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Hello, I am looking for a portable piano for an upstairs spare bedroom. I have a Roland HP console squashed in the living room next to the TV and front window and cannot find proper time and consistency to practice there.

So I thought a portable keyboard with midi and usb stuff going on would be a bit of fun and help me to focus on practise in a quiet environment. I would like to hook up to the computer for educational piano.

I have looked at the Casio PX 350, don't really like the look of it at all, but it feels ok. I think its the cloth covered speakers that put me off.
Looked at the Yamaha P105, it seems nice but so many people say the touch is light and I felt that too and wouldn't enjoy playing it.
Another is the P155, I like the look of this and it felt quite nice but the price, although it has come down a little in the UK is more than I wanted to pay, 900 pounds.
The F20 has come down in price too at under 500 pounds now, but looks so boring in design.

I know various people like different boards and that its all down to what ones needs and affordability are. But I have been looking for ages and am swayed if there are any negative reviews at all.
If someone could say to me that they love a particular board and that it suits their needs and that they have no regrets I would appreciate that so much.

I know this has been done to death, I hope someone can give me some inspiration to get my portable keyboard piano and get going on it with enjoyment. Thanks all.

About 18 months ago, when I was looking at DP's, my choice came down to the PX-350 and P155. I bought the PX-350, and haven't regretted it. The loudspeakers are poor, but that's true for most portable DP's. You can add outboard speakers if you find you want them. If you're using headphones, the sound is pretty good. The rhythms are very handy for practice. The full set of non-piano voices (over 200, not 18) is pretty good. The keyboard action is OK, heavier and "more acoustic" than the P105.

It's great "value per dollar" (or per pound, in the UK).

The P155 is now available for $1000 (at GuitarCenter.com in the US), but that's without VAT and shipping. eBay might also be a useful source.

. Charles

PS -- I did upgrade the speakers, and I'm using Pianoteq. But even the "bare" PX-350 would suit me.

Many here have high regard for Casinos, they all use the same keyboard and have the same basic sound which is impressibly tweakable on the top models.

I got meself a Yamaha Dgx 650 which doesn't have the best feeling keyboard, not surprising considering the price. But the more I play it, the more l like it. No regrets whatsoever . . wouldn't change it for anything. And SHE approves.

High risk, high reward. It is always a gamble.

Have you considered Kawai ES100?

Or the Roland F-130R?

Depends whether your definition of portable rises to 76 lbs. 1 oz!

Only a few pounds less than an MP-11

Lol! Nicely done.

Shey, with the greatest respect, it sounds like you're not really sure wheat you're looking for.

If it's just an inexpensive, portable instrument for times when you cannot play your Roland, something like the Casio PX-150 would be fine. The ES100, F20, and P105 would also fit the bill - provided you like the touch and sound, I wouldn't worry so much about the visual design.

Alternatively, perhaps you could consider moving your current Roland to a place that allows you to practise more frequently, and in a quieter environment.

Cheers,
James
x

There is a grain of truth to this.

+1

Thanks all, you are always so helpful, not to mention insightful. Yes, don't know what I really want. Possibly something new and shiny with bells and whistles to play with.
I feel sure that whatever I get will be good, like Peterw says the more he plays his the better it feels, so I think I would get friendly with it when I choose mine.

I will have a look at the es100 if I can find one. I think though I may go for Roland F20, feels the same as mine and is neat and affordable.

Thanks again you guys, piano can be a lonely pursuit. Shey

Even if the DP you end up with doesn't have a lot of options to it, remember you can always hook it up to a computer and use software like Kontakt which has lots of different sounds, or software pianos, and even use those in conjunction with music proeuction software like Cubase.

So best to go with what feels good, because the sound can be altered nowawdays with most DPs to a certain degree via onboard EQs, or completely changed with software.

Ah thanks Morodiene, that's another thing I wanted to get a new portable DP to work with. I know nothing about hooking up to the computer and using software with it. I would love to get into the 21st Century and use this wonderful stuff. I want to look at educational software, but I understand that one can get allsorts of wonderful piano sounds and rhythms to work with. Would I need to buy and download software, then connect to my DP and laptop? Oh dear, such a newbie needing lots of step by step stuff.

Yes, that's what I want to learn about sounds to enhance a DP. Oh so much learning. Thank goodness you guys are all here to help. Shey

Shey: For hooking things up, have a look at these ...
Piano Wiring #1
Piano Wiring #2
Piano Wiring #3
Piano Wiring #4

Those are very nice illustrations for various connections

Shey, may I suggest also to look at Casio PX-5S? I have it for about one month and it grew in my eyes (and ears) with time.
It has many connections (Midi in/out, Audio L/R in , L/R out, 2 headphones jacks). It also works great as a midi controller (with 4 knobs, 6 sliders, mod and pitch wheels). It also has very nice sounds (pianos, organs ..etc). With a basic but good synth and pattern based sequencer (they call it phrases), you really can do a lot with it (with a computer or standalone).

The sounds/keys action might not be on par with Kawai MP11 or Roland RD800 but PX-5S still sounds and feels nice especially for the cost.

It doesn't come with speakers, but you can sell the watch, which comes with it, and buy a small amplifier (like a Roland Micro Cube) which is much better than the internal speakers.

The keys action might be noisy after time (I had mine about 6 months used by a singer/musician) and it is really very noisy that I can't play at night (neighbours would complain because it sounds like someone is hitting nails into the wall with a hammer!).

Anyway, I will take mine to Casio's service soon and see what they can do about the noise. Other than that (which not many complain about it), it is a great product for the price and works nicely with all the software I tried

Sorry, wrong thread. How embarrassing.

MacMacMac, Very helpful diagrams, thankyou.

EnGee, I hadn't looked at the 5X because it didn't have speakers. I am not sure I need all those connections either, but I am glad you are happy with it, that's important.

Littlebirdblue, I have heard of Pianoteq, but will have a read up about it along with Kontact. Hoping it will install on Windows 7 laptop.

I am having a break from looking for a portable piano, I find I am telling the salesmen and women in the shops what polyphony, connections, key touch, extra usb etc., all about the pianos from my research!!!

Off to practise, thanks again all. Shey