Piano Forum

Piano Street Magazine:
Bringing Florence Price Back to Life: An Inside Look with Pianist Han Chen

A new recording of Florence Price’s Piano Concerto shines new light on the pioneering composer’s legacy. In this interview, Piano Street talks to pianist Han Chen, who reflects on Price’s fusion of Romantic and African American idioms, and the personal journey of interpreting her music for modern audiences. Read more

Topic: Upgrading instrument  (Read 1467 times)

Offline xxkinachixx

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Upgrading instrument
on: December 22, 2013, 06:53:27 AM
Hi, right now I'm using the M-audio Keystation 88es, and it has served me well especially it's ability to connect to my computer via usb. However it is semi weighted, and I would like recommendations for a digital piano which has fully weighted keys (hopefully closer to an acoustic piano). I would however still like to keep the option of connecting the piano to my PC, such that I can record.

Are there any recommendations for under $1000? Thanks

Offline hfmadopter

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2272
Re: Upgrading instrument
Reply #1 on: December 22, 2013, 09:25:08 AM
Hi, right now I'm using the M-audio Keystation 88es, and it has served me well especially it's ability to connect to my computer via usb. However it is semi weighted, and I would like recommendations for a digital piano which has fully weighted keys (hopefully closer to an acoustic piano). I would however still like to keep the option of connecting the piano to my PC, such that I can record.

Are there any recommendations for under $1000? Thanks

Not really no. Actually you have one controller I might have suggested ! Double that amount you quoted and then start looking at digital pianos with the thought that you might have to spend more than $2000 ( Kawai MP10 with it's wooden key cores comes to mind off hand ( $2400 US). It should be a great feeling experience. And the Roland RD700NX ( $2700 US, you can usually find a sale on it someplace for $2400) with it's nice textured key surfaces, not to be mistaken for other Rolands incidentally).. Most or many keyboards today have midi or a USB connection in them, especially stage pianos.

I'd suggest the Kawai MP6 ( I'm merely mentioning it), it's still over $1000 and the keys may feel too heavy to you ( It's a $2000 board that sells regularly these days for $1400 and I bought mine for $1250 with a special one weekend coupon almost a year ago now.. It's getting to be an older model now actually. It's been a nice keyboard for me, I rarely play my grand now. It's taken a long time to get it perfected though, it's internally adjustable and then externally adjustable ad nauseam.

I tried one of those M-Audio key stations before I bought the MP6 and liked the feel of the keys but didn't try it for very long, not the same as owning one. . The MP6 is fully weighted, the keys are a bit heavy actually, as mentioned already..

Kawai also has a new controller out, much as you have probably better built and probably more expensive. I have not seen the cost of one as yet. And really you just want the controller aspect of any of these instruments since you are running it through software I imagine.
Depressing the pedal on an out of tune acoustic piano and playing does not result in tonal color control or add interest, it's called obnoxious.
 

Logo light pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts.

Subscribe for unlimited access

Sign up

Follow us

Piano Street Digicert
Customer Reviews