What is a Keybed, and Why Does it Matter?

[@sweetwater]

Thank you for checking out this video on keybeds! Let us know any questions or thoughts you might have in the comments 👇 To see more, like and subscribe!

[@sunnachai]

That Yamaha model is from upright, not grand piano

[@troublesomecorsair]

Love the weighted actions that have a tiny bit of bounce to them.

[@LuanneFose]

Thank you, Jacob! I didn't really understand before this video how important keybed types are in finding the best keyboard for a person's needs and skill level as a keyboard player. Very well-explained and I learned a lot! I loved that you had examples to show us.

[@jeffconner8281]

Hello, I'm a novice & am unfamiliar with the young man in this vid, but he did a great job even for someone like myself. Just like Sweetwater! You just can't go wrong with them. Probably the best mail order co. in the business. I may be a novice on keys but I play a multitude of others varying in my skills for each one, no matter though. With Sweetwater you simply can't go wrong from novice to pro & everything in between, if your new to whatever instrument or new type of gear & or music, this company is for you. In my humble unpaid, unsolicited opinion I feel they are the best from your first interaction with them all the way to receiving your new products & servicing your equipment, I just can't say enough good things about Sweetwater. I will be a Sweetwater customer whenever possible. I suppose there may be on occasion something they can't help you with, but for me their where I start & hopefully where I finish with all my musical needs. Thanks to everyone at Sweetwater! Here's to a new year of success stories with these folks. Thanks again. jc

[@jimkost2002]

Great video for those who don’t know! Jacob has a real talent to explain clearly and communicate well!

[@thaikhuongs]

Hey can you check which exact model # does the Korga PA5X, 88 keys version is built on, is it the Fatar TP-100 or the TP-100L/R ?? I'm trying to buy Korg PA5X but wanna know for sure th keybed on the 88-key version, much appreciate it!!!

[@stevencharleswhite7045]

I love SweetWater. Spent a TON of money there, especially during the pandemic. By the way, that cherry-colored board (under your model) is the keybed. What you're talking about here is called "the front rail of the key frame." And if you're going to start using "keybed" to mean the entire action, then... well, that's even worse. Don't do that. That model isn't a grand piano; it's an upright.

[@SaifSameer]

Thanks Sweetwater! Great video indeed, maybe it's a good idea to make more of such content, focusing on the internal of keyboards, maintenance etc.

[@sweetwater]

Saif Sameer more coming soon!

[@RodneyJackson88]

Where can I find that background music? That was a great rendition

[@sweetwater]

Rodney Jackson that’s my track ☺️ Glad you liked it! Jacob Dupre Sweetwater Keyboard Artist

[@mikeluisipiano]

thank you! so clear!

[@davidannohjr.4891]

Where can I find which digital/midi keyboards have fatar keybeds in them?

[@marcoalvarado6793]

I am checking that type of information also ... not very common to find in web sites, but some people is collecting such data. Check this: yamahasynth.com/ask-a-question/a-great-list-of-keyboards-controllers-and-the-key-beds-they-use ... maybe not updated, but it is a point to begin. Notice that Korg uses several brands, even Yamaha ... interesting right?

[@Beatboxerskills]

Is it possible to take out my VOX Continental 2017 keys and paint them in the original colours with the white and black key color swapped?

[@robbrown2]

That's an upright mechanism isn't it, not a grand? The hammer is traveling horizontally.

[@Persun_McPersonson]

Yes, that's correct. It probably would have been better to compare a grand or baby grand's action to the keyboards', since that's what they're actually trying to emulate; I guess they didn't think about that or simply couldn't get ahold of one.

[@mfurman]

This is exactly what I also wanted to say - upright action is already compromised comparing with grand piano (real action). This error should not have happened! Michael

[@dhutus]

That was a helpful explanation of a very important component of any keyboard.

[@bobbyhull5868]

Great Video... And I thought I totally did not want to know about keybeds......... I WAS WRONG ! This Was very GOOD !

[@desafinad0]

I have a Roland RP201 (hammer action) and a Roland A-4 (synth action). What I really want is something in between. I want light keys to be able to play fast but keys that are also long so I have leverage when I press down close to the fallboard. I've learned that the Yamaha DX7, Korg M1, and Roland D50 have keys that are both long and light but these are old models. I want something brand new. Does anybody know of a keyboard that would meet my needs? Would a Yamaha FSB keyboard work? What about the Native Instruments S61? Thanks. It would be most appreciated.

[@harmishjoshi6406]

What's that opening song?

[@bengalrose]

I have a Yamaha YPG 625. It’s about 14 years old and has a very distracting sound, like a thump that you describe in this video when the key is released. I don’t recall it happening until during the early years. Maybe I was so excited about having this piano that I didn’t notice it. I don’t know. (The screen also stopped working several years ago.) Anyhow, the thump...it’s loud. Is that normal? I only play at home for my enjoyment but probably need to consider a new k

[@StabilAmboss]

Sweetwater is so useful I want to shop with them instead of the convenient amazon.

[@crazydubwise]

Is it possible switch a synth Keybed for a waterfall Keybed? I'd like to do that In my roland vr 09 . Tell me you thoughts. Thanks!!

[@sweetwater]

Hello! It isn't possible to switch a keybed type within a specific keyboard, no. If you'd like, you can buy a separate keyboard with a waterfall keybed you like, and connect it via MIDI to your VR09. This would allow you to play the waterfall keyboard's keys but the sound would be generated by your VR09. If you'd like to go into more detail, please call my number below. Thanks for your interest! Nick LaMendola, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1660, [e-mail]

[@patrickkeehan9560]

Hi, great video! I'm looking for a keyboard that has a keybad that would allow me to play higher on the keys since my PSX-1000 feels like it has the pivot right at the top of the key. Any good recommendations and do any Nords fit this bill. Mainly playing for a grand/upright piano sound. :)

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Patrick! Great question, thanks for reaching out. In my experience, the Nord models with weighted keys tend to have good responsiveness just about anywhere on the key - so something like the Stage or the Piano would be a good choice for what you are describing. Hope this helps, and feel free to contact me directly with any further questions! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@komodo3]

yooooooo that intro goes HARD bro!!!

[@sweetwater]

🔥🔥

[@timothyreynolds6255]

Very informative

[@PUTUPLAN7]

very good man

[@vulanemthembu]

This was great. Thank you

[@mikebullock8196]

HI THIS IS MIKE BULLOCK IM A BIG FAN OF SWEETWATER LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AND INFORMATION AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION IM LOOKING FOR A KEYBOARD CONTROLLER WITH PHA5 KEYBED OR A GREAT FATAR KEYBED NOT A CHEAP ONE IF U HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS WHICH KEYBOARDS TO LOOK FOR PLEASE LET ME KNOW , WHAT IM LOOKING FOR IS A KEYBOARD CONTROLLER THAT FEELS GOOD TO PLAY AND CREATE WHEN U HAVE TO RECORD PIANO PARTS AND FENDER RHODES PARTS BECAUSE I THINK ITS GOOD THAT THE KEYBOARD FEELS GOOD WHEN U PLAY IT, NOT CHEAP OR NOT REALISTIC FEEL WHEN U RECORD ON TO A TRACK A PIANO OR FENDER RHODES PART FOR A SONG,THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND SUGGESTIONS ALL THE BEST FAN MIKE

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Mike! Hope your 2021 is off to a great start. Definitely happy to help with this! There are a lot of great MIDI control keyboards out there. A couple of my personal favorites with weighted keys are the Studiologic SL88 Grand and the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88. Both of these use a fully weighted Fatar keybed. Another potential approach would be to use a weighted-key digital piano as a controller - this would also allow you to play the instrument even if it's not connected to software. If you go in this direction, I would take a look at the Roland RD series (RD-2000 or RD-88) or the Yamaha P-515. Hope this helps point you in the right direction! Feel free to contact me directly with any further questions, and thanks for your interest! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@mauro_music]

A nice 49 midi keyboard around 80-100 euros? Thanks!

[@pamboscharalambous3770]

Best keybeds Kawai by far...

[@Elazarko]

I'm looking for 32-49 midi keyboard that replicates the feel of an acoustic piano.. does any company make such a thing?

[@Persun_McPersonson]

Since acoustic pianos have been standardized to all have 88 keys at the minimum, it's assumed by keyboard manufacturers that someone who wants a realistic piano feel is going to want the full range of keys (which is true most of the time). The amount of people that want a realistic piano action while also wanting less keys just isn't large enough for the companies to consider using their resources on such keyboards. Whether they'd be able to make their money back on such boards is up in the air, really. The companies just aren't willing to take the risk.

[@louisik1]

Same. 61 key options would be nice.

[@sailingcatalina]

have you ever played with Harry Connick jr...love him and you knock me out.soooo talented..I called twice as i'm a frind of Kenny Taylor and Mike Patterson..we've done gigs together..i'm ok on piano..i can sell what I do but there are so many questions I have to improve at 80 years old...Jacob music is my other language...Love to meet you someday but I imagine you are really busy...I love new orleans music..I also played trumpet and flugel horn back in the day when I had the show bands for 40 years...Played some guitar..some 4 string banjo and I know many of the dixieland songs my favorite kind of music...I grew up with a dad who managed many well known hotels with well known night clubs in the hotels...H e would bring in the Dukes Of Dixieland with Frank and Papa jack and when I started out in saint louis they would let me sing a few...Do you know what it means etc..basin street....i'm 80 but I still want to get better..my only teacher was Johnnie Johnson of the Chuck Berry band from Saint Louis..I backed at times the late Frankie Ford,Fats Domino,the Dixie Cups,the frogman and my favorite spent hours watching Louis Prima,Sam Butera,Rollie Dee,Morgan Thomas and the best shuffle drummer I ever heard Jimmy Vincent..I would walk across the street in Lake Tahoe from Harvey's Wagonwheel after our 3 sets and watch Loie play 3 sets in the early morning hours..they taught me so much..I was a damn good front guy,did impressions,played a little better than Wayne Newton lol and i sang well..I just love the New Orleans piano and the dixie bands...YOU ARE SOMETHING ELSE..GOD BLESS

[@sweetwater]

Wow, Paul, you are speaking my language! I grew up loving all the same music and still do, of course. I haven't played with Harry (my wife has) but he has been an inspiration to me since the beginning. I did get to attend a live taping of his TV show. Branford and Ellis Marsalis played with him live. That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Yeah man, that old Louisiana music is in my blood and always will be! I love meeting people...you should come by Sweetwater sometime. And music doesn't care about how old you are. If you never quit, you never stop getting better! Thanks for the kind words and good luck making sweet sounds. Jacob Dupre Sweetwater Keyboard Arist P.S. If there are things you'd like to learn that I could turn into a teaching video, please comment them here!

[@SriharshaaPrabhakar]

Excellent

[@finntv4280]

The key bed of Casio CT-X3000 is low quality. They sacrifice the build quality to put a good sound and features on a more affordable keyboard. Kinda disappointing.

[@fuglbird]

Basically if you want a reliable keyboard you avoid hammer action and go for a semi weighted action. If your main goal is to do acoustic piano exercises prepare to replace your digital piano with hammer action frequently. At least that's what we find out googling a bit.

[@lukek5291]

So is it action or a keybed?