Hello!

I am a complete novice just trying to get my feet under me with respect to digital pianos. I am preparing to purchase a piano for my daughters to use for their lessons. I am not decided on a model in a cabinet or a more portable stage piano.

I have been reading a lot and speaking with a few helpful sales people and have narrowed my view to a few pianos at the upper end of my budget. I am considering the Korg SP-250 or LP-350, Yamaha DGX-630, P85, or YDP-140, or a Casio Privia Px-800 or Celviano AP-420. The downside for the Casio's is I have not found a local distributer so I can actually touch and hear it.

There are some midi files available for some of the pieces my daughters learn that provide accompanyment. Does anyone know if any (or all) of the above pianos can play a midi file for accompanyment? If yes, can the tempo be varied?

I don't know enough yet to know if this is even a reasonable question so go easy on me! :-)

Any help will be appreciated.

Hello skellygs,

Well, assuming the instrument has some kind of MIDI connector (either the traditional MIDI IN/OUT or newer USB style), it will be possible to playback MIDI data from an external device, such as a computer.

However, if you wish to playback MIDI directly on the instrument itself, without requiring additional hardware, you will need to pay close attention to the specification tables. If the instrument features a 'USB to Device' connector (I believe the DGX-630 does) it's highly like that the instrument can also playback MIDI files. The Casio models you list feature an SD card reader, which also supports MIDI file playback.

Finally, it may be worth nothing that the PX-800 has recently been superseded by the PX-880.

Kind regards,
James
x

Yes, I am indeed wondering if the instruments are capable of playing the midi files. My current computer can make sound but not music :-(

Thanks for the information.

Greg

Actually when it comes to sound quality computers are MUCH better at playing MIDI files than are digital pianos. You current computer just needs some software and some good speakers

I'm pretty sure that all of the digital pianos you listed can play MIDI. Certainly all of them can if you connect them to a computer with a MIDI cable. Some will play MIDI data from a memory stick. But if you are just listening to the file why play it through the piano? The computer will play it just fine.

If you are buying a piano for someone to learn to play the #1 thing you should be looking for is the best key action you can afford. The sound, midi playback and recording and so on are all secondary to the "feel" of the keys. You can not judge the key action from reading the specifications,you have to try each one.

About those pianos you listed. All of the Yamahas you listed all use the "GHS" key action. I think you need to move up to the better "GH" action. That would be the YDP160 or P155 or higher up in the line. I thought the GHS was a bit light. In the Casio PX line, the models ending with "30" are the current ones. the PX800 is replaced by the 830. But also take a look at the PX130 and PX330. You can buy a matching stand and pedals if you like the console look.. I think all the -30 models share the same key action. It is worth getting a new model Casio PX because they were recently improved

More to consider. Good stuff.

Thanks ChrisA.

Greg