“All I want is to play the piano…”—a common phrase used by many beginners who are interested in a digital piano. Which are the most important digital piano features? Which ones are essential and which are less important? To make your own judgments, you need at least a basic understanding of digital piano technology and specifications. You’ll find an overview here…
Don’t worry, it’s not about knowing every last detail of digital technology. You don’t need to be familiar with the ins and outs of sampling or physical modeling, for example. First and foremost, we want a beautiful piano sound and a great playing experience, so certain aspects of piano playing become irrelevant for now.
In general, current digital pianos from brand manufacturers such as Casio, GEWA, Kawai, Korg, Roland, Yamaha, etc. are of a high standard. Even the entry-level models here offer high-quality keyboards and great sound.
Naturally, beginners often ask the same questions, especially about the basics: Do I really need three piano pedals every time I play, or is one enough? Can I connect a pedal other than the included mini footswitch? These “little things” are what confuse most aspiring pianists. Moreover, they are almost always related to specific features of digital pianos.
Let’s start at the beginning: The basic function of a digital piano is—no joke(!)—piano playing. The digital piano produces sound in a different way than an acoustic piano. Instead of hitting the strings like an acoustic piano, it generates electronic sounds. This is all thanks to a complex system that starts with the keyboard and ends with the built-in speakers.
The simplest function of the digital piano is right in the middle of this system: the volume control. A big advantage of the digital piano over an acoustic piano is the ability to play at a set volume or even (almost) silently through headphones.
In principle, everything is very similar to a keyboard, and in fact, many keyboard features are similar to those of a digital piano. However, there is one major difference between these two electronic instruments: the keys. Although both instruments have a touch-sensitive keyboard, keyboards have smooth-running plastic keys, while the keyboard on a digital piano simulates the feel of weighted piano keys.
Learn more: Keyboard or Piano?
Piano keys don’t just look different than keyboard keys, they also feel different and must meet unique requirements. While the ebony/ivory surfaces also contribute to this piano feel, the balanced control of the piano sound through touch sensitivity is more important.
A digital piano must also be able to simulate the mechanical action of a piano keyboard. These are the essential aspects:
Regarding the “Ivory Feel Keyboard“: While not a standard feature, it is definitely an advantage if you have such a keyboard. This ivory feel concerns the texture of the key surfaces, which is slightly roughened here, giving the keys a pleasant feel.
Synthetic ivory and ebony keycaps have a sweat-absorbing effect and provide a good grip while playing. These features are not unique to digital pianos as synthetic keytops are also used on acoustic pianos.
Wooden keys are characteristic of high-quality digital piano keyboards, hence manufacturers love to emphasize this feature. However, not all pianos have a real wooden keyboard—even if manufacturers claim they do, and even if the white keys feel like wood. In the middle price range, starting at about $2,000, only the following instrument series offer real wooden keys:
There is no doubt that wooden keys are closer to the feel of an acoustic model than a plastic or hybrid keyboard. This difference is especially noticeable on instruments in the price range between $2,000 and $4,000. However, you can also get conventional digital piano keyboards of excellent quality at this price.
This is another important feature of digital pianos, as every model lets you adjust the touch response. Some digital pianos have a button on the control panel, others have this function in the settings menu.
By using dynamic curves such as Light – Normal – Heavy, you can control whether the touch should feel heavy or light. The “Normal” setting should work best whether you are a beginner or an advanced player. However, if you are just starting to play the piano, you may want to start with the “Light” setting and increase it later.
Even though the number of sounds is always listed in the brochures, it is only a statistical value that does not tell you anything about the quality. Therefore, the rule of thumb when buying a digital piano is: The more sounds you get for a cheap price, the worse it is!
It may sound like a truism, but it can’t be said often enough: The most important sound by far is the one you need to play the piano. And that should be a beautiful, brilliant piano sound…
Most digital pianos aspire to the sound of a grand piano. Many are based on the Steinway & Sons model, such as the GEWA pianos or Casio’s GP series, which includes three large concert grands: Bechstein (Berlin Grand), Steinway & Sons (Hamburg Grand), and Bösendorfer (Vienna Grand).
As traditional piano manufacturers, Yamaha and Kawai are committed to their own grand pianos. Accordingly, Yamaha’s Arius and CLP models feature the CFX concert grand piano, while Kawai’s Shigeru Kawai SK-EX and EX models are equally high-quality concert grand pianos for home and stage use.
The more detailed the piano sound, the more expressive the playing performance. The sound quality is often surprisingly good, even for lower-priced instruments. Since the sounds here are stereo, they create a convincing three-dimensional sound image.
But it’s not only the listener who should get an authentic sound impression, but also the player. The playing feel depends not only on the keyboard but also on the sound characteristics. For this reason, good digital pianos take into account many sonic details that dynamically adapt to your playing style. While many of these are subtle, they are all essential to the authentic simulation of an acoustic piano.
String resonance: The resonance of piano strings is acoustically very complex and of great importance for the sound quality when using the sustain pedal. We distinguish between damper resonance and sympathetic resonance here.
Dynamics: The harmonic behavior of the piano changes dramatically with velocity. At pianissimo, the overtones tend to be mellow and sweet, but as velocity increases, they become more brilliant and radiant. This dynamic progression must be smooth, without noticeable jumps.
Articulation: It is not only the attack but also the release of the notes that affects the sound. A key-off effect ensures that the piano notes fall silent with a certain inertia when you depress the keys. On more expensive models, you can even hear the moment the damper hits the strings.
On many digital pianos, you can voice the piano by individually adjusting sound details such as resonance, dynamics, and articulation. This digital piano feature is for example called Piano Designer (Roland) or Piano Room (Yamaha). For many years now, Kawai has been at the forefront of this technology with its Virtual Technician.
The number of pedals can vary depending on the type of piano (stage piano, portable piano, etc.) However, most digital upright pianos have three pedals, as you would find on a grand piano (from left to right):
You’ll use the sustain pedal much more frequently than the other two pedals. For this reason, it is perfectly acceptable for a beginner’s piano to come with only one pedal. Nonetheless, you should be aware of the following points:
Half Pedal Function: On acoustic pianos, the sustain pedal has fine gradations that vary the decay of the notes. A digital piano should ideally be able to replicate this typically acoustic expression. With an entry-level model, you may need to check to see if it allows this.
Sustain Pedal: Many portable pianos come with a simple foot switch as a sustain pedal. While this technically works just fine, it simply cannot convey an authentic piano feel. As these footswitches do not support the half-pedal function either, you should plan on purchasing a decent pedal with half-pedal capability along with the instrument.
Since piano pedals are an important expressive tool, an authentic feel is as important here as it is on the keyboard. On pianos and grand pianos, you’d feel a steadily increasing resistance as you depress the pedal. This may seem rather stiff to beginners at first, as it takes some getting used to.
This is less the case with entry-level models, but from the mid-range up you will find digital pianos equipped with terms such as “Grand Feel Pedal System” (Kawai), “Tactile Response System” or “Responsive Damper Pedal” (Yamaha).
No, but you can still tune your piano! While the electronic sound generation causes a digital piano to never go out of tune, it is possible to influence the tuning. Several digital piano functions are relevant in this context:
One important piano tuning feature is called stretch tuning. The bass and treble notes are stretched slightly beyond even temperament to compensate for the inharmonic overtones of the piano strings. Digital pianos generally simulate this, but some models allow you to turn it off. This is helpful when playing with other instruments.
These are classic digital piano features that you won’t find on any other piano. The electronic sound generation make it possible to play more than one sound on the keyboard at the same time. In most cases, the following functions are available:
Layer (Dual Mode): This lets you play two sounds simultaneously across the full range of the keyboard by layering them on top of each other. Popular combinations include acoustic and electric pianos, or grand piano and string orchestra.
Split: This splits the keyboard into two sections at a freely selectable note (split point), allowing you, for example, to play a bass sound on the left side of the keyboard and a piano sound on the upper part of the keyboard.
Twin (Duet, Duo): Again, this mode divides the keyboard into two sections. While you play the same sound in both sections, they are transposed identically. This function is useful for piano lessons, allowing the teacher and student to play simultaneously.
Balance: Adjusts the volume balance between two sounds.
These digital piano features are standard on any digital upright piano, making it an ideal practice instrument. Having a fancy metronome standing on your piano is great, but it doesn’t work so well when you want to practice quietly with headphones. In this case, you can use the built-in metronome, which internally mixes with the piano sound. Some digital pianos additionally allow you to adjust the beat, the accentuation of the beats, and the volume of the metronome.
Another handy practice tool is a built-in recorder that records what you play. It is also possible to record a new piece separately for the left and right hands to practice each other’s parts.
There are two types of recorders: MIDI and Audio. The MIDI recorder records only the action of the keys and pedals and has the advantage of being able to vary the recording and playback tempo freely. This is another helpful feature when practicing the piano. Inexpensive digital pianos have only a MIDI recorder, while more expensive pianos also include an Audio recorder.
Many digital pianos also come with stored piano literature for learning and playing along, as well as lesson features.
You shouldn’t compromise on the piano sound of a digital piano because that’s what you will play most of the time. After all, you are not going to buy an electric piano because presets such as Nylon Guitar or Accordion sound great. However, these other sounds can add richness and variety to the digital piano.
Standard non-piano sounds include related keyboard instruments such as cembalo or harpsichord, as well as electronic variants such as vintage electric pianos (E.Piano) or clavinet. Organ sounds (church organ, rock/jazz organ), choir, strings, or orchestra are very popular. Many of these sounds are also ideal for layer combinations, while bass sounds are practical for split combinations, represented by double bass (Ac.Bass) or electric bass.
On digital pianos, the speakers allow for acoustic sound reproduction. Electronically amplified, the digitally generated sounds are transmitted to the internal speakers. In the simplest case (usually found on entry-level models), you will find the speakers on the underside of the instrument’s body, resulting in indirect sound radiation. More sophisticated systems consist of at least four speakers that are amplified separately to provide more sound volume and sound radiation to the playing position.
The more expensive the digital piano, the more extensive and powerful the built-in speaker system, right? That at least would be an understandable rule of thumb. However, there are different ways of reproducing sound. Transducer-driven playback systems, which use an acoustic soundboard as a resonating body, are an exception. The top model of the Kawai CA-series features this in several generations. The sound reproduction is much closer to that of an acoustic piano than conventional speakers ever could be.
An advantage of all digital pianos is the volume control of the built-in playback system, which allows you to practice at a lower volume. Another handy feature is the ability to connect external sound sources to the digital piano speakers via an audio input. If Bluetooth is supported, you can also do this wirelessly.
In general, a digital piano should sound clear and distortion-free even at maximum volume. However, the placement of the digital piano also affects the way you perceive the sound. If possible, strong sound reflections shown not dominate the room acoustics. Thankfully, many digital pianos offer options for adjusting the speaker system to suit specific conditions.
Speaker Volume (Kawai): Decreases the maximum volume, which is useful if you perceive the piano as too loud in its location.
Brilliance: The easiest way to adjust the sound of the instrument. With Brilliance, you can adjust whether the sound is more or less overtone-rich (bright).
User EQ: Room resonances can emphasize or attenuate certain frequencies of the sound. An equalizer can counteract this acoustic behavior.
IAC: Intelligent Acoustic Control—this function optimizes the sound of Yamaha digital pianos at different volume levels. Similar to a Loudness function, an equalizer dynamically adjusts to the volume level of the instrument. Even at low volumes, the sound should be full and round.
Tone control: This is the function on Kawai pianos that combines the above functions into one menu. Here you can select different playback profiles to adjust the overall sound of the digital piano.
Learn More Here: Where To Position Your Digital Piano.
Another great advantage of digital pianos is that you can play and practice quietly using headphones. It is not uncommon to place a digital piano in a living room where it may not be possible to play at full volume all the time. Therefore, this feature comes in handy if you want to practice while someone else is watching TV.
However, there are limitations because the mechanical sounds of the keyboard are still present when you play the piano with headphones. If you do a lot of headphone playing, consider buying a good pair of relatively inexpensive studio headphones.
Learn more: Digital Piano Headphones – Inspiring Sound Quality
There are also a few digital piano features that you should be aware of when using headphones:
3D sound: The spatial reproduction of sound is different with headphones than with speakers. Because the headphones are very close to your ears, you perceive the left and right sides separately, rather than as a coherent spatial sound image. For this reason, manufacturers offer functions such as Headphone 3D Ambience (Roland), Spatial Headphone Sound (SHS mode, Kawai), and Stereophonic Optimizer (Yamaha).
Binaural sampling: Yamaha’s CLP series even offers binaural sampling of piano sounds. This special sample was recorded with the help of a dummy head microphone and is intended for use with headphones only.
Headphone type: With this function, you can adjust Kawai digital pianos to the connected headphone system (closed, open, semi-open).
Depending on their price range and features, digital pianos offer a variety of different connection options. In addition to power from a wall outlet or AC adapter, we can roughly distinguish between two types of connections: audio and data communication.
Audio Input: Allows you to connect external sound sources such as MP3 players, microphones, or other keyboards. Typically, the input is configured as a stereo input and is accessible through two jacks. However, it is not uncommon to find one stereo mini jack.
Audio Outputs: You use the audio outputs to connect to a stereo system, recording device, or mixing console. These are usually line-level jacks.
USB to Host: Useful to necessary for digital communication with computers or mobile devices. Most digital pianos transmit MIDI data through the USB-to-Host jack; audio processing through the USB interface is less common. However, there is a clear trend for more manufacturers to make this possible and integrate a complete MIDI/audio interface into their instruments.
USB to Device: Allows connecting storage devices (USB flash drives, etc.) to play MP3s, standard MIDI files, or to store audio files and settings.
Bluetooth: Almost a standard feature, with a distinction between Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio.
Musical Instrument Digital Interface—this is the term behind the abbreviation MIDI. This standardized interface from the early 1980s allows musical instruments to exchange data. For example, a digital piano can transmit playing information (keys, pedals, volume controls, etc.) to external devices (e.g. sound module). Today, this usually happens via USB-MIDI, with the focus on connecting music computers or tablets. Even the smallest digital pianos have at least a basic set of MIDI functions.
MIDI Channel: MIDI provides 16 channels for control of different sounds—standard MIDI files use this format. The MIDI Channel setting determines which of these channels the digital piano will use to receive and transmit MIDI data. If you only want the digital piano to receive data on a specific MIDI channel, you will need to pay attention to the “OMNI mode” function. As long as this function is active, the instrument will always receive MIDI data on all MIDI channels simultaneously.
Local On/Off: This is actually a minor feature that many people will rarely or never need. However, as soon as you want to connect the digital piano to a sequencer program (DAW) and/or external sound generators, it is necessary to set the LOCAL function to “Off”. This will disconnect the keyboard from the sound source of the instrument and is the only way to ensure that you can control all devices on the MIDI network via one music application.
Program Change and Control: Control via a music application includes recalling sounds using the program change number. In addition, you can control functions such as volume, sustain pedal, effects, and certain sound parameters using MIDI controllers. Each function is assigned a unique controller number. Many of these controller numbers are standardized, so there is little need to worry about them.
Learn more about this here: Using a Digital Piano as a MIDI Keyboard
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