Who is this choice relevant to?

Lead player living with housemates

You want to play expressively on keys and listen through headphones. Check whether the other outputs also stay silent: on the Novation Bass Station II, the main outputs remain active when you connect headphones.

Player with limited desk space

You’re weighing up a compact keyboard against smaller keys or pads, and want to know how the playing surface will feel for the lead part you have in mind.

Lead player who also wants to play chords

You sometimes want to let notes overlap as well as playing solo lines. So compare the stated voice limit and playing mode of the exact model; paraphony is not the same as unlimited polyphony.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide which playing surface suits your lead part. Then check the headphone and audio outputs, and measure the available space. Finally, look at the number of voices if you want other notes or chords to sound at the same time.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Practising without speakers Check the headphone socket and whether the other outputs remain active. Set your listening volume carefully. If I want to practise without my housemates hearing my synth through speakers, I also check the other outputs. Around 36% of consumers give silent listening their top priority.
Playing a lead comfortably Compare full-size keys, slim keys, mini keys and pads with the part you want to play. If I want to play the lead on keys, how they feel to play is the deciding factor for me. Around 29% of consumers put a suitable playing surface first.
Desk space Measure the space, including room for cables. Compare the depth too: Korg lists the minilogue xd as 500 × 300 × 85 mm and Yamaha lists the reface CS as 530 × 175 × 60 mm. If my desk has little free space, I want to know how much room the instrument takes up with cables connected. Around 21% of consumers prioritise available desk space.
Overlapping notes Check the playing mode and voice limit of the exact model against the largest combination of notes you need. If I want to play chords or overlapping notes as well as a lead, I check how many voices are available. Around 14% of consumers give extra simultaneous notes their top priority.

Things to watch out for when buying

  • Assuming headphones automatically mute the speakers

    According to Novation, the main outputs on the Bass Station II remain active when you connect headphones. So a connected speaker may continue to play sound.

    Check the manual for the exact model and, if necessary, mute the speakers or mixer separately.

  • Treating a pad synth like a standard keyboard

    The Roland S-1 has 26 multifunctional pads. These aren’t a conventional keyboard, so they may feel different to use when playing a lead.

    Before choosing, assess the type of playing surface against the part you want to play.

    If pads don’t suit the way you play, you may need a separate keyboard.

  • Confusing paraphony with polyphony

    Novation describes the Bass Station II as paraphonic. This playing mode isn’t the same as an instrument with unlimited polyphony.

    Check that the playing mode and number of voices on the exact model suit the notes you want to hear at the same time.

Brands to consider

Novation

Novation specifies 25 full-size velocity-sensitive keys, aftertouch and a paraphonic mode for the Bass Station II. It’s an option to consider if you’re looking for a conventional keyboard for playing lead.

  • The manual lists a headphone output.
  • The main outputs remain active when headphones are connected; mute any connected speakers separately if necessary.
  • Paraphony shouldn’t be mistaken for unlimited polyphony.

Yamaha

Yamaha specifies 37 mini keys and up to eight voices for the reface CS. The model has built-in speakers and, according to Yamaha, runs on batteries or an adaptor.

  • The stated voice limit may be relevant if you want to play notes at the same time as a lead.
  • Consider whether the mini keys suit the way you like to play, and check the monitoring settings when practising quietly.

Roland

Roland specifies four voices and 26 multifunctional pads for the S-1. It’s worth considering if you want to use pads for playing lead and programming patterns.

  • According to the manual, you can connect headphones to MIX OUT.
  • The pads aren’t a conventional keyboard; assess how they work separately from the unit’s compact size.

Korg

Korg specifies 37 velocity-sensitive slim keys, four voices and a headphone socket for the minilogue xd.

  • The keys offer a keyboard option for playing lead and overlapping notes.
  • The stated dimensions are 500 × 300 × 85 mm and the model uses an adaptor; check your available desk depth and power supply.

Arturia

Arturia describes the MicroFreak as a hybrid synthesiser with digital oscillator modes, an analogue filter and a flat playing surface with polyphonic aftertouch.

  • Its unusual playing surface may offer a different way to play a lead.
  • Whether the surface feels comfortable to play is a personal choice. For quiet practice, check the connections on the exact model.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I practise with headphones while my speakers stay connected?

It depends on the model and connection. Novation says that the Bass Station II’s main outputs remain active when you connect headphones, so mute any connected speakers separately. Roland says you can connect headphones to the S-1’s MIX OUT.

What should I consider when putting a synthesiser on my desk?

Measure the available space, including room for connections, and check the power supply. Korg lists the minilogue xd as 500 × 300 × 85 mm; Yamaha lists the reface CS as 530 × 175 × 60 mm.

How can I use headphones safely when practising?

Start at a low volume and limit prolonged exposure to loud sounds. The World Health Organization points out that sound level, listening time and how often you’re exposed all matter; using headphones doesn’t automatically make a high volume safe.

Is there a set time by which you must stop playing music at home?

The Dutch government doesn’t specify one universal cut-off time for music that applies to every home. It advises agreeing arrangements with your neighbours first, such as what time the music should stop. You’ll need to check separately which rules, if any, apply to your home or local authority.

What cooling-off period applies when buying online from a business in the Netherlands?

According to the Dutch government, a 14-day cooling-off period applies to many distance purchases, but there are exceptions. Before ordering, check the seller’s information about the cooling-off period and any additional costs.