Weighted or semi-weighted keyboard recommendations?

Dorico
1

After a few months doing note input into Dorico with an inferior keyboard I’m realizing how important a keyboard is in the equation. The keyboard I’m using is a spring-loaded exercise in frustration that makes me want to run to my beautiful old Chickering for relief

I’m asking for hardware opinions here re I figure it’s a classically oriented zone with people who are accustomed to playing real instruments

This is strictly for note entry and auditioning/shaping lines so it doesn’t need much in the way of tech

Simple is better, preferably 88 keys and reasonably good action

Studiologic has a couple that look good but seems like there are problems with stuck keys etc

Anyway I’m curious what people here are using

2

I have a semi-weighted Yamaha S90ES.

It works great for me…95% note entry and 5% recording piano parts in a DAW.

3

I use a Clavinova and I’m very happy. My MX88 Elka is OK because portable, but the Clavinova is far superior.

4

It’s obviously way excessive for simple use as a MIDI controller, but I’m happy with my Nord Piano 4. Piano isn’t my main instrument, but the action feels pretty good to me (there are “keyboard touch” settings to customize the action too), the built-in sounds are decent, and it’s easy enough to unplug it and lug it to a gig if my keyboard player has to take the train.

5

I like the Roland key action as can be found in the FP-10 stage piano.
It’s 88 keys in a very small chassis.

3 Likes
6

I’m quite happy with my (fully weighted) Roland FP-90X for those times when I want a more piano-like experience.

For much of my Dorico note entry, though, I use a Korg microKEY Air 61. Mini keys, quite “plastic-y” and utterly unweighted, but… it fits nicely on my computer desk, Bluetooth connectivity lets me move it over to a second, composing desk if I just want to “noodle” and audition things while doing any paper-based sketching, and my hands can each span an eleventh or even a twelfth while trying out widely spaced chords in, say, a string quartet.

7

Im happy with my Nektar Panorama T6. Not 88 keys (61), but the octave buttons make it easy to transpose the keyboard for inputting instruments like double bass and glockenspiel, and it has nice key action.

8

Same here: Carbon 61 … It’s almost toy-like but does what it’s supposed to for note entry. Even has pitch bend and modulation fully programmable). When I play the piano, I use my Korg SP170 (not ‘S’).

9

I’m using an XKey for inputting the notes to Dorico. It’s not weighted, but I’m only using it to “type” the notes in that I need, so velocity doesn’t enter the equation in that scenario.

For piano action I use a Kawai VP-1. It has, in my opinion one of the best piano weighted actions available. The downsides are that it is expensive, heavy and has no aftertouch or CC controls (not even a mod wheel), so you do need other MIDI devices for those things if you want them.

For much less $$$ I found that the newer Casio budget pianos have some great action at their price point. Not too light and not too heavy (sluggish).

10

I’ve used a Roland A-88 midi keyboard with “ivory feel” weighted keys and still love it after 12 years of use.

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The new model A-88 mkII has updated knobs and some MIDI 2.0 support. The only drawback of this keyboard is the mod wheel.

2 Likes
11

Thanks for all the suggestions this is more of a project than I’d imagined

Biggest problem is there are few places to try keyboards - to try one of the Nektars the drive is an hour and a half each way. To try the Roland FP-10 about 3 hours each way. No idea where I’ll find some of the others mentioned

The M-Audio key station 88es I’m currently using is adequate for note entry but not for playing through lines as on a piano which is how I prefer to work

When I tell sales people I’m looking for a keyboard with minimal functions and reasonable action they wish me luck

I’m doing my best to avoid amazon but it might be the way to go

Again thanks for all the input

12

@bluekayak88, there are obviously a number of factors that go into one’s choice of a digital piano if a higher-quality (physical) playing experience is important.

Three years ago I was in the market to upgrade my digital piano. I spent a lot of time reading and comparing reviews at retail and “gear”-focused sites as well as the Piano World forum to get my search started by learning the right questions to ask and seeing where others’ preferences clustered statistically and why.

Before you jump in and order something from Amazon, I’d strongly suggest you spend some time researching, considering, and narrowing down to a short list, then arranging if you can for one car trip to a store where you could directly compare your finalists.

If that last part simply can’t work in your circumstances and you need to go the “big-box” online retailer route, then I’d recommend you at least consider a music-dedicated online retailer like Sweetwater over Amazon. The reviews are much more useful/real than the Amazon Randomness, and they offer tech support.

Here are some of my thoughts, experiences, and a few links:

The most basic criteria for finding a digital piano with a good playing feel include:

  • action / “feel”
  • sound(s), including whether or not it has built-in amp/speakers; “polyphony” (how well it handles sounding multiple notes, basically)
  • pedal(s) — 1 or all 3 (including true sostenuto?); free-floating or “proper” fixed pedal assembly
  • stability of stand
  • fixed or adjustable height of stand/keyboard action
  • physical footprint in room
  • budget
  • (If ever using live on stage: lock-panel feature; I once hit a button under the bright sun at a festival performance with an Afro-Latin ensemble and found myself playing the “harpsichord” in the middle of a tune!)

For use as note-entry into a computer, add:

  • dimensions vis-à-vis computer workstation, relative placement, ergonomics, etc.
  • MIDI OUT is no doubt universal; do you also want MIDI IN so that Dorico could trigger your digital piano on playback?

The proverbial “bells and whistles” (which take the keyboard into the realm of “workstation”) — not important for me, as I’m using notation software and/or a DAW) include at least:

  • multi-instrument internal sound banks
  • memory of user-customized sounds
  • multi-instrument layering
  • internal sequencer
  • format(s) for recording/sharing performances (audio? MIDI?)
  • Aux/mic audio inputs

When I was in the market to upgrade, I knew that for me the action was the primary consideration, followed by having a fixed full 3-pedal assembly (with sostenuto) and solid stand. I did also want built-in amp/speakers with at least good sound for those times when I just want to play the thing, and loud enough that I could have another musician in my studio and I could be heard well.

I spent a lot of time reading and comparing reviews at retail and “gear”-focused sites as well as the Piano World forum:

https://www.pianobuyer.com/digital-pianos

Digital Piano Key Actions - 2024 REPORT | Which Ones Are Best?

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/?s=digital+pianos

Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums

From that reading I decided to focus on Roland instruments with their PHA-50 action and Kawai’s RH-III action. (Remember: each manufacturer has different quality-levels of action, each of which they use in multiple instruments across their product line.)

I was shopping in the height of pandemic-lockdown, not long after the first vaccines had come out and were starting to gain traction in the local populace. But even under those circumstances I was fortunate to be able to call ahead to a very reputable piano dealer an hour’s drive (each way) to schedule an appointment when several models with each action were in stock to be auditioned. A few hours later my choice became clear (Roland PHA-50, as it happens, housed in the at-that-time quite new FP-90X (improved amp/speakers and modeled sound quality over the FP-90)).

I hope this is helpful!

2 Likes
13

To me this indicates that weighted keys are an important consideration. Look for MIDI keyboards specifically, that use the same keys as their full-featured flagship versions (as was the case with my Roland). If you don’t have an option of testing a keyboard in person, then consider ordering it online and testing it for a week or two. It’s always going to be better than driving several hours for a few minutes’ test.

Amazon (and B&H where I bought my Roland) both have very generous 30 days return policy, which gives you ample time to try out any keyboard in the peace and quiet of your working environment.

I had to return a couple of items to Amazon and the speed of the refund (and in another case - a replacement) had been rather impressive.

14

Originally I had called the last surviving decent local store and was told by one of the sales people they had none of the above. I called again and turns out they have a full stable of good keyboards

I went in and tried Rolands Yamahas and an unexpected wild card Casio that’s surprisingly playable + has a smaller footprint than others. All are 88 keys and decent actions. They also have the Nords but it’s more than I need here

They’re all a little different but I could see living happily with any of them

All the input here helped me narrow things down and is much appreciated

15

BTW this guy’s done pretty thorough reviews on a bunch of keyboards that I found helpful

1 Like
16

I use an Arturia Keylab Mk II 88 key MIDI controller keyboard:

https://www.arturia.com/products/hybrid-synths/keylab-88-mkii/overview

It’s excellent. The keyboard has nice weighting. There are 61 and 49 key models available also in the Keylab series (but with lesser keyboards in terms of action).

[Disclaimer: I do not work for Arturia.]

17

Hi Alberto, do you have a workflow with the Clavinova and a computer, such as note entry via midi, and have you used this with the Dorico iPad app?

18

Hi @cweber, I use it every day, and the workflow is straightforward.

  • Download the Yamaha USB-MIDI software from the Yamaha site and install it.
  • Get a proper USB cable to connect the piano to the computer.
  • Switch on the piano
  • Now you can launch Dorico
  • In Play MIDI you’ll find your Clavinova. The standard default setting is OK to start
  • End of Story: you can input and playback with the piano

Never used an iPad!

19

Been using a Studiologic SL88 Studio for a few years now and it’s been great, no problems with stuck keys. Not the most intuitive onboard interface, but if you’re just using it as a simple controller, it’s no biggie. There’s also a 73 key version. (My Nord Stage is also awesome, but overkill for your needs.)

20

I tried very briefly a yamaha 225 but sound wasnt good in midrange so i returned it and brought home a Roland fp-30x

Originally onboard sounds werent even a primary consideration but im thinking i can lure my son back to keyboard

Fp 10 would do but speakers on the 30x are better