While vintage acoustic pianos have been around for centuries, digital pianos are fairly new phenomena. Just like everything else, even the music industry today has become highly digitized and so are the instruments. Most people today prefer going for digital pianos over conventional ones, but it can be very confusing to decide which digital piano to buy. Here is a quick buying guide to help you make the right decision.
Responsiveness and Sensitivity
Pianos are loved and cherished because of the grandiose that a natural acoustic piano sound creates. That experience comes from the responsiveness and resistance of the piano keys. Generally, digital pianos lack the resistance of the acoustic keyboard however some models of digital pianos do have a resistance level that is pleasantly similar to that of an acoustic piano. If you are looking for such a benefit, pick a piano that has graded hammer keys/
Sound Quality
When you are playing music or composing new tunes the sound quality is extremely critical. A good sound quality piece will allow you to judge your creation in a better way and is capable of exposing its weaknesses. The sound quality can be evaluated by the texture of the tone that the equipment releases.
Speakers
You will only be able to judge sound quality if your instrument has good quality speakers. Many models lack speaker quality of built-in speakers despite having a good sound engineering, which hinders your overall experience and keeps you from evaluating your music effectively. In such cases, pianists often have to rely on additional detachable speakers.
Tone Sampling
Since digital pianos are electronic instruments that allow you to create new sounds from already sampled pieces of sounds, tone sampling is an important feature to consider. Tone sampling refers to different samples of sounds that are drawn from natural acoustic pianos. Some keyboards have more limited tone sampling than others.
Polyphony
Polyphony allows you to combine two or more different pieces of samples to create new melodies. Having polyphonic features on your digital piano console gives you a great room for creativity and creating new sounds.
Aesthetics and Convenience
If you want to imagine a vintage lobby that has a piano nestled in one corner, you will most likely think of a grand wooden piano that looks regal. It is a common myth that digital pianos are eyesores when it comes to aesthetics. However, some digital pianos have amazing digital consoles but they are also constructed to give the look and feel of a grand piano. Many digital piano consoles have solid wooden built and graded hammer keys to add to your experience. On the flip side, some people live in tiny spaces and they cannot afford a bulky instrument. In that case, look for a digital piano that is lightweight, portable and can easily be slid under the bed when not in use.
Number of Keys
Different pianos come in different key arrangements such as 61, 76 or 88 keys. While professional pianists can even make greater compositions in a lesser number of keys, beginners should go for a full 88 key set to avoid any challenges in the future.
Reviews
One of the best ways to evaluate any purchase decision is to check product reviews from professionals and first-hand users. You can use sites such as PianoReport to compare different makes and models of pianos to make a more informed decision.
