| Digital pianos are a very similar playing experience to | | | | that you are playing. The range and quality of these |
| an acoustic piano. Although a digital piano uses digitally | | | | sounds increases alongside the price of the piano. |
| recorded, or sampled, sounds, rather than a | | | | - With specific audio outputs, digital pianos can be |
| combination of hammers and strings, it can still offer a | | | | recorded or modulated with effects very easily, |
| highly realistic playing feel. | | | | without the need for microphones that is had with |
| The main component of a digital piano is a keyboard | | | | acoustic pianos. |
| with a weighted key action that contains sensors that | | | | |
| detect the velocity with which you hit the keys. When | | | | Features to consider |
| you strike piano keys, the loudness of the sound | | | | It is important to consider carefully what your needs |
| produced is effected by how hard you hit the keys. | | | | are before buying a digital piano. Below is a checklist |
| As the piano is based on samples, a wider range of | | | | of things to watch out for when shopping for a digital |
| sounds, such as organs and harpsichords, can be | | | | piano. |
| realistically recreated within the piano. | | | | - A digital piano with a fully weighted and graded action |
| What are the benefits of a digital piano? | | | | will have the most realistic piano feel when played. . |
| Digital Pianos are greater value than an acoustic piano | | | | The polyphony of notes may be important if you |
| with prices starting from £315 for a PDP220 Digital | | | | intend on taking your playing seriously. Check that the |
| Piano by Gear4music, with professional quality pianos | | | | number of notes that can be heard at once is enough |
| costing well into the thousands. Roland produce a | | | | to meet your needs. If you sustain multiple notes or |
| range of advanced digital pianos including the RG-3 | | | | playing larger chords, twelve to sixteen note polyphony |
| Digital Grand Piano with Moving Keys at £8919. | | | | will not be enough. |
| - Digital pianos are portable. A typical digital piano | | | | - A digital piano should be designed ergonomically to |
| weighs approximately 50 kilos, whereas an acoustic | | | | the player's needs. As a result the control panel should |
| piano will weigh around 200 kilos. It is possible to | | | | be straightforward and easy to understand. |
| disassemble some of the main parts of a digital piano | | | | Importantly, the controls should not interfere with the |
| (for example the stand) in order that it may fit in a car | | | | playing of the piano. |
| more easily. | | | | - Some people may have very specific 'extra' |
| - Tuning is not a problem with a digital piano as it is | | | | features they need on their digital piano. For example, it |
| based around playback of recorded samples. An | | | | may be considered necessary to have a built in cover |
| acoustic piano usually needs tuning once or twice a | | | | for the keys. SImilarly, check what onboard effects are |
| year. | | | | available, and whether these are what you need. Many |
| - The vast majority of digital pianos have a headphone | | | | pianos com with various levels of reverb available. |
| output, meaning that a digital piano can be played at | | | | - For those who want a realistic piano playing |
| any volume, at any time without any noise, other than | | | | experience, check whether the piano includes pedals |
| the low level pressing of keys, being produced. This is | | | | and if so, that they meet your requirements. |
| ideal for home practice environments. | | | | - The power of the amplifier or speaker dictates the |
| - Many digital pianos feature Musical Instrument Digital | | | | volume of the piano. Although you may not turn the |
| Interfaces. MIDI allows the piano to interface with | | | | piano up to full, the extra power of the speaker can |
| another electronic musical device, such as computer | | | | make the sound more balanced overall. |
| software or a synthesizer, to expand the realms of | | | | Other things to think about |
| what your piano can do. | | | | Using your digital piano for practice in the home makes |
| - At the press of a button the sound of the piano can | | | | it worth investing in headphones. Also consider where |
| be changed dramatically. Restricted only by the | | | | you will use the piano, and check if it comes with a |
| samples within your piano, you can select the sound | | | | stool. |