Thinking about buying the DXG-500 Keyboard

[goalevan]

88 keys, LCD screen, not too expensive... Looks like a good fit for me.

Anybody have any experience or knowledge about this particular model?

[xvimbi]

If you are happy with a keyboard, rather than an acoustic piano or a digital piano, and if you are happy with unweighted keys that will not allow any expression, and if you are happy with sound that does not resemble a piano, then by all means, go ahead and get the DXG500.

Seriously, it obviously depends on what your goals are, but if you are thinking of playing classical music, I would recommend staying far away from keyboards. As an alternative, I would suggest to take a look at Yamaha's P-series of digital pianos.

[goalevan]

what would be the difference between this keyboard and a digital piano? I thought the DXG500 has weighted touch sensitive keys too. And I've heard it sounds more like a real piano than other keyboards.

[ayahav]

I'm wondering, how much does it cost?
Something that's this wonderful would probably cost a lot... almost as much as a cheap piano.... why not get a cheap piano and a MIDI keyboard..?

[goalevan]

well... the DXG500 costs about 600, where most of the digital pianos that I saw were 1000 or far above. It looks like the best 88 key keyboard that yamaha holds.

here's a picture of it:
https://images.misupply.com/products/originalzoom/Yamaha/53360.jpg

[ayahav]

I would look for a second-hand piano then... Find a good second-hand piano, and most shops have special payment options.... Just make sure you don't get a Russian piano, they tend to be quite unreliable, and not made of the best materials..... (or so I was told in the shop when I bought mine... No offence to any Russians.)

[goalevan]

I need something that I can control the volume, cause it will be in the dorm room.

Here's a picture of my keyboard now, anything would be an improvement on this thing lol.

[ayahav]

again.... most uprights nowadays have a practice pedal to control the volume.

[goalevan]

need something I can use headphones with

[newsgroupeuan]

need something I can use headphones with

I have had a digital piano and a keyboard similar to this.  The touch sense on the keyboard is much different then on a piano - the keys react differently.  However on the digital piano is much closer to a real piano.  And it has pedals.

[goalevan]

https://www.emusicgear.com/photos/DGX500-2.jpg

heres another picture of it. How much of a difference does the key weighting really make? I'll be practicing alot on real pianos down at the music building also, so I wouldn't lose my feel for the real thing.

[xvimbi]

what would be the difference between this keyboard and a digital piano? I thought the DXG500 has weighted touch sensitive keys too. And I've heard it sounds more like a real piano than other keyboards.

The keys are heavier than on the lower end Yamaha keyboards, but they are nowhere near the graded and weighted action that is available on the P-series digital pianos.

The difference between a keyboard and a digital piano is mostly in the action. Keyboards generally don't have very good actions, it's not needed as they are meant either to be purely recreational or to control other modules, e.g. a variety of instrument sound modules (commonly available on the keyboard directly) or external sound modules. Digital pianos, on the other hand, stress the piano aspect, so they are closer to the real thing.

Granted, the DXG has a whole range of features that one can play around with, but do you really need/want them? If you are mostly interested in the piano part then compare the DXG to the P90 (if you want to stay in roughly the same price range) or the P250 or PF500. Those are really kick-a$$ digital pianos for their price.

Before you buy, under all circumstances, check out any of the contenders in person and carefully compare their characteristics.

[goalevan]

I really wanted the PF500, but that's over 2k... I know that this is a long term buy in the end but I don't know if I want to go all out yet because I have very limited money and I'm still in college.

P90 looks good, and is affordable too, I'll have to look more into that. It looks more like an acoustic piano with MIDI capability but not too many other features. But then again I don't really need 250 difference voices.. drums, trombones, violins, etc...  Do you know anything about the LCD screen on the DXG? What's the purpose of that, does it display music while you play or something like that? That could also be useful for me to train my sight reading and chords as I'm not an advanced player yet.

[xvimbi]

I really wanted the PF500, but that's over 2k... I know that this is a long term buy in the end but I don't know if I want to go all out yet because I have very limited money and I'm still in college.

I have a PF500, paid $1,700 for it (incl. shipping).

P90 looks good, and is affordable too, I'll have to look more into that. It looks more like an acoustic piano with MIDI capability but not too many other features. But then again I don't really need 250 difference voices.. drums, trombones, violins, etc...  Do you know anything about the LCD screen on the DXG? What's the purpose of that, does it display music while you play or something like that? That could also be useful for me to train my sight reading and chords as I'm not an advanced player yet.

Be aware that the P90 doesn't have speakers. You need to connect it to your stereo, or just use headphones. I don't know exactly how good the DXG is for displaying score and keeping track of where you are when you make a mistake. Download the manual and check it out. I don't think it would be too useful in the long run, though. I've had a Yamaha keyboard with LCD screen. The type was way to small and grainy to be of real use. I doubt the DXG is any better.

[Antnee]

Goalevan-
      i bought a dgx- 500 about a year ago ( well birthday present) mainly because i wanted to play a few peices and that was about it. (maily bacasue i wanted to cheat and look at the noted on the lcd screen. But within a few months I had learned many pieces and my technical strength outgrew the key board in about six months( i progressed extremely fast) so a t that point my parents decided to get me a teacher. The teacher saw me and was amazed that I had picked all that up on my own. She flat out told me that in order to continue to progress to a higher level of playing that a real piano was necessary.

I totally agree with her. On the key board I was able to learn pieces like clair de lune, or fur elise, or a chopin nocturne, and even some rachmaninoff, but that was as far as I could push it. The keys, even though they are slightly weighted, bear no resemblance to the real piano I got ( for this last christmas   ) and my technique would be NOWHERE near what it would be if i was just on that keyboard. If there is no way of getting even a used upright, then i would have to recommend a real digital piano, but in some cases the upright may be the same.

If you still can't do that maybe consider getting the keyboard for some practice and memorization purposes and see if there is a studio or school with a piano to let you do some hardcore practice on.

best of luck,
-Tony-
P.S -I'd be happy to answer any other questions you may have about the DGX-500

[goalevan]

anybody have experience with the P90? How does it compare to the PF500?

[xvimbi]

anybody have experience with the P90? How does it compare to the PF500?

Check out the following forum:
https://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=18
There is a ton of discussions around this topic.

You'll find all the specs on: https://www.yamahasynth.com

Off the top of my hat: the action is the same, the sound samples seem to be pretty similar, if not identical; in comparison with the PF-500 (or its cousin the P-250), the P-90 does not have speakers, does not have pedals (and does not allow half-pedaling), has "only" 64-bit polyphony (128-bit on the PF-500), does not have USB, does not come with a stand (and in some areas with a bench too), etc., check the manuals for more.

Finally, if you are in the U.S., go to a GuitarCenter and check them out for yourself. In the end, you will have to like its sound and action and live with it, irrespective of any specs or advice.

[goalevan]

Anybody have experience with the P-120? How does it differ from the P-90 other than built in stereos? Thats another model I've been looking into.

[ivoryplayer4him]

What you want is an electric piano.  dont call it a keyboard or a digital piano...people get all confused.  I dont know alot about the model you are wanting, but i do know some about "General" electric pianos.  It always depends on waht you are wanting it for.  Make sure that the electric piano has very good speakers.  the more watts, the better.  dont go below 20 watts for each speaker...another serious problem with some electric pianos, are their pedal system.  be sure you ask about it.  if the guy tells you that the pedals will have to be 'adjusted' every once in a while..back away.  there are nice inexpensive electric pianos out there that have excelent pedal systems.  Roland makes a very nice low priced electric piano.  take a look at them before you set your mind to a yamaha.  Rolands are top of the line in most cases.  I'm actually about to buy one that is 1500 dollars.  Make sure that the electric piano has some kind of hammer action.  Weighted keys are ok, but thats all they are is ok.  hammer action will feel more comfortable to your fingers, trust me.  As far as being able to play classical music on one, take you some music that you love palying with you to the store and try it out.  Never buy one before you try it out.  I will tell you soemthing else...if you go with an electric piano, try to get a cabinet piano.  they will feel more comfortable then an electric piano that looks l like a key board.  trust me.