If two pianists are sharing one keyboard, a dedicated duet or two-player mode is important. For quiet practice together, you’ll also need two headphone sockets. If you’re playing with another instrument or through the studio’s sound system, check the audio outputs, playing range and which stand and pedals you’ll need for your setup.
You practise on the same instrument at the same time. Check whether duet mode splits the keyboard in a way that works for you and whether the range suits both parts. Headphone sockets are also important if you want to practise quietly.
You might be practising with a singer or instrumentalist and want the piano to be heard through the studio’s speakers or sound system. Check which audio outputs are available and what equipment is on site.
You take your instrument to rehearsals. Compare its weight and dimensions with your transport options, and factor in the stand, pedal and any other accessories you’ll need to play.
Start with your setup: will two pianists share one keyboard, will you practise together with headphones, or will the piano be connected to the studio’s sound system?
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Duet mode and headphones | Check exactly how duet mode works, the range available to each player and the number of headphone sockets, including the correct plug sizes. | If you want to practise with two pianists at once, possibly in silence, both the keyboard split and listening setup need to work for you. Around 33% of consumers prioritise practising together. |
| Key range and touch response | Bring along some challenging passages and assess the range in the playing mode you’ll actually use. | If you want to practise your duet part without awkward limitations, pay particular attention to the available range and feel of the keys. For around 27% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Connecting to the studio | Check which inputs, speakers and monitors are available, and which outputs the instrument has. | If you’re playing with another instrument, you’ll want to know how the piano will be heard through the existing setup. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this connection. |
| Transport and playing setup | Compare the weight and dimensions with your transport options, and check which stand, pedals and cables you’ll need. | If you take the instrument to rehearsals and want to set it up ready to play on site, transport and the accessories you need are important factors. Around 20% of consumers start with these practical considerations. |
A split function and a mode for two pianists aren’t automatically the same thing. Roland treats Split Play and Twin Piano as separate features, so check how the keyboard is divided for both players on the model you’re considering.
Look in the manual for a specific duo or two-player mode, and try out the playing range with both parts.
The number of sockets doesn’t tell you how the sound is controlled for each player.
Check the manual or test your preferred listening setup before making a choice.
If you need separate monitoring, you may need to add extra monitoring equipment to your setup.
With some models, the stand or pedal is sold separately. You may also need suitable cables and monitoring equipment to connect to the studio.
Check what’s included with each version and what you’ll need in the rehearsal room.
The FP-30X is worth considering if you’re looking for a portable piano with Twin Piano, two headphone sockets and the option to connect external active speakers.
The P-225 is a portable piano with 88 weighted keys and a Duo function, according to the Dutch specifications.
The Privia PX-S1100 is a slim digital piano, and its manual describes duet playing across two halves of the keyboard.
According to Kawai, the portable ES120 combines built-in speakers with separate stereo line outputs and two headphone sockets in different sizes.
The stage-focused Nord Piano 6 88 may be a good fit if you use external audio equipment and want direct control over sound layers and splits.
The Joybuy options shown here are 61-key keyboards for practice with built-in speakers. Both list one headphone socket, so they’re not confirmed options for connecting two headphones directly or sharing the keyboard in duet mode.
No image available
The built-in stereo speakers are handy if you don’t want to keep connecting a separate sound system when you practise.
The title specifies 61 weighted keys, while the product information mentions touch sensitivity and USB-MIDI. One headphone socket is listed, not two.
No image available
The built-in stereo speakers let you practise without first connecting the piano to external speakers.
The product information lists a metronome, recording function, audio input and output, and a headphone socket. No second headphone socket is listed.
No, don’t assume they’re the same. Roland treats Split Play and Twin Piano as separate features, while Casio’s manual describes duet playing across two halves of the keyboard with the same range. Compare the manual for the exact model with the parts you want to play.
First check the inputs on the mixer or active speakers, then compare them with the piano’s outputs. Kawai lists separate stereo line outputs for the ES120; Nord specifies 6.35 mm L/R outputs for the Piano 6. Choose cables that match the equipment available.
Check whether a stand, pedal, mains adaptor, headphones and audio cables are included with each version. Kawai lists a separate stand and three-pedal unit as accessories for the ES120, while Roland describes different stand and pedal options for the FP-30X.
Two sockets may let you connect two pairs of headphones, but they don’t guarantee a separate mix for each player. Check how the exact model distributes the sound and whether the sockets match your headphone plugs.
