The Best Friendly Keyboard Workstations in 2021

Keyboards Prices in Nigeria

Are you looking at the best budget-friendly keyboard workstations available in 2021? Workstations are some of the most powerful and versatile keyboards you can ever come across. They are also known to be very expensive but don’t you worry. 

There are a variety of performance keyboards perfectly suited for practice/recording and multi-functional instruments with the versatility to excel at both. The keyboards we’ve featured on the lists below include portable, MIDI, and synth keyboards, as well as keyboard workstations. Basically, there are so many digital keyboard options for every gigging musician’s need! For help selecting the best keyboards in 2021 suited for your playing style, check out our buyer’s guide listed below.

Fortunately, there’s no real right or wrong answer as the quality of these keyboard workstations is continuously improved and reviewed, with most arranger keyboards and workstations adding upgrades regularly. Whether you’re just starting out in the world of recording or you are a professional composer, you need something to get your ideas down quickly, or looking to expand your studio, there’s a keyboard workstation within your budget, so are the ones in this article.

So, here are our top picks for the best budget-friendly keyboard workstations for you in 2021

So we have put together this handy list of the best keyboard workstations, to help you when you’re trying to find the best arranger keyboard or keyboard workstation to suit your style, set up, and recording demands. So, in this article, we will be reviewing some of the best digital keyboard workstations available that suit different users and different budgets.

The keyboard workstations on our list come in various sizes ranging from 61 to 88 keys.

The Best Friendly Keyboard Workstations in 2021 

Here is the list of best keyboard workstations in 2021:

Kurzweil Artis 7 Keyboard Workstation

The keyboards have 77 semi-weighted keys with speed sensitivity. Weighted keyboard refers to the weight that the keys have in a real acoustic piano, in the low register they have heavy keys while in the high register they have light keys. When we refer to the sensitivity we mean that we can play dynamics in our performances, that is, when we press a key with force it sounds louder than another one pressed with less force. The Artis 7 has 256 factory sounds, and 256 configurable sounds, and 128 polyphony notes featuring Fast 4-zone split function, dual function, reverb effect, chorus, and many more, 9 sliders on the front, modulation wheels, and Pitch Bend. In connection, Artis 7 offers 2 stereo or TRS line jack outputs, stereo headphone output, TRS mini line jack input, MIDI input and output, USB port for pen drives, etc., and 2 inputs for footswitches.

Features of Kurzweil Artis 7 >>>

Kurzweil PC4 Keyboard Workstation

The Kurzweil PC4 is an extremely powerful workstation that has taken a big leap forward from its previous generation.

 

Overall, the Kurzweil PC4 is definitely a step up from the previous models from Kurzweil. If you’re in the market for a workstation, this definitely ranks in there with the FA 08, the Montage 8 and the Kronos. The synth engine is extremely powerful and I think the main downside is the storage. It’s hard to top beat controllers as the workstations often can’t pack the same amount of storage. The Kurzweil PC4 will be a workstation that battles with the top brands for the next couple of years, in my opinion. The Yahama Montage 8 has nowhere near the sound editing capabilities. Much more basic programming. Kurzweil PC4 is equipped with a Ribbon Controller input. You can buy a dedicated Ribbon Controller just like it was for PC3 etc. Apart from the advantages of Synthesis, it is one of the best equipped and best controllers on the market for me (like every Kurzweil PCx).

It comes in with 1000 inbuilt programs with our 4096 user programs, featuring up to 16 independent zones, and can sequence 16 tracks both event and track base. The Kurzweil PC4 has an all-new 6 – operator FM engine with the ability to import FM SysEx files and more. The VAST synth engine is also the staple for Kurzweil’s and I have to agree, there’s an infinite amount that you can do with it in terms of sound design. Kurzweil PC4 has over 88 Keys fully weighted, with high pixel high-resolution color LCD with adjustable brightness. PC4 also gives you master EQ/Compressor with over 1000 complex effect chains.

The initial Kurzweil PC4 is being advertised as 88 fully-weighted hammer-action keys, however, it is expected to also be available in 76 and 61 keys.

Features of Kurzweil PC4 >>>

Kurzweil KP 150 Keyboard Workstation

The New Kurzweil KP 150 portable arranger keyboard with 61-note, full-size, velocity-sensitive, synth-action keyboard with pitch bend and modulation controllers. Enjoy a wide range of acoustic and electronic sound selections, featuring our Triple Strike piano, organs, guitars, strings, and synths. Use the dual function to combine various sounds, like piano and strings. Built-in, interactive patterns are offered in a variety of musical genres, putting a whole backing band at your fingertips to play along with. The New Kurzweil KP 150 comes with easy-to-use song recording features, you can record your own keyboard performances. The innovative Performance Assistant helps you to perform various idiomatic musical phrases that can be triggered by playing just a few keys. Arrange song-specific exercises for study. Record and monitor your progress as you advance. 310 popular songs with preset parameters, including style, type, tempo, and voice are right at your fingertips. Housed in an attractive synth-style chassis the KP150 comes complete with a detachable music stand and built-in 4-speaker stereo sound system. The sleek control panel and clear multifunctional LCD display provide quick access to all system functions.

Features of Kurzweil KP 150>>>

Kurzweil SP 6 Keyboard Workstation

The new Kurzweil SP6 is a simple powerfully music workstation, that follows the standard of sonic excellence established by the Forte®, Forte SE and PC3 series, the Kurzweil SP6, powered by the new LENA® processor, brings your performance to new heights with its astonishing sound quality, light-weight, depth of control and simple operation – all within easy reach. The Kurzweil SP6 is our lightest professional 88-note model ever! Every sound within the Kurzweil SP6 is perfectly matched to its 88-note fully-weighted hammer-action keyboard with velocity-sensitive keys. Further, tailor the Kurzweil SP6 response to your playing style via 10 selectable key velocity maps. Maximize your real-time control over every preset via the SP6’s 4 Knobs*, 1 Switch, 2 Wheels, 2 Dual-Switch Pedal Inputs**, and 1 Continuous Control Pedal Input. Pitch/Modulation wheels along with dedicated -/+ Transpose and sound Variation controls conveniently located right on the front panel, and enjoy a deeper level of editing your Kurzweil SP6 using free external software editors for Mac OS X, Windows PC, and iOS* devices (*coming soon)! The Kurzweil SP 6 is powered by Flash-Play®, the SP6 boots in 11 seconds with 2 GB of on-board sample content, zero-loading time, loads of powerful DSP, and ultrafast performance. Load programs from the Forte, Forte SE, and PC3 family (some restrictions apply). Experience more simultaneous FX in your performance multis and external sequencing! – and tweak away with dedicated knob assignments. Kurzweil SP 6 features 32 FX units of horsepower, enjoy award-winning Reverbs, Delays, Choruses, Flangers, Phasers, Distortions, Rotary Amplifiers, Compressors, and more.

Features of Kurzweil SP 6 >>>

Kurzweil KP 300 Keyboard Workstation

As you already know, the Kurzweil keyboard is solidly built with extraordinary features that are very user-friendly and the KP-300 delivers just that and more to any user. The Kurzweil KP 300 comes fully equipped with a 76 notes synth action with a touch-sensitive key, 6 selectable response levels for effectiveness, and 737 preset programs.

Kurzweil KP 300 also features 128 voice polyphony and 50 user presets programs, 6 tracks, and up to 10 user sequencers and recorder.
With its 40 watts, in-built 4 speaker stereo sound system gives out a resounding and powerful sound. The Kurzweil KP 300 also comes with 240 auto-accompanied styles with over 10 reverbs,  metronome, 8 types of the chorus with EQ to play along with.

With the easy-to-use song recording features, you can record your own keyboard performances. The innovative Performance Assistant helps you to perform various idiomatic musical phrases that can be triggered by playing just a few keys.

Features of Kurzweil Forte

As you already know, the Kurzweil keyboard is solidly built with extraordinary features that are very user-friendly and the Forte delivers just that and more to any user. The Kurzweil Forte comes fully equipped with 88 notes fully weighted hammer keys, 480 x 272 LCD display, 128 voice polyphony, 16 parts multitimbral, having 322 factory programs with 3072 user programs giving you over 500 banks of 10 favorite each. The Kurzweil Forte has over 186 factory-crafted multis- featuring up to 16 independent zones.

The Kurzweil Forte fits is affordable and fits your bill, supplying users with an entire arsenal of sound manipulation techniques. The Kurzweil Forte features 1 pitch wheel, 1 modulation wheel, 9 front panel sliders, 9 switches, 2 transpose switches, 16 tracks sequencer, reverbs, delays, choruses, flangers, phasers, distortions, rotary amplifiers, compressors, and much more. A 3-Band EQ with bass, treble, and sweepable midrange lets you get deep into mixing practices, and a master EQ/compressor could bode well for giving your recordings that radio-ready polish.

Composers, songwriters, music producers, artists, and musicians will benefit tremendously from having the Kurzweil Forte as a part of their rig. Many music gigs these days, say, as a composer for a television network, require you to wear multiple audio hats. If you know that you’ll be mixing and mastering your creations after you finish the composition process, this is a tool we’d highly recommend.

Features of Yahama Genos

The Yahama PSR a-300 is fully equipped with 76 keys, joystick, 6 line control knobs ( assignable), live control sliders, an 800 by 480 pixel display, with 256 number of voice polyphony, 107 preset for chorus, 59 preset for reverb, and an inbuilt DSP with 358 variation preset with over 550 number of preset style along side 9 demo songs, 11 presets song and 16 number of tracks. Yahama Genos features 1,652 voice preset with 5 preset plus 30 user master compressor. The Yamaha Genos sits at the top of the totem pole for Yamaha digital workstations, and arguably for other brands as well.

Yahama PSR A-300 Keyboard Workstation

The Yahama PSR a-300 is fully equipped with a 61-key touch response keyboard that features realistic Arabic and Oriental voices packs a full set of Arabic/Oriental styles to match. The 7″ TFT VGA display for easy accessibility, featuring 997 voice preset, 400 styles preset, and with over 380 pro session, 485 different effects, and audio link compatibility for easy use and portability.

Roland Fantom 8 Keyboard Workstation

The New Roland FANTOM-8 Music Workstation Keyboard is made for rapid production and expressive performance. Inspiring onboard production tools and deep computer integration fuel an experience that feels intuitive, natural, and full of possibilities. The expandable sound engine delivers Roland’s best electronic and acoustic sounds, with the depth and control to combine and shape them in exciting new ways. And it’s built from premium materials, with a purposeful design, and the best 61-, 76-, and 88-note keyboards Roland have ever made. The New Fantom 8 Synthesizers Keyboard is a flexible and expandable sound engine leveraging decades of research and development, dishing out inspiring and authentic electronic, acoustic, and hybrid sounds by the bucketload. Fantom 8 combines multiple synthesis and sampling technologies along with the onboard analog filter for new and unusual sounds—and take advantage of new sound expansions and capabilities as they arrive.

Roland FA-06 Keyboard Workstation

Roland’s FA-06 keyboard workstation offers more than 2000 sounds that come straight out of the company’s flagship INTEGRA-7 sound module, giving you a handle on both natural acoustic tones, synthetic sounds, and drums. The instrument’s onboard sampler is based around the SP-404SX and features 16 pads, 4 banks, and direct recording/playback through SDHC cards. 16 independent MFX engines allow you to color your sounds with studio-quality

Keyboard Types

Portable Keyboard

Great for traveling to gigs or as a substitute for a full-size piano at home, a portable keyboard can be the perfect solution for practice and performance with all the extra features afforded by a digital instrument. Thanks to advances in technology, these small and lightweight instruments mimic the feel, sound, and pitch range of an acoustic piano.

MIDI Keyboard

MIDI keyboards function as an essential part of many digital audio workstations (DAWs) working with synths for sound customization. Accordingly, those looking at MIDI keyboards will want pitch/modulation controls, sliders, programmable buttons, faders, and other options for maximum control.

Synth Keyboard

A synthesizer allows for experimentation, manipulation, and customization of all kinds of sounds and patterns with the ease of keyboard style playing. The result is a keyboard allowing for any sound the user can imagine to create a world of versatile, dynamic music.

Keyboard Workstation

For musicians seeking full-service performance and production all in one place, keyboard workstations provide a plethora of sound, recording, connectivity and creative options. Using a workstation, users can create their own songs complete with melody, harmony, and other accompaniments.

Features

Keyboards have a variety of functions for performance, recording, and studio work.

Number of Keys

 

88-Key

With 88 keys, this size keyboard has the same number of keys as a full-size piano. These are particularly for individuals looking for an in-home alternative to the acoustic piano or those using the instrument primarily for performance.

72 or 61-Key

Keyboards with fewer keys allow for a more portable instrument, though this curtails the range of available pitches. Often budget keyboards offer 72 or 61 keys, which helps reduce cost or provide a manageable choice for young musicians. If effects are just as important as the performance aspect of the instrument, these size keyboards may be ideal.

Key Style

 

Weighted

Mimicking the weight and feel of an acoustic piano, weighted keys develop realistic muscle control and more command of tone and volume. At the highest levels, the lower notes on the instrument have a heavier weight and the higher notes are lighter, expertly mimicking an acoustic piano.

Organ Style

These light-weight keys often found on smaller keyboards, are easy for fingers to manipulate and naturally move faster because they have little resistance. However, for those anticipating they will play on an acoustic piano at some point, the transition from organ-style keys to the weighted keys of a piano can be a difficult one.

Digital Features

Polyphony

Among a keyboard’s statistics may be the polyphony, a fancy way of letting you know how many notes can be played at the same time. Depending on the complexity of music and the number of voices being layered into the performance or recording, a higher polyphony may be desired. For regular use, the polyphony of any given keyboard is usually sufficient.

Voices

One of the most popular features of digital instruments is the ability to switch up the tone or “voice” with the push of a button, from grand piano, to strings, voice, drum kit, and many more. Different model keyboards will offer any number of pre-programmed sounds, from 30 high-quality sampled sounds to hundreds for maximum creativity.

Backing Tracks

Backing tracks come pre-programmed into the keyboard to accompany a wide range of musical genres and can be adjusted for tempo with intro and outro buttons. These are great for practice, recording all-in-one tracks, and performance.

USB and MIDI

Keyboards can come with several USB and MIDI options, including the ability to both upload and download data to and from the keyboard or plug directly into a system. For those interested in syncing up with a computer, USB and MIDI in/out ports are highly desirable. For high-use as a part of a DAW, multiple USB and MIDI ports are ideal.

Additional Accessories

Stand

Unless the keyboard comes with its own legs, a keyboard stand is helpful. Typically made of lightweight metal in a folding X style, keyboard stands fit neatly away for travel and facilitate comfort/good posture while playing.

Sustain Pedal

Used often in piano performance, a sustain pedal holds the tone of a note out longer for smooth transitions from note to note. For a keyboard, this pedal is normally an add-on, plugged in through a jack on the keyboard for additional performance and technique flexibility.

Software

Some keyboards will come with their own software to interface with a computer for recording purposes. Those looking to build their DAWs or a more standard software may want to look into more powerful or universal software packages, such as Garage Band at the entry-level, or Pro Tools at the professional level.

Price/Value

The difference between reputable budget instruments and higher-grade professional keyboards is often in size, number of keys, and features, and extras, depending on the type of keyboard. When considering the price it’s often helpful to determine the purpose of the instrument. If it’s for recreational, lightweight use, and fun, a budget instrument will probably suffice.

For those looking for specific performance features, like weighted keys, or recording flexibility, like additional controls, the higher-priced, professional-level instruments are the way to go. Thanks to technological advances over the last 50 years, keyboards sound great, offer a lot of options on the road or at home, and are loaded with extra features in a relatively small package, even at the budget level.

Conclusion

We have provided you with the very best keyboard workstations available for all budgets. If you enjoy making beats on keyboards, check out this post where I talk about the best beat-making keyboards at the link above.

We always urge people to be clear on why they need a keyboard before buying one, and that’s especially important with workstations.

Our list features some of the most powerful workstation keyboards we have ever seen. These keyboards can be incredibly expensive, and generally, the most expensive ones are better because they have more to offer.

However, a cheaper workstation might be better in a specialized area than a more expensive keyboard. For example, a $3000 keyboard workstation might be the best overall, but a $1000 workstation might be more suited to frequent live performance and travel.

So, our advice is to consider how often you are likely to use the workstation in live performance versus how often you’d use it as a production tool (studio use). Once you have that in order, you can focus on specific features/functions, and choose the best workstation keyboard for you.

Shop a full range of Arranger Keyboards & Keyboard Workstations over at Irukka Online today or call visit our store to try out a wide range of arrangers for yourself and speak to us about the Best Keyboard Workstations we have to offer.

The Best Budget-Friendly Keyboard Workstations in 2021