Review: Korg D1 – Stage Piano Made Affordable

The Korg D1 is small, handy, and robust—the three most important characteristics of a stage piano. It also offers solid piano sounds and good features at a low price. This makes the Korg D1 appealing not only to beginners, but also to advanced users looking for a simple stage piano for live performances.

Actually, portable pianos dominate the entry-level segment of stage pianos. As with Korg’s B2 and Liano models, these pianos are equipped with features such as built-in speakers that are more suitable for home use. Additionally, portable pianos have a lightweight plastic casing. The Korg D1, however, sets other priorities. As a professional stage piano designed for live performances, it has a robust case. Its exterior matches the stylish, functional design of the Grandstage 88, the current stage piano flagship. However, with a price tag of around $600, the Korg D1 is much more affordable than the premium stage piano.

Made for Live Performances

When you play the Korg D1, you immediately notice that it is designed for live performances. The sounds clearly give you the bite you need to hold your own in a band setting. As a result, the piano sounds may seem a bit harsh when playing classical piano music. However, when it comes to good sounds for a live program or jam session, the little D1 has more to offer than you might initially think.

With 30 sounds to choose from, ranging from acoustic pianos to electric pianos, clavinets, organs, guitars, strings, and choirs, you have a good selection here. The sounds are powerful and fun to listen to. The fun increases even more with the ability to layer two sounds in layer mode, which produces a rich sound. Thanks to 120-voice polyphony, the Korg D1 has enough power for you to use the damper pedal to its fullest.

The acoustic piano sounds feature string resonances and key-off simulation for authentic sound behavior. You’ll also find a honky-tonk piano and an assertive electric grand piano. It’s none other than the piano sound from the first Korg workstation, the M1. You’ve heard this piano sound in thousands of house productions.

RH3 Hammer Action Keyboard

This is another striking difference to the cheaper Korg B1: With the RH-3 keyboard, Korg brings the 88-note hammer action keyboard of the Korg Kronos, SV-1, and Grandstage into the sub-$1,000 price range. As with the Grandstage, the weighted keys provide an optimal grip-to-slip ratio. However, there are no ivory feel keytops. Overall, players of rock, pop, and jazz will appreciate this keyboard’s performance.

Korg D1 in Practice

At 16 kg, the Korg D1 is still considered portable. Thanks to its robust construction, you can safely transport it from your car to the stage without worrying about damaging it. Unlike other digital pianos in this price range, the Korg D1 has a wooden case instead of a plastic one. Nevertheless, it is generally worthwhile to purchase a gig bag or flight case. A matching stage piano stand, similar to the one used with the vintage Korg SV-1 stage piano, is also available. Best of all, it looks really cool!

In the lower price range, the equipment is tightly calculated; therefore, the live-ready connections on the back are a notable feature. There is a stereo output in jack sockets, as well as a MIDI interface. Although a connection for only one pedal is somewhat basic, the included robust sustain pedal is a nice addition.

The sounds are practical and offer everything you need for rock, pop, and jazz when playing in a band. Since you can layer two sounds, rich sounds are possible as well. It would be desirable in this context to have a few setup memories to quickly call up sound combinations. Unfortunately, Korg falls short in this regard.

Conclusion: A Robust Stage Piano at an Entry-Level Price

The Korg D1 may not be the right choice for classical piano music, as the acoustic piano sounds are somewhat harsh. However, you anyway expect other qualities from a stage piano for live use: Powerful, assertive sounds and robust build quality. In this regard, the Korg D1 stands out among stage pianos under $1,000. If you’re after a stage piano with a more comprehensive feature set, you’ll need to spend a bit more. And yet, although it lacks setup memory, the Korg D1 offers everything you need to play the piano live on stage. This even includes a fun playing experience thanks to the RH3 keyboard!

Korg D1 Stagepiano – Overview

Available since: June 2018
Keyboard: 88 keys, weighted hammer action
Sound: 30 sounds, 120 voice polyphony
Manufacturer: Korg