The answer to the question “What is a Digital Piano?” is quite simple. It’s a simple instrument made up of a keyboard and a control panel that can play back pre-recorded samples as you press the keys. If you’re looking for a good compromise between a high-quality unit and a low-cost option, I recommend starting with the best digital piano under $1000.

The quality of an electric instrument is determined by its ability to approach the sound and the feel of its acoustic analog. The quality of the recorded sample has an impact on the sound that is reproduced. Some manufacturers use high-quality recording equipment and record the sound of top-notch grand acoustic models. The others use much cheaper ways to create the samples.

Principle of Operation

Special sensors distinguish the movements of the keys and reproduce the sound via integrated speakers. Different manufacturers employ various technologies to imitate the touch response of the real piano which is hard to achieve. Some effort is needed when you press the key of an upright model, while the digital one produces sound after a gentle touch.

Why, then, do so many musicians avoid non-acoustic instruments? The reason for this is because of the keys. They have a lower touch sensitivity, making it more difficult for a pianist to find the right tone. Only the most expensive models have weighted keys that mimic the feel of traditional keys.

Still, there are numerous reasons why electric instruments have grown in popularity in recent years. They’re small and portable, don’t require tuning, and let you control the volume, among other things. Furthermore, they are incomparably less expensive than their acoustic counterparts. Besides, almost all modern instruments have USB MIDI capabilities. This allows you to record music and save it to your computer.

Digital units usually have some additional functions allowing you to change the way you play. Most of them contain the built-in recordings of the other instruments, effects, and so on. You can combine them with your main tone to create a unique composition. The more complicated and expensive a purchase you make, the more adjustment options you’ll have.

Traditional models come with three pedals. The electric ones come with a sustain pedal or have an input for it. The ability to use sostenuto or a soft pedal is rarely provided.

One of the most valuable abilities of electric pianos is an inbuilt learning feature that you won’t find in any acoustic analogs. Some of them only have guide lights to assist you in playing your preferred music. Others can be used in conjunction with a variety of learning apps that provide simple, step-by-step instructions.