Pros and Cons
GEWA may still be a newcomer among digital piano brands, so consider this a real insider tip. The GEWA PP-3 costs less than 1,000 Euros and impresses not only with its lively piano sound, but also with its extensive equipment, including modern features such as Bluetooth and a piano app.
While no expense has been spared on the sound, the same cannot be said for the weight–just under 15kg thanks to the plastic cabinet. This lightweight construction, combined with the fact that it is manufactured in Asia, could be an explanation for the low price of the GEWA PP-3.
The electronics of the instrument are completely developed and manufactured in Europe. Based in the Vogtland region of Germany, GEWA is well known as a manufacturer of musical instruments but considered a newcomer in the field of digital pianos. Although this market is known to be highly competitive, the GEWA piano series has become well established, most recently in the new home pianos such as the GEWA DP-345.
This also applies to the GEWA PP-3, which is definitely a tip for beginners who don’t want to miss out on a good piano sound on a small budget. We generally recommend portable pianos in this case, as the important elements of keyboard and piano sound benefit from the reduced casing. While the case is naturally sturdy enough for home use, you should choose a keyboard stand suitable for a digital piano if the original stand is not included.
Considering the small size of the cabinet, one should not expect any sound miracles, especially not in the price range between 500 and 1000 Euros. Nevertheless, the GEWA PP-3 does a good job, as the sound from the speakers is balanced and clear.
It is a good thing that the sound system keeps the bass a bit low, allowing you to hit the keys with full force even at high volumes. This is more than enough for home use or a small choir rehearsal. If you want to use the PP-3 live on stage, you can connect an amplifier via the line-out jack or connect the piano to a mixing console.
The GEWA PP-3 combines the mobility of a stage piano with the classic digital piano features that are important for learning and playing a digital piano. The included pedal is commendable–it is not (as so often) a footswitch, but a decent sustain pedal. The pedal connector here supports the half-pedal function available on advanced compatible pedals.
Optionally, GEWA offers a matching stand including a triple pedal lyre, which is also available in a bundle with the instrument. The stand is very affordable at just under 100 Euros and makes the PP-3 look like a small modern home piano. What’s more, you only need to loosen four screws to use the GEWA PP-3 as a portable piano.
This is where the PP-3 benefits from the GEWA home pianos: The digital piano not only has the same 256 polyphonic sound generation but also the well-known piano sound. A sampled Steinway & Sons D-274 grand piano gives the PP-3 a lively and powerful sound.
The piano sound is well-balanced across the entire range and has great dynamics, covering many nuances from pianissimo to powerful forte. Simulation details such as sympathetic resonance, damper resonance, and damper noise are also taken into account.
Playing this piano is a pleasure, not least because of the keyboard. The “Smart Touch” keyboard in this instrument has obviously been adapted to the overall low weight. As a result, it feels different from the keyboards of the GEWA home pianos and does not have synthetic ivory keytops. Nevertheless, a well-balanced compromise has been found here, as the keys provide a good counterweight, resulting in a grippy playing feel.
The acoustic piano sound is available in several versions–Piano 1 sounds full and warm. Other versions emphasize the mid-range frequencies, resulting in a more direct sound that is good for rock/pop, or a more moderate sound with reduced treble emphasis that is great for playing ballads and neo-classical music.
Electric piano sounds are also of high quality: The Fender Rhodes is sometimes rocky and a bit distorted in the higher dynamics, sometimes mellow and bell-like. You also get Wurlitzer and FM piano sounds. In addition, there are a clavinet harpsichord, strings, choir, synth pad, and more. The 20 sounds even include guitar and accordion. While the quality of the piano sounds is clearly the main priority, the additional sounds do a good job in layer and split combinations.
The control concept of the GEWA PP-3 may seem unique at first glance, but in the end, it is very practical. Selecting sounds and adjusting the volume is easy, but the PP-3 can do much more than the compact control panel suggests.
The four “Sound” buttons can perform different tasks. Not only do they allow you to navigate through the sound categories, but they also control the metronome. You can also choose to play your favorite sounds or personalized user sounds–even selecting individual effect settings or sound combinations is possible. However, you’ll need the GEWA Piano Remote app to adjust these functions first.
Right from the start, the PP-3 depends on the use of the “GEWA Piano Remote” app, available for free (Android/iOS). A very efficient control concept: Why put settings into cryptic key combinations (that no one can remember anyway) when you can do it more conveniently with a smartphone?
The app connects wirelessly to the instrument via Bluetooth. Here, you can set up favorites for the F1 – F4 keys, with detailed settings for modulation effects like chorus, phaser, tremolo, etc. You can also apply reverb, which comes with different echo effects. The effects sound great, and you’re even able to adjust the most important parameters, such as the intensity and rate of the chorus, or even the echo time of the reverb.
Combinations are also possible. Freely select a keyboard zone and adjust the transposition for any two sounds, making any split/layer combination possible. As an added benefit, the app instantly synchronizes the data with the instrument–changes are both instantly audible and stored in the instrument’s settings. This way, favorites remain available even without the app.
The app and its customized interface are very practical, but there is room for improvement. Combinations lack the ability to adjust the volume balance between the two sounds. Also, the sustain function should be separate for each layer. In some cases, the menus were not properly synchronized during editing. However, these are all minor issues that could be quickly resolved with a software update.
You’ll find standard features such as transpose, tuning, and scales in the Settings tab of the app. This also applies to the settings for adjusting the piano sound: String Resonance and Damper Resonance. Although the effect is not strong, you can still vary the character of the piano sound subtly and realistically. The “Attack” section – perhaps a bit misleadingly named – allows you to alter the three velocity curves, Soft, Medium, and Hard, to change the dynamic expression.
The GEWA PP-3 should be a sales hit, as it offers a high-quality sound for an entry-level digital piano. The key elements of playing feel and piano sound are well executed, as are additional features such as remote control via the Piano Control App. The various editing functions for sound combinations, effects, and acoustic sound details are also very convincing.
The plastic case could be a point of criticism, but it is sturdy enough for home use. Above all, it makes the GEWA PP-3 a very handy portable piano that is easy to transport. It is also ideal when there is no real room for a piano, and the portable one has to disappear into the closet after practicing.
It is very suitable for both home use and live performance. For the latter, you should definitely consider a sturdy carrying case, while for home use, the bundle with a stand is worth considering.
Release date: 05.2022
Keyboard: Smart Touch, graded hammer action
Polyphony: 256 voices
Piano App: GEWA Piano Remote, free, Android & iOS
Manufacturer/Distributor: GEWA
Pros and Cons
Jörg Sunderkötter
The GEWA PP-3 aims to be a sales hit, as it offers high sound quality in the entry-level segment.
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