Professional Flagship Keyboards

Once you step into the world of professional keyboards, the conversation changes.

You're no longer comparing "good" and "bad" instruments. Every keyboard in this guide is capable of professional work, and every one of them can be found on concert stages, in recording studios, theatre pits, churches and television productions around the world.

At this level, the biggest differences aren't the number of sounds or the length of the feature list. They're the things you notice after hundreds of hours behind the keyboard: the feel of the key action, the speed of the workflow, the quality of the sounds, and how quickly you can move between them under pressure.

It's also worth understanding that not all flagship keyboards are trying to do the same job.

Some are stage pianos, designed primarily for players who need exceptional piano sounds, realistic key feel and a straightforward live performance workflow. Many of these also include excellent clonewheel organ engines, giving you authentic Hammond-style sounds without needing a second instrument.

Others are workstations. These are complete music production environments, combining synthesis, sequencing, sampling and deep sound design with an enormous library of sounds. They're designed for players who need one keyboard capable of handling almost any musical situation, whether that's composing in the studio, running a theatre show or touring with a major artist.

That distinction is important because the "best" keyboard is simply the one that's built for the way you work. A pianist who spends every night behind an acoustic piano has very different priorities to a producer programming synths all day, and neither is likely to be happy if they buy the other's instrument.

The keyboards below represent some of the best professional instruments currently available. Rather than ranking them from best to worst, we've grouped them by the type of work they're designed to do, making it easier to compare instruments that serve a similar purpose.

Whether you're putting together your first professional rig or looking to upgrade a keyboard that's served you well for years, these are the instruments worth having on your shortlist.

Professional Stage Pianos

Designed for players who primarily need exceptional piano sounds and key feel.

Yamaha CP88

Best for: Pianists.

The CP88 keeps things simple. Rather than trying to be everything, it focuses on delivering outstanding acoustic and electric pianos with an interface that's incredibly easy to use.

Pros

• Excellent acoustic pianos
• Fantastic Rhodes, Wurly and Clavinet sounds
• Superb wooden key action
• Simple, intuitive layout

Cons

• Limited synth capabilities
• No workstation features

Perfect for: Piano-based gigs, jazz, theatre and singer-songwriter work.

Roland RD-2000

Best for: Professional pianists and master keyboard users.

The RD-2000 has been a favourite amongst touring keyboard players for years. Roland's piano sounds are excellent, and its ability to control external keyboards makes it a popular choice for larger rigs.

Pros

• Superb piano sounds
• Excellent electric pianos
• Fantastic MIDI controller capabilities
• Highly configurable live setup

Cons

• Interface takes a little time to learn
• Less focused on synth programming

Perfect for: Players running multiple keyboards or software instruments.

Kawai MP11SE

Best for: Players who want the closest thing to a concert grand.

The MP11SE has one of the finest key actions you'll find on any stage piano. If touch is your highest priority, it's difficult to overlook.

Pros

• Exceptional wooden key action
• Beautiful piano sounds
• Outstanding build quality

Cons

• Heavy
• Limited non-piano sounds

Perfect for: Classical, jazz and serious piano players.

Professional Stage Keyboards

These are Stage Pianos with further Clonewheel technology for emulating the Hammond organ

Designed for players who need fast access to great sounds on stage without the complexity of a full workstation.

 

Yamaha YC88

Best for: Working keyboardists.

The YC88 feels purpose-built for live performance. Excellent pianos, convincing organs, useful synth sounds and one of the best user interfaces around.

Pros

• Fantastic key action
• Excellent pianos
• Great organ engine with physical drawbars
• Extremely fast workflow

Cons

• Limited workstation features
• Less suited to deep sound design

Perfect for: Cover bands, theatre, churches, cruise ships and function work.

Nord Stage

Best for: Professional live performance.

The Nord Stage has become something of an industry standard. It isn't trying to be a workstation. Instead, it delivers outstanding pianos, organs and synths with probably the fastest live workflow available.

Pros

• Outstanding piano library
• Excellent Hammond emulation
• Powerful synth engine
• Intuitive controls
• Exceptional build quality

Cons

• Premium price
• Limited sequencing and workstation features

Perfect for: Professional gigging musicians.

Nord Electro

Best for: Piano and organ players.

The Electro strips away much of the Stage's synth capability and focuses on the sounds many keyboard players use every night.

Pros

• Excellent piano sounds
• Brilliant organs
• Lightweight
• Very easy to use

Cons

• Limited synth section (until this years announcement of the Nord Electro 7)
• Not every model has weighted keys

Perfect for: Players who primarily use piano, Rhodes and Hammond sounds.

Professional Workstations

Designed to be complete music production environments capable of handling everything from live performance to studio production.

Yamaha Montage M

Best for: Production, composing and touring.

The Montage M is Yamaha's flagship workstation and one of the most powerful keyboards available today. If you can imagine the sound, chances are the Montage can create it.

Pros

• Outstanding acoustic and synth sounds
• Massive sound library
• Deep synthesis engines
• Excellent DAW integration

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• More power than many players require

Perfect for: Producers, composers and musical directors.

Roland Fantom

Best for: Modern production and live performance.

Roland have packed an enormous amount of technology into the Fantom. It comfortably handles studio production, sequencing and live performance without feeling compromised in either environment.

Pros

• Powerful synth engine
• Excellent workstation features
• Great sequencing
• Fantastic live performance capabilities

Cons

• Takes time to master
• Can feel overwhelming initially

Perfect for: Touring professionals and producers.

Korg Kronos

Best for: Maximum versatility.

The Kronos has earned legendary status amongst professional keyboard players. It's appeared in theatre pits, cruise ships, recording studios and touring productions across the world for good reason.

Pros

• Nine synthesis engines
• Huge sound library
• Excellent orchestral sounds
• Extremely flexible

Cons

• Older operating system philosophy
• Significant learning curve

Perfect for: Theatre musicians, session players and anyone covering a huge variety of sounds.

Korg Nautilus

Best for: Players wanting Kronos power at a lower price.

The Nautilus shares much of its DNA with the Kronos, delivering many of the same sounds and synthesis engines in a more streamlined package.

Pros

• Excellent sound library
• Powerful synthesis
• Great value for the performance on offer

Cons

• Fewer physical controls than the Kronos
• Workflow isn't as immediate

Perfect for: Players wanting workstation capability without paying flagship Kronos prices.

Kurzweil K2700

Best for: Theatre, orchestral work and serious programming.

Kurzweil have always had a loyal following amongst professional keyboard players. The K2700 continues that tradition with superb orchestral sounds, deep programming and exceptional flexibility.

Pros

• Outstanding orchestral sounds
• Powerful VAST synthesis engine
• Excellent keyboard action
• Extremely flexible

Cons

• Smaller user community
• Harder to find in music shops

Perfect for: Theatre musicians, composers and players wanting maximum programming flexibility.

They’re All Good

At this level, you're not choosing between good and bad keyboards. Every instrument in this guide is capable of professional work.

Instead, ask yourself one question:

What type of player am I?

If you're primarily a pianist, a stage piano is probably the right fit.

If you spend every weekend playing in bands, theatre productions or function work, a stage keyboard will give you quick access to the sounds you need with a workflow designed for live performance.

If you compose, produce, sequence or need one keyboard capable of handling almost any musical situation, a workstation is likely the better choice.

The best advice I can give is to spend an afternoon in a music shop and play as many of them as you can. At this level, key action, workflow and the overall playing experience matter far more than comparing spec sheets. The keyboard that feels the most natural under your hands is usually the right one.