Best Digital Pianos and Acoustic: A Comparison

Best Digital Pianos and Acoustic: A Comparison

The digital piano is fast taking over despite the fact that the traditional piano produces superior and natural sound that can hold everyone spellbound. And it is not without a reason because digital pianos definitely have certain advantages over traditional (acoustic) pianos. Actually some of the best digital pianos can produce music that is almost similar in quality.

Digital pianos generally cost less than acoustic pianos. While there are larger priced models as well, some basic models such as those of Yamaha digital pianos are considerably lighter and easier to carry around. They do not require tuning because there are no steel strings and no hammers to strike them. Digital pianos have features to assist in learning and the best digital pianos come with musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) implementation.

There were times when the purists talked about the superiority of the acoustic pianos and they were correct to a great extent. However, constant improvement with technological innovations has resulted in production of digital pianos with the ability of producing sound as good as traditional pianos. There are certain features of digital pianos that are typical to electronic instruments and cannot be duplicated in acoustic pianos.

Most digital piano models allow you to edit and save what you play on the instrument. You can also attach headphones to practice in private. The best digital pianos produce a variety of tone quality and other sounds as well. Best digital pianos, for example, have settings for a concert grand piano, upright piano, tack piano and various types of electric pianos.

Digital pianos may look like traditional pianos and even produce similar sound quality but they do not feel like the real thing. Traditional pianos require a weighted action of your fingers to produce the note you want to, which is not the same thing as touch sensitivity required while playing on digital pianos. Another thing that is missing in the digital piano experience is the absence of technique and inability to produce a dynamic performance in front of an audience. It is akin to a computer, a CD player or an electronic game station; all said and done the digital piano is actually an alternate and not the ‘real thing’.

However, whenever technology has met with a challenge from a traditional product it has always tried to innovate further and improve. The latest and best digital pianos are hybrid pianos that combine the features of both acoustic and digital pianos. Yamaha digital pianos, particularly models marketed under the Disklavier brand are based on real acoustic pianos with real piano actions and designed in a way that the electromagnetic elements and sensors do not interfere with normal playing. They come with MIDI implementation and if you want to, you can disconnect the digital sound anytime. These new generation digital pianos are the ultimate in piano experience and can play a wide range of pre-recorded music and can be used along with piano instruction software.

Think carefully before you buy. Basic Yamaha or Casio digital piano is fine if you are looking for an easy to carry keyboard that can be connected to a sound system, one that allows you to practice in private with headphones and can be used for recording music using software. If not, then think carefully and choose between acoustic and hybrid Yamaha digital pianos.

Best Digital Pianos and Acoustic: A Comparison