Best keyboards for beginner musicians

Split Keyboards

• Sofle: A split keyboard with a bigger thumb cluster, similar to Ergodox but with more keys.
  • Pros: "Built an iris and loving it but always wanted to try a bigger thumb cluster"
  • Cons: "I still struggle with the loss of keys like brackets and braces and backslash"

Synthesizer Keyboards

• Arturia Keystep: A good value keyboard with different models offering features like a sequencer and flexibility.
  • Pros: "Reasonably priced with a nice keybed"
  • Cons: "Smallest version with mini keys can be difficult to play"
• Arturia Minilab 3: Comes with Analog Lab Intro for access to 500 sounds and Ableton Live Lite for beginners.
  • Pros: "Gives you access to various synthesizer sounds"
  • Cons: -

Full Weighted Keyboards

• Roland FP-30X: Offers proper piano/keyboard skills with weighted keys and Bluetooth MIDI capabilities.
  • Pros: "Great integration with softwares like Ableton"
  • Cons: "Weighs a lot and not very portable"

Beginner Digital Pianos

• Yamaha P45 or P145: Recognized as affordable yet of good quality, commonly available used.
  • Pros: "Cheapest DP worth using"
  • Cons: -

Other Recommendations

• MUstar MDP-1300: A budget-friendly option that feels close to an acoustic piano.
  • Pros: "Felt close enough to an acoustic"
  • Cons: -

Advice for Beginners

• Consider a keyboard with at least 49 keys for two-handed playing.
• Look for used options as people often sell beginner keyboards after giving up.
• Explore entry-level keyboards from brands like Casio and Yamaha within your budget range.
• Check for resale options for beginner digital pianos.
• Utilize free plugins and resources to enhance your music production experience.

Overall, it's recommended to start with budget-friendly options, especially if you are unsure about committing to playing music long term. Consider factors like key count, weight, portability, and additional features based on your preferences and learning goals.