MOST MODERN KEYBOARDS CAN DELIVER ASTONISHING SOUND
What Keyboard should you choose?
A lot depends on what you want. Do you want a keyboard that sounds and feels like a Piano – then you’re looking for a keyboard or Digital Piano with WEIGHTED keys. Listen carefully to the piano sound – don’t be too excited with all the other buttons (special FX, recording, drums). If you want something portable then you are looking for a small keyboard. Look for one with weighted keys to avoid the feel of light plastic keys.
Famous Weighted Keys
Have you ever played on a portable, light-weighted keyboard and also tried to play a piano? If you haven’t, we recommend that you try it next time you are at a music shop. You will feel a significant difference in the weight and response of the keys. The keys on acoustic pianos feel much heavier to play compared to any portable keyboards. This is because when a piano key is pressed down, it triggers the hammer action to lift in order to hit the strings to create the sound. Portable (non-weighted action) keyboards generally have sensors under the keys to trigger the sounds. Some sensors are simple ON/OFF and other will allow several levels of volume, depending on action (speed and strength used). You will also find that the length of the keys in keyboards are shorter compared to acoustic or digital pianos to achieve their small size. Digital pianos with weighted keys simulate physical hammer action quite well and the weighting of the keys never change. The weighted action helps you to build your finger strength. For a beginner, who practices on a digital piano with a weighted action rather than a non-weighted keyboard, the transition to acoustic piano (real thing) is very smooth. If you are used to playing non-weighted keys, you will find the weighted keys much heavier to play and may struggle until you get used to the heavier keys and the strength you have to use to achieve the same effect.
Get a keyboard with at least 61 keys – anything less and you will be craving for more keys after a few days. Also make sure get a sustain pedal, a keyboard is absolutely a dead thing without one. Without a sustain pedal as soon as you lift your finger off a key the sound stops dead (quiet)– with a piano at least the strings vibrate for a second or two – the difference is quite noticeable. Beginners' keyboards generally have 61 notes or 76 notes, mostly without weighted keys. Beginners start off using only a few notes to begin with when they start learning the piano or keyboard but as you progresses, the range of notes you use will extend. Having fewer keys mean that you will eventually run out of keys to play and they won’t be able to play music that contains top end or low end notes – and that is because the keys just simply aren’t there. Beginners don't need weighted keys, just the keys that have sensors under them to imitate the feeling and provide control over the sound.
Special FX / Sound / Drums
If you are looking for a more professional Keyboard we suggest to get one with the sequencer, large screen and USB input. If you are planing to create your music for more professional reasons you should get a keyboard that have ability to connect directly to the computer.
Most beginners' keyboards offer many DSP effects, Voices and Drum Kits, but you what is important is compatibility. As a beginner you will use existing effects and will never look back, but as a professional you have to be able to download more accompaniments, connect to the professional software via MIDI standard and record your work into a laptop or PC.
