Alesis Recital | 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano | Review & Demo

 

Today we're going to be looking at one of the most popular musical instruments on Amazon in Canada and the United States - the Alesis Recital. This is an 88-note, non-weighted but touch-sensitive digital piano.

Given the massive popularity this instrument has achieved, we figured it was definitely worth taking a look at here to see if all of the attention was deserved, or simply the result of effective marketing.

We'll cover everything from the sound, action and features, and leave you with our overall verdict on this 88-key digital piano.

 

Are Semi-Weighted Keys Okay For Piano Lessons?

Before we start digging into the specifics of the Alesis Recital, let's have a quick discussion with regards to whether or not an action that is not fully weighted is appropriate for someone learning piano.

 

88-Key Semi-Weighted Action

The Alesis Recital features an 88-note action, and the dimensions of the keys themselves are pretty close to those found on a real piano. While touch sensitive, the action is unweighted, and weighted keys are a pretty often recommended feature for anyone looking for an instrument when they or their child starts lessons.

An argument is going to be made that there's certainly a basic level of technique that you can start to build and work on with this instrument, but most piano teachers will agree that weighted keys are required to start developing the proper sense of control and dynamics needed for taking piano lessons and learning the instrument.

It's definitely important to keep this in mind if you're starting lessons and looking for a piano. With that out of the way, let's jump into the sound engine.

 

Alesis Recital - Sound Engine

Strong Value

One of the big things Alesis focuses on in their marketing literature is the argument that the Alesis Recital is a one-of-a-kind instrument for the price not only because of the 88-note action but because of the quality of the tone engine and speaker system.

Some reviews online will state that the Alesis Recital can go head-to-head with the Yamaha P-45 in terms of tone, especially since the Recital has 128-note polyphony and 20-watt speakers. But let's hold our horses a second here - the P-45 absolutely smokes the Recital from a sound perspective to the point that it's not even close.

That said, the Recital costs about half as much as the P-45 so that really needs to be kept in mind. When Alesis claims that the Recital is one of a kind for the price, they have a legitimate point.

It's just going to come down to whether the Recital is delivering enough, or if the jump to a higher price point and a superior playing experience from a Yamaha or Casio would actually make more sense

 

128 Note Polyphony & 20 Watt Speakers

The 128-note maximum polyphony count is a nice bonus, and the speakers are pretty decent, though if you crank them anywhere above 75% or so there is definitely some distortion happening.

 

Grand Piano Sound

Now, specifically to the character of the grand piano sound here. Right away it's clear that it's actually a pretty complex sample that Alesis is using. They don't disclose what types of sampling they've done or how many sample layers were used, but the point is, the sound is pretty decent.

There's a reverb engine with a few modifications possible so you can adjust the character of the tone to some extent. There's also Chorus which you can use on the non-acoustic piano tones, of which there are 5 in total including electric piano, organ and synth, as well as a Modulation effect.

For the price, definitely some pretty decently realistic sound happening here.

 

Digital Piano Action

Touch Sensitive

As mentioned above, the Alesis Recital features an 88-note, non-weighted, spring-loaded action. There are a couple of levels of touch sensitivity, perhaps 3 or 4, so there's some amount of dynamic control possible here. There's adjustable touch response across a couple of levels as well.

The key dip however is a lot shallower than you'll get on a real piano, so the transition from this instrument to an acoustic piano will be hampered somewhat by that.

 

Who is this Action Suited For?

So who is this action really appropriate for? If you're a parent looking for a keyboard to spark some interest and get your child into lessons and gauge overall interest, the Alesis Recital and this action would probably work really well.

Sure, if things go well, you might need an upgrade sooner than you might have expected, but fortunately, the initial financial investment isn't totally staggering.

The Recital could also work really well for folks who need an 88-note action for gigging and aren't concerned at all with whether or not the action is weighted.

 

Additional Features

Metronome & Transpose

The Alesis Recital has a fine selection of additional features. For starters, there is a built-in metronome with adjustable BPM. This is pretty key for students as they work on developing their internal sense of time and rhythm. A built-in metronome saves you an additional purchase.

Transpose is also covered as well. The benefit of this feature is that it allows you to shift the pitch of the keyboard without changing where your fingers happen to be playing.

 

Layer, Split Mode & Twin Piano

You can also get into layering of 2 sounds, and Split Mode is present as well, as is Twin Piano. Alesis refers to this as a powerful educational feature which is an exaggeration, but it is definitely a useful feature to have.

Professional keyboard players certainly make extensive use of Layering and Splitting the keyboard, but for beginners and students, features like this are included more as fun ways to engage a learner.

 

Skoove Premium Subscription

Certain packages of the Alesis Recital also include a free subscription for 3-months of Skoove Premium which is an online piano lesson platform with new music theory tips.

 

Connectivity - Power & RCA Audio

Connector Ports

In terms of connectivity, the Recital has a DC and includes a power supply in the box, which is actually nice because at this price point, often a power adapter is not included. You also have the option to power the Recital with 6 D Cell Batteries.

Oddly, there are stereo RCA outputs in case you want to connect the Recital to an amplifier or stereo. It's not as common anymore to have RCA outs on a keyboard as it's now usually 1/4-inch outs, but having an RCA out is better than nothing.

 

Pedals

There's also a pedal input for a sustain pedal, but keep in mind that a sustain pedal is not included. The Recital does not support half-pedalling, so you can add on a pretty basic one to get some sustain happening.

 

Headphones

Of course, a stereo headphone output is present for private practice, and there's a USB-MIDI port for connecting to devices for apps or software synth plugins.

 

Closing Thoughts

Considering the comparably low price point, is the Alesis Recital delivering a solid instrument for the price? We would definitely say the answer is yes.

Is it a long-term solution for piano lessons? Most definitely not, but for getting introduced to music, the Alesis Recital will do the trick.

The post Alesis Recital | 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano | Review & Demo first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Yamaha P125 vs Casio CDP-S350 | 88-Key Digital Piano | Review & Comparison

 

Hello and welcome to another digital piano comparison video and article here at Merriam Pianos. Today we’ll be comparing two of the most popular digital piano models available for under $1,000 CAD on the planet.

On the one hand, we have the Yamaha P-125, which is a favorite here at Merriam Pianos as well as around the world. On the other hand, we have the Casio CDP-S350 which is a relatively new model from them meant to serve the entry-level 88-note weighted action digital piano market.

These portable keyboards are very close in price and appearance, so naturally, many people shopping in this general category, both beginners and experienced musicians, will end up comparing them during the decision-making process. Let’s jump in.

 

Yamaha P125 vs Casio CDP-S350 - Background

The Sub $1,000 Digital Piano Market

When we’re talking about weighted 88-note keyboards available for under $1,000 CAD that is worth serious musical consideration, there’s a fairly small set of instruments to choose from. When we say serious musical consideration, we specifically mean things like quality of tone, speakers, and action - basically, the features that should be top of mind if you’re considering a practice instrument for someone taking piano lessons.

This price range used to be a barren wasteland when it came to credible musical options, to the point that it was almost a cruel joke. If you were trying to get something that felt and sounded like a real piano even five years ago, you were in for a tall order, to the point that there wasn’t even much market demand.

 

Casio PX-160 - Game Changer

In many ways, Casio has led the way in driving more robust development in this price point by all manufacturers, especially with the release of the PX-160 which really redefined the landscape.

What we're comparing today are two very prominent models in this price range that are absolutely worth musical consideration. The Yamaha P125 runs about $100 more than the Casio CDP-S350 compact digital piano, but nonetheless, these two pianos are sure to be endlessly compared.

That said, they are very different machines, and they deliver very different feature sets. Throughout the remainder of this review, we’ll be exploring those differences, and hopefully painting a picture for anyone looking at both of these pianos as to which one will better suit their needs.

 

Piano Sound: Yamaha P125 vs Casio CDP-S350

Casio’s Dynamic Stereo Sound Engine

The Casio CDP-S350 is poised to replace the Casio Privia PX-160, but if you went by appearances alone, you wouldn’t know it. The only thing that's really similar between these two instruments is the price point - everything else looks totally different, including a fully redesigned user interface that consists of a super easy-to-use backlit LCD display that makes for great accessibility.

And the other big change - the CDP-S350 is loaded up with 700 instrument sounds. This is a real rarity for the category - typically, digital pianos available in this price range with 88-note weighted actions and quality sound engines tend to have very few sounds.

The sound engine, Casio’s Dynamic Stereo Sound Engine - is delivering a high level of authenticity pretty consistently across the 700 sounds. The acoustic piano sound is quite robust, especially due to the S350’s 16 watts of speaker power.

 

Yamaha Pure CF Sound Engine

Over on the P125 and we have Yamaha’s Pure CF Sound Engine. For people who are seeking a portable digital piano whose primary role is to be a piano, we think the P-125 has the edge here in terms of acoustic piano sound.

The tone, driven by the high-quality CFIIIS concert grand piano, has more subtlety, especially with things like damper resonance, string resonance, and various reverbs, and we suspect there are more sample layers going into the sample itself - likely a four-layered sample. There is 24 sound presets in total, and while they’re all quite useable (especially the electric pianos), this is of course much less of a selection than what the S350 is offering.

 

Speakers

Two of the onboard speakers on the P125, tweeters, are upward facing, which is a nice touch since it makes it a lot easier to actually hear what’s going on. There are two additional speakers, so we’re definitely hearing a more full-spectrum sound in terms of the onboard speaker system than what the S350 is delivering.

 

64 vs 192 Polyphony

Another important difference is polyphony. On the P125, there is 192 note polyphony compared to just 64 notes of maximum polyphony on the S350. If there's one spec on the S350 that is a little puzzling, this would be it, especially since they offer a recording track that allows you to add multiple tracks - you’ll be running out of polyphony fairly quickly.

Having a stronger polyphony count is really important if you plan on getting into any arranging or layering, and even for more complex classical playing.

 

Quality vs Quantity of Sounds

Somebody looking primarily for an acoustic piano replacement is likely going to lean toward the P-125. Beyond a more complex piano tone, the P125 also offers things like Sound Boost, Stereophonic Optimizer, and Intelligent Acoustic Control which further help in refining the sound.

Somebody looking for a wider set of sounds and features, perhaps even for gigging, will probably find a better value on the S350.

 

Piano Action: Yamaha P125 vs Casio CDP-S350

Casio’s Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard vs Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard

The Casio CDP-S350 is using a new key action from Casio, which they’re calling their Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II. The P125 is using the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action, which is a staple throughout Yamaha’s lineup. Both of these actions feature 88 weighted keys so the crucial box is checked with the correct number of keys here.

Neither action features escapement, but there is a big difference between the two actions that are immediately apparent and that’s with regard to the texture on the key tops.

 

Key Tops

The GHS action has a glossy keytop as opposed to a textured keytop on the white keys and in some instances, it ends up providing too much grip which in turn can cause the skin on your fingers to peel back. Fortunately, there is a slight matte texture that eliminates this problem on the black keys.

The S350’s action has an exaggerated texture that provides a very nice level of glide, which is a definite advantage here. More expensive Yamaha pianos have actions with textures, so it’s a shame that Yamaha isn’t incorporating a texture into their GHS action.

 

Responsiveness

In terms of responsiveness, we’d also have to give the nod to the S350 here - the P125’s GHS action just feels a little bit too spongy. This is a super personal thing, and the GHS action has many loyal fans, but this just happens to be our observation.

The S350’s Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II feels like a slightly heavier version of Kawai's RHC action found in the ES110, and in some ways, actually feels even more solid. The touch sensitivity also happens to feel better than the GHS here as well. It would work well as a synth or MIDI controller.

Ultimately, the GHS is a fine action, it’s just been out for quite a few years now and happens to feel a little bit dated when it comparing to a new action such as Casio’s Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II.

 

Features: Yamaha P125 vs Casio CDP-S350

Auto Accompaniment

Both pianos feature built-in auto-accompaniment, which is really great for the price point. Auto-accompaniment allows you to use your left hand to generate harmony, and it will add drums and other musical instruments as a sort of backing band, allowing you to play overtop with your right hand.

Both piano keyboards pull this off really well, though there are significantly more accompaniment rhythms and patterns on the S350, so if this feature is important to you, take note of that. The Casio CDP-S350 also gives you the option of running it with AA batteries and given its extremely slim frame and lightweight, it’s a very portable instrument in every sense of the word.

 

Other Functions

Other features like Split Mode, Duet, and Layer are covered on both pianos, as well as standards like a metronome and transpose. The S350 has a pitch bend wheel which adds to its potential appeal as an arranger-style instrument.

Both pianos also have a built-in MIDI recorder for recording and playback.

 

Connectivity: Yamaha P125 vs Casio CDP-S350

When it comes to connectivity, both pianos have class-compliant USB ports (USB MIDI), and this is how you’ll connect to your iOS device (iPad and iPhones), Android device, or computer since neither instrument has a Bluetooth connection, unfortunately. That said, you should definitely check out the free apps such as the Casio Chordana Play for Piano app and the Yamaha Smart Pianist App.

Both pianos have headphone stereo outputs as would be expected, but an area where the P125 excels is that Yamaha has included an AUX out port if you’d like to connect to an amplifier, you can do so without having to use the headphone jack and an adapter as you do on the S350. The S350 also has an audio input.

 

Pedals

Both pianos include basic footswitch sustain pedals, though we would recommend upgrading to nicer offerings from each company. Each also has the option to add a triple pedal unit, as well as a matching keyboard stand. Each piano includes a music rest and power adapter (power supply) in the box.

 

Closing Thoughts

This pretty much sums up our comparison of the Yamaha P125 vs Casio CDPS350. These instruments are close in price, with the P125 being slightly more expensive and offering a more piano-centric experience. The sound engine and speaker system on the P125 are geared toward people who are looking for an instrument to be primarily used as an acoustic piano substitute.

On the Casio side, the obvious immediate strength is the sheer number and variety of onboard tones since there’s simply nothing else in this price range with solid tone and touch that overs this range of sounds.

The interface is easy to navigate, which makes getting around the rhythm functionality, playing internal demo songs, or selecting from that huge amount of tone. From an action perspective, we do prefer the CDP-S350’s hammer action keys over the P125’s as well.

Ultimately, we’ve got an interesting mix of pros and cons on both sides. The P125 is going to be an enticing choice for many people simply by virtue of being a Yamaha product, and rightly so - it’s a very good instrument made by a very good company. But we would strongly recommend anyone intrigued by what they read about the S350 here, give it a shot - for many people, it will actually be a better fit.

Thanks for reading!

The post Yamaha P125 vs Casio CDP-S350 | 88-Key Digital Piano | Review & Comparison first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Kawai CA79 | Digital Piano Review | Kawai Concert Artist Series

Kawai's Concert Artist series (CA series) pianos have been a mainstay of the high-end digital piano market for several years now. The current lineup is 4 models strong, and today we'll be looking at the second most advanced from the top as review the CA79.

The Kawai CA79 incorporates many of the same features as the flagship CA99, leading many to regard it as a high-value alternative to the top model in the class. We're going to start right away by checking out the piano sound and moving on from there.

Be sure to check out the companion video for a more in-depth review and some playing examples.

Kawai CA79 Piano Sound

The first thing that stands out about the Kawai CA79 is the sound engine, which happens to be the exact same sound engine featured in not only the Kawai CA99 but also in Kawai's most advanced digital pianos - the NOVUS NV10S and NV5S.

 

Shigeru Kawai SKEX Rendering Engine

The centerpiece of this sound engine is Kawai SK-EX Rendering Pianist Mode, which features an 88-note multi-channel sampling of their premium Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano with additional Resonance Modelling added on.

With this mode engaged, you're given access to what is without question one of the most advanced piano sound engines available in a digital piano and delivers a truly stunning piano playing experience.

For all other tones, Kawai's Harmonic Imaging XL sound engine (HI-XL), which also features stereo sampling and some acoustic rendering of parameters, is also included (66 presets available in this engine.)

 

Limitless Polyphony

If the sound engine is your top priority, the Kawai CA79 gives you literally the exact same sound engine as the NOVUS NV10S for about 1/4 of the price, and the limitless polyphony on piano tones that this entails.

At this point, you might notice the CA79 has the same action as the CA99, and since the sound engines are the same, wonder why anyone would spring for the 99. The speaker system is where a very large difference emerges.

 

Speaker System

The Kawai CA79 uses a conventional speaker system, while the CA99 adds a real solid spruce soundboard which functions as a giant, additional speaker. When playing acoustically, the difference is actually quite significant in terms of the presence and warmth.

We also found that the CA99 plays perfectly out of the box, whereas the CA79 took a little bit of tweaking inside of the Virtual Technician Function to get it optimized.

All of that being said, the CA79 is still no slouch in the speaker department with no less than 3 distinct sets of speakers for 6 total speakers, designed in collaboration with Onkyo.

First, there's a pair of woofers on the bottom producing most of the low frequencies. From there we have 2 mains responsible for the mid-range frequencies, and finally 2 tweeters with diffusers for the highs.

There's a total of 100 watts of amplifier power here pushing out there, which while less than the 135 watts on the CA99, is still very substantial.

After checking out everything sound-related here on the CA79, it's pretty hard to deny the killer value Kawai is delivering here for the price.

 

Kawai CA79 Piano Action

Grand Feel III Wooden Key Action

The Kawai CA79 uses the Grand Feel III action (GFIII), the same action used in the CA99. This is a new update to the Grand Feel II, which is what Kawai was using in the previous generation CA78 and CA98.

The Grand Feel II was an excellent action, but what the Grand Feel III brings is a whole new way in which the end of the key stick is attached to the capstan, with a more refined system of connection. This new system is intended to be more durable over a longer period of time than what was used in the GFII.

The GFII did end up receiving quite a few warranty claims after prolonged use in demanding settings such as post-secondary music institutions.

 

Extended Length Wooden Keys

So, what does the GFIII bring to the table? For one, it's an extended-length action with 100% wooden keys approaching the key stick of a real grand piano. It's also got a triple sensor for highly accurate MIDI output, counterweights, grade-weighted hammers, and let-off simulation.

 

Textured Key Surfaces

The key surfaces are also covered with an ivory touch texture on the white keys and an ebony texture on the black keys. This provides a perfect amount of grip, especially when your hands start to get sweaty when playing.

 

Deep Dynamic Control

Compared to most other digital piano actions out there, the GFIII, courtesy of the extended key length, is providing a deeper level of control and comes much closer to the experience of playing a real acoustic piano action. For the price range, we think it's the best digital piano on the market currently, though the Roland Grand Hybrid action is up there too.

The only real step after this action is to move beyond the Kawai CA series into the NOVUS series hybrids which feature a genuine acoustic piano action, but with that of course comes a substantial price hike.

 

Kawai CA79 Piano Features

LCD Touchscreen

A huge upgrade from the CA78 is the new and improved LCD touchscreen. The 78 had a screen as well, but there were some navigation issues. Fortunately, those have been addressed, and getting around the new touchscreen is a breeze.

For a detailed exploration of the menu and all of the things you can edit, check out the video review linked above as Stu does a nice walkthrough of the various menus (more fun to watch than read the owner's manual).

 

Pre-loaded Music & Lesson Books

The Kawai CA79 has all kinds of preloaded classical music built in, along with a selection of lesson books. There's also an internal 2-track recorder which can be great practice as it allows you to record yourself and playback the recordings. You can also record MP3, WAV, and SMF files to USB.

 

Cabinet & Pedals

The Kawai CA79 also features an upgraded gorgeous cabinet design with elegant music rest and comes available in Premium Rosewood, Satin White, Satin Black, and Ebony Polish. The cabinet looks much more like a real upright piano than ever before.

Kawai's great Grand Feel Pedal System also makes a return with damper, sostenuto, and soft pedals all weighted to replicate the feel of a grand piano pedal system.

 

Kawai CA79 Connectivity

For connectivity, there's an impressive lineup here. Going down the list, we have dual headphone jacks (Kawai's Spatial Headphone Sound optimizer is included), 5-pin MIDI In and Out, a 1/4" line output. 1/8" line in, as well as USB to Host and USB to Device.

Lastly, there's also Bluetooth MIDI for accessing apps for iOS and Android, and Bluetooth Audio which makes your CA79 able to stream music from your devices.

 

Closing Thoughts

Thanks for joining us for a look at the Kawai CA79. This is a high-end digital piano that's going to work really well for advanced players who need affordable and space-saving practice instruments, and even for beginners who simply want something nice, both musically and aesthetically.

The action and sound engine are as good as it gets for the class, and for some people, the extra cost of the CA99 is not justified by the inclusion of the soundboard.

Don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for more reviews and visit our website for more in-depth product reviews & articles.

The post Kawai CA79 | Digital Piano Review | Kawai Concert Artist Series first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Roland RP107 | Digital Piano Announcement | Replacement for Roland RP102

 

Roland’s RP102 has been a staple of the home digital piano market since its release in late 2017. The least expensive home digital piano with 88 weighted key touch from Roland, the RP102 has been a popular alternative to other best-sellers like the Yamaha YDP-144 and Kawai KDP75.

With the recent announcement of an update to the RP102 in the form of the new Roland RP107 SKU, we knew we needed to do a video and write a quick blog post about it, sharing everything we know at this point.

RP107 have not shipped to North America at this point, but we expect them to start hitting store shelves soon.

 

Why was the Roland RP102 Popular?

As we mentioned in the intro, the RP102 has been Roland's most basic 88-key weighted action digital piano. By the home piano, we mean that the RP102 has an integrated stand and built-in triple pedal system with damper, soft and sostenuto pedals.

 

Roland PHA-4 Action

The RP102 has a fairly basic 12-watt speaker system to keep the cost down, but otherwise, it has some really strong points going for it, making it an especially attractive option for the price. For one, it has the PHA-4 Standard Keyboard action, which in our opinion, is the top action available in this price range.

 

Bluetooth MIDI & Roland Apps for iOS & Android

Despite a fairly bare-bones on-board feature set, when used in conjunction with Roland's apps, the full General MIDI II sound bank was unlocked, giving the user access to hundreds of sounds including synthesizers, electric pianos, guitars and a host of drum rhythms.

And as an early adopter of Bluetooth MIDI, connecting to a smart device to access the apps was easy.

 

Roland SuperNATURAL Piano Engine

The RP102 also boasts a very nice sound generator with Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Sound. While the speaker system isn’t robust enough to maximize the sound engine when playing acoustically, it sounds fantastic when playing with headphones with a lush grand piano sound, due in part to the built-in Headphones 3D Ambience effect.

 

What’s Improved on the Roland RP107?

New BMC Sound Chip

The first key improvement featured on the new RP107 is the inclusion of Roland’s BMC sound chip. This advanced new chip is also being featured throughout the new FP series instruments, as well as the upcoming Roland F107.

Not only does this chip offer increased complexity on acoustic piano tones and all sounds frankly, but it also doubles the polyphony from 128 notes to 256. So, we can safely expect the RP107 to sound better than the RP102.

 

Bluetooth Audio

While the connector jacks have remained the same with the RP107, Bluetooth Audio has been added which is a very exciting addition given the price point that the RP107 will be available at.

Bluetooth Audio allows you to stream music directly from a device and playback the music through the RP107’s built-in speaker system, whether for playing along with or simply listening to.

 

16-Watt Speakers

Roland has given the speaker system on the RP107 a modest bump in power output, from 12 watts to 16 watts in total coming from the amp.

Combined with the BMC, this extra bit of power is sure to have a larger-than-normal effect on the overall quality of the sound.

 

Roland Piano App

Roland’s Piano Every Day app had many great features, but the user interface was clunky and met with many complaints. Fortunately, Roland took the criticism to heart and addressed the issues thoroughly, resulting in the new Roland Piano App.

When using the RP107 in conjunction with the Roland Piano App, you can remote control all of the features of the RP107 from the convenience of your smart device thanks to Bluetooth connectivity with a beautiful new interface. Everything from the metronome, touch sensitivity, twin piano, master tuning, and everything else, while also greatly expanding the functionality by adding additional sounds, sheet music via the Roland Cloud and rhythms.

 

Closing Thoughts

While the RP102 was a highly relevant instrument during its run, there’s no question that the RP107 is a welcome arrival, and serves as a meaningful advancement with some very notable improvements, particularly with regard to sound. Roland’s warranty coverage is always great so that’s a confidence booster as well.

If you’re looking for a very capable yet affordable home digital piano with slick cabinet styling that also happens to come with everything you need in the box, including a piano bench, music rest and power supply, the Roland RP107 is set to be a compelling option that should be on your wishlist waiting for checkout, picking up where the RP102 left off.

The post Roland RP107 | Digital Piano Announcement | Replacement for Roland RP102 first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Yamaha NP32 | Yamaha Piaggero | 76-Note Keyboard Review

 

As we’ve done a handful of times in the past, in this review we’ll be taking a look at something other than an 88-note weighted digital piano as we examine the Yamaha NP32 76-note keyboard.

Yamaha doesn’t even refer to the NP32 as a digital piano in their marketing literature either, but rather as a portable keyboard due to its compact size, and there’s actually a fairly strong market for these types of keyboards - lightweight, portable, battery operated power supply and budget friendly with a practical design. The Piaggero NP series keyboards have been a successful and popular line for Yamaha.

Let’s open up the box and get into it.

 

Unboxing / Opening Thoughts

Upon opening the box we were happy to see a power adaptor and a music stand. These two things aren’t always included in the box for free with keyboards so it was nice to see them here.

The quality of the case is actually a lot higher than we were expecting considering the space-saving size and price, and there’s also a sustain pedal which is great. We’re also seeing a MIDI input which is great since that means this thing could function as a fairly inexpensive MIDI controller.

Now that we’ve unboxed the Yamaha NP32 and had a look, let’s get it plugged in to see how it sounds.

 

Piano Sound

AWM Stereo Sampling

There are 10 total sounds built-in here courtesy of Yamaha’s AWM stereo sampling engine, and we’re actually quite impressed with the high-quality voices, which we were from the first note.

The default acoustic piano sound is a sample of one of Yamaha’s Concert grand pianos, and it actually boasts a pretty rich tone (Yamaha makes some of the finest grand pianos). The second piano tone is more mellow, though there are some adjustable reverb settings.

 

Other Sounds

From there, the NP-32 features some classic electric piano sounds referred to as E.Piano 1 and E.Piano 2, and we’ve also got strings and vibes. For the price, these are definitely some great-sounding voices, so if that’s your main area of focus, the NP-32 should be a top choice for the class.

 

Polyphony & Speakers

The polyphony is also totally acceptable at 64 notes, and the speakers are very good for the price at 12 watts generating pure tone.

 

Piano Action

Graded Soft Touch Keyboard with 76 Keys

Yamaha refers to the action here as the Graded Soft Touch Keyboard, and also as being a Piano Style Keyboard. There are 76 keys in total, and in general, it’s similar to the action you’d get on a synthesizer.

What matters to the consumer however is the fact that this is an unweighted, spring-loaded action. There is some degree of touch sensitivity, but it’s definitely not a particularly sensitive action.

For a portable, battery-powered Piaggero instrument, this action gets the job done. And even an experienced musician who needs something super light for occasional practice or working on original compositions could totally get by with this action.

 

Are 88 Keys Essential?

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a serious practice instrument, you’re not going to want to settle for anything less than 88 weighted keys with touch sensitivity - this is simply the case if developing piano technique is the goal.

If action is a bit of an afterthought and you like everything else about the NP-32, by all means, add it to your wish list. If a realistic action is important, you’ll want to focus on a different musical instrument.

 

Piano Features

Functions

The NP32 has a number of useful features and essential elements. The record button delivers an easy one-touch recording of your practice sessions, and a trusty metronome, along with transpose, is covered as well.

 

Battery Power

The battery life isn’t spectacular, but it’s certainly not bad either, and there are also a number of demo songs and preset songs built in.

 

Finish Options & Accessories

The NP-32 is available in both Black or White finishes, and Yamaha includes a music rest in the box. A keyboard stand and bench are optional add-ons.

 

Connectivity

Connectivity is solid as well with a headphone port, sustain pedal port (with half-pedal support if you upgrade to the FC3A pedal) and a USB to Host terminal, meaning you can access a range of apps for your iPad or other iOS devices including Yamaha’s Digital Piano Controller and Notestar apps.

There’s no built-in Bluetooth connectivity, but the optional UD-BT01 adaptor from Yamaha can be added for easy operation of Bluetooth functionality.

 

Closing Thoughts

When all is said and done, the Yamaha NP32 is sure to leave many consumers with a lasting impression, as evidenced by the plethora of positive customer reviews from all over the United States and Canada.

Is it a perfect instrument? No, but for a relatively affordable keyboard that’s highly portable and boasts a really good piano tone, the NP32 is a very solid option and competes well against alternatives from Roland and Casio.

As long as weighted keys aren’t essential and this is the general budget you’re working with, the NP32 is another solid entry from Yamaha.

The post Yamaha NP32 | Yamaha Piaggero | 76-Note Keyboard Review first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Yamaha P-125 vs Casio PX-S1100 | Digital Piano Review & Comparison

 

There are several massively popular models in the sub $1,000 88-key portable digital piano category given how high the current quality level is for digital pianos across the board, and the fact that the $1,000 marker is a line many folks prefer to stay under when choosing a digital piano.

Perhaps no instrument is more popular in this category than the Yamaha P-125 digital piano (aside from perhaps the stripped-down P-Series Yamaha P-45), but the Casio PX-S1100 is proving to be not far behind in terms of sales volume. And what if we told you that for some people, the PX-S1100’s total offering might make it a better offering than the Yamaha P-125?

This statement might come as a bit of a shock to you if you’re only really familiar with Yamaha products, hadn’t been considering anything other than a Yamaha up to this point and simply aren’t aware of how well received the Casio Privia PX instruments have been.

If you’ve been strongly considering a Yamaha after checking out some Yamaha P-125 reviews then this video and companion article are for you as we’ll be comparing and contrasting the Yamaha P-125 vs Casio PX-S1100 to see if, in fact, the S1100 might be a better choice as a piano keyboard for you.

Thanks for being here, let’s get into it.

 

Yamaha P-125 vs Casio PX-S1100 - Background

Well into the year 2022 and these two instruments have been some of the best-selling 88-key digital pianos on the market. The P-125 has been around for several years but it’s still very much a relevant product. The PX-S1100 is the recently released update to Casio's PX-S1000 (while the PX-S3100 replaced the PX-S3000) and has the claim to fame of being the slimmest 88-key weighted action digital piano on the market.

Both of these instruments are built to serve as digital replacements for acoustic pianos, primarily for students, hobbyists or those seeking a practice instrument with the flexibility that a digital piano provides, with a focus on high-quality grand piano sound, a weighted key action, and a user-friendly interface.

We’ll now move to a comparison of everything sound related on each instrument.

 

Digital Piano Sound - Speaker and Sound Engine Comparison

Casio PX-S1100 Speaker System

We’re going to start by discussing each piano’s built-in speaker system as one of the PX-S1100’s key improvements over the PX-S1000 is an improved speaker design here.

We’re working with two speakers here with 8 watts on each side for 16 watts of total amplifier power. The speakers are rear-facing, however, there are front-facing tone ports to deliver high frequencies directly to your ear.

In terms of the speaker redesign, what’s changed from the S1100 is the shape of the speaker’s inner diaphragm. We’ve also heard that they’ve changed the coating on the speaker cone as well.

The result is more definition in the upper register, more detail and generally just more punch - there’s virtually no way to get these speakers to distort.

 

Yamaha P-125 Speaker System

Over on the P-125, and while we’re dealing with less overall power here with 14 watts of rated output, it’s a 4-speaker system here as opposed to a dual system with two downward-facing mains and two upward-facing tweeters.

The result is a very well-balanced playing experience from the players' perspective. Despite a lower overall power output, the presence of the two tweeters here means the P-125 is delivering a clearer overall piano sound, though the sound engine itself is less complex (which we’ll get to more below.)

 

Casio’s Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source vs Yamaha’s Pure CF Sound Engine

The PX-S1100 is using Casio’s very well-regarded Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source. It's surprisingly complex when you consider the price range that the PX-S1100 is available for. The nuance and sophistication they've been able to pack into this tone engine is right up there with the kind of complexity and control you’ll also find with the SuperNATURAL sound in the Roland FP-10 and the Harmonic Imaging engine in the Kawai ES110.

The Pure CF engine, based on a sample of the CFIIIS concert grand piano (which has since been replaced by the newer CFX concert grand), isn’t a slouch by any means, it’s just not delivering the same level of detail, control and recreation of a real piano as the S1100’s AiR engine.

With that in mind, when you're choosing between these two instruments, from a sound perspective the choice comes down to a more advanced tone generator with a less clear speaker system versus a clearer speaker system with a simpler and less nuanced piano tone.

If you’re going to be using an amp or playing frequently with headphones the speaker disparity goes away, and courtesy of the Hall Simulator reverbs and Acoustic Simulator, you can actually tweak the tone of the S1100 to get pretty close in clarity to the P-125.

Both pianos actually offer a nice level of sound editing control with access to parameters like damper resonance, string resonance and more. The P-125 has a couple of neat sound-related features like a Sound Boost that is worth noting as well, while the PX-S1100 has a Surround sound feature.

 

Other Preset Sounds

In terms of the number of sounds to choose from, the S1100 offers 18 compared to an extra 6 on the P-125 for 24 in total. There’s quite a bit of overlap of sounds with a couple of acoustic pianos, electric pianos, organs, synths and strings.

Some sounds are stronger on the P-125 while others are stronger on the S1100. The e-piano sounds on the P-125 are very lush and modern, while the string patches on the S1100 are a real standout.

 

Polyphony

Polyphony is dead even on these instruments at a cool 192 notes each. This is more than enough for solo piano playing which is of course the main function that each of these pianos is made for.

 

Keyboard Action Comparison

Casio’s Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard

Casio’s relatively new Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard was first introduced in the PX-S1000 and PX-S3000. It’s been brought back here and is definitely a responsive action that’s right down the middle in terms of its weighting.

Now, this action is highly compacted, so there are some dynamic quirks here that you should be aware of. One quirk is that the black keys have been intentionally weighted heavier than the white keys, and this is a result of the black key being so short.

The compacted key length also means that the weighting of the keys will feel different depending on where your fingers happen to be physically playing the keys. We’re also working with a double sensor here and escapement sensation for the same reasons.

Because of these factors, this action probably isn’t the best action for a beginner to start with if your intent is to become a high-level classical player. If that happens to be your end goal, we’d recommend going with an action with a longer pivot length that feels more like a real acoustic piano.

In terms of the keytops. we’ve got an ivory texture on the white keys and a matte finish on the black keys. Having some type of finish on the keytops is a huge plus as it provides some glide if your fingers get sticky during longer playing sessions.

 

Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard Action

Over on the P-125, and we’re looking at Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action. The GHS action has been on the market for quite some time now, and it’s regarded as a very reliable and generally well-liked action.

It’s also using a double sensor and doesn’t have any escapement like the Smart Scaled action, and the overall touch sensitivity seems pretty close between them. On the other hand, the GHS feels lighter than the Smart Scaled action, and the keybed also feels a little more shallow, meaning you can’t dig into the action as much.

The biggest difference between these actions though is the fact that the GHS does not have any type of texture on the key surface. Instead of simulated ebony and ivory textures, the key surfaces are glossy.

The challenge with a glossy surface is that during longer playing sessions your fingers can end up sticking to the keys which can actually start to peel the skin back on your fingers.

Now, there are a lot of people who love this action and have never had this issue, but that’s certainly something to be aware of.

 

Additional Features and Connectivity

When it comes to the features, we’re looking at some fairly dramatic differences here, to the point that this particular area could be what sways you to one instrument or the other. We’ll start with the PX-S1100.

Casio PX-S1100 On-Board Features, Connectivity

The first feature that really stands out when looking at the S1100 is the fact that you have the option to run it on battery power as opposed to a cabled power adapter. Prior to Casio’s PX-S instruments, it was practically unheard of to find a battery-powered digital piano with such a realistic pianistic experience as what we have here. Yamaha for example doesn't offer a battery-powered product in the same vein.

For folks looking for maximum portability and the flexibility that battery operation provides, such as buskers for example since another power supply may not be readily available, the PX-S1100 is a truly unique offering in the price point.

Secondly, the PX-S1100 offers both Bluetooth Audio and Bluetooth MIDI (the S1000 only offered Bluetooth Audio). This means you can wirelessly connect the S1100 to computers and smart devices to extend the functionality without a cable courtesy of the free WU-BT10 Bluetooth adapter.

In terms of the rest of the other connectors, the S1100 also has 1/4” line outputs (L/MONO, R means no fiddling with adaptors when connecting to a PA system), USB Type A and B, a stereo mini line-in, dual headphone outputs, a sustain pedal input and a slot for the optional 3-pedal unit.

Thirdly, the S1100’s weight needs to be mentioned; the S1100 is the slimmest digital piano on the market and among the lightest, which is of course becoming increasingly important to consumers.

 

Yamaha P-125 On-Board Features, Connectivity

Over on the P-125 and we still have a very light instrument, in fact, it’s only a half pound heavier than the S1100, but it’s not as slim and as mentioned, does not offer battery power despite an otherwise minimalistic design.

The P-125 also oddly doesn’t offer any Bluetooth connectivity, whether wireless MIDI or audio, so if you want to connect to Yamaha’s great Smart Pianist App for Android and iOS Devices, you’ll need to do so via the USB port.

Now, on the other hand, the P-125 has a feature that alone makes it many people’s top choice, that feature being a built-in USB audio interface. Having a USB audio interface means you can connect to DAWs to send and receive audio information and do direct audio recording without the need for additional equipment, which can really have a big impact on gigging musicians.

The P-125 also has a solid onboard arranger function taking the form of an auto-accompaniment system. It’s loaded with a number of rhythms, and the accompaniment follows the harmony outlined by your left hand. In terms of other connectors, other than Bluetooth, the P125 is basically the same as the S1100 with a 1/4” line out, USB to Host, a stereo mini line-in, dual headphone jacks, a sustain pedal input and a slot for the optional 3-pedal unit.

 

Standard Functionality Across both Instruments & Accessories

When it comes to standard functionality, things are pretty much the same between these two pianos as both come with things like a basic MIDI recorder, playback, split mode, transpose, a metronome, and some reverb engines.

Both pianos have some built-in songs as well. Both pianos come with a very basic footswitch sustain pedal that we would recommend upgrading to a more substantial damper pedal, and a music stand for sheet music.

Both pianos are available with an optional designer keyboard stand 3-pedal unit.

 

Closing Thoughts

To wrap things up, we’ve got two instruments here offered at almost the same price point to a piano-focused end user, and yet, the finer details around each instrument are quite different.

It’s a battle of equals, but where you place specific value, i.e. do you want the superior tone engine, Bluetooth and a small frame, or do things like auto-accompaniment and a USB audio interface matter more to you?

There’s no right answer here, but hopefully, this comparison has been helpful in answering some questions for you.

The post Yamaha P-125 vs Casio PX-S1100 | Digital Piano Review & Comparison first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Kawai CA59 | Digital Piano Review | Kawai CA Series

 

Kawai's CA series has always stood at the front of the digital piano arena. Traditionally a series of 2 models, the Concert Artist series was expanded to 4 models with the release of the CA48 and CA58. Today, we'll be checking out the update to the CA58 with the new Kawai CA59.

Where the new Kawai CA49 is the doorway into the CA line, the CA59 occupies a sort of middle point. In this review, we'll be covering the sound engine, the action, and what separates it from the CA49, as well as the upper CA79 and CA99 upper-level CA models.

We're going to start by diving into the sound engine.

 

Kawai CA59 Piano Sound

Onkyo Designed Speakers, Amplifiers, and Signal Processing

The Kawai CA59 is super capable in so many different ways when it comes to sound. Like most of Kawai's other recent digital piano releases. the CA59 represents the fruits of their collaboration with Onkyo over the past few years.

While Onkyo wouldn't be considered the Rolls Royce of audiophile companies, they are still very well-respected. Onkyo has contributed here with their digital signal processing, improved motherboards, amplifiers, and speakers as well as a discreet headphone amplifier with signal processing specifically designed to accommodate different types of headphones.

While the CA49 also reflects the Onkyo partnership, the first difference from the CA59 appears once we look at the speakers. Where the CA49 boasts 40 watts of power, the CA59 offers a pair of 50-watt amplifiers that are driving a 4-speaker system for a total of 100 watts of output power.

Even at lower volume levels, the CA59 just has a lot more presence than the CA49, especially in the bass register.

Harmonic Imaging XL Sound Engine

The sound engine is also upgraded from the Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) engine on the 49, to Kawai's top sample-based engine with the Harmonic Imaging XL (HIXL) sound technology with 88-key sampling. The jump from the PHI engine to the HIXL engine means the sound engine is synthesizing more parameters on top of the core sample with its acoustic piano sounds.

There are also more parameters to modify in the Virtual Technician and more maximum polyphony as it jumps from 192 notes on the PHI engine to 256 notes here.

The end result is an even more realistic, super authentic piano tone. The CA49 sounds great, but there's just another level of authenticity here. The grand piano sounds come from a sampled Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano, where each note was sampled individually at multiple dynamic levels. You also get the Kawai EX concert grand and Shigeru Kawai SK5 sample sets here too.

After the three core acoustic piano sounds you get into the more traditional sounds that you'll generally find on most Kawai digital pianos, regardless of what line it is.

 

Virtual Technician & Smart Mode

Before diving into the other sounds though we need to mention the Smart Mode, which is really a set of presets that pull up different arrangements of sonic parameters in the Virtual Technician function.

This is where you can start to get dramatically different characters out of the same piano sample set, such as the Shigeru Kawai grand piano, and it's an excellent way to demonstrate the power of the Harmonic Imaging XL engine can do.

Brilliant. Clean. Dark. There's a massive variety of tonal profiles available here, all within the exact same core sample, and that's just within Smart Mode. Things open up considerably more if you bypass the Smart Mode and go directly into the Virtual Technician with 21 parameters available to you.

 

Other Sounds

Moving onto the other sounds, of which there are 44 in total, and the classic electric pianos are a definite standout. There are quite a few nice editable effects, and with the organ tones, there's a great rotary speaker effect as well.

The modern OLED control panel makes getting around and Layering the various super easy. Let's move on to the piano action.

 

Kawai CA59 Piano Action

Grand Feel Compact Wooden Key Keyboard Action

The Kawai CA59 is using Kawai's Grand Feel Compact wooden-key keyboard action. When you look at the Grand Feel Compact action, it doesn't appear that different than some of the other Grand Feel actions in other Kawai pianos, except that it's just a little bit shorter.

As opposed to the extended key length of the Grand Feel III, the key sticks are the standard length of most digital piano actions. But it does have triple sensor key detection, escapement, and bass region counterweights. The white keys have an ivory touch key surface, and the black keys have a nice matte finish, making for a really nice playing experience.

Something we particularly like about the Kawai white keys is that they round off the edges of the white keys. All manufacturers do it to an extent but really happen to like how Kawai does it specifically.

 

Triple Sensor Detection

The triple sensor makes this an ideal action to use as an input device for another instrument or when working with a DAW. And of course, the other benefit is more accuracy when you get into quicker repetition speeds and more percussive playing.

A great action overall. Let's move on to features and connectivity.

 

Kawai CA59 Connectivity

1/4” Line Outputs

The Kawai CA59 offers some welcome connectivity options and some other welcome features that are worth mentioning. The first thing is that there are 1/4-inch stereo line-outs, which are not present on the CA49. There are also 1/4-inch stereo line-ins, which are not particularly common as well as your 2x headphone jacks.

The CA59 has been pretty popular in the worship community because you can hook it up to your PA system without having to worry about defeating the local speakers or messing around with adapters.

The Kawai CA59 also has both USB Type-A as well as USB type B, so you can get a USB key and record USB audio (WAV) as well as MP3 and MIDI (SMF).

 

Bluetooth MIDI & Bluetooth Audio

It also has both Bluetooth MIDI as well as Bluetooth audio with APTX support, which means you can broadcast from a device with Bluetooth audio functionality, essentially using the CA59's high-quality speakers as a stereo.

Kawai CA59 Features

Lesson Books & Repertoire

This instrument also happens to be loaded up with a ton of music book material, such as Alfred, Beyer, Burgmuller, Czerny, and repertoire from Bach and the Chopin Walzer.

Functions

It's got the obvious standard features as well like a metronome, transpose, four-hands mode, and reverb settings.

 

Grand Feel Pedal System

The pedals are also notable as Kawai has included their Grand Feel pedal system here, meaning that all three pedals have the spring tension matched to the spring tension that you actually get on a real grand piano.

Finish Options

The Kawai CA59 features a new, modern cabinet design and is available in three finishes - Rosewood, Satin Black, and Satin White.

Closing Thoughts

Thank you for checking out our review of the Kawai CA59 here at Merriam Pianos. It's an instrument that packs a tremendous punch for the price, considering the cost to upgrade to the CA79.

You're getting some fantastic speakers here, a wonderful sound engine, great action, and a wide range of connectivity options. If you'd like to actually hear the CA59 in action, be sure to check out our accompanying video review!

The post Kawai CA59 | Digital Piano Review | Kawai CA Series first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

How Long Do Digital Pianos Last? | Electric Piano Longevity & Most Common Component Failures

 

 Easily one of the most common questions we get here at Merriam Pianos from digital piano shoppers is how long do digital pianos last? And that’s really not surprising since this is going to be a top question among consumers when shopping for just about anything, whether on Amazon or in a store.

Like with most consumer goods, digital pianos exist in a range of quality levels and as a result, there’s not a one size fits all answer to the question of how long digital pianos last.

In this article and companion video, we’ll cover which components and areas of a digital piano are most likely to fail over time, and provide a quick summary of the expected longevity and durability of digital pianos across different price points and quality levels.

This should prove quite useful if you’re shopping for a digital piano and can certainly weigh in on your decision-making process depending on what kind of lifespan you’re looking to get out of your instrument.

 

How Long Do Digital Pianos Last? - Background & Context

This article and video really wouldn’t have had much relevance 10 or so years ago. The reason for this is that only a very small percentage of the buying population back then would've been looking at a digital piano as a long-term purchase.

Professionals like arrangers and performers, of course, would be concerned about how long a given digital piano would last for obvious reasons, and a few hobbyist players too undoubtedly. The difference today is that there’s a much larger segment of the buying population focusing on a digital piano as the last type of piano that they will ever own.

This shift has occurred for a number of reasons. For one, the sound quality of even an entry-level digital piano is pretty darn good these days and totally eclipses the piano sound of expensive digital pianos from not too long ago. Apps have come a long way to the point of being a legit selling feature too.

There are also a number of playing situations as a homeowner where an acoustic piano simply isn't practical, especially with such good quality digital options that provide home-friendly flexibility.

 

Digital Pianos Don’t Last Forever

How long digital pianos last is a more pertinent question today than it ever has been at any point in the history of the instrument. But digital pianos do not last forever, and they are not infinitely repairable either.

Regardless of whether you're buying an entry-level instrument or a really high-end instrument, your digital piano at some point is simply not going to function the way it was when you first bought it. You will eventually get to a point where it can't be repaired anymore. A good rule of thumb is the more expensive the instrument, the longer the lifespan in pretty much every case, though how the digital piano is used is a huge factor.

Acoustic pianos are an overall different case. Acoustic pianos are forever repairable, and while you may get to a point where the economics are no longer justifiable, that doesn't mean that it's not possible. With many digital pianos, you will actually get to the point where you simply can't source a replacement motherboard anymore.

 

Which Parts Fail?

Piano Action

At the top of the list as to which components are most likely to fail on a digital piano is definitely the key action. Actions fail or at least degrade for the most obvious of reasons - the mechanism gets pummeled over and over again. In a single playing session, for example, you could be pressing a piano key thousands of times.

Multiply this by weeks, months, and years, and you've got a mechanical point on the instrument that is simply enduring a ton of repeated force.

On upright pianos and grand pianos, the same principle applies, with acoustic instruments requiring regular maintenance of the hammer actions (of course they need tuning too), especially with consistent use.

 

Motherboard & Other Digital Electronic Components

The next major fail point on a digital keyboard tends to be its motherboard or circuit board, as well as other digital electronic components such as key sensors. When the motherboard or sensors will fail is fairly unpredictable, but we do find that these can fail with minimal use, but overall this tends to occur at a very low percentage.

Most manufacturers will have some type of fail rate on their electronics within a range of about 0.5% up to 2% or so. When it does happen, there's really nothing to be done other than replacing the failed components. As long as you are able to get in touch with the manufacturer within a reasonable amount of time after buying the instrument, odds are you'll be able to get the motherboard replaced whether it’s still under warranty or not (many digital pianos come with a 1-year warranty).

After a particular model has been discontinued, there should still be spare parts kicking around for a period of time, but once those are no longer to be found, the instrument will be essentially kaput.

Key sensors are subject to quite a bit of impact, but while most of the impact on a key is cushioned by other points, key sensors are another component that do sometimes fail, whether they stop working or start misfiring and are unable to detect the correct touch sensitivity. Individual sensors often can be replaced, especially in higher-level actions, but in older models eventually, new sensors or sensor strips may not be available. Keep these above points in mind when considering a used piano.

 

Broken Input/Output Jacks

The third common fail point is actually totally preventable, but we see it all the time - busted input and output jacks. Most digital pianos these days are going to have a number of terminals, such as headphone jacks, sustain pedal jacks, MIDI jacks, USB jacks plus of course a jack for your power source, and these need to be treated with some care.

What happens quite frequently is that a jack will break or loosen up and fall into the instrument. In other cases, the actual electronic connections will break which means that the jack will need to be re-soldered, but in some cases, this can be difficult to accomplish.

This can happen quite often in homes with young kids, so just keep in mind that headphones need to be plugged in and unplugged with care.

 

Speakers & Amplifiers

Speakers are always going to be a wear component, but they tend to last a very long time. In fact, speakers themselves are likely to be one of the longest-lasting parts of any digital piano. They're not a particularly complex component, and as long as the speaker hasn't been overdriven, you can find speakers that are decades old, even relatively low-quality ones let alone high-quality speakers.

If you are constantly maxing out the amplifier or leaving it on for extended periods of time, the odds increase that it might blow. If you’re pushing your digital piano in the 90%-100% of its possible volume range all the time, there is going to be a very high chance that the amplifier simply won’t make it to the end of its intended lifespan.

Digital Piano Lifespans

The ranges here are going to be fairly wide since the amount of use a digital piano receives is going to be the biggest factor in how long it will last. For example, a basic entry-level electronic keyboard or synthesizer that is rarely used but taken care of could last substantially longer than a higher-end stage piano like a Nord (though they are very durable) subjected to the abuse of a touring musician.

That said, being a major volume piano retailer that also happens to have a major music education department has allowed us to observe pretty strong trends in this regard and form a reliable guideline as to what you can expect under normal home use conditions.

We’ll also list some good models from each category, most of which you’ll be able to in-depth reviews on over at our YouTube channel.

 

Entry-Level Digital Pianos

Entry-level piano keyboards tend to last anywhere from about 3 to 7 years on average. This is more than enough time to get some interest in piano playing and perhaps even trade up to a better instrument while your keyboard still has lots of life left in it.

Popular options in this category include the Casio PX-S1100, Roland FP-10, Korg B2, Yamaha P-125 and Kawai ES-110 (soon to be replaced by the ES-120).

 

Mid-Range Digital Pianos

Mid-range digital pianos tend to be solid anywhere from about 5 to 10 years generally speaking. Of course, many musical instruments from this category tend to wind up inside practice rooms at University music departments, and those ones are going to require replacement much faster due to heavy use by aspiring pianists.

Popular options here include the Yamaha Clavinova CLP-725, Kawai CN-201, and Roland RP701.

 

High-End Digital Pianos

The very best digital pianos currently available, many of which would be referred to as hybrid instruments with the same actions as their acoustic counterparts, high-end speaker systems, cutting-edge sound samples and powerful polyphony will generally offer users 10 to 15 years of trouble-free use.

Some great options in this category include the Kawai CA and NOVUS series instruments, Roland GP and LX series pianos, the Casio GP series and Yamaha Avant-Grand series.

 

Closing Thoughts

We hope this overview of digital piano longevity has been useful. As we said, this has really been aimed at the general user, so if you’re a professional or have some hyper-specific use case in mind, get in touch with us directly for a more specific estimation of longevity.

Thanks for reading!

The post How Long Do Digital Pianos Last? | Electric Piano Longevity & Most Common Component Failures first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020