How is an electronic piano different from a synthesizer?

Many newcomers to music often have questions related to the choice of an instrument. With the advancement of technology, musicians have also benefited from these new opportunities. For example, the first electric guitar was invented in 1931. It used electromagnetic sensors to sense the vibrations of the strings. The same concept was used in the early Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer electronic pianos.

The digital piano is designed as an alternative to the acoustic piano. The instrument almost completely conveys the attributes of a wooden piano, both externally and in sound. An electronic device is much lighter than an acoustic one, so it can be easily carried from one place to another.

There are various types of digital pianos: portable, hybrid, console, stage, digital grand pianos, arranger pianos.

The upright electric piano is usually wall-mounted for home use. The stage piano is often used when playing with a live orchestra. This type of instrument resembles a synthesizer or music workstation. This type of device often lacks an internal speaker, but uses a powerful keyboard amplifier or speaker system.

The tool usually has a sturdy body that can handle the stress better with frequent movement. It also lacks a fixed stand and fixed sustain pedals, but instead has a portable system. Large digital grand pianos like Roland have volume control. Some models are capable of producing surround sound. The keyboard of an electronic grand piano faithfully reproduces the tactile sensations of an acoustic instrument.

A synthesizer is an electronic keyboard instrument that generates signals and converts them into sounds. Since 2010, digital musical instrument companies have been mass-producing impressive digital keyboards. The electronic piano differs from the synthesizer in appearance and internal filling. The synthesizer looks like a large keyboard with various buttons. It is less bulky and does not look like a regular piano.

Such a device can only generate and scale sounds. A synthesis engine, analog or digital, is the main characteristic of synthesizers. Thus, a wide range of different sounds is provided: guitar, flute, organ, cello, pipe and others. Most classical instruments have 49 keys, which is enough for creating sounds and patterns. However, electronic pianos typically have 88 keys apart from the portable versions. This is also the difference between the tools.

The numerous controls for these devices allow musicians to quickly create sounds with little effort. Most high performance synthesizers offer a variety of sound engines and performance options. You can easily switch between samples, modulate effect chains and more. The digital piano is simpler than the synthesizer. It often has up to 20 preset tones in total, as opposed to the hundreds of tones available on the numeric keypad.

Synthesizers also have a MIDI output that allows you to connect to your computer via an inexpensive interface. In this case, you can record and edit the game by adding additional parties. Synthesizers also include MIDI keyboards, which do not generate sounds by themselves. To be heard, they must be connected to a sound source such as a sound module, for example. Even cheap arrangers offer the functionality of the USB and MIDI protocols.

Instrument bodies are usually made of plastic, but there are also wooden electronic pianos. Wood products often sound cleaner due to the properties of the material. Loudspeakers are installed in the instrument case.

Unlike a synthesizer, a piano has no technical ability to record and play melodies. The built-in processor controls the sound of the instrument and outputs it through speakers or headphones, depending on the strength and velocity of pressing. Digital devices have a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) function.

Most electronic pianos have a graduated 88-key keyboard with a fully weighted hammer system that simulates an acoustic piano. And there are also semi-weighted or unweighted spring-loaded keys. The piano keys are standard. The white keys of the instrument are 23 × 145 mm, and the black keys are 9 × 85 mm. Pressure resistance is also standard. The keyboard cannot synthesize its own sound.

Synthesizers don't have such keys. They are smaller than a piano and are very easy to press. Such a keyboard can be either dynamic or not. A dynamic keyboard differs in that the volume of the sound depends on the force of pressing and the speed of playing the instrument.

A conventional acoustic piano and grand piano has 9 octaves. The number of notes corresponds to the number of keys. The instrument has 88 of them. The octaves are in order starting from the subcontroctave from left to right. There are also 73-key or 76-key electronic pianos, such as the Yamaha P-121 or Korg LP-380.But usually it is a keyboard with an 88-key piano-style weighted keyboard. Most 5-octave synthesizers do not have weighted keys.

The sounds of a digital keyboard musical instrument are called samples. These are short entries that have been programmed into the device's memory. Each key plays a sample.

For sound reproduction, AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) technology is used. This is a method developed by Yamaha for recording sounds from an original acoustic instrument. The samples are then amplified by the internal speakers. And also a digital device can be connected to an amplifier.

The most popular digital keyboard models are: Casio, Yamaha, Roland, Ringway, Medeli, Korg.

The cost of synthesizers starts at 5000 rubles. up to 200 thousand rubles, depending on the model. The price of a budget digital piano starts at 20 thousand rubles. More expensive options are from 50 thousand rubles. (compact) up to 300 thousand rubles (professional).

Casio tools are well suited for training a beginner, as they make inexpensive and high-quality equipment. If you want an elegant expensive piano, then you can pick up something from Yamaha. However, expensive tools are usually needed by the pros. A simple synthesizer is enough for a beginner.

Before starting training, you need to define goals and objectives. For example, a student of a classical school may need an instrument with 7 octaves, because in the process he will have tasks that may require a certain pitch from the instrument. And only a 7-octave piano can give this pitch. For such a student, the digital piano is fine.

However, a student who is into a different genre of music does not necessarily need 7 octaves for musical expression. So it's okay to replace the piano with a synthesizer. When it comes to purchasing a tool, you need to think about whether you really need a tool with a wide range. The more octaves the instrument has, the longer it is.

For those who want to create electronic dance music, it is better to choose a synthesizer, because it provides the ability to simulate sound. This means that you can add reverb, resonance or compressor in real time.

The classical performer needs a keyboard instrument with weighted keys. In addition, the digital piano allows you to use a wide range of notes. It is easier to learn from it as it doesn't have a lot of samples to deal with.

For information on how the electronic piano differs from the synthesizer, see the following video.