Which Keyboard Is Best for Studio Recording? 8 Top Keyboards

Whether you’re creating music on a regular basis or doing it for the first time, you’ll need to have your own instruments.

Which keyboard is best for studio recording? This will depend on your individual needs as a musician, including your budget, style of music and level of experience. And of course, the current best buys.

In this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on the options, so you can work out which to choose. In the meantime click here if you are looking to book a Piano Lesson in Southampton near you.

Which keyboard is best for studio recording?

If you’re in the market for a new set of keys and plan to lay down some tracks in the studio, you’ll need a suitable kit. As a gigging musician, you need something robust, durable and completely reliable. You’ll be loading it into a car or van at least once a day, it may get knocked and it will need to work in hot and cold environments.

There isn’t one single answer to the question of which is the best keyboard, and that’s because it depends on a number of variables. Here are the main points you must consider before splashing out on a keyboard or digital piano.

Your budget
Your experience level (don’t buy a keyboard with loads of high-level functions you’ll never use if you’re a beginner, it’ll overwhelm you on stage and you might press the wrong button!)
The types of music you play (should you need a ‘big’ sound or effects).
How you need to transport it (you’ll need to be able to lift it yourself and will need a car for most of the models in this article)
Your image/branding (do you need a certain aesthetic, or colour – does it need to be retro style?)

What should I look for when buying a music keyboard for recording?

Before you start shopping, think about all of the factors we’ve listed above and see if you can future proof them a little. Most keyboards are a significant investment, so consider the direction in which your career is going when taking everything into account.

And it could save you money further down the line too. For example, if you’re a pianist getting into looping, choosing a keyboard with that feature included may be a better buy than buying a separate loop pedal.

There are three categories of keyboards/pianos.

Digital keyboards are the cheapest, most convenient, and most versatile, but don’t have the same traditional, heavy key feel or sound you get with an acoustic piano.
Digital pianos are bigger and pricier than keyboards, but nearly as versatile while mimicking the feel and sound of an acoustic piano effectively.
Acoustic pianos offer a traditional and beautiful sound. However, they’re also the largest and can be prohibitively expensive. They can’t be plugged into an electricity source. We won’t be covering them in this article, as unless the studio you’re using already has one (in which case you won’t need to purchase one), their size and limited mobility preclude them as an option.

Some of the most famous and respected keyboard brands include Yamaha, Roland, Casio, Kawai, Korg and Moog. So looking at these brands is a good place to start. But there are smaller brands that offer great models too, especially when it comes to specialised products like digital baby grand pianos.

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What is the best keyboard for a band?

Perhaps you’re part of a band. Here are some good models for consideration.

#1 Yamaha MOXF6

If you play as part of a band, or in very small studios, you don’t always have the luxury of space. And if you have a small car, you won’t be able to fit a full-sized heavy keyboard in – nor be able to carry it if it’s too heavy for you. The Yamaha MOXF6 is a great solution to this problem. You can also import samples by using flash memory.

#2 Yamaha YPT-260

Want to play simultaneously with others? Choose a keyboard such as this, with a dual-split functionality?

Best keyboard for music production

If you’re new to this kind of shopping, there may be some terms with which you’re unfamiliar. A workstation is very useful for songwriters and those who like to create unique sounds. Workstations have sound modules and sequencers, enabling you to play and then record sections, with a vast array of sounds from which to choose.

Keyboards on the market today range from those designed to feel and look more like a traditional piano, to complex synthesisers used to create cutting edge effects, beats and create a soundscape. The latter is better if you’re looking to produce more complex music. Now let’s take a look at some of the best on the market.

#3 Moog Grandmother

Next is the Moog Grandmother. This is a stylish bit of kit, perfect if you want a modular, yet authentic vintage sound. It’s also got a very cool retro look. It has lots of versatility in terms of the scope of sound it can produce – including acoustic guitars, strings, brass and woodwinds.

#4 The Elektron Analog Keys

The Analog Keys from Elektron is a fantastic model if you want a live synth with loads of effects that’s particularly durable, has a lot of power and versatility for making leads, poly sounds, basses and beat, this is the keyboard for you.

#5 Roland GO: KEYS

Need a loop function? This Roland is easy to use with an intuitive function. It has powerful Bluetooth speakers. Plus it comes with three months’ access to a tuition app.

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Which keyboard has the best sound quality?

Don’t forget that while your instrument is your tool, it isn’t everything. Your numbers, skill and personality as a musician are ultimately far more important. So don’t worry if you can’t afford the finest model. They may have handy features and a nice feel, but you can shine with everything from an old fashioned upright to a digital baby grand.

#6 Yamaha DGX-660

This is a bestselling instrument with a wide range of features and consistently scores high reviews, while a trusted budget pick is the Yamaha PSR-51.

#7 DSI Pro-2

Here’s another great option for busy working musicians needing quality keys. From Dave Smith Instruments comes the DSI Pro 2. This machine has been developed to withstand hard use and to be touch-sensitive in the studio.

Best keyboard for live performance

Live performance is very different from working in the studio and recording using keys. All sounds must be produced there and then and if you’re the only one on stage, it’s all down to you. This is why an all-singing all-dancing keyboard can take you from a single instrumentalist to a full-fledged backing with beats and more instruments. It’s the modern-day version of a one-man band.

#8 Roland FA Series

First up on our list is the Roland FA Series. It has all 2000 sounds from Roland’s Integra-7 module, a 4GB SD card, an easy to read display and is simple to operate. Perfect for live sequences and those wanting to use backing tracks at the same time as playing or singing, it includes playback of WAV, AIFF and MP3 files.

It’s important to turn up to your studio session with your A-game. As well as having high-quality instruments, you’ll need to be operating at your best as a musician. It’s therefore worth taking some keyboard lessons ahead of time. Even if you’re self-taught, a bit of professional feedback can give you the edge. And your teacher may be able to recommend a suitable keyboard for you too.

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