Editing Digital piano (section)

== Features ==
Similar to a traditional acoustic piano, the defining feature of a digital piano is a [[musical keyboard]] with 88 keys. The keys are weighted to simulate the [[action (piano)|action of an acoustic piano]] and are velocity-sensitive so that the volume and [[timbre]] of a played note depends on how hard the key is pressed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalpianolab.com/#Digital_Piano_vs_Keyboard_8211_What8217s_the_Difference|title=Digital Piano vs Keyboard – What's the Difference?|website=Digital Piano Lab|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref>

[[File:Digital piano hammer action diagram.svg|upright=1.75|right|thumb|{{image key
|list type=ordered
|Key
|Retaining hook
|Base
|Cam
|Hammer
|Hammer weight
|Sensor(s)
|Pivot (for key)
}}]]
Instruments with fewer keys, and those with keys that are unweighted (similar to [[electric organ]]s and [[synthesizer]]s) or not velocity-sensitive tend to be called electronic or digital keyboards rather than digital pianos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pianoreport.com/|title=PianoReport {{!}} The Authority in Digital Pianos and Keyboards|website=pianoreport.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-11}}</ref>
Instruments that less accurately simulate the feel of an acoustic piano may be described as ''semi-weighted'', while those that are more accurate may be said to possess ''hammer action''. Some digital pianos incorporate actual hammers to better simulate a grand piano's touch.<ref>"Behringer Eurogrand EG8080" ''Canadian Musician'', July/August 2006, Vol. 28 Issue 4, p. 72. [[EBSCOhost]]: ''Academic Search Premier''.  Accessed December 16, 2007.<!-- is this necessary if there's no URL? --></ref>

In a typical digital piano with hammer action, as the key (1) is depressed, a cam (4) underneath the key presses on one end of a hammer (5), lifting the hammer weight (6). A retaining hook (2) with a cushion is provided so the key does not rise above its resting position.

The shape, size, and weight of the hammer affects the touch of the key, as does the placement of the sensor(s) (7), pivots (8), and the design of the mechanical linkage between the key cam and the hammer. To make the keybed more compact, many digital keyboards use a pivot point in the rear and hammers underneath the keys, as illustrated.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.casio.com/us/electronic-musical-instruments/privia/px-s1100-px-s3100-px-s5000/Comprehensive-Breakdown/ |title=PX-S1100/PX-S3100/PX-S5000 Comprehensive Breakdown |website=Casio Music |access-date=4 July 2024}}</ref>

Digital pianos typically use analog sensors for their keyboard action, as opposed to digital sensors of a regular electronic keyboard and synthesizer. These sensors work in a similar way to those in [[analog stick|analog joysticks]] found on [[video game controller]]s, where velocity input is converted from the key movement as well, not just the initial pressure of the key sensor.

Other common features include:
* Volume control; line-out audio connections; headphone output
* Additional instrument sounds
* [[Musical Instrument Digital Interface|MIDI]] implementation (most provide [[General MIDI]], which offers 128 instrument sounds and 9 [[drum kit]]s)
* Features to assist in learning (such as illuminated keys) and [[musical composition|composition]] (such as a built-in [[Music sequencer|sequencer]])
* [[transposition (music)|Transposition]]

=== Piano emulation ===
[[File:Minuet-G-minor-BWV-Anh-115.ogv|thumb|[[Minuets in G major and G minor|Minuet in G minor (BWV Anh. 115)]] by Christian Petzold from the ''[[Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach]]'', played on a digital piano.]]
In general, the sounds produced by a digital piano are based on [[Sampling (music)|sampling]], by which acoustic piano sound samples are stored in [[read-only memory|ROM]]. The samples are usually created using high-quality pianos, professional [[microphone]]s, and high-quality [[preamplifier|preamp]]s in a professional [[recording studio]].<ref name='v-piano'/> Usually multiple samples are available for the same keystroke, attempting to reproduce the diversity of sounds heard on an acoustic piano. However, sample-based digital pianos have limitations on the faithfulness with which they simulate acoustic pianos. Because samples are taken for only a limited number of intensity levels, digital pianos usually lack the continuous timbral changes that characterize acoustic pianos. They may also lack the [[harmonic]] tones that result when certain combinations of notes are sounded, and the natural [[reverberation]] that is heard when an acoustic piano is played percussively. They often lack the incidental acoustic noises associated with piano playing, such as the sounds of pedals being depressed and the associated machinery shifting within the piano, which some consider a benefit. These limitations apply to most acoustic instruments and their sampled counterparts, the difference often being described as "visceral".{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Many digital pianos, especially those that resemble acoustic pianos, have built-in pedals that function much as those on acoustic pianos. Commercially available pedal switches, commonly used for regular electronic keyboards, can also be used, especially on portable models. On an acoustic piano the [[sustain pedal]] lifts the dampers for all strings, allowing them to resonate naturally with the notes played. Only high-end professional digital pianos can reproduce this [[sympathetic resonance]] effect.

Earlier digital pianos, such as those produced in the 1990s, often had [[polyphony (instrument)|polyphony]] limited to 32 or 64 notes.<!-- and now? -->

Some digital piano implementations, like Roland V-Piano,<ref name='v-piano'>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may09/articles/rolandvpiano.htm |title=Roland V-Piano |publisher=Soundonsound.com |access-date=2014-05-12}}</ref> Yamaha MODUS, Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid, and the software-based [[Pianoteq]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.roland.co.uk/blog/digital-pianos-faqs/|title=Digital pianos FAQ - Digital Pianos {{!}} Roland|last=UK|first=Roland|website=www.roland.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-03-03}}</ref> use mathematical models based on acoustic pianos to generate sound, which brings the ability to generate sounds that vary more freely depending on how the keys have been struck, in addition to allow a more realistic implementation of the distinctive resonances and acoustical noises of acoustic pianos.

=== Other instruments ===

Most digital pianos can produce a variety of different piano [[timbre]]s. For example, a digital piano may have settings for a [[grand piano]], an upright piano, a [[tack piano]], a [[harpsichord]] and various [[electric piano]] models such as the [[Rhodes piano|Fender Rhodes]], the [[Electric grand piano|Yamaha CP70]], the [[Wurlitzer electric piano|Wurlitzer]], and the [[Yamaha DX7]]. It may also emulate other keyboard instruments, including [[Organ (music)|organ]], [[harmonium]], and [[clavichord]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pianobuyer.com/spring12/128.html |title=Beyond the Acoustic Piano |date=Spring 2012 |work=Digital Piano Basics, Part 2 |publisher=Acoustic & Digital Piano Buyer |page=128 |access-date=25 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103160729/http://www.pianobuyer.com/spring12/128.html |archive-date=3 November 2013 }}</ref> Some digital pianos also incorporate other basic "[[synthesizer]]" sounds such as [[guitar]]s, [[string ensemble]], [[brass instrument]]s, [[woodwind]]s and [[drum kit]]s.

Some high-end digital pianos that offer a wide range of instrument sounds similar to [[electronic keyboard]]s are known as ensemble digital pianos, or just ensemble pianos.

=== MIDI features ===

Digital pianos usually offer a [[MIDI]] connection, allowing them to control or be controlled by other electronic instruments and [[music sequencer|sequencers]]. They may also have an external storage slot to save and load MIDI data, which the piano can play automatically, allowing it to function as a [[player piano]]. Some have a built-in sequencer to aid in composition.

Most digital pianos can be connected to a computer. With appropriate software such as [[scorewriter]]s, [[digital audio workstation]]s and [[music sequencer|sequencer]]s, the computer can handle sound generation, mixing of tracks, music notation, musical instruction, and other music composition tasks.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://techland.time.com/2014/01/23/the-definitive-guide-to-digital-pianos/ | title=The Definitive Guide to Digital Pianos | publisher=Time | date=23 Jan 2014 | access-date=2 April 2015 | author=Taylor, Ben}}</ref>