Keyboards, Digital Pianos & Synthesizers

Keyboards and e-pianos offer many alternatives to a conventional piano. Most of all the unlimited sound variations, mobility and, of course, the possibility to play soundlessly with head-phones or loud and out are only two reasons why these instruments are favoured by many musicians. Depending on the instrument, keyboards can unite the sound of a complete band within their system and by doing so, they offer the keyboarder never-ending possibilities.

But what type of keyboarder are you? Do you prefer to play to ready-made rhythms and melodies? If so, you´ll need an entertainer keyboard. If you are looking for an inexpensive alternative to your acoustic piano, then we have a wide range of so-called "digital" or "e-pianos" from well-known manufacturers - for home use, but also transportable alternatives known as "stage pianos". Or are you a "sound tinkerer" or a "sound screwer" who likes creating his own sounds? Or maybe a live-keyboarder who is always seeking bigger and better sound imitations? Then you´ll need a proper synthasizer.

Keyboards

Backing

One of the basic functions of a so called keyboard is its automatic backing function which is controlled by chordal handholds. Practically talking you can operate the pitch of the complete backing with your left hand. If, for example, you play a c-major, then the backing automatically plays the rhythm that you chose to go along with it for as long as you hold the chord. Obviously there´s enough for the right hand to do, too. It can operate different instrument sounds like the piano, guitar, orgel or wind instruments. There´s enough there for everyone and - believe it or not - all of this combined in one instrument.

Keys

The most keyboards have 61 keys. There are also models with 76 or 88 keys. Some of the 88-key-models even have weighted keys like classic acoustic pianos. Most models also have a dynamic touch response which means that you can regulate the volume by a single keystroke. If you touch a key only a little, the tone comes out quietly and is cushioned. If you raise the key-pressure, the volume will also rise. Models without touch response always have the same volume.

Configuration

There are keyboards of three kinds: beginners, medium-classed and upper classed. The most beginner keyboards already have quite a lot of features. There are a minimum of 100 sounds and 100 rhythms available. Besides they nearly all have practice-tools. Notes and sometimes songtexts can be shown on display. Even circuit points like USB are at hand. If not, there is definetely a MIDI-access, so you can connect your computer and exchange data. In order to save anything some models actually have their own interior disk space or a disc drive.

The middle-classed models offer more sounds and more rhythms. The interior storage space is larger. Sometimes you have the possibility to save your data on a USB-stick. In general the appliance has been simplified. Whilst the beginner models offer you programme digits (e. g. 001 piano), the sounds and rhythms of a middel-classed keyboard can be dialed directly. These models also offer recording possibilities, so you can actually tape your songs. The sound production is more complex and sometimes equal to that of an upper class model.

In the upper class everthing is topped by far - more rhythms, more sounds, interior hard drive, effects, vocal harmonies etc. For a professional musician there is a lot on offer in this category. But what´s most important is that you have fun playing and every keyboard can guarantee that!

Digital Pianos

An electirc piano combines the convenience of an acoustic instrument with the sound possibilities of the electronic world. Don´t underestimate the fact that you can play the e-piano at any time of day or night without upsetting the neighbours (or the familly).

If you want to learn to play the piano, you should be aware of some things. One important point is the weightage of the keys. Like acoustic pianos, digital pianos also need them. Although there aren´t any hammers pounding on strings, there are light weights in the keys doing just that. Most models have plastic keys, high-quality models also offer wooden ones. Yet, digital pianos all sound different and have different sopund effects. Next to pianos and e-pianos, they have strings, orgels etc. Larger models even have a bigger sound assortment.

So called "Ensemble Pianos" even have the sound production and backing system of a keyboard. This is interesting, if you don´t want to do without a really good piano and at the same time have a great number of rhythms and sounds.

Synthersizers

In the area of beginner synthesizers some manufacturers have really interesting products in their range. Synthesizers can be used to complement keyboards/digital pianos and to enrichen them with individual sounds. Synthesizers usually have a large number of controllers in order to influence many parameters in real time. These contol motions can be recorded inside of the device, but also externally as so called "MIDI-controllers". The sounds of synthesizers range from freaky synthetic to brutally aggressive or warm and weak like the analouge synthesizer archetypes. Large synthesizers are also called "workstations". These workstations have a digital sequence that can record first ideas or complete arrangements. Natural sounds like strings, pianos or horns, but also complex sounds of e.g. drums even convince live players.