Comparing three foldable portable digital pianos.

Jan 1, 2022 - Folding portable digital piano keyboards are game-changers for traveling pianists who need something to practice on! They run on batteries, come with sustain pedal, carrying case. Without attachments they weigh less than 9 pounds. In this video, I compare three models, all available through Amazon:
- Vangoa Folding Piano Keyboard Portable 88 Key Full Size Semi-Weighted Keyboard Piano with Lighted Keys
- NikoMaku Digital Piano 88 Keys Foldable Portable Piano Keyboard Electric Keyboard Piano Foldable Midi Light Weight Touch Sensitive Keys
- MAGICON BX-20 88-Key Foldable Electronic Piano,Full Size Semi Weighted Keys Portable Piano
Fred Moyer, pianist.
www.frederickmoyer.com
www.moyercam.com
www.jrirecordings.com

[@user-nu4gp3er4f]

For those who dont have time: its the Magicon (more weight in keys) Vangoa (less weight) Nikomaku (keys have less width than they should so theyre smaller)

[@agerray]

So refreshing that you give a more practical viewpoint. Normally whenever anybody asks for advice about a folding piano, "the purists" reply that you have to have a fully-weighted 88-key preferably acoustic piano.

[@GarGlingT]

Carry hammered spinet or clavin

[@Gavinbrady-Pianist]

Thanks for taking the time to make this!

[@MagicKingdom888]

This is very cool! I had no idea these things existed. Thank you, Fred; fantastic video.

[@mariajosebernardesdicavalc6971]

Thanks for the tips! It was very helpful!

[@CyndisKrist]

Thanks for posting, this was very helpful.

[@kerendebose]

Thank you. I couldn’t get a good review on them when I was looking on Amazon 👍

[@proserpinehymn]

Very intelligent and informed review. This really helped me out. Thanks so much!!

[@toodle171]

Thanks! Was wanting one really bad and this helps the decision as to which one.

[@VRTimeFun]

Nice video. Love the room too

[@MoXyiD]

Good stuff man! Going on travel in 2 weeks. This is perfect.

[@Lhuith]

Exactly what I needed, thank you 🙏

[@mariajosebernardesdicavalc6971]

Thanks! Your tips are the best!!!

[@monicamandapat6405]

Glad I found your video - it was really helpful! I also prefer heavier weighted keys. Thanks, Fred :)

[@bailahie4235]

One of the few reviewers that plays tightly and punctual even when giving a casual demo... Thanks for the review, and nice trick with the coins!

[@chskim1]

Thank you! I am a professional pianist looking for a practice-in-your-hotel room keyboard and this review is Exactly what I was hoping to find! Thank you!!

[@pokuspilatus]

So which one did you buy?

[@collectorofcats294]

I would love to have your library!!!

[@GOODZ7777]

Helpful!

[@PASHKULI]

it is a good thing that the keys are narrower… but it does not work with standard keys, because some of the back areas of the "white" keys will get quite narrow (uncomfortably)

[@Beatrizhelguerasnow]

Thank you so much for this video! It has always been such an ordeal to find a piano to practice every time I travel for concerts, this is going to change my life!

[@singersoprano]

Thank you so much for this video. I am a classical pianist and am traveling to Reykjavik and to Edinburgh to perform my solo storytelling show about coming to NY as a young classical piano student. And I was thinking that once I get to these places, I won't be able to practice my pieces during the run of the show. And I too thought, wouldn't it be fun if there was a folding piano. And sure enough, there is! So your video is great because couldn't tell from seeing the ads about the pianos which one was the best. But now I know. Thank you so much!

[@fredmoyer]

That's a great idea weaving classical pieces in with your own personal experiences! They'll love it. I watched some of your KZbins -- they're fantastic!

[@singersoprano]

@@fredmoyer Thank you so much, Fred. What a nice thing to say! So glad you enjoyed everything. And thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@lyneicehaynes4922]

I had fun playing a new piano from best choices products with headset and microphone.

[@Jack-fs2im]

nice vid would have liked to hear the piano sound but good explanation

[@CatherineTannerWilliams-ej8xo]

In the UK, the ones on amazon which are branded either Oyayo or Kmise are the ones with very narrow keys, so every 2 octaves the distance adds up to one white note too short. Also the black keys are very hard to press down near to the music stand. Beware when trying to play in F# major and Eb min, very heavy black notes.

[@elenunezduarte5847]

I shure would like to give it try the nikomaku🙂piano.

[@grossmano88]

great review. from a real pianist.

[@yerigelmisken]

Nice review. I wish i could find some info about using it as a midi keyboard. When using it as a midi keyboard most important thing is the touch-pressure sensitivity. What is the scale between light and heavy pushing-touching the keys. Does low touch really reflects that low output and high touch really reflects that high output?

[@TedLemon]

Thanks for the video. It might be worth checking out Pianoteq if you want to solve the sound issue, but if you're happy with the Fender Rhodes sound that's probably pointless. I've been looking for something like this for a long time-I actually bought a keyboard once and tried to figure out how to cut it in half and fold it, but it wound up being too much of a project. Imagine my surprise when I recently googled "folding piano keyboard" and got back something real! :) But it's nice to have a review from someone who plays an actual physical piano and wants to use it for practice on the road, since that's my application as well.

[@JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton]

Does it fit under an airline seat? Have you taken it on international flights? (I'm going to Europe from NY soon). Have you tried the MIDI with Pianoteq, etc.? Thanks...

[@shakirade1794]

Can you play the keyboard on piano mode to hear how it sounds

[@marcokokee9995]

hello, sir fred moyer could you tell how many polifony these foldable piano´s have, are they eagel or aren´t they . thank you.

[@dixielinnchoque]

Thank you for this video!! I have been watching many reviews today and have narrowed it down to the Magicon or the Eastar 88-key folding piano.. Are you familiar with the latter? Would you still go with the Magicon? Thanks so much for your time!!

[@fredmoyer]

Sorry, no. I did notice a few other brands, but just kind of randomly picked 3.

[@pnpark]

Great video thanks so much!!! Can you put the Magicon on a keyboard stand without it folding on itself???

[@fredmoyer]

I wouldn't do it. One big chord right in the middle and blammm!! I only use it on a table.

[@jayromec.robinet9707]

Thank you so much for your video! So I bought the Magicon after watching your video and I’m happy with it :). I was wondering about the sound quality, apparently it is possible to get a better quality if you plug the piano to an app, or GarageBand. But as far as I’ve tried (with iPhone, iPad and Macbook) I couldn’t find a way to connect the Magicon. Do you maybe have an idea on how to succeed?

[@fredmoyer]

If you want to send midi to a computer, then I think you would connect to a computer using the USB-C port. From there any number of apps can take that midi and create great sound. But all I do is connect earbuds to the 1/8" headphone jack in the back. (I also have a 6-foot 1/8" extension cable so I can move my head around!) but then it sounds really good to me! (I wish I could get it to play a little softer.)

[@jayromec.robinet9707]

@@fredmoyer oh thank you very much for your time and attention! I will try and keep you posted. :) Have fun with the earbuds ! Yes, a little softer would be nice. As you say in the video, I sometimes skip a note, but it forces me to be very conscious while playing. The thing I need to get used to is the pedal. My foot is used to another height and another weight. But hey, now that I know I can play almost everywhere I’m not reluctant to go on holiday anymore, so this is definitely worth it 😊

[@case_0223]

It’s been about six months, how’s the piano and keys holding up?

[@jayromec.robinet9707]

@@case_0223 thanks for asking! haha, well I have not been able to connect the Magicon to an app and I am not such a fan of the sound so I’m afraid to say that I have not been using it so much 😳😄

[@case_0223]

@@jayromec.robinet9707 ah I’m sorry you couldn’t find an app to connect it with. I am interested in buying this keyboard but also wanted to ask if you would recommend this to a complete beginner? I haven’t touched a piano at all and have very little space to work with so a foldable and portable piano is something I’m looking for. At least to start with haha

[@pokuspilatus]

Thanks for your nice review! If I hear you right, you're saying that the Magicon is a bit more like the grand because of the more weight in the keys? And, what about the 'noise' that the keys are making? I am looking for a foldable piano during my camping and I want to keep on practicing my classical pieces.. Any suggestions? And you still have the same opinion after two years?

[@fredmoyer]

yeah, same opinion after 2 years! Especially in the cheap way they're put together. There's a tiny plastic locking device that holds it straight when unfolded, and of course that broke eventually. But it's not a real problem -- just put it on a table and you're fine. Noise of keys isn't an issue for me.

[@SheilalelaB]

Is there a converter from USB to Midi cable that would work with this, to then connect to a Midi source?

[@fredmoyer]

Sorry I don't know.

[@tonyg6827]

I think you can use those as a midi controller also, hooked up to a iPad or iPhone. I saw a gentleman reviewing one particular folding keyboard that he really liked and said it would be his travel piano thereafter. I'll try and link it in case anyone viewing this is interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHbZmYKag6iFl6c I have looked around a few times and it seems to be very difficult to find the same exact model unfortunately.

[@nostgeoffhi-fi]

I looked around for that one too, but I think it's just name changes/rebranding. I think it's the same as the Donner or Eastar ep-10. But now I think i might try the magic con. I hope the midi works, because I need it for my pianos.

[@tonyg6827]

@@nostgeoffhi-fi G'dday. That same chap did a later video .. he now uses a Eastar one. Check out this video if you want. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXWbepR7areWlbc

[@Bacbi]

@@tonyg6827 do you have a tip for a tutorials? As in what I should search for when it comes to how you do the setup with which cables you will need to buy to get access to those other piano sounds. And more importantly for me how I can do it on an android tablet, phone, or since some of those apps are not on android anymore for whatever reason. Use my laptop, at least with the laptop I should be able to hook it directly into it without needing an adapter to have two USB-C inputs that a phone or tablet would require.

[@pescadosalado9051]

1,50$ more weight 😂 . Very nice video ❤

[@Username-ld7ho]

Do you know if I could connect it to a nicer speaker? And if yes, would that make it sound better, or is it just the recording of the piano that is bad?

[@fredmoyer]

yeah. It has several connections in the back.I use them all. I use the audio out to practice with headphones in hotels and it sounds fine. I've never hooked it up to speakers, but I think it would sound fine too. About the sampled sounds: I don't use the acoustic piano sound -- I never like that on any electric piano. With the MAGICON BX-20, I use the Rhodes sound -- even with classical music. It's pretty, except it has no bass. I might play around with hooking it up to my computer and get some modeled sounds like Pianoteq. But anyway, the audio out jack is totally fine.

[@CaptainCaveman782]

another factor is if they will work with piano apps like simply piano flowmeter playground sessions. I presume they all have USB or midi ports?

[@fredmoyer]

They have USB ports. Not midi ports.

[@emotivepiano]

Thanks for the reviews, I was considering a foldable keyboard but do they all have built in batteries or can you replace them? Bit concerned about the ecological credentials of these.

[@fredmoyer]

built-in batteries

[@emotivepiano]

@@fredmoyer What is the environmental impact of this instrument, if the battery is integral to the piano and cannot be recycled or replaced does the whole piano have to be trashed when it wears out?

[@CarlosMartinez777]

Is the keyboard velocity sensitive meaning the harder you hit the keys the louder the volume of sound?

[@fredmoyer]

Yes

[@andrerichards7808]

@@fredmoyer which of the keyboards specifically are velocity sensitive?

[@fredmoyer]

@@andrerichards7808 They all are.

[@fredmoyer]

Yeah, Magicon. Noise isn't a big issue.

[@sureshpatil4839]

Price?

[@ibendiben]

Could you play it folded? On the couch I only need 44 keys to doodle...

[@fredmoyer]

Yeah, I think you could. But you have to figure out how to keep the keys that are resting on your knees from playing, but I think that's possible.

[@ibendiben]

@@fredmoyer Thanks. Just so you know there are better versions of these folding pianos now, with 128 polyphony and better speakers / action. Seems some of the upgraded names are pj88d (old: pj88c) and bx15s (old bx20).

[@SteveHazel]

now those things aren't velocity sensitive tho, right?

[@fredmoyer]

They all are velocity-sensitive. Amazing for the low price, huh?

[@SteveHazel]

@@fredmoyer it is pretty cool. i'd kinda like a super short keyboard with only 2 octaves. but i want it to feel REAL good. I think I'm gonna try choppin a yamaha p141 - i forget the website, but sooome guy did it. I just hope I can succeed or I'll have wrecked a perfectly good keyboard. I code a weird little midi sequencer. And it has an "easy play" mode where you hit whatever key - one per hand and the computer plays the right notes. but with the velocity that you played it at. I think it's kinda a cool ideer :)

[@fredmoyer]

@@SteveHazelGood luck. Personally, I wouldn't do it just because for me portability is more important than the touch being exactly right. (These things are super-light and with the 50-pound limit for air travel, I couldn't afford any more weight.) Also has to be 88 keys.

[@macjones55]

Funny how this seasoned player isn't aware of different octave size standards. People will pay a hefty premium for a smaller octave like the Niko. And it's funny how the Niko came to be this way, and how it's marketed. Not as a narrow octave, I'm pretty sure.

[@marimba628]

If you look up “Donison-Steinbuhler Standard” (DS Standard), they are standardizing different widths of piano keyboard keys. DS6.5 is what most pianos use. The shorter model you have could possibly be a smaller DS size (maybe DS6.0) because it’ll work with both smaller and bigger adult size hands. They have a website you can look up. You get the DS size by measuring (in inches) from the left edge of one key up to the left edge of its octave (they simply use “C4-C5”).

[@Juliaflo]

I don't like keyboards with lighted keys.

[@fredmoyer]

Oh come on! How else are you going to know which keys you pressed down? (Just kidding.)

[@crabbydad8931]

Chopin would have chosen the Nikomaku

[@richardgomes5420]

There's also PianoDeVoyage which I was made aware in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4iVgHajh76rn8k

[@fredmoyer]

Neat!! I've got to try out this PianoDeVoyage keyboard. Thanks Richard

[@janwarner5127]

There is positive buying a smaller sized 88 keyboard like the Nikomaku. The optional hand width is 10 keys from C to high E. Most woman do not have that wide a hand spread and are unable to reach all the cords. Meaning their music is modified to fit their hand and no where near as much fun to play or sound as good. Regular keyboard is GREAT for men but for woman they really do woman a great injustice. Beyond frustrating. The Nikomsku may provide the enjoyment a woman is looking for or for an advanced not fully grown yet boy. Sorry you eliminated the weight test on the Nikomsku. I also would have liked a comparative sound test on all three. Synthesized sound is not great but the comparison would have been helpful.

[@vet3shaw]

Useful video, but acoustic pianos have different standard sizes available. For children as well as anyone who wants a different width for all 88 keys.