Recommendations for digital pianos?

[yinabled]

Hi, all!

I'm new to this forum, so sorry if I'm doing something wrong, etc.

In the spirit of the holiday season, I'm looking to buy myself a digital piano. I already own an upright, but want a digital piano to practice while others are sleeping and to bring to college with me. I am an intermediate-advanced player, so I don't want a beginner-quality piano (cheap, flimsy, doesn't sound like a piano, pressure-sensitive volume, etc.) I hope to also be able to hook up the piano to the computer to record pieces. This is solely for home use; I will not be bringing it anywhere for performances. I do not need a stand or a pedal; I already own those two. However, I would probably need a piano bench.

Thanks! Happy holidays to you all!

[yinabled]

I feel like I should clarify.

I primarily play classical music. I'm looking for a piano that's (preferably) $500 or below, but if that's not possible given the expressiveness of classical music, then I would like other recommendations. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[hfmadopter]

Since want to hook to a computer I suggest you get any low end weighted piano or controller that has Midi connections. For $79 US download the program Pianoteq Stage and run your piano through Pianoteq and out to at least decent computer speakers. For all intents this is as close as you can get to a real piano sound and action as well. If you can still find a Korg SP170 in stock someplace that will work fine and has quite decent action.

Barring that my default suggested low end piano these days is the Yamaha P105. You should find one for $500. It has several jacks and decent on board sound for a low end keyboard.. It has piano like action, weighted keys. Some people like the Casio Privia series, say PX 130 or better the 150. I don't care for the keys personally but others do. That's subjective at best.

 I have to tell you though, everyone wants a piano for $500 it seems and that really is a low figure unless you go Midi. Even then it's a low figure if you want decent feeling keys. Though The M-Audio 88 weighted key controller feels pretty good . And the 88 key Akai does too but I think they are over $500 by a bit.. Understand that controllers have no sound, it is action only and the sound is generated in a program like Pianoteq ( there are other programs but most don't sound as nice and cost more and Pianoteq is piano only and not a computer hog at all )..

[michael_c]

Here's a plug for the Casio PX-150! I'm a professional pianist, I have a wonderful old Richard Lipp grand at home and a Yamaha NU1 to practice on with headphones. We also have a Casio PX-150 which my wife uses for accompanying singing lessons. Recently I played the Casio to accompany my wife for a concert of 19th century poplar songs (a digital piano was our only option). I was surprised how much I could do with it. Give it a try and see if you like the feel: some do, some don't.

Pianoteq is also very interesting. i've been trying the demo and I think I'll buy it. Apart from simulated Steinways and Blüthners there are some very convincing historical piano sounds.

[hfmadopter]

Here's a plug for the Casio PX-150! I'm a professional pianist, I have a wonderful old Richard Lipp grand at home and a Yamaha NU1 to practice on with headphones. We also have a Casio PX-150 which my wife uses for accompanying singing lessons. Recently I played the Casio to accompany my wife for a concert of 19th century poplar songs (a digital piano was our only option). I was surprised how much I could do with it. Give it a try and see if you like the feel: some do, some don't.

Pianoteq is also very interesting. i've been trying the demo and I think I'll buy it. Apart from simulated Steinways and Blüthners there are some very convincing historical piano sounds.

If this site had a Like feature your post would have just gotten one !!

I bought Pianoteq and have set up curves for at least two different pianos that I like. Two different Steinway D's. My Kawai sounds great on it's own and is fine for accompaniment as is but I do like some other sounds as well. However the real issue is not at home on my own piano ( I too also have a Grand plus the Kawai digital), it's in two churches who have old keyboards but are MIDI capable. On their own they have that old digital sound and I intend to "fix" that ! Of course sound is as good as the sound system you play through too, so at one location at least I may have to bring in some speakers.. My wife has started solo and leading singing for one location with me doing accompaniment, to which I am a better solo player than I am accompaniment player LOL ! But we will practice, it's coming together. I think Pianoteq is going to help that cause to some small degree.