When it comes to music production, having the right tools is crucial. One of the most important tools for any musician or producer is a keyboard workstation. These versatile instruments combine the functionality of a keyboard, synthesizer, and sampler, allowing you to create a wide range of sounds and melodies.
In this article, we’ll guide you through some of our favourite workstations and give some tips on how to choose the right one for you. Granted, we’ve included a few arrangers here, too, in case you’re looking for something with the extensive functionality of a workstation along with some accompaniment features.
So, to help you sift through the vast sea of options out there, we’ve compiled the best keyboard workstations.
In a hurry?
Before we dive into the full list, here’s our top three and why we love them:
Yamaha Genos2 Digital Workstation Keyboard Includes cutting-edge AWM FM synthesis for rich sounds. Check the current price
Akai Professional MPC Key 37 Standalone MPC Production Keyboard Extremely clear and easy-to-use interface, along with over 10 GB of high-quality sounds and instruments. Check the current price
Roland Fantom 8 88-Key Synthesizer Workstation Has a wide range of controls such as Slider RGB Pads and encoders. Check the current price
The best keyboard workstations
1. Yamaha Genos2 Digital Workstation Keyboard
Key Features
- Wide range of exceptional quality sounds
- Anti-glare touchscreen module
- Over 2,000 songs included
Pros
- Highly professional experience thanks to its top-notch sound quality and versatile features
- Easy and efficient use with an anti-glare touchscreen and intuitive interface
- Cutting-edge AWM and FM synthesis offers rich and dynamic sounds
Cons
- Not designed for beginner players
The Yamaha Genos2 Digital Workstation Keyboard is a great choice for both studio and live composers and musicians. With cutting-edge AWM and FM synthesis, the keyboard ensures the highest quality sounds, allowing you to create music with precision and depth.
The Genos2 is well-suited to various genres and musical styles, offering over 2,000 songs, 1,900 voices, and 800 styles. And to ensure you can perform with precise expression, there’s a velocity-sensitive keyboard that provides a responsive playing experience. Additionally, the weighted keys add authenticity to performances, giving the keyboard a premium feel.
Making your music creation process that much easier, the LED lights and anti-glare nine-inch touchscreen allow for effortless navigation through the keyboard’s features and extensive array of sounds.
In terms of connectivity, the Genos2 offers USB, MIDI, and audio inputs and outputs for seamless integration into any setup, studio or live.
2. Roland Fantom 8 88-Key Synthesizer Workstation
Key Features
- Comprehensive sound library
- Advanced sequencing and recording capabilities
- Premium grade hammer action key bed
Pros
- Easy to use thanks to an intuitive interface
- Superior construction and professional-grade features ensure durability and reliability
- Extensive connectivity options for seamless integration into any setup
Cons
- Not ideal for players looking for a simple workstation
If you’re after a powerhouse of a tool, the Roland Fantom 8 88-Key Synthesizer Workstation is ideal. With its intuitive touchscreen interface, navigating through the workstation’s extensive sound library and customising the sounds is extremely easy.
Whether you’re seeking realistic acoustic instruments or cutting-edge electronic sounds, the Fantom 8 offers a wide range of high-quality options and is packed with flexible sound palettes, ranging from authentic electronic and acoustic tones to hybrid sounds.
The workstation’s advanced sequencing and recording capabilities make it an ideal choice for professional-level composition. It allows you to bring your ideas to life with great precision and creativity whilst 88 velocity-sensitive keys with weighted action provide an authentic playing experience and let you add expression to your music.
Better still, the RGB pads and TR-REC Style sequencer are great for any player looking to create rhythms. The sequencer is beat-synced for instant matching the tempo of your track and offers 37 curve choices for each step.
3. Korg Kross 2 61 Key Synthesizer Workstation
Key Features
- Compact and lightweight design
- Powerful sound engine with over 1,000 presets
- Intuitive user interface with colour-coded buttons
Pros
- Versatile tool suitable for both studio and live performances
- Wide range of high-quality sounds to explore
- User-friendly interface allows for easy navigation and programming
Cons
- Keys are not weighted, which may not provide a realistic piano feel
The Korg Kross 2 61 Key Synthesizer Workstation packs an extensive array of features into a compact form. Its lightweight design and battery power ensure easy portability, allowing you to easily take it to and from the studio. And when you get started, the powerful sound engine is ready and waiting with over 1,000 presets, providing a wide range of high-quality sounds suitable for various musical genres.
The workstation features an intuitive user interface with colour-coded buttons, making it effortless to navigate and program your sounds. There are 16 sample pads, just one dial to navigate through instrument categories, and velocity-sensitive keys for expressive playing.
It’s important to note that the keys on the Kross 2 are not weighted, but this may not concern all musicians. The workstation still provides an exceptional playing experience, especially for those who prioritise versatility and quality sounds over a weighted keyboard.
Better still, there’s a microphone connection – great for solo or duet performances, and a built-in stereo recorder enables quick and easy recording of your compositions, so you can come back to them later. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, the Kross 2 makes it easy to create, edit, and perform.
4. Roland Fantom-07 Synthesizer Keyboard
Key Features
- 76-key synth keyboard with a vast sound library
- Wide range of controls, including encoders, sliders, and RGB pads
- Improved SuperNATURAL Pianos and Virtual ToneWheel engine
Pros
- Expansive sound library to suit various genres
- Powerful and versatile sound engine
- Colour touch-screen with clip-based sequencing and versatile connectivity
Cons
- Not ideal for players new to using workstations
The Roland Fantom-07 Synthesizer Keyboard boasts 76 velocity-sensitive keys and a vast sound library, packed with everything from classic bass sounds and pianos to cinematic brass. To help you easily navigate and control these sounds, the keyboard features a variety of controls, including encoders, sliders, and RGB pads, allowing for precise and intuitive sound manipulation.
Despite this being a feature-rich workstation, the Fantom-07 hasn’t lost the charm of a piano. The SuperNATURAL pianos included use advanced modelling techniques to ensure they deliver realistic and expressive sounds that respond just like an acoustic. There’s also a Virtual ToneWheel Engine which uses the same processes as a real tonewheel to imitate the sound of classic VK organs.
The Fantom-07 also features a colour touch-screen with clip-based sequencing, allowing for easy and intuitive composition and arrangement. It truly has everything, all in one package.
5. Akai Professional MPC Key 37 Standalone MPC Production Keyboard
Key Features
- 37-note production synthesizer with sequencing
- Over 10GB of high-quality sound content
- More than 100 embedded studio-level effects
Pros
- Extensive sound library and effects
- Seamless DAW integration capabilities
- Wide range of connection options
Cons
- Complexity may overwhelm beginners
The Akai Professional MPC Key 37 Production Synthesizer is a comprehensive music-making workstation designed to bring your creative visions to life with ease and flair. Right out of the box, you have an extensive library of over 10GB of sound content, including samples, drum kits, and presets from Akai MPC’s renowned plug-ins. With more than 1000 presets available, the possibilities for sound exploration are nearly endless.
The MPC Key 37 also offers an impressive array of 100+ studio-quality effects to shape your music, from adding depth with reverbs and delays to applying cutting-edge vocal effects.
There are versatile connection options included with the synth, such as MIDI, USB, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, ensuring it fits seamlessly into any setup. Its ability to serve as a hub for your outboard gear, along with seamless DAW integration, makes it an invaluable tool for both studio and live settings.
6. Roland Juno-DS88 88 Key Synthesizer
Key Features
- 88-key synth with Ivory Feel-G weighted keyboard
- Battery-powered, ideal for busking
- Features all Juno-Di plus new piano and organ sounds
Pros
- Gig-ready instrument with pro sounds, enhanced
- Mobile design and stage-ready sounds
- Wave expansion slot for adding new sounds
Cons
- Doesn’t include RGB pads
The Roland Juno-DS88 88 Key Synthesizer showcases attention to detail in its Ivory Feel-G weighted keys, allowing you to perform with true musical expression.
It’s not just the feel of the keyboard that’s great, but of course, its sound, too. It’s filled with both the new extensive DS Tone Bank and the sound set from the previous Juno-Di, giving you a huge range of pianos, organs, synths, and more. We also particularly love the wave expansion slot, which allows you to add new sounds, ensuring that you always have access to the latest and greatest trends in music production.
The Juno-DS88 is a versatile instrument. Whether you’re into pop, rock, jazz, or electronic music, the synthesizer’s sounds are quick and easy to navigate thanks to the user-friendly interface and hands-on controls, allowing you to quickly bring your musical ideas to life.
Better still, it’s portable and gig-ready, courtesy of its battery-powered design. It’s a reliable and powerful tool that can withstand the demands of professional musicians, while still being portable enough for on-the-go performances.
7. Akai Professional MPC Key 61 Production Synthesizer
Key Features
- Velocity-sensitive key bed
- 16 RGB pads with aftertouch for intuitive drum programming.
- Built-in MPC software with a vast library of high-quality sounds.
Pros
- Intuitive drum programming
- User-friendly interface for easy navigation and control
- Versatile connectivity options for seamless integration with other gear
Cons
- Keys are not weighted
Now for a truly renowned powerhouse. The Akai Professional MPC Key 61 Production Synthesizer is the ultimate standalone synth. It combines the iconic design of the MPC with a 61-key synth keyboard, offering 25 instrument plugins and more than 6,000 preset sounds.
With its velocity-sensitive key bed, this keyboard workstation allows for expressive playing, whilst 16 RGB pads with aftertouch provide intuitive and expressive drum programming capabilities.
One of the standout features of the MPC Key 61 is its built-in MPC software. This gives you access to a vast library of high-quality sounds, making it easy to create professional-sounding tracks.
The MPC Key 61 is well-suited to a wide range of genres, including hip-hop, electronic, pop, and rock, and its versatile connectivity options accommodate a range of setups.
While the keys on the MPC Key 61 are not weighted, they are velocity-sensitive, enhancing the expressiveness and dynamics of your playing. Despite this, the keyboard workstation offers a range of features that compensate for the lack of weighted keys, making it a reliable and powerful tool for both studio recording and live performances.
8. Korg Pa300 Professional Arranger Keyboard
Key Features
- Compact size
- 5″ TouchView colour TFT display
- Massive internal factory PCM
Pros
- Elegantly designed and compact plastic cabinet with a pristine amplification system
- Enhanced RX (Real eXperience) sound engine for improved realism and vivid sound
- Massive internal factory PCM equivalent to the best-selling Pa600
Cons
- Doesn’t include RGB pads
The Korg Pa300 Professional Arranger Keyboard brings high-quality design and sound into one compact size that’s perfect for transportation.
Featuring a 5″ TouchView colour TFT display, the Pa300 offers an intuitive user interface that simplifies navigation and control. This allows you to effortlessly access various functions and settings, enhancing your workflow and productivity.
One of the standout features of the Pa300 is its massive internal factory PCM, which provides a wide range of high-quality sounds. From realistic acoustic instruments to cutting-edge electronic tones, this arranger keyboard offers a diverse palette of sounds to suit different musical genres and styles.
The elegantly designed and compact plastic cabinet of the Pa300 includes a pristine amplification system, ensuring that the sound produced is of the highest quality. The enhanced RX (Real eXperience) sound engine then adds improved realism and vividness, making your music come alive.
9. Korg Pa5X 88 Professional Arranger Keyboard
Key Features
- EDS-XP (Enhanced Definition Synthesis-eXpanded) sound engine
- Four-by-four velocity-sensitive pad matrix
- Fully–weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch
Pros
- World-class synthesizer capabilities courtesy of the EDS-XP engine
- Intuitive user interface with an eight-inch touchscreen display
- Over 600 backing styles means you can perform and compose in practically every genre
Cons
- Heavier and not as portable as some other options
The Korg Pa5X 88 Professional Arranger Keyboard strikes a fine balance between an arranger and a workstation. It goes beyond an arranger in that it includes some premium-level synthesis capabilities, controls that allow for precise and in-depth interaction, and a huge range of sounds.
The instrument features the renowned EDS-XP (Enhanced Definition Synthesis-eXpanded) sound engine that delivers unrivalled sound clarity and depth, making it perfect for both studio recording and live performances. With the engine, you get 24 stereo oscillators and a 160-note polyphony for rich, powerful sound.
There’s also an extensive sound library, offering 2,200 factory sounds that pianos, orchestral, synths, and more. The Smooth Sound Transition then ensures you can crossfade between sounds or styles seamlessly.
The fully–weighted keys with velocity and aftertouch offer an incredible level of expressiveness that means you can add dynamics and emotion to your compositions and performances. Making this keyboard even more advanced, and allowing for easy navigation, the eight-inch touchscreen display shows you everything you need to see to access the Pa5X’s extensive array of features.
10. Yamaha PSR SX900 Digital Arranger
Key Features
- 1,337 voices and 525 styles
- Seven-inch touchscreen display
- 15W + 10W speakers
Pros
- An extensive array of high-quality sounds, including Revo! Drums
- Easy to use, making it suitable for beginners and professionals alike
- Joystick allows you to effortlessly control pitch bends and modulation
Cons
- Weighted keys may not be suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch
The Yamaha PSR SX900 Digital Arranger boasts a 61-key touch-sensitive keyboard that sets the stage for a realistic playing experience. A library boasting over 1,337 instrument voices, spanning acoustic pianos to brass, allows you to truly get creative, whilst unique additions such as Super Articulation Voices and MegaVoice technology contribute to an authentic and expressive sound.
To navigate through the sounds and manipulate them to your preferences, the seven-inch full-colour touchscreen sits front and centre. It lets you dive in immediately and start creating.
Plus, there’s an all-new joystick on the left-hand side of the unit, perfect for controlling pitch bends and modulation.
11. Roland E-X10 Portable Keyboard
Key Features
- Over 600 diverse tones
- Auto-accompaniment feature with full-band arrangements
- Built-in practice tools for skill development
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design
- Intuitive interface with dedicated buttons
- Includes a microphone input
Cons
- Might be a bit basic for more advanced musicians
If you want a no-fuss, all-rounder keyboard, the Roland E-X10 Portable Keyboard is perfect. This versatile instrument provides high-quality sound, featuring acoustic pianos and over 600 diverse tones, giving you an extensive sound library to support your creativity. Whether you’re composing or performing, you’ll have access to a wide range of expressive sounds.
Making your life easier when it comes to bringing your compositions to life is the auto-accompaniment feature. With full-band arrangements, this keyboard allows you to create and play along with complex music arrangements, enhancing your performances and adding depth to your compositions.
Additionally, the E-X10 comes equipped with built-in practice tools to help you develop and improve your skills. With 140 onboard songs, a metronome, and a lesson mode, you’ll have interactive learning opportunities right at your fingertips. The keyboard’s lightweight and compact design makes it perfect for musicians on the go. Whether you’re travelling between gigs or recording sessions, the E-X10 is easy to transport without sacrificing functionality.
The intuitive interface, complete with dedicated buttons, ensures effortless control over the keyboard’s features. You can easily navigate through the various tones, accompaniment styles, and settings, allowing you to focus on your music without getting lost in complicated menus.
Things to consider when buying a keyboard workstation
The number of sounds, and the quality of them
Workstations typically come with extensive sound libraries, but it’s crucial to ensure that the workstation has the specific sounds you need for your musical projects. Additionally, prioritise the realism and high quality of the sounds. It’s best to opt for a workstation that delivers lifelike and authentic sounds – they’re much nicer to hear than fake-sounding, heavily processed instruments!
Keyboard action
Keyboard workstations can have up to 88 keys, providing a wide range for composing and playing various musical pieces. However, if you choose a workstation with fewer than 88 keys, it’s likely that the keys won’t be weighted.
Weighted keys simulate the feel of an acoustic piano, offering a more realistic touch and response. If you value the piano-like playing experience and want to be able to add expression to your playing, consider an 88-key workstation with weighted keys. This will enable you to explore the dynamic range and nuances in your performance fully.
Type of synthesis
The type of synthesis determines the range of sounds and genres the keyboard excels in. A sample-playback synthesizer is ideal for reproducing acoustic instruments such as pianos, strings, and brass. On the other hand, analogue, wavetable, or FM synthesis is excellent for creating electronic music, with a focus on versatile and unique sound design capabilities.
Consider the specific genre and sonic palette you wish to explore and select a workstation with a type of synthesis that aligns with this.
What effects do you need?
It’s hugely beneficial to have access to a wide variety of effects. So, ensure that the workstation offers the specific effects you require for your music production or live performances. Whether it’s reverbs, delays, modulation effects, or amp simulations, having a comprehensive selection of effects will allow you to create depth, texture, and sonic richness in your compositions.
Additionally, prioritise workstations that provide an intuitive and user-friendly interface for quickly accessing and manipulating these effects.
User interface
The user interface of a keyboard workstation plays a crucial role in your workflow and ease of use. Look for a workstation that offers an intuitive and accessible user interface, with easily reachable knobs, controls, and buttons. This will ensure that you can make adjustments and navigate through the various functions efficiently, without hindering your creative process.
A well-designed user interface minimises the time spent on menu diving and maximises your focus on music creation.
RAM/ROM
RAM refers to the amount of memory available for sampling, allowing you to store and manipulate your sounds and samples. ROM, on the other hand, allows you to add a memory card with additional songs and content.
Extra accessories
It’s important to factor everything into your budget, and this includes all the additional things you’ll need after purchasing your workstation. Whether it’s cables, headphones, monitors, or a stand (we recommend the stylish modul piano stand), make space for these in your practice or performance area and ensure they fit within your budget.
FAQs
Are keyboard workstations worth it?
Keyboard workstations are worth it for professional musicians and composers who require a wide range of sounds, versatile functionality, and advanced features in a single instrument. In fact, these are one of the most important tools in a studio, and they can be used for live performances, too.
Why are workstations expensive?
Workstations tend to be expensive due to the combination of advanced features, high-quality sound engines, and extensive capabilities they offer. These instruments are designed to provide a wide range of sounds, exceptional performance, and professional-grade audio processing.
Should I get a keyboard or synthesizer?
The choice between a keyboard and a synthesizer depends on your specific musical needs and preferences. A keyboard workstation offers a comprehensive package, combining the functionalities of a keyboard, synthesizer, and arranger. On the other hand, a standalone synthesizer focuses primarily on sound synthesis and sound design capabilities, allowing for more intricate sonic exploration.
Final thoughts
So, there we have it! We’ve covered the best keyboard workstations, showing a wide range of options for various budgets, experience levels, and needs. Hopefully, you’ve found the right one for you. If you want to learn about the specific distinctions between workstations and arrangers, take a look at our workstations vs. arrangers guide. Got the bug for upgrading your studio further? We’ve also compiled our favourite audio interfaces.
0 Comments