For practising on your own without a computer, a touch-sensitive keyboard is a good fit. If piano technique and a wider range are more important to you, consider a digital piano with weighted keys. A MIDI controller is best suited to working with a DAW or virtual instruments, but you’ll also need to factor in your computer, software and audio setup. Whichever option you choose, check the key range and connections you’ll need for your practice setup.
Wants to play independently, practise varying their touch and perhaps listen through headphones. Yamaha lists touch sensitivity and USB audio/MIDI for the PSR-E383; according to Yamaha, the PSR-F52 has a headphone socket.
Wants to practise broken chords across a wider range, using weighted keys, and is prepared to make space for the instrument. Yamaha’s Netherlands specifications list 88 GHC keys for the P-145.
Wants to record the notes they play as MIDI in software and is happy to use a computer-based setup. Arturia describes MIDI via USB-C for the KeyLab Essential mk3; Novation positions the Launchkey 61 MK4 as a controller for DAWs and virtual instruments.
Best for: practising without a computer and with touch sensitivity.
Consider: key range and key action vary by model; automatic chords or arpeggios won’t play your entire practice pattern for you.
Best for: piano-focused practice with weighted keys and a wider range.
Consider: according to the Netherlands specifications, the Yamaha P-145 is 1.326 mm wide and weighs 11,1 kg, so measure the space available.
Best for: using the notes you play directly in a DAW or virtual instrument.
Consider: you’ll need a compatible computer, software and audio setup; chord modes and arpeggiators don’t replace playing the notes yourself.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch response and independent practice | Check for touch sensitivity and whether the instrument produces sound on its own. | If I practise without a computer and want to control the dynamics of each note, these are the features I look for. Around 33% of consumers prioritise independent practice with touch response. |
| MIDI recording and software | Check the MIDI connection, DAW compatibility and audio output. | If I want to record practice sessions in my DAW, I need to know whether the controller works with my software and audio setup. Around 27% of consumers prioritise MIDI recording and a software-based workflow. |
| Piano feel and key range | Compare the number of keys, key action and dimensions. | If I want to transfer what I practise to piano playing, weighted keys and range matter more to me than a compact design. Around 20% of consumers prioritise piano feel and key range. |
| Quiet practice and connections | Check the headphone socket, plug size and which cables or adapters you’ll need. | If I want to practise quietly at home, I need to be able to listen through a connection that suits my headphones. Around 20% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
Yamaha lists features including arpeggios and Auto Chord Play for the PSR-E383. These features can produce notes without you playing the entire pattern yourself.
You can use automatic accompaniment as an extra, but play the notes yourself when practising your fingering.
Yamaha explicitly lists ‘Touch Response No’ for the PSR-F52, while the PSR-E383 is touch-sensitive according to Yamaha. This difference matters if you want to practise controlling the dynamics of each note.
Check the specifications for the exact model and look for a mention of touch sensitivity.
For the KeyLab Essential mk3, Arturia describes MIDI settings and a separate setting for the software’s audio output.
Before you buy, check which DAW, virtual instruments and audio setup you’ll be using.
The PSR-E383 is a portable keyboard option for independent practice; the P-145 is a digital piano with 88 keys.
According to Casio, the European CT-S400 offers rhythm and practice features for independent use.
According to Novation, the Launchkey 61 MK4 is designed for controlling a DAW and virtual instruments.
The KeyLab Essential 61 mk3 is a MIDI controller option for anyone working with computer software.
No, not with a standalone keyboard such as the Yamaha PSR-E383, which Yamaha says has built-in sounds. A MIDI controller for a DAW does require a computer, software and a configured audio output; Arturia describes separate MIDI and audio settings for this.
According to Arturia, connect the KeyLab Essential mk3 directly to a USB port on your computer. Then select the MIDI port in your software and set the audio output you want to use. Arturia advises against using a USB hub if you have connection problems.
When you buy remotely from a business, you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period, subject to applicable exceptions. This is separate from what happens if a product is faulty: according to the Dutch government, there is no fixed period for statutory guarantees in the Netherlands, and you should contact the seller if a product doesn’t meet what you could reasonably expect from it.
According to the Dutch government, electronic devices placed on the EU market must carry a CE marking. Check the marking and product information for the exact instrument; a brand name or Dutch-language web page alone doesn’t confirm that an individual product meets the requirements.
According to Milieu Centraal, you can hand in an old, similar electrical appliance free of charge when you buy a new one, including when you shop online. An instrument that still works can be reused.
