Best keyboard for Worship – we hope you learned a thing or two about selecting a keyboard for church worship and have found one that will work for you perfectly. Stay tuned for more music reviews soon!
o to go along with this post we’ve created a FREE Video Series On Creating Worship Keyboard Sounds From Scratch that will walk you step by step on creating some powerful keyboard sound that you’ll use over and over again.
OVERVIEW
If you’ve ever wanted to get started building keyboard sounds like the pros, or already know how to but want to learn some new powerful tips and tricks, this is the video series for you. (Check out the video at the bottom of this post for more information)
ROUND UP
Here’s a list of the top 10 qualities you should consider when searching for your perfect keyboard for worship.
back to menu ↑1.AKAI Professional MPK
Features
- Music Production and Beat Maker Essential - USB powered MIDI controller with 25 mini MIDI keyboard velocity-sensitive keys for studio production, virtual synthesizer control and beat production
- Total Control of your Production - Innovative 4-way thumbstick for dynamic pitch and modulation control, plus a built-in arpeggiator with adjustable resolution, range and modes
- The MPC Experience - 8 backlit velocity-sensitive MPC-style MIDI beat pads with Note Repeat & Full Level for programming drums, triggering samples and controlling virtual synthesizer / DAW controls
- Complete Command of your Virtual Instruments and FX - 8 360-degree knobs assign to all your music studio plugins for mixing, tweaking synth controls and more
- 1500+ Sounds and Everything You Need for Pro Production - Complete Music Production Starter Kit including MPC Beats, 6 Virtual Instruments and 2GB of sound content
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2.CORSAIR K70
Features
- Aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame, built to withstand a lifetime of gaming
- 8MB profile storage with hardware macro and lighting playback allow access to up to three stored profiles on the go, independent of external software
- Per-key dynamic multi-color RGB backlighting offers near unlimited color customization and control
- CHERRY MX Silent mechanical key switches provide the reliability and accuracy you demand, with up to 30% less noise
- USB Pass-through port provides convenient access to an additional USB port for your mouse or headset
- CORSAIR iCUE software enables vivid dynamic lighting control, sophisticated macro programming and full-system lighting synchronization across compatible CORSAIR peripherals, coolers, fans and more
- Keyboard Connectivity: Wired , Keyboard Cable Type: Braided
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3.Nord Stage 3
Features
- Two super-clear OLED displays for on-stage clarity, seamless transitions when changing programs/sounds, extended Split functionality with optional crossfade, and the addition of the new Song List Mode
- Greatly enhanced Piano section features doubled memory (2 GB) for the exclusive Nord Piano Library, 120 voice polyphony and creative new Piano Filters
- Award-winning C2D Organ simulations B3 Tone wheel and Vintage Transistor Organs plus 2 new Principal Pipe Organs
- Synth section features the acclaimed Nord Lead A1 Synth Engine combined with Sample Playback and a brilliant OLED display for all Oscillator functions
- Effect section features a brand new Filter Effect, extended morphable parameters, an enhanced Delay effect and a separate Reverb and Compressor for each slot
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4.Gator Cases Padded Keyboard
Features
- Fits Most Slim 88 Note Keyboards
- Heavy Duty Rugged Nylon Construction
- Adjustable Padded Secure Straps Secure Keyboard Inside. Handles 2 Webbed Nylon
- Reinforced Comfort Riveted Carry Handles
- Interior dimensions is 53 length x 15 width x 6 height. Exterior dimensions is 59 length x 17.5 width x 6.25 height in inches
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5.Korg SV-2
Features
- 88-key Stage Vintage Piano with RH3 Hammer Action
- 64 Instant-access Presets
- 72 Instrument Sounds
- Valve React Circuit
- 128-note Polyphony
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6.Casio PX-770
Features
- Dimensions: 54.76" x 11.77" x 31.42" | Weight: 69.45 lbs
- The Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II keyboard has an incredible feel and captures the dynamics of a performance with unparalleled speed and accuracy
- Includes a powerful stereo amplification system offering an optimal listening experience that is crystal-clear across the entire audio spectrum
- Duet Mode splits the piano into two equal pitch ranges, allowing a student and teacher to sit at the same instrument
- Concert Play allows you to play along with ten recordings of well-known orchestral pieces
- Connect the piano to any Mac or Windows device without the need for drivers or installation via the class-compliant USB
- Connect to your iOS or Android device to use the free Chordana Play app, which uses the display to show you how to play your favorite songs
- The AiR engine provides highly-accurate grand piano sounds with seamless dynamics for a remarkably expressive and powerful performance
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7.Elgato Stream Deck
Features
- 15 LCD keys: Tap to switch scenes, launch media, adjust audio and more
- Fully customizable: Personalize keys with custom icons or choose from hundreds
- Direct integration: Control game capture, OBS, XSplit, TipeeeStream, Twitch, YouTube, Mixer, and more
- Easy setup: Simply drag and drop actions onto keys in the app
- Unlimited control: Nest folders within folders to store as many actions as you want
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8.Novation Launchkey
Features
- Deep and intuitive Ableton Live control - including device Macro control, track select, record, capture MIDI, clip and scene launch, stop/mute/solo, volume, pans and sends
- Creative arpeggiator – easy to use but deeply controllable: change rhythm, beat, pattern, octave, Gate and more
- Fixed chord Mode – play a chord with one finger - assign a fixed chord shape to the keys and it’ll transpose as you move up and down the keyboard
- Midi out – take launchkey mini anywhere, send apps and program changes to your hardware synths, or add keys to your groove box directly over MIDI
- Hardware - our finest mini keymech to date, 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, eight rotary controls, pitch and Mod touch strips, and sustain input. Novation now offers a 3-Year Warranty on this and all other Novation products.
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9.Arturia KeyLab
Features
- 49-note MIDI Controller Keyboard with Aftertouch
- 5 Expression Control Inputs - Black
- 16 RGB Backlit Perfmance Pads
- 9 Rotary Encoders
- 9 Large Faders
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10.Yamaha P121
Features
- A lighter and more portable version of the Yamaha P125
- A fully weighted digital piano with 73 full-sized piano-style keys
- GHS weighted action is heavier in the low keys and lighter in the high keys, just like an acoustic piano
- The pure CF sound engine faithfully reproduces the tone of the acclaimed Yamaha 9' CFIIIS Concert Grand piano
- USB to host connectivity with MIDI and audio transfer means you only need one Cable to connect to your music-making software
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Best keyboard for Worship – BUYER’S GUIDE
back to menu ↑The Weight Of The Keyboard
If you’re going to setting up and tearing down, hauling your keyboard back in forth in your car, you’ll definitely want to take the actual weight of the keyboard into your consideration. A full-size keyboard with 88 full weighted keys can weigh from 40-50lbs.
This is learned from LOTS of experience!
back to menu ↑The Weight Of The Keys
As a rule of thumb, we don’t like to go below semi-weighted keys. You’ll see all of the options below are at-least semi-weighted. This is a personal preference but consider what you’re used to playing and the style of music and sounds you’ll be using.
If you’re playing primarily aux keys parts like synths, you may like the semi-weighted keys. But if you’re playing primarily piano or organ, you’ll probably prefer the feel of fully-weighted keys. Especially if you learned piano on an actual piano and not a keyboard.
back to menu ↑The Number Of Keys
Again, this goes into your preference and style of music you’re playing. A full set of 88 keys would be your preference if you are playing primarily piano and organ parts.
But if you’re playing those aux keys parts, you can definitely get by without the full set of keys. There is also aways a transpose button should you want to change octaves.
back to menu ↑Faders, Knobs, and Buttons
If you’re going to be using midi and controlling your sounds via your computer, you’re not going to want to have to keep reaching over and adjusting sounds on your small mousepad. And many modern worship sounds are dynamic where you are changing the sound as you are playing.
The more faders, knobs, & buttons means more in-set control of different things like cutoff, reverb, delay, which patch you’re playing, track triggering, tap tempo, lighting control, etc.
You can also opt for an external controller with knobs and buttons as well. But we’ll talk about that another time.
back to menu ↑Frequently Asked Questions
back to menu ↑Just a MIDI controller or built-in keyboard sounds?
Most keyboards these days come with a USB out for midi capability, but if you’re primarily playing piano or organ sounds, you may want to opt for a keyboard with great built-in sounds (Options 5-9 below).
Especially if the style you are playing is more traditional, you may not be too concerned about MIDI and using software.
However, if the style you are playing is geared more towards synths, pads, and creative sounds, you might consider saving some $$$ and get a midi controller and run your sounds from a computer.
back to menu ↑WRAP UP
Especially with the thousands of keyboards & pianos that are out there to choose from. It’s tough to decide what’s best for your church or your worship band.
So we put together this list to save you the hassle of tons of trial and error that our team has gone through over the past 10+ years. We have a lot of experience with the keyboards mentioned in this post and we stand behind each one. Especially when it comes to the functionality that is used specifically in a worship setting.
Because of all of the sounds used in modern worship music these days like pads, strings, pulsing synths, etc. this list is exclusively keyboards that have MIDI capabilities.
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