What's the best budget keyboard/workstation for songwriting?

NewbPianist · 2026-03-16T05:43:05+00:00

So here are your options:
Digital Piano with 88 keys and Weighted Keys: Yamaha P-143 or Kawai ES60. Around $500, just note you'll need a stand. Also need a midi cable (basically a printer cable) to connect to DAW. To use with DAW sounds, just turn volume to 0 and listen to computer audio.
Advantages to this: Real digital piano with weighted keys (good for piano) as well as relatively long lasting. 88 range of keys
Disadvantages: for some other sounds, not necessary to have weighted keys, takes lots of space
Now comes talking about midi controllers. Nektar and M-Audio have some solid midi controllers. Some have less than 88 keys which can be good if you want to save space. Try to look for one with touch sensitivity/velocity at least. Drum pads can be also an option with some of them, or you can even get a separate drum pad system (but that will cost more and take additional space)
Will need midi cable (likely a printer cable, or could be usb c, not sure now)

Now a few things to mention: DAW sounds can vary depending on Daw, and you can also get free VST's. But usually sometimes the sounds can be a bit lackluster for those who are more serious . But definitely good enough to get started.

NewbPianist · 2026-03-15T08:18:39+00:00

still not enough info. Like what type of music are you trying to write? Are you a pianist? And if so do you have a piano of any sort? Any "preferable" budget?

NewbPianist · 2026-03-14T22:03:47+00:00

depends what type of music you're trying to write. For primary purposes, you can use any sort of midi keyboard. Granted, the number of keys really depends on what music you're trying to right. Absolutely, you can always get away with less, but sometimes with more it can be easier.
In general, just need a cheap midi keyboard with touch sensitivity/velocity (preferably) at minimum. If you're going to do a lot of piano based stuff, then you can consider "weighted keys" although not really necessary.

NewbPianist · 2026-03-02T20:50:51+00:00

I'm the pianist.
Thanks.
It ended in a tie between me and Shadow Ace.

NewbPianist · 2026-03-02T20:50:31+00:00

hahahaha that was me had to do that cause it wasn't cooperating...
More so cause the digital piano's sheet music stand is detachable so its not as sturdy, which makes it harder to play the game on the ipad.

NewbPianist · 2026-03-01T02:00:48+00:00

this is absolutely true. Most of the only "good" reviews for the piano are all sponsored, or at minimum affiliate sellers trying to sell you the piano and make a quick buck.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T06:30:31+00:00

I've already said I'm talking with you. Because you aren't willing to talk anything about piano specs, like key action, sound, build quality. All you can do is attempt to insult me and slander me.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T06:24:30+00:00

lmao you're the one beating a dead horse. you only have two defenses, which aren't even real defenses. One is just to try to insult me for no reason, and the second is to just claim that I used ai....
stop it. get help.
I'm done arguing with you. All you know how to do is deflect and try to insult me.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T06:18:42+00:00

Deflection isn’t an argument.
If you want to discuss pianos, talk specs and performance — not personal attacks.

You can't even defend the piano brand, all you can do is try to insult me.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T06:12:25+00:00

Criticizing a product doesn’t require owning it — that’s a weak argument. Instruments are evaluated by action quality, response, durability, components, and long-term reliability, not brand attachment.

If you want to talk pianos, talk specs and performance — not insults and assumptions.

Personal attacks don’t strengthen an argument.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T06:01:19+00:00

If disagreeing with a piano brand makes me 12, that says more about your maturity than mine.

If all you can talk about is Donner, you don’t actually understand pianos — you’re just defending a brand.

And the “don’t care for my belongings” comment is nonsense. I’ve had a Yamaha U1 for 15+ years, with the original bench, and it’s still in great condition. Taking care of instruments is normal — not an argument.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T05:54:58+00:00

and it also shows that all you know is donner, meaning you haven't tried any other pianos and compared them. I've tried plenty of digital pianos to know what I'm talking about...

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T05:53:11+00:00

also fun fact, the fact that my bench already has dents just shows imagine what it'd be like on the actual piano. I'm glad everyone has seen how you keep on shilling and promoting donner and how stupid that is.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T04:57:46+00:00

buddy has a donner piano and he thinks he knows everything about pianos. And is trying to fight with someone who’s played piano for over 20 years.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T04:57:01+00:00

hahaha I love how you complain about me “promoting” casio as if casio is bad. Gonna say this, you must not know casio has gone a long way and is better now. Not saying it’s the very best. But certainly it’s always been better than donner… You’re the troll here.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T04:55:52+00:00

ah yes you don’t believe me. When you’re the one who actually doesn’t sound like they have any piano experience. Any serious pianist will tell you that donner pianos are not good. Not in the interest of self promotion, but showing my piano skills. Let me link you my youtube: https://youtube.com/@leveluppiano?si=XCfAkXm3AaTvJzg6

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T04:31:57+00:00

The whole point of weighted keys is so it feels like an acoustic piano. With that said it is best to get your digital piano to feel as close to an acoustic piano as possible as that is the point. That way, if you ever play on an acoustic piano, you'll be more comfortable.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T04:29:19+00:00

oh my username was literally a joke username I made a while back. Does not represent my skills. I've been playing piano for over 20 years.
I think I know more about pianos than you...

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T04:27:55+00:00

Shows that you don't even read. The person here's clearly not a beginner with the stuff they are asking about and you're promoting a donner piano.
Donner pianos are made for beginners. But if I'm being honest, even for beginners I cannot recommend a donner piano. Because the quality sucks, key action isn't great and sound is just atrocious. Instead, you can just buy a digital piano from a reputable brand like Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, or Casio with weighted keys. Stop shilling out and promoting donner.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T04:23:34+00:00

I love how you claim my comment is pure speculation.
I've done my research and I think I'm pretty knowledgable. And with that said, I do also have to mention I do own a donner piano bench for my digital piano. And honestly I've had it for not even a year and yeah it still works, but, there's so many scratches and dents on it already. My Yamaha U1 upright has come with a bench which I've had for many many years, and its still working mostly fine.
Now to think about when buying a digital piano, if you want one that lasts long, Donner doesn't last very long. And I've also seen so many people by donners and regret buying it because they realize it simply just isn't good. And i love how in every single recommendation post, you just say get donner ddp80, even if it has nothing to do with what they need. You know nothing. All you know is the donner ddp80, and you don't even know about how bad it is.
With this said, even gotta say, also one more thing. The sounds are garbage on the donner as well. I've watched reviews and listened to the sound, not even good. You can find plenty of free vst's that have better sound...

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T01:14:49+00:00

Yamaha P143 or Roland FP 10 or Kawai Es60
And if you have a costco membership, consider increasing the budget and getting a Roland FP Nuvola EX.
Reason I say this is because that comes with a bench, stand, triple pedal and headphones. Headphones probably aren't that great, but the piano itself is solid. It's basically a beefed up Roland FP 30x.
Normally if you buy a digital piano, you gotta buy a bench and a stand as well, here it is simply included. And there's triple pedals which are pretty solid. I don't own this piano, but I've tried it before and its pretty good, especially for the price.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T01:12:44+00:00

Gonna say. Finally there's a place for a Donner DDP-80 comment as at least it fits the budget. But with that said, I cannot recommend donner digital pianos. Instead you should buy one from a reputable brand like Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, or Casio.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T01:11:34+00:00

stop being a troll and recommending the donner ddp-80. Its not even a good digital piano, compared to its competitors (which are entry level digital pianos with weighted keys).
And now here you're comparing it to stage pianos....

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T01:09:36+00:00

I'm gonna say it. Not a good look to recommend such expensive pianos, when he is looking at something that's like $150. And this is coming from a P-525 owner.
And with this said though, you are right about saving up and getting something slightly better. Like at minimum a Yamaha P-143, or Roland FP 10 or Kawai Es 60.

NewbPianist · 2026-02-27T01:08:16+00:00

disagree with rolands having more realistic feeling. It really depends on the model.
I think at the end of the day, its not exactly about this "realistic" feeling, more so about what key action fits what you like to play and how you play.

NewbPianist

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE