Buying a Good Keyboard

[superdominus]

I started practicing on a 61 keys keyboard, and still am. However, now I feel I need more keys for some pieces, playing some notes at a different octave won't cut it anymore. Plus, it doesn't have the sustain pedal.

Are there any recommendations for a 88 keyboard with the sustain pedal?

[allthumbs]

Go for the best there is. Check out the Roland V Piano.

https://www.roland.com/demos/en/i0125/index.html

[oxy60]

And if you can't afford a Roland check out the cheapest Yamaha. It sounds great through earphones.  BTW the Roland solid state battery powered recorder does a great job even under very difficult conditions (but at a price). It will connect directly to the Yamaha line outputs and you  can have microphone free recording..

[superdominus]

I would love to buy a V-Piano, but its price is a bit too expensive.

Following oxy60's advice, I looked into Yamaha's keyboards. Presently, I have my eye on the  DGX630. What are your views on this, you guys?

[oxy60]

Those are a lot of features in addition to a piano. If you need them that's a good value.

I can't get a price locally on it. The 630 is US$835 online. Locally the 530 is sold out and the 230 is around US$300 including tax. I have the P-85 which has almost no features except a great sounding piano.

[rob_the_dude]

The technology in the V piano is without a doubt amazing, but for me the let down will always be the action - roland don't make real pianos.
For me, the best digital piano is the Kawai MP8, and i've got one so I can whole heartedly vouch for it. If you want more piano than digital in your digital piano then this is the one. The other MP models are also good if you're a bit cash-strapped.

Good luck in your search

Rob

[marao]

Rob

what do you think about kawai es6?

tks

[rob_the_dude]

Sorry, but i can't comment on the es6 having never played one. One thing I would say, however, is that Kawai have a history of making good actions for their digital pianos.

Also, you were talking about the DGX-630? Before i got the MP8 i used to have a DGX-505, the model from the previous year. The action on it was useless for piano playing, just touch sensitive with no weighted keys. Yamaha said the updated the action but i had a tinkle on the 630 a couple of months back and in my personal opinion it is no better.

If the MP8 is too expensive, it may be worthwhile looking for the previous model, the MP9500 (don't question the unfathomable numbering system  ). It has the same action as the MP8, the AWA Grand Pro with the wooden keys, and looks pretty damn similar (apart from the silver). If you can find one (they are pretty rare due to the high original selling price), it is well worth the money. Don't discount the MP8, though, as Kawai have just released the MP8ii, and there may be a few shallow souls out there who are willing to sell an MP8 for the new model. Heres are review of both the MP9500 and MP8:

MP9500: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Feb03/articles/kawaimp9500.asp
MP8: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov05/articles/kawaimp8.htm
ES6 brochure: https://www.kawai.de/service/es6_catalog.pdf

Hope this helps 

Rob