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Listening to a beautifully sculpted piano piece like the Clair de Lune on a starry, summer night absolutely takes people’s breath away, even after all these years of listening to it on repeat. That Debussy classic is only one of many piano pieces that influenced many and millions of others around the world to pick up the keys and make it their hobby or even their career. Today, we have a wide variety of keys to choose from – those that cost as little as a meal to those that cost more than whole houses. In this article, we will review the top arranger keyboards to consider for beginners.
However, before considering Arranger Keyboards, we need to look at the different types of keyboards you can now purchase. There are a myriad of options, from arranger workstations for intermediate performers, synthesisers for music producers, MIDI keyboards for DAW control, and hybrids like the Keytar and ROLI Boards for the daring. Each has a purpose in the music industry, but Arranger Keyboard/Workstations are highly sought-after for their multi-functionality and ease of portability.
Now, onto Arranger keyboard/workstations.
Arranger Keyboards are generally recognized as digital keyboards that offer pre-loaded styles (auto-generated riffs), a variety of voices, and relevant accompaniments to put arrangements together. While the line between digital synth-workstations (with knobs, levels, and audio manipulation tools) and arrangers are blurring everyday, the single most significant aspect of an arranger is its capability of being a standalone tool for a one-person band. While many argue that arrangers do not output quality sound, this fact is heavily discredited by the newer, more affordable yet versatile options arranger workstations have these days. From beginners to live performers, some of our picks are listed below:
THE BUDGET OPTION - ROLAND E-X30 ARRANGER KEYBOARD
The E-X30 is an aptly priced arranger for those looking to foray into the world of arranger keyboards. This model is a step up from the likes of Yamaha’s PSR E373s and E473s, and Casio’s CT and LK range. Sporting quality, dual speakers and 256 polyphony voices and styles to get you started, the E-X30 is the perfect option for a low-budget beginner’s key that can also function as a backup key in the future. As an add-on benefit, the keyboard comes pre-loaded with ethnic tunes for higher levels of clarity and tone. Our only issue with this model is the feel of the keybed. We understand that Roland had to cut costs somewhere to make their EX range affordable. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, consider the Roland E-X20.
MOST FUNCTIONAL - ROLAND E-A7 EXPANDABLE ARRANGER ARABIC KEYBOARD
The Roland EA7 was a revolutionary product back in 2015 when it launched. The arranger came with two screens and redefined the extent of functionality and expressiveness an arranger could hope to achieve. This would be a perfect pick if you’re looking for a reliable brand and model that is still keeping with the times and has a renowned piano tone. This is also an option to consider if you’re migrating from a Roland keyboard. The learning curve would be less steep. It also helps that this model is lighter than many arrangers in the market.
THE VALUE PICK - YAMAHA PSR SX900 61-KEY ARRANGER WORKSTATION
These are our hottest selling, new arranger range from Yamaha. The premium feeling SX900 is just a smidge below the highest range of products Yamaha has to offer. They also finally updated all the age-old handicaps like the black and white non-touchscreen and slow load speeds to a colour LCD touch screen, better keybed feel, and a faster, more capable arranger keyboard. This now features a third partition to the key voices, 1337+ Voices, 525 Styles, all controlled via rubberized buttons and a 7 inch TFT Wide VGA LCD colour touchscreen. If you’re looking to save a few bucks and don’t want all the nuanced features of the SX900, we highly recommend the sibling, the SX700 instead. The cheaper AED4299 option has most of the features of the SX900 except Bluetooth connectivity, higher storage space, and a built-in chord-looper (main differences).
A PERFECT KEYBOARD TO BEGIN - YAMAHA PSR-SX600 61-KEY ARRANGER WORKSTATION
A mid-range arranger workstation keyboard, the PSR-SX700 is ideal for musicians looking for professional functionality and quality at a lower cost. It has an enormous sounds collection featuring more than 1,000 voices as well as 400 styles, a redesigned user interface, plus a feature set that supports a wide range of musical genres. With its color touchscreen, assignable knobs, and expressive control joystick, the PSR-SX700 provides a seamless and easy-to-use playing experience. It has a 16-track music recorder and lets you import & playback audio files for creative experimentation. The PSR-SX700 offers a complete choice for artists who prioritize performance and adaptability, even though it lacked the high-end capabilities of the SX900.
THE ARTIST'S SELECTION - YAMAHA PSR-SX700 61-KEY ARRANGER WORKSTATION
For intermediate and performance artists, the PSR-SX700, one level lower compared to the top-of-the-line SX900, offers a compelling blend of functionality and cost. With a redesigned user interface and a color touchscreen for easy operation, this arranger workstation is impressive. An extensive sound repertoire for discovering any genre is provided by more than 1000 top-notch voices and 400 background genres. Real-time control and expressive playing are made possible with a joystick plus assignable knobs. The 16-track music recorder and audio file import and playing capabilities would be appreciated by creatives. The PSR-SX700 is an excellent option for musicians who wish to advance their music since it has exceptional performance skills and adaptability, even though it lacks some of the best features of the SX900.
