Modartt user forum » Pianoteq user forum » In need of a good budget-friendly upgrade from my Kawai ES100
Hello everyone, I currently use PianoTeq 8 Pro with my Kawai ES100. I am currently looking for a good and budget friendly digital piano or weighted midi controller for my entire music college (Major in Music Composition). I was looking at the Studiologic SL88 Studio, but I am still in need of more options. (Preferably, a decent key bed and key action)
Can anyone suggest me any other options? Any form of help is appreciated!
Hello everyone, I currently use PianoTeq 8 Pro with my Kawai ES100. I am currently looking for a good and budget friendly digital piano or weighted midi controller for my entire music college (Major in Music Composition). I was looking at the Studiologic SL88 Studio, but I am still in need of more options. (Preferably, a decent key bed and key action)
Can anyone suggest me any other options? Any form of help is appreciated!
What's your budget?
The AHA IV action present in old Kawais is quite difficult to beat with budget options...
GDCRAFTYT wrote:Hello everyone, I currently use PianoTeq 8 Pro with my Kawai ES100. I am currently looking for a good and budget friendly digital piano or weighted midi controller for my entire music college (Major in Music Composition). I was looking at the Studiologic SL88 Studio, but I am still in need of more options. (Preferably, a decent key bed and key action)
Can anyone suggest me any other options? Any form of help is appreciated!
What's your budget?
Currently no budget but not reaching 1500 USD
The AHA IV action present in old Kawais is quite difficult to beat with budget options...
Very true, the key action is really well made when compared to the newer ES60 and ES120.
Kengrayfield wrote:GDCRAFTYT wrote:Hello everyone, I currently use PianoTeq 8 Pro with my Kawai ES100. I am currently looking for a good and budget friendly digital piano or weighted midi controller for my entire music college (Major in Music Composition). I was looking at the Studiologic SL88 Studio, but I am still in need of more options. (Preferably, a decent key bed and key action)
Can anyone suggest me any other options? Any form of help is appreciated!
What's your budget?
Currently no budget but not reaching 1500 USD
I believe with that budget you can get a lot of the Roland FP series.
I used to own the same piano as you. Now I have a Roland RD 700N (Not the same price range, but the action feel is very similar to the new series). The touch is heavier. But overall, the speed and responsiveness feels very good for me. Though if you are more into the Kawai house touch, why not look at the similar models at that price range?
GDCRAFTYT wrote:Kengrayfield wrote:What's your budget?
Currently no budget but not reaching 1500 USD
I believe with that budget you can get a lot of the Roland FP series.
I used to own the same piano as you. Now I have a Roland RD 700N (Not the same price range, but the action feel is very similar to the new series). The touch is heavier. But overall, the speed and responsiveness feels very good for me. Though if you are more into the Kawai house touch, why not look at the similar models at that price range?
I'm currently saving up for a better ES520, but I'm unsure whether it's worth it since I have never actually tried playing one.
Best Digital Pianos for Advanced Pianists (Feb. 2025) https://share.google/zJjsYvPqgVTcxltWj
Maybe this will be of some help?
Warmest regards,
Chris
Best Digital Pianos for Advanced Pianists (Feb. 2025) https://share.google/zJjsYvPqgVTcxltWj
Maybe this will be of some help?
Warmest regards,
Chris
Also check our KORG D1, CASIO PX-S5000 & ROLAND A88 MKII
I'm currently saving up for a better ES520, but I'm unsure whether it's worth it since I have never actually tried playing one.
I was looking for a portable DP to bring to family events and small gigs, and that would also work with Pianoteq.
Just got a ES520, very pleased! I had sort of overlooked the Kawai offerings around that price point. I love the keyboard feel (it's considered relatively light in reviews, but it's fine for me, and I mostly play my Hoffmann grand which has the Bechstein silver action).
The Kawai ES520 ticks all the boxes for me: relatively light (32 pounds).Great/simple user interface, amazing built-in speakers and amp (2 x 20 watts, made by Onkyo), and really great Shigeru Kawai sample set. Has BOTH 5-pin Din and USB MIDI. Last but not least: stereo Line IN, the simplest and easiest way to hook up my iPad with Pianoteq. It is so unfortunate that most manufacturers don't offer this feature anymore (I know, I know, newer iPads don't have analog audio output, wireless this and that...but I am old school)
Studiologic SL88 Studio is old now. Take a look at Studiologic SL88 mk2 or Studiologic SL88 mk2. Both are great keyboards.
GDCRAFTYT wrote:I'm currently saving up for a better ES520, but I'm unsure whether it's worth it since I have never actually tried playing one.
I was looking for a portable DP to bring to family events and small gigs, and that would also work with Pianoteq.
Just got a ES520, very pleased! I had sort of overlooked the Kawai offerings around that price point. I love the keyboard feel (it's considered relatively light in reviews, but it's fine for me, and I mostly play my Hoffmann grand which has the Bechstein silver action).The Kawai ES520 ticks all the boxes for me: relatively light (32 pounds).Great/simple user interface, amazing built-in speakers and amp (2 x 20 watts, made by Onkyo), and really great Shigeru Kawai sample set. Has BOTH 5-pin Din and USB MIDI. Last but not least: stereo Line IN, the simplest and easiest way to hook up my iPad with Pianoteq. It is so unfortunate that most manufacturers don't offer this feature anymore (I know, I know, newer iPads don't have analog audio output, wireless this and that...but I am old school)
Hi aWc,
So pleased you're finally sorted. Enjoy playing!
Just an update to everyone, thank you for the suggestions and feedback. I decided to buy a Roland RD 88EX since I mainly play at my music college and actually quite frequently.
Hello everyone, I currently use PianoTeq 8 Pro with my Kawai ES100. I am currently looking for a good and budget friendly digital piano or weighted midi controller for my entire music college (Major in Music Composition). I was looking at the Studiologic SL88 Studio, but I am still in need of more options. (Preferably, a decent key bed and key action)
Can anyone suggest me any other options? Any form of help is appreciated!
Roland FP-30X. The best hammer action with triple sensors in market. Also USB audio so you can hear the pianoteq through Roland's speakers ( they are good).
GDCRAFTYT wrote:Hello everyone, I currently use PianoTeq 8 Pro with my Kawai ES100. I am currently looking for a good and budget friendly digital piano or weighted midi controller for my entire music college (Major in Music Composition). I was looking at the Studiologic SL88 Studio, but I am still in need of more options. (Preferably, a decent key bed and key action)
Can anyone suggest me any other options? Any form of help is appreciated!
Roland FP-30X. The best hammer action with triple sensors in market. Also USB audio so you can hear the pianoteq through Roland's speakers ( they are good).
The best action for the lowest price range for sure, but far from the best on the market. PHA-50 for example is much more realistic.
hornet900 wrote:GDCRAFTYT wrote:Hello everyone, I currently use PianoTeq 8 Pro with my Kawai ES100. I am currently looking for a good and budget friendly digital piano or weighted midi controller for my entire music college (Major in Music Composition). I was looking at the Studiologic SL88 Studio, but I am still in need of more options. (Preferably, a decent key bed and key action)
Can anyone suggest me any other options? Any form of help is appreciated!
Roland FP-30X. The best hammer action with triple sensors in market. Also USB audio so you can hear the pianoteq through Roland's speakers ( they are good).
The best action for the lowest price range for sure, but far from the best on the market. PHA-50 for example is much more realistic.
Yes correct! I forgot to mention "lower price" because author ask for a budget keyboard.
... PHA-50 for example is much more realistic.
I have a Roland RD-2000, my main keyboard, which I REALLY like a lot, it has that PHA-50 action.
The OP mentioned that they ultimately bought an RD-88, which I think has the PHA-4 action. I wouldn't put it on the same level as the PHA-50 but for the weight carrying it around and the competition out there, the PHA-4 might not be such a bad choice.
I've tossed about the idea of a lighter weight keyboard for gigging and the RD-88 has come up as a contender. I'd drop about 15 pounds of weight. The Casio PXS-6000 is also tempting but I am thinking the action on the RD-88 is probably a bit better (subjective opinion).
Unfortunately, those very realistic piano actions out there tend to be heavy to carry around so there is always a trade-off. I do like Roland actions, though.