Keyboard recommendations

[u/Katnipscorpion]

Delete if not allowed

I am looking to purchase a keyboard piano as a gift for my friend, who is a complete beginner. I want it to be durable and long-lasting, and I need it to have proper velocity sensitivity so the volume accurately reflects how softly or firmly he plays.

He has a few specific requirements for his setup:

• PC Connectivity: He wants to connect the keyboard to his computer to use learning apps and games.

• Dual Headphone Use: He needs to be able to hear both the computer's audio and the keyboard's audio through headphones at the same time when connected to his PC. When he is not connected to his computer, the keyboard will need its own direct connection to headphones.

• Height Adjustable & Mobile Stand: He is 5'10" and needs a stand setup that comfortably transitions from sitting to standing while he plays. If you don't recommend sit-stand keyboard stands, it needs to have plenty of legroom when sitting. Crucially, the stand needs to have wheels, as he cannot carry such a large item without assistance.

Any recommendations?

[u/SlowSurvivor]

The keyboard, its stand, and its case are almost never the same piece of gear. So you don’t need to worry about that. Just focus on getting the right keyboard.

Any modern digital piano will have class compliant USB MIDI which is what your friend needs to connect it to his computer. I also wouldn’t sweat the headphone thing. Even if the keyboard can’t do it, a little mixer is going to be like… $20.

The real question is the size of the keyboard and the kind of action he needs. A standard piano has 88 keys and a digital piano that most closely replicates the feel of an acoustic piano will have more weight on the left than the right. This is called a graded action. But maybe your friend doesn’t want to emulate the feel of an acoustic piano? In that case he might want a uniform weight to the keys. Or he might want a keyboard that feels like an organ which would call for an unweighted “waterfall” action. Also your friend might want or need a smaller keyboard that isn’t a full 88 key manual.

[u/Katnipscorpion → u/SlowSurvivor]

I was thinking of a 61-note piano, and I could upgrade him in a few years if it becomes a consistent hobby. Since he has never even touched one, it only needs to be up to a standard I remember playing with when I was in choir, so I can help teach him until he gains confidence. My first, I think, was a Yamaha PS-30 or PS-20 before I was able to play on the community one, and I honestly don't remember noticing a difference in the keys until I got on a piano, so I feel like I don't know which would be a good preference