Wondering which keyboard is the best for worship? You’re in good company. Church keyboardists have been asking “Which is the right keyboard?” for over 1,000 years. A great keyboard frees worship musicians to create engaging, heartfelt music and to provide the soundscape for significant worship experiences. But identifying the right keyboard for you may be more involved than grabbing the first model that simply feels and sounds good.
With hundreds of manufacturers and thousands of models to choose from, knowing what you’re looking for can help you pull the right needle from the haystack. Clarify your need with these considerations.
Feel. Will those playing the keyboard need a fully weighted acoustic-piano feel, or do you prefer a precise synth or semi-weighted feel? Will aftertouch control be an asset? To what degree will the feel of the keybed and dynamic range inspire great music making?
Sound. Does the keyboard include all the sounds needed? If you play in stereo, then is there good sonic separation? Will the attack cut through the mix with the rest of the band, especially in the highly competitive midrange frequencies? How do notes and chords resonate when held? Does it matter for your use if there is a momentary, audible gap when changing from one sound to the next? Can you control the sustain to push the sound to the back of a mix or reduce sustain to draw the sound to the front if needed?
Function. Will you be arranging parts and creating pads or stems? Will the keyboard need to control loops or a recording system or to use a virtual instrument? If played live, then are the different sounds easy to navigate? Will you need to connect to a computer and download programs or patches online? Do you require options like pedals, built-in speakers, or a music stand?
Portability. Do you have a set-and-forget setup, or will you require a keyboard durable enough to handle the bumps and bruises that mobility demands? Do weight and size restrictions matter?
Training Curve. Considering the people who will be playing the keyboard, what learning curve will be necessary to operate it effectively? Will players be intimidated by too many sliders, buttons, and options? Can the keyboard be customized for your musicians’ range of preferences? If the keyboard will be used in a house of worship, then is there an advantage to having different-level models from the same series to reduce training between different departments? What training and support are available after your purchase?
Budget. You can easily spend hundreds to thousands on a keyboard purchase. However, having a specific target amount as your primary determination may cause you to overlook a more affordable option that will adequately meet your needs. On the other hand, you may find that the best option is worth doing an extra fundraiser, getting 0% interest financing, or seeking a benefactor.
Overwhelmed by all the options? You shouldn’t be. After looking through our extensive in-stock inventory (2,126 keyboard-related models), here are some great considerations for whatever you need. And, if you are still not clear after reading this, a quick call to your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 will readily answer all your questions.
Digital Pianos
Digital pianos are distinct from other keyboard types because, while they usually provide a wide range of sounds and features, they are specifically designed to have the weighted key feel of an acoustic piano. Here are five great models to consider.
Nord Stage 3 88 Stage Keyboard There’s a reason you see Nord’s iconic red flagship keyboards on so many worship platforms around the world. At the heart of the Stage 3 88 is the fully weighted hammer-action 88-note keybed, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more responsive, authentic feel with pristine sounds. Add to that an award-winning synth with sample playback, an incredible organ, MIDI capabilities, and a full range of effects and controls, and you have at your fingertips what many consider to be the top-of-the-heap keyboard in a class all its own. While the interface may look daunting to beginning players, in addition to a robust user community and a plethora of online tutorials covering every facet in minutia, Nord also offers a wide range of scaled-down models that are quality instruments in their own right. Whatever you want to do with a keyboard, you’ll likely nail it with Nord’s Stage 3 88. Add to cart
Korg SV2-SP 88-key Stage Vintage Piano Korg’s flagship SV2-SP 88-key Stage Vintage piano packages a wide range of sound options into a distinct retro-modern chassis boasting a weighted, hammer-action keybed and a built-in stereo speaker system. The deceptively simple interface won’t intimidate newer players yet still allows a deep dive to customize sounds and programs. Effects options include a real vacuum tube for added warmth and snarl when you need it, transposition, and the ability to mix in artifacts like hammer release and mechanism click on sampled electric and acoustic pianos, organs, strings, and orchestral instrument sounds — all combining together to make the Korg SV2-SP a prime consideration. Add to cart
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Roland RD-2000 88-key Stage Piano Roland’s RD-2000 88-key stage piano provides a wide collection of acoustic and synth sounds and effects with a large library and expandable functionality. The wood and molded keys and hammer-action keybed offer a distinctly playable feel with a natural response and authentic sustain. While this digital piano is designed for stage performance, the interface includes MIDI-workstation and soft-synth capability and convenient DAW controls, making the RD-2000 a strong contender. (If you like the RD-2000 but want even stronger workstation capabilities, then check out Roland’s FATHOM-8.) Add to cart
Studiologic Numa X Piano GT Digital Piano The new Numa X Piano GT from Studiologic combines a wide selection of realistic acoustic and electric piano sounds with specialty Fatar TP/400 weighted keys for a satisfying and responsive piano-playing experience. Besides an easy-to-navigate interface, onboard effects, MIDI capability, and sound collection, the Numa X incorporates a convenient 4-channel mixer for mics or other instruments during live performance. While this is the most affordable digital piano on this list, its combination of features, playability, and sounds makes the Numa X a great digital piano for live performance. Add to cart
Yamaha CP88 88-key Stage Piano Yamaha’s CP88 88-key stage piano is designed for the modern gigging musician with crisp, sparkly tones that cut through a mix or a dense arrangement, including the Imperial 290 patch modeled after the iconic Bösendorfer acoustic grand piano. Natural wood graded hammer (NW-GH) keys provide weighting and response, and synthetic keytops absorb moisture and give tactile grip when playing live. A precise medium-weighted feel assists when playing organ and synthesizer sounds. The sounds from the library, tone generator, and effects change seamlessly to flow from one patch to another in addition to MIDI control. For a digital piano with synthesizer capability, consider the CP88. Add to cart
Workstations
Workstation keyboards often begin with the standard features you’ll find on a good digital piano and incorporate additional synthesizer sounds, effects, and advanced patch-editing and sequencing tools. They may use either weighted or semi-weighted keys. These seven top contenders will provide you a good selection to consider.
Korg Nautilus 88 88-key Synthesizer Workstation With Korg’s Nautilus 88 88-key synthesizer workstation, you can create from a robust library of piano, synth, and other sounds either individually or layered together into something completely new. You can also build new sounds based upon internal and external sound sampling and create your own sequences and arpeggiations as you dive deep with the color touch display. Fully functional as a standalone gigging keyboard with a weighted-action keybed, the Nautilus 88 also provides full DAW integration for powerful studio track production. Add to cart
Korg Krome EX 88-key Synthesizer Workstation If you like the Nautilus 88 but prefer a condensed feature set, then consider its baby brother, Korg’s Krome EX 88-key synthesizer workstation. Don’t be put off that this is the most affordable workstation on the list — you’ll have tons of high-fidelity sounds at your fingertips with the same keybed as its big brother and a great tool chest packed full of resources to lay down grooves, arpeggiations, sequences, and luscious pads. Add to cart
Kurzweil K2700 88-key Synthesizer Workstation Kurzweil’s flagship K2700 88-key synthesizer workstation comes with a huge selection of gig-ready factory programs, a fully weighted Fatar TP40L light touch keybed, and tons of controller options including DAW transport controls and drum/keypad pads. While you could use this for the digital-piano capabilities alone, its synth engine, sequencer, arpeggiators, and built-in effects — combined with a lot of horsepower — make the K2700 a powerful tool for composing, arranging, and sound design. Add to cart
Kurzweil PC4 SE 88-key Performance Controller To get many of the features of the K2700 in a more affordable package, consider Kurzweil’s PC4 SE 88-key performance controller. Although designed as a controller, the PC4 SE’s strong synth-workstation capabilities, presets, and effects earn this keyboard inclusion in the workstation category. Add to cart
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Roland FANTOM-8 Music Workstation Keyboard Roland’s flagship music-creation workhorse is the FANTOM-8 music workstation keyboard. Designed as a creative hub to work in tandem with a computer DAW, you can combine, morph, sculpt, trigger, and sequence sounds any way you want, using a ton of controls and sounds. The FANTOM-8 features the identical piano-modeling technology as Roland’s flagship RD-2000 digital piano, including the same hammer playability of the keybed with assignable aftertouch. More than a fully functional controller for your DAW, it allows you to expand your rig by integrating and controlling additional USB analog synths or drum machines. The FANTOM-8 is ideal for creating immersive soundscapes dripping with deeply intricate sonic texture and movement for performance or studio. Add to cart
Yamaha Montage 8 88-key Synthesizer For full-featured sound design and recording, consider Yamaha’s flagship Montage 8 88-key synthesizer. With its fluid workflow and premium aftertouch-enabled, balanced hammer-action keybed performance, you can modulate multiple parameters in real time with a single controller practical for both live and studio soundscaping. Packed full of a great array of hi-def effects, you can craft sonic sequences with reverbs, ducking, bit crushing, delay, phase, compression, and more — all right at your fingertips. If you’re a songwriter, live performance keyboardist, sound designer, or EDM producer, then consider the modern range and fidelity of Yamaha’s Montage 8 as your synthesizer workstation. Add to cart
MIDI Controllers
Controllers are designed to do one thing extremely well: transmit and receive MIDI information quickly in a way that feels intuitive and natural to the musician. Instead of using onboard sounds, controllers are run by external software located on a computer, tablet, or even a MIDI-compatible phone. Controllers typically are more economical and of lighter weight than their digital-piano and workstation cousins. While each of these controllers comes bundled with sound and software collections, you can also use sounds from third-party virtual-instrument creators. If you want to use a virtual instrument like Omnisphere 2, to record or orchestrate, to make drum loops or beats, or to trigger other sounds or equipment, then a MIDI controller keyboard may be a great option for you. Here are four A-list controller keyboards to consider.
Nektar Impact LX88+ 88-key Keyboard Controller While Nektar’s Impact LX88+ 88-key keyboard controller is the most affordable controller on this list, it can get the job done. Offering a precise, performance-oriented semi-weighted keybed, you’ll have a wide range of controller options at your fingertips including expanded DAW transport controls and a software bundle to rule it all. Add to cart
Studiologic SL88 Grand Hammer-action Keyboard Controller Studiologic’s SL88 Grand hammer-action keyboard controller is based around the Fatar TP/40WOOD fully weighted keybed for an ivory-touch, realistic grand piano–like feel with an extensive dynamic range plus aftertouch and a super-clean look. The bundled software is designed for easy use in both live and studio applications. Add to cart
You won’t regret giving any of these keyboards a try. What’s amazing is that none are identical — each provides the right combination of features for a specific need. Reach out to your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 to get personalized recommendations to conclude your quest and create the music that helps people connect with what’s ultimately important.
Piano Guidance
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio
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