Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned keyboard pro looking for the best all-in-one solution for your composition, production or performance needs, we’ve got a great list of keyboard workstations in every price range. From hammer action keys to arpeggiators to variable voice polyphony, we’ll try to find the right keyboard features for you.
What Is a Keyboard Workstation?
A keyboard workstation is more than just a standalone keyboard—it's a production and performance hub equipped with features and functionality to better accommodate performers, composers and producers during the creative process. Play with the support of a virtual band behind you or build multiple parts to create a fully fleshed out song. While there are basic beginner-friendly workstations that simply provide features like a variety of sounds and auto accompaniment, more professional models can offer advanced effects, as well as editing, sequencing and sampling abilities.
Beginner- and Budget-Friendly Keyboard Workstations
If you’re just getting started and still new to the instrument, you might want to consider a keyboard that helps you learn how to play. The Yamaha EZ-310 is a 61-key, touch sensitive keyboard that lets you follow lighted keys to guide you through a song. It comes with about 650 instrument sounds to choose from. In addition, you can choose from 260 accompaniment styles, which basically provide you with a backing band for your performance or recording. And if you want to skip some steps in technique, the EZ-310 features Smart Chord technology that allows you to play complex chords with just one finger.
In addition, the 3.5mm aux input lets you connect your phone, iPad or player so that you can play along with songs. Finally, if you’re looking to record your stuff, you can hook up the keyboard to your computer and send both MIDI and audio information to your DAW. And if you want to take your music on the road, you can rely on the battery-powered mode. With a built-in speaker, as well as a headphone output, you can either keep your music private or share it with an audience.
If you want to get a little more creative and cultivate your songwriting skills, the Roland GO KEYS 5 is a great option. It offers an easy and intuitive approach to making music, allowing you to explore ideas with no experience required. Like the example above, it offers automatic accompaniment with drum and bass parts. In addition, you can plug in a mic to sing along and add vocal effects. Furthermore, you can record and playback your performances.
A more advanced feature is the chord sequencer which allows you to build your own chord progressions. These chord progressions can be looped while you figure out melodies to build upon them. This model also supports Bluetooth (and Bluetooth MIDI), allowing you to wireless integrate songs from your music library to play along with. And if you choose to record and expand your compositions, you can connect to your DAW via Bluetooth and make use of computer soft synth and virtual instrument plugins.
Mid-Level Keyboard Workstations
If you’re looking for more advanced sequencing capabilities, but still need something relatively easy to use, you can opt for a model like, the Korg i3 61-Key Music Workstation. In addition to a vast library of sounds and typical accompaniment capabilities, you can build a song, track by track. Each track can be edited or replaced, and the sequencer allows you to build up to 16 tracks in total. Once your composition is finished, you can export it either as a MIDI data file or as an audio WAV file.
If you’re looking for a workstation that’s more powerful and closer resembles a piano playing experience, consider something like the Kurzweil PC4-7 76-Key Performance Controller and Studio Workstation Synthesizer. It’s significantly pricier than the models above, but it offers far more features and functionality. This model employs semi-weighted action keys to more closely approximate the piano playing experience. It’s also got a whopping 2GB of instrument samples, including world-famous classic pianos and 73 electric pianos and organs, as well as super realistic string instrument sounds. And if you’re hungry for even more sound, you can load an extra 2GB of your own samples.
In addition to its 16-track sequencer with recording, editing and mixing capabilities, you can easily navigate through your tracks with the on-board transport controls. Add 36 programmable physical controllers, a transpose control and a widescreen color display, and you’ve got a powerful all-in-one solution for your composition or performance needs.
Advanced Keyboard Workstations
This is a fun one. Particularly suited to current music trends and for producers who rely heavily on a bottom line or groove to build their track, the Akai Professional MPC Key 37 allows you to get from thought to creation in the fastest and purest way possible. Although keyboardists will love playing around with its features, this model is less of a pure keyboard instrument than it is a music production and performance centerpiece, gearing itself towards beat makers and one-man performers as much as it does to conventional songwriters.
Included is a huge selection of sounds, samples and drumkits to get you started. And with 32GB of storage, along with an SD card slot and two USB slots, you can expand your library to your heart’s content. Whether you need a powerful MIDI-controller, sampling engine, sequencer, plug-in synths and onboard effects, or you just want seamless control over your beat-making workflow, this highly intuitive workstation can be your creative inspiration.
Making a 180-degree turn from the example above, let’s take a look at the Korg Nautilus AT. If you’re looking for a premium playing experience in a classy package, this flagship Korg model is probably the most beautifully designed keyboard workstation on the market. It is the only full 88-key workstation on this list with weighted keys; if you’re looking for a model that most closely resembles the feel of a piano, this is it. This keyboard has a very extensive array of feature but we’ll only touch on a few of them.
The Nautilus AT has everything you need for recording a full-fledged track. With a 16-track sequencer, 16-track audio recorder and impressive sampling capabilities, you can lay down world-class instruments from any of its nine sound engines. The updated model has aftertouch capabilities, allowing you to play with instrument effects, while an advance dynamics knob lets you control changes in volume and tone. You can also customize this knob to match the playing feel that’s appropriate for your given song/style. And when it’s time to finalize your song or add the finishing touches, connect it to your DAW via USB. Finally, there’s also a USB port available for connecting to an external storage device.
For more information about the products listed above, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
