Donner SE-1 Review

This is my in-depth review on the Donner SE-1 Digital piano. Has tons of features for not a lot of money, it's a good option for a beginner or someone looking for a fully weighted digital piano on a budget
Link from Donner to check out current prices:
Donner SE-1 Digital Piano:
amzn.to/3AEByMD (Amazon)
bit.ly/3EARGAe (Donnerdeal)
Donner SE-1 Digital Piano With Stand & Triple Pedal:
amzn.to/3Vwa6ZB (Amazon)
bit.ly/3GNJYW9 (Donnerdeal)
Written review: pianotone.ca/do...
If you enjoy this video and want to help support my channel, feel free to buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoff...
Online Piano Training I Recommend:
Online Rock Lessons: onlinerockless... - USE COUPON CODE "PIANOTONE" if you choose to sign up for the yearly subscription: this will let the instructor know I referred you, and she will include a free 20 minute orientation call with you!
Piano Man Approach: geni.us/PianoM...
Birds Piano Academy: geni.us/BirdsP...
Birds Piano Academy Blues Level 1: geni.us/BirdsB...
Birds Piano Academy Blues Level 2: geni.us/BirdsB...
PianoForAll: geni.us/PianoF...
My Original Song "Walk With You"
Spotify: open.spotify.c...
Apple Music: / walk-with-you-single

[@paulcaskey]

Your review sold me. Just combined Amazon Prime Day deal with a giftcard and picked one up for $180.00. Got the Liquid Stands bench and stand to go with it. Thanks again. Subscribed.

[@PianoTone]

Wow you can't go wrong with a deal like that! Congrats hope it all arrives soon! And thanks for the sub!

[@paulcaskey]

Thanks for the review. I'm debating between this and the Kawai ES110.

[@PianoTone]

Glad you enjoyed the review! I’ve never reviewed (or even played) a kawaii (not sold where I live) but I’ve heard good things - that would be a step up in quality (and price) - it’s often compared to the Yamaha p125 which is one of my alltime favourites Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@pjazzz353]

Thank you for your honest reviews.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks glad you like the reviews; and thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@asmi06]

Thank you for the comprehensive review! I've received mine just today, and I would like to make a slight addition to your list of connectivity options - it turned out that this piano supports not only audio over BlueTooth, but a MIDI over BlueTooth as well (at least on Andriod platform, I don't have iOS devices so can't check that)! This makes connecting to a phone/tablet much easier (no wires), the only downside is that not all apps support MIDI over BT, for example SimplePiano and flowkey don't support it, while Skoove does - at least on Andriod devices. Slill, I think this feature (among everything else you've listed) is a big selling point for beginners like me because it makes studying even more convenient.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for that! And thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@TheMg49]

Another very thorough review as usual. It's a nice keyboard for the price. If I had known about this keyboard before I got my ew425, then I might have gotten this one instead -- for the sole purpose of getting up to speed on playing weighted graded hammer action keys in anticipation of eventually getting a DGX-670. Oh well, my fingers will just have to wait for the DGX-670. Anyway, I'm very happy with the ew425's much better music creation capabilities. But the Donner SE-1 looks like a great choice for people interested in a relatively inexpensive weighted graded hammer action 88-key keyboard. Thanks for your informative videos. In my view, your keyboard reviews are the most thorough and best presented on KZbin, and I've probably watched just about every review on KZbin by many different reviewers of the keyboards that you've reviewed. Manufacturers and retailers can take a lesson from your review presentations.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks Thomas that's very appreciated! And yeah the SE-1 has weighted action, but your 425 is pretty loaded with a lot of stuff as well (and the accompaniment programming will be better on the 425). Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@TheMg49]

@@PianoTone No problemo. It's hard to find really good keyboard reviews/reviewers. So, I'm glad I found your channel.

[@ronarnett4811]

excellent review. You hit all the points I was interested in plus some I didn't know I was actually very interested in. That is what makes a great review. I thnk the absence of a battery supply is a litlle more important to a lot of people than you seem to think. For many people, it is a deal breaker for their intended use. It is worth noting that they are unavailable on Amazon. I gather from that the review version you reviewed is not in production yet while they wait to see how the market develops. Expect to see the price change when they become available.

[@PianoTone]

Hi there! Thanks so much! And I totally agree battery functionality is huge if you need it; the only fully weighted pianos I know with that feature are the Alesis Pro or many of the Casio pianos (CDP/PXS series). I don’t think Yamaha, Roland or Korg make any). As far as I know, the SE-1 is available, Amazon may be sold out - check out the Donner website as well they may have them (there’s a link to it in the description “Donner deal”). Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@ronarnett4811]

@@PianoTone I have already subscribed and given it a like as I understand that is helpful. I'm surprised that all the manufacturers don't offer the capability of a battery operation but leave the actual battery as a (money making) add on when ordering. That way they get to claim the light weight of the unit but still enable the user to load in the battery when he circumstances warrant. Given the complexity of the electronics involved in the product, building in the removable battery, physical compartment and the wiring harness seems comparatively simple to design and implement. .....*special edition available with battery compartment for only one hundred dollars more. Battery not included but available on order*........... win/win for everybody. I mean what it the point of designing a super light weight portable piano that you can easily take everywhere as long as it is within twenty five feet or so of an electrical outlet.

[@PianoTone]

I think all battery powered keyboards (at least that I’m familiar with) don’t have a manufacturer supplied battery, but just take consumer (usually AA) batteries - and the main issue is typically that the batteries can’t power the speakers. I THINK Casio got around this on some of theirs by reducing the wattage thru a weaker amp when using batteries.

[@TheMg49]

These are in stock at Amazon now. (10:14 PM EST, 12/12/2022)

[@ronarnett4811]

@@TheMg49 Not the model reviewed here. (before and after you posted) Only the furniture models are available for an extra three to five hundred dollars more. With or without the portable stand is not available and unkown when they will arrive. (copy and paste from Amazon....Currently unavailable. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.....). I couldn't find the portable model reviewed here on the Donner website either. It may be there somewhere but I didn't find the site to be user friendly in a marketing sense. Or at least not for this user.

[@edaytrade2157]

Great review! Hope you’ll get a chance to review also Yamaha DGX670

[@edaytrade2157]

Opps sorry - just saw that you did review it. Watching it now. Thanks.

[@DonnaInForma]

I’m glad I bought it after donner got on my nerves not replacing a defect DEP-20, which they sold to me as new, but was a defect retour, NOT even repaired!! Now I hope this one will work, cause if it is not, I know for sure, I won’t b able to rely on vendor support. Such a shame.

[@PianoTone]

That doesn’t sound like great customer service! I hope you get it sorted out!

[@DonnaInForma]

@@PianoTone just a little add on: my Dep 20 is defect because the monitor doesn’t work, but the piano has full weighted AND graded keys, imho. Anyway, the keys r lighter on the right side.

[@glennmeader626]

Comparing the Alesis Recital pro is probably not fair. A better match would be the Alesis Prestige ($450) or the Alesis Prestige Artist ($550) I realize you have not reviewed these models yet.

[@PianoTone]

You’re totally correct - I’d love to review one of those (played them in stores but haven’t been able to talk my store into renting me one; maybe once they’ve been out longer). Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@NobodyNothingNeverNowhere]

Thanks for the review, I just picked this keyboard up based on your thoughts. Which velocity curve feels closest to a real piano to you. I just have it set in the middle but I don't have a real piano to compare it to.

[@PianoTone]

I don’t own an acoustic piano either but the heaviest setting would probably be the closest (this keyboard has a touch on the light side). But keep in mind touch preference is personal so try them all and set it where you feel it’s most comfortable. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@PauloBriggs1]

Thank you so much for the in depth review, do you think it is worth spending a bit more on the Roland FP-E50 or is this good enough for long term ?

[@PianoTone]

The FP-E50 is a whole other class than the SE-1; it is massively higher quality than the SE-1 to be honest; nothing against the SE-1 but it is less than half the price, so if you can afford it, it will probably last you a much longer time. I haven't seen one yet but did a preview of the specs (and I'm very familiar with the FP-10,FP-30X, FP-60X etc which are similar): kzbin.info/www/bejne/e329lH6YpZutnZY Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@Rulraulxd]

Does the Donner SE-1 have a better Grand Piano Sound that the Donner Dep-20?

[@PianoTone]

To be honest I've never tested a DEP-20; it's probably the same source sample (I believe most of them are the same) but they can sound different if there is more polyphony (to add extra layers to the sample, effects etc). It would be at least the same and possibly better. Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@okok-vb7xx]

Hi which one do you consider better, yamaha p45 or the one on this video? I’m trying to decide which one is better, thank you!

[@PianoTone]

That is a hard choice; Yamaha has the better name and probably better build quality, but the Donner SE-1 has way more features so it depends what's more important to you. If all you want to do is just play piano, I would recommend the P-45, but if the extra features are important then get the Donner instead. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@dragonfly1745]

I just bought this piano a month ago. I haven't had a lot of time to work with it and I find the instruction manual quite vague when it comes to the different functions. Is there a way I can contact you to talk about some of those functions and how to use them? I love this piano but it seems like whenever I try something new with it, the sound is nowhere close to what I'm hearing on these reviews.

[@PianoTone]

I only had it for a short time, it was lent to me for the review - sorry!

[@dragonfly1745]

@@PianoTone thank you for getting back to me. It is an awesome instrument and I appreciated your review on it.

[@PianoTone]

@@dragonfly1745No worries, and thanks! Glad you like it.

[@lokho4588]

Hi Tony, may I ask how does the se-1 compare with the ddp 80 and ddp 10, I am buying my first piano to learn, hopefully with apps and online videos, I would wanted the wooden stand therefor the price difference between the 3 of the above only comes to under $200 AUD here in Australia. What would you recommend? Thanks, Donald.

[@PianoTone]

The DDP-80 and the SE-1 are both good beginner pianos, they have different pros and cons. DDP-80 Pros: - better piano sound than the SE-1 - heavier piano action (more realistic) than the SE-1 - better speakers than the SE-1 - looks super cool :) SE-1 Pros: - good piano sound, but has lots of other sounds (DDP-80 only has 1); whether this is good or bad depends on you; will you only play the piano sound anyways? - has rhythms to practice with (this can be fun, but also quite helpful in practice) - has better connectivity (audio in port: you can hook up an iPad and play some kind of lesson or video, and hear that through the piano speakers/headphones along with your piano; can't do that with the DDP-80) - more portable If it was me for a learning piano? I would lean towards the SE-1, because of the extra features that might help with that. But that's just my opinion :) Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@lokho4588]

@@PianoToneThanks

[@pisderata]

i think the dep 20 is graded also, is the dep 10 which it isn't

[@PianoTone]

Hi there! Pretty sure the DEP20 is fully weighted but not graded; the DEP10 is semi weighted. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@stevecoles469]

Just wanting to know which keyboard to buy yamaha 425 or Conner se1 I’m a beginner

[@PianoTone]

Hi there! The Yamaha will have better sounds and features and is probably higher quality (better rhythms and accompaniment, better connectivity and better resale value); The Donner SE-1 has fully weighted keys so the key action will feel more like a piano - the Yamaha is non weighted keys so it depends how important that is to you. Hope that helps, thanks for visiting the channel feel free to subscribe.

[@MilAS829]

I’m debating between this and the Yamaha p45. Leaning towards Yamaha as I want a better key action and playing/sound quality. However I could be wrong and maybe the donner wins in those aspects as well but I’m not too sure as I’m only going off of videos and what I hear through those. Closest guitar center is an hour away so I can’t really see for myself either. I’ll take quality over quantity. Yes the donner has lots of features and what not but if the Yamaha p45 sounds and plays better and has a good feel to it then I will be set on it. Would you mind informing me on which I should get?

[@PianoTone]

If you’re after a better key action and quality I would go with the P-45. The Donner key action is ok and it has alot more features, but the GHS action on the P-45 is fantastic it’s my favorite piano action ever (same as on my P125 and DGX670). Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@MilAS829]

@@PianoTone thank you a lot for the reply and for the help. Subscribed. Really helps a lot because I can only go off of what I hear and seeso you saying this really clears up a lot of misconceptions or confusion I had. Thanks again.

[@MilAS829]

@@PianoTone just picked up my p71, its absolutely amazing. I honestly can’t be more thankful this piano feels absolutely amazing. I had a semi weighted that was 200$. The switch to this is just unbelievable and I was actually a bit in disbelief from how good it felt on the first day I got it. Thanks again.

[@PianoTone]

@@MilAS829 Hey that's awesome congrats! So happy you like it (the GHS action from Yamaha really is my favorite ever). Sounds like you made the right choice!