How Good is the $399.99 Inovus i88? (Similar to Donner DEP-20)

One of the very few keyboards in the $400.00 and under category with 88 weighted keys. I give it a full review and let you know just what I think and if it makes sense for a beginning piano student.
/ thepianoforever

[@ThePianoforever]

Hi James, I just finished watching your video on the i88 and wanted to reach out and thank you so much for your honest and thorough review! I'm so thrilled that you like the piano and honestly its been so much work getting to where we are today that watching your video and listening to your comments was really rewarding for us here. Firstly the story on the name, you're right it should be pronounced "i Novus". In our original brainstorming our core belief was that we should be different; innovative and interactive, not just bring another beginner piano to market. So we thought of names that started with the "Inn" sound, we chose "Innovus" but wasn't short/sleek enough with 2 "n's" so we took one out! We pronounce it "Innovus" around here secretly hoping no one really notices but hey "interactive" pronounces it that way too with only one "n"! You mentioned in the video a few recommendations on ways for us to improve the piano or even ideas for a second model and that was very much appreciated. We're always thinking of ways to improve and modifications that can be made, the one thing we are focused on now are the sounds. Our goal is to eventually add a second Grand Piano voice, and improve a few of the core voices like the Brite Piano and Electronic Piano voices. Getting the recordings and modifying the software is a bit of a process but its something we're constantly working on. I'll keep you posted on or progress on this. You also mentioned the speakers and this is something that's being addressed as well. We are testing new speakers but also have recently done a big overhaul of the software that should improve the sound quality as well and in particular improve the lows. All that said, we just want to thank you again for working with us. We promise we will live up to your expectations and that goes for our product quality and after-sale service too. We're having a blast with this piano, we're not just about dollars and cents. I was hoping that in the future we may be able to reach out to you and get your feedback on some of the new features and sounds we are looking to implement. Your video was so in depth and thorough you've got a really good idea what we're trying to do we hope we can keep in touch and confer with you from time to time By the way, love the track you played at the end of the video! When you have a recording ready we'd love to share it on our social media. We don't have a following now but we're revamping our FB & Instagram pages with a ton of new content in the future so if it helps you with more exposure we'd be glad to All the best and hope to speak with you in the near future, Shane Smitas

[@NoelForsgren]

Hi! great video! Just want to know if you will be making a video about the Fp-30X? It seems great, but I would like your trustworthy opinion on it lol

[@alanmodimages]

Yes please, James! I am shopping in this price category, so a comparison with the Donner would be helpful :)

[@nasiranwar9776]

Always a pleasure to watch your reviews.

[@scottliu6042]

Yeah, please do a comparison between this and the Donner

[@rayderrich]

The design of this instrument makes it easily look as one in the $800 range. The sound lacks, but I can see how this would be perfect for many beginner piano players. Thank you Inovus and thank you James.

[@bitblueduck]

I just finished the ES920 video today. I can barely keep up with the content. The last few videos were quite interesting. Nice job.

[@botondkovacs6195]

I think it's good for a starter. I started playing the piano on a KORG (similar to this one) seven years ago and I truly loved it.

*Thanks for sharing. Interesting for newbies and small budgets but I already got the Kawai ES920 for several month ;-)) , which I am definitively happy with.*

[@FrankBruce]

As pointed out, the quality of the main piano is very good, I liked specially the electric piano 1. One may think that by now all pedal and accessories connectors are pretty much standardized but they are not! Back in 1983 for the PSR70 I purchased the Yamaha expression pedal (model EP1 no longer manufactured) and it came with a DIN type of a connector, while the sustain pedal (FC5) was a regular connector just like the one that is used by today's keyboards.

[@dannytong8993]

This instruments I find it aesthetically quite unique and looks better than most digital piano in that price range even the ones at 699 above, just everything about it says its a good digital piano. If they invest another 200$ making it 600$ by improving the sound quality like kawaii, a little heavier actions and add some better piano options, They might be able to make kawaii, roland and yamaha a run for their money within that price range. I will gladly take this if those issue were solved. overall awesome review for this instrument, cant wait to see more options in the digital piano line.

[@SrinivasMurty]

Thanks as always for a great review. How would you say this compares, purely on finish and sound quality, compared to a Yamaha P-45?

[@RozarSmacco]

For testing purposes can you please play either Chopins Etude 1 op. 10, prelude 1 op. 24, or Liszt’s Transcendental Etude 1: Preludio. These pieces are optimal cause they have wide dynamic and note ranges and are wildly popular with all serious pianists. Also please be sure to demonstrate the various REVERBs with the main grand piano sound.

[@chimak7302]

Good and trustworthy comment. Love it. How about compare this one with Alesis Recital Pro. What do you think?

[@DanMarketL]

Thanks for this very informative review! I am looking for a keyboard with 88 weighted keys and auto chords. The Inovus i88 might be just what I need. Do you know of any other keyboards with the above features and is within $600?

[@marikamarocik2914]

Yes please, I am looking forward to it.

[@ThePianoforever]

Done.

[@123Ryanist]

I really like your review's... but I wish you could do a review like this on the Korg B2? Thank you for all the great reviews!

[@AbhijayDuggal]

Please review Yamaha's DGX-670.🎹

[@cambridgeport90]

My parents got me a cute little Roland keyboard, only 76 keys, when I was like ten. Was really cute, but the pedal drove me insane since it would always move all over the floor.

[@grandiosa86]

Hey James. Now it is time for me to upgrade my keyboard/piano. I do really appricate your input on this. I am currently using a budget Yamaha PSR E-363 with 61 keys. I personally think I should just move up to 88 keys, but 76 keys is also an option. Touch resistance is now a little more important thing, so I guess I will have to go with a Digital Piano to get that. I am a fairly new "keyboard" player, but have had a good progression after barely a year in with the hobby. I am all ears, and really appricate your opinion, I look up to you and your talent/knowledge.

[@grandiosa86]

I know you are busy and dont have time to reply everyone. I went with the Yamaha PSR-EW310. Have a good one.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

hey, James! Awesome demo, dude! Q: What's the title of that first piece you played? 🤔 I have heard it before, but never knew what it's called; I love the strange feel of that tune. Thanks! I hope you're well. 🐰💜🎸🎶🤝✌

[@DaLeMoNHeaD]

Gnossienne no. 1 by Erik Satie

[@G91YS]

Hello James, just a quick question: what do you think of the Yamaha CLP 775 Clavinova? planning on buying it for my beginner journey (have a P45B for a year now). Thank you, I love your reviews. Ah and you should post your Patreon in the videos descriptions :-)

[@willemkaret1568]

I have a CLP775 since 6 weeks. Negatives (few) : The touch is heavier than other keyboard actions (Roland LX708, Yamaha CLP 745 (=grand touch-s) ) so try it and compare to see if you like it. Keys return a bit slower than Roland LX708 when you play fast. Positive: The long keys are great, playing the whites between the blacks hardly becomes heavier which is the characteristic of the Grand Touch keyboard action. Bass sounds clear, treble sounds beautiful. Other piano sounds are beautiful too. The instrument feels solid and well built. My teacher notices the linear graded hammer action: There's no unexpected jump in volume between two adjacent keys of two groups while she can hear that in the CLP 745. Make sure you also try the CLP 735 which offers excellent value for money at 60% of the price of a CLP775. Great keyboard action (Grand touch-s) but the sound is a bit less convincing than CLP 775.

[@G91YS]

@@willemkaret1568 Thank you for your answer! Sorry I only noticed it today. I have actually ordered the 745 three weeks ago, but since it's out of stock everywhere (Covid), I think I'll still have to wait 2-3 months. The 775 was great but since I'm a beginner (started in September), I think it'll still be a big improvement over my P45, and wouldn't take full advantages of it over the 745 anyway. Not mentioning the big price jump. Actually after this comment I did some more research and was also hesitating with a Yamaha P-515 (1600€ with pedals and support), a great deal too. Maybe as a replacement for the P45 later since my wife also plays the piano, and often we'd like a 2nd one :-p Oh well, first world problems I guess.

[@rikspector]

James, I get it, it's OK but doesn't have whatever it takes to really stir my emotions. Sound,sound,sound..is what it's all about, well almost:) Cheers, Rik Spector

[@rustyw3196]

absolutely - please do the comparison video. Since you have reviewed the both - please focus the video on how they compare to each other. Would love to see a 4-way comparison (i88, DEP-20, P45, Alesis Pro Recital) hint hint hint... :)

[@cookwithcynthiia]

Seriously! I wonder which out of the 4 he recommends all around the same price range .

[@thatomorutle2728]

I think it will be great to be compared with Artesia pe88... not fairly well known digital piano manufacture but it does have or share many of the aspects with inovus 😜

[@ivanmengualalvarez7423]

Hi James. First of all, thanks for the video, I always appreciate your honesty :-) I wanted to comment because lately you've been making a lot of videos about more affordable keyboards, which is totally understandable since not everyone can afford a keyboard that is worth 1.000$ or more. But I remember that you once made a video comparing Yamaha AvantGrand pianos (N1, N2..) and it was really interesting, so I think it would be awesome if you made similar videos reviewing the higher end of other brands, like Kawai Novus, Roland Lx-700 series... I don't know how the Covid situation is where you live so I understand if you cannot do it right now, but I'd love to see it in the future. Keep up the great work you do!

[@Christianemaunel]

Dude please review yahama psr-e373 it's only 200 dollars

[@heretostay1234]

I would love to see you review Kurzweil keyboards.

[@paulbogan3400]

Ditto. Curious about the SP-6 especially.

[@pbc1951]

Any Body know.... Are these still for sale and where?

[@melvindwayne]

Thank you for your content.... I appreciate the detail on all your videos... And NO I do not buy sub $400.00 digital pianos (yuck)lol ... ok just kidding, lol... I prefer better key bed action and more expressive velocity curves; some of these at this price point are just.... OK I guess... But I wanted to say that I keep finding myself watching many of your videos on piano reviews, I own many digital pianos and I'm like obsessed with them; I also sell them used after a few years and keep buying others that come out... I also own and purchase many high-end MIDI controllers for the studio to trigger really nice samples and enjoy superb action on pianos paired with HQ GrandPiano sounds, those with pedal noise, hammer noise, and many other really natural nuances that my ears NEED to be able to enjoy a good piano sample... I do however enjoy a good portable piano on a budget, those that I would recommend a friend or anyone who wants to learn or put their children in lessons etc..., so I like to know about all the piano options and see where technology/quality VS price point is headed... I also like nice cabinet pianos to have in my living room foyer at the entrance of my home etc... Your videos are long and detailed, like really detailed, I do appreciate them.

[@Salmon.dunlap]

Nice jacket dude.

[@victoriachan6451]

What do you think if comparing the Inovus i88 and the Alesis Recital Pro? They are in the same price point. I think the sound of the Alesis Recital Pro is better than the Inovus, but people said (I read some other reviews) the touch reaction of the Inovus is better the the Alesis, I am not sure about this because I haven't tried them both to decide whether it is true. The main considerations for me are the sound quality and the touch feeling to be cloest to a real piano. The Inovus has way more sound effects than the Alesis, but I don't think I would need them as a beginner.

[@scottliu6042]

Alesis sounds bad in the mid range

[@andrewmurray1550]

That "digital piano 2" sounds kind of like the "Twin Peaks" kind of sound (main theme)....

[@martinjanson250]

Is this available in Europe?

[@peaceofkake1085]

I would say that for a beginner who is not very sure if he/she wants to be a pianist or even play an instrument, this would work. It does give you a taste of reality without over-investing. However, if you're a beginner but you're pretty certain that piano is what you want and you're confident of your ability to commit to it, then I would personally aim for Yamaha's new DGX 670. It replaces the DGX 660 and it looks amazing.

[@noelgarcia389]

Please do the comparison

[@kevingold1091]

Names don't follow the rules of English. The only way to know how to pronounce a name is to ask the owner of the name -- person, company, dog... err, make the the dog's human.

[@stumbling]

I have a physics degree. I suspect the issue with the screen is because LCD screens polarize the light reflected off them and use a polarizing filter to block sections of the screen that should appear dark. (This is why LCD screens are monochrome.) However, the light that hits the LCD must also pass through a clear piece of plastic which is also polarizing the light as it is transmitted through the material, the plastic will "perfectly polarize" the incoming light at what is called the "Brewster's angle", which is why you see the display go completely blank at a certain viewing angle. I'm not 100% sure this is what's happening but just reasoning it out from what I know. I would suggest inovus experiment with the optical properties of the plastic in front of the LCD. Perhaps replacing it with a collimating lens would help. That's probably adding a couple of dollars to the price tag though.

[@satishtxt]

Donner DEP-20 vs Inovus I-88 Please

[@moldenburg909]

Wow, finally a keyboard send over to you. That’s really great. I hope more companies see the benefit of a honest review. Back to this one. Nice. I never heard about the company to be honest. It looks like much attention is put into functions and looks but the sounds are flat. In my opinion of course. Although the guitar and some other higher pitch sounds seems alright sounds like the pianos, organs and so on are too flat. They lack resonance. On the other hand a good action, triple paddle possible, a lot functions. There is some future in that company. Thank you for sharing and playing. Oh, and now I am really curious what you going to bring to us. Looking forward to...

[@zeejayyy2571]

which one should i get? inovus or donner?

[@ThePianoforever]

A direct review is in the works and will be uploaded soon.

[@zeejayyy2571]

@@ThePianoforever I’ve made the decision of getting the donner DEP - 20 :)

[@jeffreyjbyron]

Where can you buy it?

[@ThePianoforever]

It's available online.

[@jeffreyjbyron]

@@ThePianoforever I can't find it anywhere. If anyone finds a link let me know.

[@michaelmao6180]

I agree with your judgment on how to pronounce the "i" sound (excellent example in your video, as a lot of English vocabulary and spelling comes from Latin and Greek, and that's how exactly Latin and Greek words are pronounced: as you see them), but I don't think the stress syllable is at the front. I think it should be "i-NO-vus" with the stress at the "no" sound. It's very rare in English where 3-syllable words have the stress placed on the first syllable. We have words like "to-MO-rrow", "Ber-MU-da", "ex-AM-ple", etc. Notable exceptions include words like "Ja-pan-ESE", but that's due to the added "ese" morpheme changing the pronunciation of the whole word (note the first "a" sound changed from a back close /ʊ/ sound like in "but" to a front open /æ/ sound like in "bat"). The "ese" morpheme is an exception, as most morphemes don't change how the word is pronounced or where the stress syllable is placed, think "Bra-ZIL" to "Bra-ZIL-ian", or "ascend" vs "descend" vs "transcend", etc. Here's your 5-minute lesson on linguistics and phonology. XD

[@creativecompanion]

My Inovus came slightly out if tune.

[@andrewtaylor8899]

I'm wincing at the terrible hand position of the girl playing the piano in the background video on the Inovus website..

[@ini_on_arts3219]

Make a review about casio sa 77 bro

[@JayCAlan]

The Lick @ 26:52 ! LOL

[@domenicospagnuolo8811]

Dexibell vivo hx series please...

[@ThePianoforever]

I think the Dexibell would make a nice review.

[@domenicospagnuolo8811]

@@ThePianoforever What do you mean, James?

[@ThePianoforever]

@Domenico Spagnuolo I have not spent a great deal of time with one, but I believe it would be a very interesting Keyboard. I think I would enjoy reviewing it, but it's not in my budget at this time.

[@domenicospagnuolo8811]

@@ThePianoforever Thank you for your honesty

[@andrewmurray1550]

Heck with these instruments you don't need the REAL things any more. I can't imagine Ringo Starr sittng at this playing the "drums" in the Beattles, can you?

[@bentaye]

It's pronounced inovus. You're welcome.

[@FlexMus]

First