Pros and Cons
Light + Piano – that’s the formula for the Korg Liano! This mixture does not refer to a “piano with light”, but rather to the low weight of this compact portable piano. Coming in at just six kilos, it seems ideal for traveling. Despite the light weight, it even has 88 keys – how is all that possible?
Looking at the specifications spotting what causes the low weight is relatively easy: The Korg Liano comes with a semi-weighted keyboard and plastic casing. This would actually take the Korg Liano off the table for ambitious piano beginners or live keyboardists who need a robust stage piano. However, the Liano has a few features that make it extremely interesting. Compromise – yes, of course – but for whom and for which use?
This is indeed a compromise at the expense of an authentic playing feel. Of course, entry-level pianos best also provide the experience of playing on a weighted hammer action keyboard – hardly possible without the corresponding weight. If we compare the Korg B2 or other portable pianos with hammer action keyboards, for example, we get twice the weight – and even more.
The LS keys of the Korg Liano do completely without hammer action, so it plays more like a keyboard. However, its piano keys already convey some piano feeling. The Korg Liano plays pleasantly grippy, which I spontaneously like best with the vintage electric piano sound – more about that in the Korg Liano & Apps section.
While the casing may not feel particularly sturdy, its ultra-slim 7cm height makes it exceptionally compact and lightweight for a digital piano. You can actually tuck the Korg Liano under your arm. However, investing in a good gig bag is essential. Then, you can easily carry your piano as a backpack on the subway to rehearsals or your next gig – and, best of all, you’ll arrive completely sweat-free!
The highlight of the technical equipment is the USB MIDI/Audio function. It is more than “nice to have”. Especially if you want to use the electric piano together with a music computer, smartphone, or tablet. Thanks to the USB MIDI/Audio function, connecting an iPad & Co is simple – you only need an ordinary USB cable to integrate the audio signals of the iPad into the audio system of the Korg Liano.
In general, a Camera Connection Kit or OTG adapter is needed to connect mobile devices to e-pianos like the Liano. On the other hand, you can connect it directly to a computer via USB2/3.
Online lessons, play-alongs, playing with music apps – all that works flawlessly. The input volume of the externally connected devices cannot be adjusted on the Liano, but that can be set on the mobile devices. With Korg Module Pro (see below), I was able to override the maximum input volume. So, better pay a little attention to the volume level. In any case, the digital audio input via USB is sensitive enough to mix quieter signals well with the Liano’s internal sounds.
Korg does not offer a piano control app, but it does have plenty of music apps that make famous vintage synthesizers available for iPad and iPhone: Korg iM1, including the complete sound library of the legendary M1 workstation and also the complete T models. Also, synthesizers like iMS-20 and iPolysix – great sounds for little money. You also get that with the apps Korg Gadget and Korg Module Pro.
As a mobile keyboard studio, Korg Module Pro is especially interesting because, through in-app purchases, you get the Scarbee Rhodes EP-88m or two acoustic pianos from Synthogy: Ivory Mobile Grand and Ivory Mobile American D. As mentioned above – the smooth LS keyboard of the Korg Liano goes very well with vintage electric pianos. With Korg Module Pro and Scarbee EP-88M, you can pretty much tune up the possibilities of the Korg Liano. Pure playing fun!
Korg offers the Liano with an included software bundle. Interesting for absolute piano beginners is the Skoove app, coming with a 3-month subscription to online piano lessons. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.
The Korg apps Gadget Le and Korg Module are a different story – these are also included in the software bundle for the Liano, but they are available for free via the Apple App Store anyway. Also included is a 50% discount for the music distribution platform TuneCore.
As with any portable piano, you shouldn’t expect miracles, but I’m positively surprised by the sound of the built-in speakers, especially because of the Liano’s compact design. Most of all, when playing the Fender Rhodes sound – it’s great how warm and dense the sound comes across, even through the small speakers. The same goes for the bright, dimensional piano sound – it can only be given top marks in this price range.
An interesting detail: The piano sound is also available in a mono version, which is especially an advantage if you want to take part in a jam session and only one guitar amp is available. With stereo-designed piano sounds, you can sometimes experience surprises here.
Playing the eight built-in sounds is even more fun over good headphones because here, the sounds seem more detailed than over the built-in speakers. There are Key-Off effects and Damper Resonance, which make the pianos sound even more realistic.
Other sounds include FM pianos, a church organ as well as a jazzy vintage organ, and a harpsichord that could easily be mistaken for a clavinet – nice!
You can add the reverb effect and the metronome via the control panel. Otherwise, you can use key combinations to access all other functions. You can find out which keys to press in the user manual. Better keep it handy if you want to change the settings of the chorus effect, transposition, basic tuning, or adjust the volume and speed of the metronome. This kind of handling is common for this type of device, but it’s still not ideal.
The MIDI settings allow for easy integration into keyboard or recording setups. Since a Local-Off function is available, you can also use the Korg Liano as a master keyboard together with host or DAW programs. There is also a “partner” function, which divides the keyboard into two identical sections – the classic student/teacher mode for piano lessons.
Not unusual in the price range, but still less nice is the included damper pedal PS-3, which is just a foot switch. Korg offers the DS-1H sustain pedal as an optional accessory, whose half-pedal function is also supported by the Korg Liano.
The Korg Liano occupies a special place in the price range below 500 Euros. As a portable piano with a semi-weighted keyboard, it can’t keep up with the playing feel of, for example, the Casio CDP-S110 or the Roland FP-10. But it has a lot to offer in terms of sound and not least a USB MIDI/Audio function. The latter is also available on the two B2 models from Korg.
Korg B2 vs. Liano: The Korg B2 is not much more expensive than the Liano and slightly larger. It also has more sounds to offer – especially in terms of acoustic pianos. The main difference is the NH keyboard with hammer action.
Korg B2N vs. Liano: Except for the keyboard, the B2N model is identical to the Korg B2.
Another detail would be the stand, which is available for both B2 models but not for the Liano.
Even if the LS keyboard excels as a semi-weighted keyboard – it does not come close to the playing feel of a weighted hammer action keyboard. If you want something like that, you might want to take a look at the Korg B2.
The Korg Liano can be called a “mobile” piano in two aspects: On the one hand, the low weight, the extremely compact design, and not least the battery operation are convincing. On the other hand, the USB MIDI/Audio function makes the Korg Liano ideal for combination with mobile devices.
Given the flexibility, the Korg Liano is a tip for anyone who wants to practice the piano or take online lessons while on the go or needs an extremely compact and lightweight electric piano for rehearsal, small gigs, and live jams. Plug in the iPad and rock out with Korg Module Pro or Korg Gadget – super easy.
Release date: 10.2022
Keyboard: 88-key semi-weighted LS keyboard
Polyphony: 120 voices
Special features: USB MIDI/Audio function
Manufacturer/Distributor: Korg
Pros and Cons
Jörg Sunderkötter
...a tip for anyone who wants to practice the piano or take online lessons while on the go, or needs an extremely compact and lightweight electric piano for rehearsal, small gigs and live jams.
Liano : 310,00 €
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