One of the best Keyboard Reviews Ever on KZread. Straight to the Main points. Nice comparison with 2 similar keyboards, especially for musicians in NZ.

I bought a SP4200 2 years ago, was going to get a Roland at 4x the price but was just beginning, I needed to see was I dreaming or would I actually play piano, so I went with this extremely affordable unit. I now have 4 keyboards, including the Roland (I always loved Roland products) but I find the Medeli is my everyday, go to keyboard. I thought it was a phenominal value. The features and versatility for the price is amazing. I dont use any of the gadgets (rhytm presets, recording, etc etc) just the keyboard. A lovely, realistic feel, weighted and dynamic. - The only believable sax sound I've found yet- tho only useful for about an octave. Im not a Medeli salesman lol but I cannot believe this board is not a much bigger name in the marketplace. So many keyboards under $600 are advanced toys, this is a real instrument. Also still has midi ports which are so valuable to the old school guys like me but seem to be disappearing. Try this board, check the price and look at others. I think the Medeli is great, especially at the price, but just a great instument period. (stage pianos generally do not have built in speakers, I LOVE that this does. and when I dont want the speakers, I plug a 1/4" plug into the headphone jack and there is no speaker play but still have internal volume for recording.) I never post stuff like this but the Medeli really surprised me and I still play it every day.

@ericallen774

Жыл бұрын

Oh Btw I'm in US but I love NZ music!!!!

@Songwriter74

Жыл бұрын

Hi Eric, that's a great review. There is no doubt that for the price and included feature set, the Medeli has what it takes. I would like to see them bring out a mid-range keyboard with further improved build quality and durability, marketed more for the 'touring' live performer, but I just don't know if that is going to happen. Thanks!

@ericallen774

Жыл бұрын

@@Songwriter74 I agree with you! I would be interested in seeing higher end Medeli products. As it is I have too many keyboards lol, but im sure you know how that goes. Thanks for telling people about this great entry level board that you can go on playing for years. I really love the feel.

Hello! Have you tried other d-pianos like Kurzweil Ka90 or Casio px160? If so, can you tell me ho× is the hammer action compared with those?

@Songwriter74

3 жыл бұрын

Hi the KA-90 is just another Medeli (SP4000) as far as I am concerned, but at a more expensive price - presumably it comes out of the same factory. As for the Casio, some do feel good to play; I've tried the PX-160 in-store and wasn't overly excited - mainly due I think to the lesser range of features for the price, and the plastic-look. The textured keys on some of the more expensive Casios in the PX range do have a nice look/touch though, and feel quite natural to play.

Hi , thanks a lot for this review. I have some questions. Do you advice this piano for a beginner? How is the feeling of the key (like a real piano, touch of the key, the weight , the response of the "hammer") ? Thank you again.

@Songwriter74

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, yes absolutely either of these keyboards are very suitable for beginners. The SP201 does have 'graded hammer action' which makes it closer to the feel of a real piano, but in fact the weighted action on both are good. The grand piano/built-in speakers are of good sound quality also; the SP4200 does have the advantage of one touch programmable buttons. If using these keyboards at home, I would recommend the addition of the wooden stand and unit pedal, the latter of which more closely resembles those found on an acoustic piano (as opposed to just plugging in a standard sustain pedal). Let me know if you have any other questions.

@glo516

2 жыл бұрын

@@Songwriter74 Many thanks for your reply. I haven't think about the wooden stand. I had planned to buy a simple X support for the piano, before your feedback. I will consider your precious advice. about the recording sound , I saw that it's possible to define a specific sound by using the Bluetooth (of the SP201 plus, here in Belgium I will certainly go for a Thomann DP28Plus) and then save the sound you create. So my idea is to use the piano most of the time without using the applications and if at one moment I really want to build my own sound then I will open the App... we will see , I am one finger beginner pianist ;o). Again thank's a lot for your feedback.

Can you disable the internal sound on the sp201? "Local off" function?so i can use it speakers with my VST instruments? And if yes. How?

@Songwriter74

2 жыл бұрын

On both these keyboards there is no software setting available for disabling the internal speakers. You can however achieve this by inserting a quarter inch jack into the headphone socket - which does the job fine. If using MIDI software/plug in's (for recording/live performance) via the USB connection on the SP201, the regular on-board keyboard sound will still come through the internal speakers unless you do the above, OR turn the master volume on the keyboard all the way down. MIDI information will be transmitted to your external speakers via the same USB connection (independent of the keyboard volume control); whereas the on-board sound (E.g. grand piano) is sent via the audio out - and in this case only if the volume is turned up of course. So in fact you can have SEPARATE keyboard and MIDI sound information being sent to your external speakers by using BOTH the audio out and USB connections simultaneously (where the USB would be interfaced with MIDI software on your laptop for example, then outputted to your mixer, and the Medeli's audio out would be connected directly to the mixer). There is no local on/off setting as such. Hopefully that addresses your question. Thanks.

I heard issues with the headphone output. There would be a buzzing noise on them, you know anything about it?

@Songwriter74

3 жыл бұрын

It's been known to happen on the Medeli when the jack connection works loose through constant use; see my Medeli SP4200 repair videos for more info on this.

Firstly, thank you for the in depth review. I am starting to learn piano & am on a tight budget. I will be buying from Thomann. Is there any difference in the keybed between these 2 models? Is it noticeable? It will be placed on a pull out drawer under my desk in home studio so weight not an issue. The speakers not necassary as I will be using my monitoring set up. Can they be de-activated? A massive FAILTE from Ireland!

@Songwriter74

3 жыл бұрын

Hi I've been using this new keyboard for a few weeks now and I don't think there is a big difference in the keybed feel between the two models. Mainly it comes down to the piano sound/tone - I think the SP201 has a more natural sound in the upper register - I particularly like the 'Japanese Grand Piano'. But I've gone back to using my SP4200 on the road as it has more options. I think the SP201 is better suited as a home piano, which appears to be how you plan to use it. The speakers can be deactivated by inserting a 1/4" or 1/8" jack plug into the headphone socket(s). Cheers.

@kevc6115

3 жыл бұрын

@@Songwriter74 Thanks Craig. That is helpful to know. I might actually go for the SP5600 (4200) with the extra features. Although the DP-28 looks nicer. Thomann are only currently carrying the Plus model with bluetooth which doesn't appeal to me. The 5600 is €20 cheaper.

@deividdi5779

3 жыл бұрын

@@kevc6115 @Craig Hallen Hello there, wich one have the better piano sound? I was just going to buy the 4200 but found this new model and review. I know the 4200 has more sounds and options as you said, but as piano student, I won't be recording me or using the whole catalogue, that's why I wanted to buy the one with the better piano sound in your opinion. Thanks in advanced

@kevc6115

3 жыл бұрын

@@deividdi5779 Hi Craig. I didn't get to try out any pianos as I do not live near a music store. I purchased the SP5200 from Thomann. The Piano sound is ok for me. As I said I am a complete beginner. I am only 2 months into my lessons. I am happy with the piano but I can see myself upgrading in a year. I was considering the KORG D5 for the quality of the keybed and good quality sounds but the price was a little to high. If I was to make the decision today I would have waited and bought the Korg.

@deividdi5779

3 жыл бұрын

@@kevc6115 Hello, is it worth just for the piano sound? Thanks

Hi. Between Medeli sp4000 (not sp4200) and sp201. Which you recommend? Thanks.

@Songwriter74

Жыл бұрын

G'day, I've not taken a particularly close look at it, but I do note that the SP4000 is not listed on the Medeli.com.hk website any longer, so presumably it is no longer a current model. From what I do know of the SP4000, I am not a fan of the cloth-covered speaker grills, and the 64 note polyphony is a bit below 'standard'. It depends what you are looking for however. The SP201 is great with it's 'graded hammer action' keyboard and overall sleek look, but the lack of one touch programmable keys is a complete let-down, in my opinion - neither one solves all these problems unfortunately. I've said it before and will keep saying it, Medeli need to hurry up and produce a keyboard that professional stage performance users want, and frankly they are lagging in that department. Currently the SP4200 is the best they have on offer in that market space. Cheers

I am trying to find a graded 88 key instrument that I can afford, I am not interested in the built-in sounds but would like to use it with external synths or some VSTis (Rhodes, Wurli, ...) But it's rather hard to find good infos. The thing is, that I would actually need a midi controller keyboard, but the only thing that seems to fit my needs is the M-Audio Hammer Pro for more than 600 Euros. Other options are even more expensive. I need midi out (not just USB, the real thing) and a split function. Naturally I found the Medeli/Fame/Thomann pianos for 2/3s of the price very interesting. The product infos are just not relieable. For example, a few years back I almost wanted to spend 600 on a controller, but I didn't, because thomann said it has no split zones. After I spend my money elsewhere, I watched a youtube video and found out, that thing had 4 !!! zones, not zero. lol I can't make informed decisions like that ;-) And I don't want to order and return 4 models just to test their capabilities. Anyways, years later, I watched hundreds of vids and read 1000s of customer reviews. Still no clue what to get. Videos like yours are a great help to find out what's up with these instruments. thanks a lot!

@abbesatty9498

2 жыл бұрын

If your primal goal is to use it as MIDI controller, then you better off with M-Audio Hammar or similar controller. I have a Thomann SP5600 but was never satisfied with it as a MIDI controller as, among other problems, I couldn't find suitable velocity curve that suits my VST (Pianoteq), so I opted to my old reliable Korg sp250 instead. In a term of INs and OUTs , the SP5600 seems to have plenty of them, however, I'm not sure about their integrity/reliability, particularity when it comes to MIDI.

If the price is not the case, which one do you prefer sp201+ or sp4200?

@Songwriter74

3 жыл бұрын

It's a bit early to say as I have only just purchased this, but from a portability/simplicity point of view I can see clear advantages with using the SP201 as my main gigging instrument. I particularly like the sound of the 'warm piano' on the SP201 & especially the top end notes in general; overall the keys do perhaps feel slightly better and closer to that of an acoustic piano's keys. As a studio/home piano I think the SP4200 is tough to beat however - owing to the number of built in voices (600 in total) etc which is great for recording/production. I'll probably do another video on the SP201 as I gain more experience with it out on the road.

Hallo, having to choice,aldo piano sound , witch is the best?

@Songwriter74

Жыл бұрын

There's not much in it, the SP201 perhaps has a bit of an edge when a bit of separate EQ is added, and there are 3 main GRAND piano sounds rather than just the 1 found on the SP4200 (although none are that much a cut above the SP4200 in my view). The internal speakers on the the SP4200 are miles better however, perhaps due to the way they are housed. The touch response on the SP201 is superior which can lead to a more enjoyable piano playing experience overall. Hope that helps.

Just curious on the SP4200 sequencer. Can you record six individual tracks? The spec says 5 melody + 1 accompaniment.

@Songwriter74

2 жыл бұрын

I think 6 is correct. The accompaniment track can be whatever you want it to be - i.e. an actual rhythm track, piano accompaniment etc.

Sp201 or Yamaha p125??

@Songwriter74

Жыл бұрын

No MIDI or AUX IN on the P125, so for the money my pick is the SP201. I actually quite like the the feel of the keyboard on the SP201 with the graded hammer action; sound-wise I can't really comment as to which is better between the Yamaha/Medeli, but have found that I get an improved piano sound on the SP201 if I run it through a mixer and adjust the EQ.

how is the midi response?

@Songwriter74

2 жыл бұрын

Good enough, no issues

@abbesatty9498

2 жыл бұрын

Not that great.

nem pra ligar os teclados