Pros and Cons
The initial launch of the DP and UP models was a success for the German brand GEWA. Now, the series is being rejuvenated with small and large detail improvements. These include fine-tuning of the acclaimed piano sound, and the addition of wireless control via the Piano Remote app. The GEWA DP-345 will thus hold its own in the upper entry-level class.
The first impression of a new instrument always matters – the DP-345 does not disappoint here. First of all, I notice that the keys feel good. The Ivory Feel keys ensure this – but the interaction of keys and sound also convinces at the first try: Playing on the GEWA DP-345 is a pleasant experience.
A wide range of possibilities and easy operation are the focal points of the GEWA DP-345 – functionality considered separately. This digital piano can clearly do more than the small control panel would suggest. Nevertheless, the controls available on the piano let you access all important functions via the display. This includes setting the sounds as well as auxiliary functions such as metronome and recorder.
If you want to use more advanced features, such as adjusting digital piano functions like string resonances and damper behavior, you will certainly want to use the app “GEWA Piano Remote”.
The app is available free of charge for Android and iOS devices and runs on smartphones and tablets. While there are graphically more advanced piano apps, the well-structured menus of GEWA’s Piano Remote app offer more comfortable access to the piano’s functions.
Very practical: You can connect GEWA’s control app to the piano via USB, but also wirelessly via Bluetooth MIDI. Additionally, you can establish a wireless audio connection between the GEWA DP-345 and mobile devices or computers. However, this only works in one direction: for playback from external devices. The transmission of the piano play to e.g. Bluetooth speakers does not work – as with all digital pianos – and also would not make sense due to system latency of Bluetooth audio.
The predecessor models already received a lot of praise for this feature. The less expensive models of the current series again benefit from the excellent piano sound, available without restriction on all models. With 256-fold polyphony and all simulation options, such as string resonances and damper behavior, it plays superbly.
For the piano sound, a Steinway D concert grand piano was sampled. Accordingly, the DP-345 sounds big and wide. You get a brilliant piano sound here with beautiful details in the attack. Testing the dynamic potential is great fun.
The relationship to the predecessor series cannot be denied, and one could think that GEWA removed some peaks from the sound. However, this is to the advantage of the new Steinway sound of the GEWA pianos because playing pianissimo is now even better. Also, a lot of potential in the dynamics remains regardless. Overall, the piano sound of the GEWA DP-345 seems more balanced than the previous series – refined and further developed. A great sound with character and expression.
Additional sounds are part of every digital piano, although acoustic piano sounds are the focus. But what can be said against some more playing fun? You definitely get that with the excellent electric pianos – I like the Fender Rhodes variants best because of their warm timbre and detailed, dynamic sound.
You might need a vibraphone sound less often, but nevertheless, this one sounds pretty jazzy and percussive. While there is a small flaw – a sampling loop that doesn’t sit perfectly in the midrange – this should be fixed quickly with a firmware update.
Of course, digital piano classics like strings, pads, and organs are not missing, and the bass sounds do well with split sounds. In summary, the additional sounds of the GEWA DP-345 are also of high quality.
The GEWA DP-345 lets you play up to three sounds simultaneously. For a digital piano, it is rather unusual that you can freely decide where on the keyboard these sounds should be playable. You can define an individual keyboard zone per sound, making any layer and split combinations possible.
Next to the power button on the bottom left of the console are two headphone jacks and a USB-to-device port. Use the latter to connect USB storage devices to record the piano with an audio recorder, for example.
USB-to-device also lets you update the firmware, which is highly recommended. This is the only way to ensure optimal interaction between the instrument and the Piano Remote app. GEWA provides continuous support here.
Further connectors of the GEWA DP-345 include a power jack and USB-MIDI, a line-in (mini-jack) for connecting external audio devices as well as a stereo output. The latter allows you to play the DP-345 back via external speakers parallel to the built-in playback system.
An additional pedal connection is rather rare for home pianos. However, if you want to use the DP-345 without the stand (and thus without the integrated triple pedal), you can connect a standard sustain pedal. When taking the DP-345 to a gig after all, simply unscrew the console section from the stand and you can play the DP-345 like a stage piano.
Considering the large range of functions on the DP-345, we cannot neglect the most important aspect: Playing on the DP-345 is fun. The acoustic piano sound inspires with its open and expressive character as well as with a direct tone response from pianissimo to forte. The keyboard provides a pleasant feel and good control of the touch response.
Sound details such as Damper, String Resonance, and Hammer Noise also ensure authentic sound behavior. In addition, you can individually adjust mechanical details such as the hardness of the hammerheads, half pedal, and soft pedal level thanks to the “virtual piano technician”.
Last but not least, the quality of the enclosure is also convincing. It comes, by the way, in three finishes: black, white, and rosewood. We were less enthusiastic about the mechanical noise when pressing the sustain pedal. The manufacturer informed us that a faulty detail affected the first batch in the production of the DP-345, which has since been eliminated. Upon request, GEWA will exchange the pedal unit for the improved version. Users should contact their music store’s service department regarding this. However, no excessive technical skill is required to exchange it yourself.
The GEWA DP-345 is a powerful digital piano for beginners and advanced players. It inspires with a beautifully distinctive Steinway sound and a balanced playing feel. You get all the digital piano features you would expect in this price range – and a bit more: An audio recorder via USB-to-device, something you only find on more expensive home pianos.
In addition, the “GEWA Piano Remote” app, available free of charge, makes operation via Android or iOS mobile devices convenient for all those who would like to get creative with sound and effect combinations themselves.
Pros and Cons
Jörg Sunderkötter
The GEWA DP-345 inspires with a beautifully distinctive Steinway sound and a balanced playing feel. The "GEWA Piano Remote" app, available free of charge, makes operation via Android or iOS mobile devices even more convenient.
DP 345 Black : 998,00 €
TO THE OFFERDP 345 White : 998,00 €
TO THE OFFERDP 345 Rosewood : 998,00 €
TO THE OFFER
DP 345 Black : 998,00 €
TO THE OFFERDP 345 White : 998,00 €
TO THE OFFERDP 345 Rosewood : 998,00 €
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