General Operations of Digital Pianos

General Operations of Digital Pianos

Introduction

Hello reader. Today, I have assembled some more helpful information on the next steps after buying your digital piano, as well as some general housekeeping and operation tips. This is not a comprehensive guide by any means, but a good start in getting the most out of your instrument. So to start with, if you are looking to buy a digital piano from Fair Deal Music, you won’t need to worry about the setup; we will cover that for you and save you the hassle, and deliver it right to your doorstep. Once we arrive, we will place it wherever you choose. 

Location, Location, Location 

Make sure you pick out a good spot for your digital piano to go. While digital pianos are much less sensitive to temperature, try to avoid direct sunlight as this can make the cabinet fade. This may come as a shock, but digital pianos need electricity, so make sure you choose a suitable location next to a socket. Also, try to find a socket where the piano won’t have to share with another appliance to avoid interference.

The Sound of Music 

Be aware of acoustics when choosing a location, different floorings or furniture will change the way the piano sounds when played aloud, as the sounds bounce off these surfaces. Choosing a good area can help make your digital piano sound better. However, acoustics need not be a worry if you’re choosing to use headphones. If you want to connect headphones to your digital piano, just stick your headphones into the relevant output hole on the digital piano, and you’re away. With some digital pianos like the Yamaha Clavinova range’s intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) (link this), the EQs of your bass are automatically adjusted to suit the needs of your room so that you still get clarity at whatever volume you’re playing at. 

MIDI

If your digital piano has MIDI capabilities, you can use your digital piano as a MIDI controller. Simply plug a MIDI (or printer) cable into the relevant hole and the USB into your desktop or laptop, and you’re up and running.  This also means that you can use your digital piano in combination with a laptop DAW like Ableton or software like Audacity, enabling you to record sound from your digital piano. 

Storage

If you need to store your digital piano, try to avoid storing it vertically. Storing it vertically can damage the hammer action on the keys over time, as they are normally pulled down by gravity. You can store your digital piano vertically if you must, but be very gentle with it to avoid any breaks or damage, and it’s not something we recommend long term. 

Squeaky Clean

Ever wondered how to clean a digital piano? Well, it’s rather straightforward. A microfiber cloth works excellently at removing dust from the keys. Dust your digital piano frequently to avoid dust buildup, as dust can damage the keys and electronics. You can also use a glass cleaner like the one offered by Mister Muscle (other brands are available) or slightly soapy water if dirt cannot be removed with a dry cloth. However, only ever slightly dampen the cloth or spray the cleaning products onto the cloth first in small doses, to avoid any damage to the keys by allowing liquids to seep in. For these reasons, keep liquids away from your piano, ensure your hands are dry before using, and finally, use the dust cover to prevent any buildup of dust on the keys. These are instruments that will last a lifetime and hold value too if well-maintained!