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The Yamaha Portable Grand DGX 500 keyboard is about as close to a real piano in sound as you can get with a digital device. There are countless other voices this unit comes with that deliver almost any sound desired. The original suggested price was around $1,169, but you can find this model at about $700 in some places.
The 88 keys make the unit longer and more professional than many other digital keyboards. It comes with a single foot switch that imitates the pedals of a real piano, not exactly with the same results, but it does add a quaint touch.
This unit is sufficient to use on stage or in a recording studio, and it plugs into your mixing system with a patch the same as a guitar.
It is not possible to mimic a piano exactly, and that is both good and bad. The bad part is the sound from a piano is so distinctive and notes may sound different according to the way the keys are struck. No digital device can perform the same as an analog one, but that also means it is easier to reproduce a performance with digital than it is with a piano.
The keys on the Yamaha are not weighted to give the same heavy feel as a piano, but it really doesn't affect the ability of the person playing it.
The best part of the Yamaha is that it stays in tune and it is so easy to transport when you travel somewhere to perform. Pianos get out of tune because of humidity and even the slightest movement, not to mention the fact that they are super heavy.
There are higher priced units for digital sound reproduction, but I don't know of one that is any better in overall performance and quality than the Yamaha. This unit comes with a music stand and a bench. It has prerecorded music as well as instrumental accompaniment, too.
This is a great model to purchase for those with limited space, and it works well if you need a practice unit for students taking lessons without having to spend the bucks for a full size piano.
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