Digital piano

Like other electronic musical instruments, they can be connected to an amplifier or a PA system to produce a sound loud enough for a large venue or, at the other extreme, may be heard through headphones only.

To make the keybed more compact, many digital keyboards use a pivot point in the rear and hammers underneath the keys, as illustrated.

[6] Usually multiple samples are available for the same keystroke, attempting to reproduce the diversity of sounds heard on an acoustic piano.

They may also lack the harmonic tones that result when certain combinations of notes are sounded, and the natural reverberation that is heard when an acoustic piano is played percussively.

On an acoustic piano the sustain pedal lifts the dampers for all strings, allowing them to resonate naturally with the notes played.

Some digital piano implementations, like Roland V-Piano,[6] Yamaha MODUS, Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid, and the software-based Pianoteq,[7] use mathematical models based on acoustic pianos to generate sound, which brings the ability to generate sounds that vary more freely depending on how the keys have been struck, in addition to allow a more realistic implementation of the distinctive resonances and acoustical noises of acoustic pianos.

[8] Some digital pianos also incorporate other basic "synthesizer" sounds such as guitars, string ensemble, brass instruments, woodwinds and drum kits.

Traditional digital pianos are designed to resemble the console of an electronic organ or a spinet harpsichord but usually having a stand rather than fully enclosed lower section.

Traditional digital pianos, due to their form, offer less portability than the other types, and are mainly designed for use in a single place (e.g. home, classrooms or studios), and are not intended for mobility such as on stage or for live performance.

Another common form is the stage piano, designed for use with live performances, professional audio, or in a recording studio.

A distinguishing feature of most stage pianos is a lack of internal loudspeakers and amplification - it is normally assumed that a powerful keyboard amplifier or PA system will be used.

These digital pianos are mostly designed for various purposes such as home, studio, classroom, stage or personal use.

Also like conventional keyboards, these digital pianos often feature an automated "rhythm section" function which is controlled by playing chords with the left hand.

Portable digital pianos, for the sake of lower production cost, were often equipped with a less complex system for the weighted keys.

However, it still retain the emulated weight mechanism (lower keys are heavier than higher ones), though not as precise as more expensive pianos, but far more true to life than a keyboard.

Well-known manufacturers of digital pianos include Dynatone,[10] Casio, Clavia(nord), Dexibell,[11] Kawai, Korg, Kurzweil, Orla [it], Roland, Suzuki, and Yamaha.