Conclusion

If you follow these tips before buying a used digital piano, you’ll save yourself from trouble. When people want to get rid of things, they lie. So, inspection may take some time, but in the long run, you will be satisfied with your decision. We hope this article, as well as part 1 of it, helps if buying used. Thank you for taking your time to read this article by Digital Piano Review.

In the market today, different types and brands of pianos are being sold. Pianos vary by type. Some pianos are designed and well-suited for beginners, while some are designed to be played by professional pianists. If you are looking for a piano, the best way to start is by researching the different types and brands of pianos available that will suit your preference, specific needs and budget.

Major brands offer different styles to suit customers’ needs. The best piano brands are often based on past experiences consumers have with a specific brand. Most often, these concern the overall sound quality and performance of a piano brand, the design and also the ease in using it.

Here’s a list of some of the most recognizable brand names available today:

Steinway & Sons

An American and German piano company founded in 1853 and known as a prominent company that’s popular for making high-quality pianos and also for developing innovations in the area of piano advancement. With Steinway granted with 126 patents in piano making, the company has a dominant position in the high-end piano market.

Steinway also markets two budget brands: Boston for the mid-level market and Essex for the entry-level market. Both of which are made of lower-cost components and labor. The Boston brand is manufactured by the Kawai piano factory in Japan, while the Essex brand is manufactured by the Pearl River piano factory in China.

Baldwin

An American Best Digital piano brand that traces its origins back to 1857, Baldwin is one of the most famous and celebrated of all American piano manufacturers. Baldwin enjoyed great success during the 20th century, but slowly declined because of war and recession until it was sold in the 1990s and relocated to Arkansas and Missouri.

Today Baldwin is owned by the famous Gibson Guitar company. Several lines of pianos under the House of Baldwin label include: Acrosonic, Ellington, Hamilton, Howard, Valley Gem, Monarch, St. Regis, Modello and Manualo.

Bösendorfer

An Austrian piano manufacturer established in 1828. In addition to the standard 88-key keyboards, it also produces 97 and 92-key models. The Bösendorfer sound is described as darker or richer than the purer and full-bodied sound of other piano brands.

Two distinctive features of this brand are the removable capo d’astro bar in the treble and its single-stringing.

Fazioli

Started by Paolo Fazioli in the 1970s, they are known as a high-end maker of handcrafted piano based in Italy which produces approximately 100 pianos a year.

Fazioli currently offers six models of grand pianos, including the Fazioli F308, considered to be the largest at 3.08m in length and the longest piano available in the general market. Its distinctive feature is the inclusion of a fourth pedal on the F308 model. This pedal brings the hammers closer to the strings, thus decreasing the volume while maintaining a normal tone. 

Blüthner

Established in 1853 by Julius Blüthner in Leipzig, Saxony, it is considered as one of the ‘Big Four’ piano manufacturers along with C. Bechstein, Bösendorfer, and Steinway & Sons.

It is known for innovations such as the Aliquot string – an additional fourth string in the treble section not struck by the hammer that vibrates by resonance and introduces additional overtones that enriches the dynamic sound and provides Blüthner’s warm and romantic sound.

A notable design they made was a reversed piano for a left-handed person to play which allows the person to play the tenor on the left hand and the bass on the right hand.

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