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Sup guys; long time I hadn't been around.

Well, I'm thinking about buying a new digital piano, but I want it to be really portable. I already own a Yamaha CLP120, but it's way too heavy as to take to a gig or something. So, I was checking the DGX505 over the net; I don't have a dealer nearby that has it, so I'll have to rely on your appreciations.

What's the sound like? How real-grand-like does it sound? what about the feel of the keys? how portable is it? Is it worth the price? ANy other model that's better than this one and for more or less the same price?

Thx a lot guys.

-Jon

forget about DGX505, which does not have weighted keys. you might consider P90 for travel and play with headphone.

Have a go at the Roland FP-2 OR 5 too.

The 505 is a fun beginner's keyboard, but no way is it a serious piano. It has a toy-feel to the keys. The suggestions from the two previous posts are good. I have a P120 and love it...40 lbs. and it sounds and feels great.

Thanks about the comments on the feel of the keys of the 505; as I said, I can't get my hands on one unless I buy it, so this kind of comments really help me on my quest

Well, the P120 seems a little bit of out of my budget right now... I've been spending a lot of money lately Maybe I could try and save some more.
The P90 seems really nice, and is like 300 dollars cheaper than the P120. But I have two questions about it: What is the weight? and second, does it need external amplification or does it have build-in speakers or something? I don't need a too powerful sound system, but it'd be nice if the keyboard I buy has integrated speakers, so I won't have to worry that much about external amps and stuff.

Oh, and about the Rolands that were suggested... don't get me wrong, but for some reason, I kinda hate that brand. Don't ask me why, I've just never liked it... Maybe coz everytime I think "Roland", a big "Duran Duran" comes into my head? :p

Fair enough on the Rolands..Don't base your opinion on "duran duran" if you haven't tried it though...It's worth trying anything and everything in your budget range. You may be pleasantly surprised. Having said that Everyone has their tastes..So, I digress...The P-90 is about 35 lbs and does need external speakers...That's why it is the weight it is. The P-60 (the entry level Yamaha) with a graded hammer keyboard has built in speakers that are great for home use but not much else....The P-60 only has 32 note polyphony though.....It might end up being a limiting factor in what you can play depending on what your level of ability is.

Lol... just kidding man; I'd sure like to try any brand at all; sometimes brands can give you a pretty pleasant surprise, as you say The problem is that here, in Colombia, all you see in music stores are: acoustic guitars, 60 dollars Casio keyboards, acoustic guitars, strings for acoustic guitars, acoustic guitars, a bunch of 3/4 bad quality violins, and more acoustic guitars. I mean, here the classical music scene is pretty absent; piano players can be counted with the fingers of one hand in my city... So it's really hard to find specific products here; I'd have to order my stuff over the internet, and that's why I need you guys to help me decide. Nevertheless, while I save enought money for it, It'll be like 5 months or something...

Mmm... dunno; the fact the P90 does need external speakers is definitevely a very strong point against it... As I said, I'd rather not have to complicate myself carrying extra stuff (Read 'cables and amps') What about the P120? does it need external amplification too?

you can check specs of P60/90/120 etc. here:

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/List/ModelSeriesListLE/0,6583,CTID%253D205600%2526CNTYP%253D,00.html

Balparda,
http://www.roland.com/products/en/goPrd.cfm

Have a look! I love the sound and feeling of these boards.....everyone has their preference....This is mine..

I used to own a P120 for gigging it did need reinforcement for onstage but had PLENTY of volume for use at home!

Anyways,
Hope this helps.

http://www.purgatorycreek.com/

To hear some MP3's of the piano sounds on various products!

See what you think!

PropianoguyBC

Tried out the Suzuki HP-175 has 64 note polyphony weighted keys and 4MB piano sample with a wooden cabinet and costs less than a Yamaha P60

ProPiano,

I was checking out the Rolands you suggested, and I really liked what I read. It's a shame I can't try them personally, but if you say they sound and feel good too, I'll take your word for it The difference in price between the FP2 and 5 is USD100 more or less; so I wonder what are the main differences between these two models and if the FP5 is worth the extra cash. What do you think?

vgeorge,

I have to wonder at the accousticness (if that's a word) of tone that can be produced by only 4MB of compressed samples. I believe that this is roughly the size used in the Alesis keyboards/modules and while their piano voices are good, they have a definite synthetic feel. I have an Alesis 7.1 and enjoy the piano sounds when mixed with other instruments (but not for solo playing). In all honesty, I've never heard the Suzuki keyboard, but I would have my reservations. Be sure you audition the unit thoroughly to ensure that the tone is what you're looking for.

Actually this goes for any keyboard. Some people absolutely hate the bright tone created by Yamaha gear, while others favour it and dislike the warmer tone of Roland. (I personally like both for different reasons).

As for the 64 notes of poly, this can be a VERY confusing topic. What is really important is the number of oscillators. I suspect that a better way to describe the board is that it support 64 simultaneous mono tones. If the samples are stereo (which is VERY likely), then each note will count as 2 poly which means you actually only have 32 simultaneous notes. You may feel that this is enough, but it is very easy to use up notes with the sustain pedal, or accompaniment (if the keyboard supports it). The keyboard recovers notes through a process called note stealing. It will stop playing the oldest note (or the quietest depending on how the process was implemented) and use those oscillators to play the new notes.

Basically what I'm saying is that 64 notes MAY be enough depending on the style of music you play and your tolerance to note stealing.

Rodney