Pianote Prima Review

Meet The Pianote Prima – Arguably The Best Value For Beginners On The Market

When I first received the Pianote Prima, I had no idea what to expect, outside of the fact that I’ve been following Pianote and have great respect for what they’ve done in the online piano lessons world, basically revolutionizing the way to learn piano online. The Pianote Prima digital piano is geared towards beginners and built specifically for pianists to learn via the Pianote platform. 

Quick Opinion: The Pianote Prima exceeded my expectations and this is truly a great option for beginners looking to get involved in the incredible piano community, that is Pianote.

So, does the Pianote Prima fare well against the best beginner digital pianos and others near its price point? I believe it does. However, there is a catch. What helps make the Prima such a steal is the deal you get for Pianote lessons, which we will dive into in further detail.

My Pros and Cons

Pros

• Realistic Key Feel
• Best overall value for the price-point with the bundled lessons
• Seamless Bluetooth connectivity, which paired with my phone immediately
• Speakers are plenty loud
• Incredible value when paired with Pianote’s bundled online piano lessons
• Easy connectivity
• Unique, deep build
• Double headphone jack – always a plus

Cons

• The sound could have more depth
• Additional tones outside of piano aren’t on par with its top competitors
• Small LCD screen

Pianote Prima Overview

Upon opening the Prima box, I was surprised by the depth of the keyboard. Pianote went a different direction, leading to more robust and powerful speakers near its price point by making the keyboard very deep compared to its competitors slim and sleek designs.

After spending a few hours with the Prima, it was clear to me that Pianote created this solely for the entry-level market as a way to deliver a weighted keyboard and introduce pianists to their piano lesson platform.

The keyboard itisn’tisn’t mind blowing, but it has a decent sound and has been key-action than the Donner DDP-80+, which is about $300 more than the Prima.

Pianote Prima Specifications

• Keys:
  • 88 fully weighted, progressive hammer-action keys.
  • Mimics the feel of an acoustic piano with heavier keys in the lower register and lighter keys in the upper register.
• Connectivity:
  • Bluetooth audio and MIDI for wireless connection to devices.
  • Standard USB-MIDI connection for direct integration with computers and other devices.
• Sound:
  • Built-in stereo speakers designed to deliver clear, balanced audio.
  • Stereo headphone jack for private practice with high-quality sound output.
• Tones:
  • 238 different instrument tones, including classic grand pianos, strings, organs, and more.
• Pedals:
  • Comes with a premium sustain pedal designed to replicate the feel of an acoustic piano pedal.
• Metronome:
  • Includes 4 distinct metronome types for rhythm and timing practice.
• Dimensions:
  • Compact and lightweight design (specific measurements not listed).
• Included Accessories:
  • Premium sustain pedal.
  • Annual Pianote membership with lessons, challenges, and song tutorials.

Pianote Prima Key Action Versus Its Top 5 Competitors

Since I own all of the top five beginner digital pianos—Roland FP-10, Alesis Prestige Artist, Yamaha P45, Donner DDP-80 Plus, and the Pianote Prima—I wanted to take a closer look at how their key actions compHere’sere’s my take on how the Prima stacks up against the competition based on my personal experience with each keyboard.

Pianote Prima vs. Roland FP-10

When I play the Roland FP-10, the PHA-4 Standard Hammer Action feels so solid for the price point.. The keys are textured and offer just the right amount of resistance, making every touch feel natural and expressive. In contrast, the PiaPrima’sima’s progressive hammer-action keys are functional but feel a bit spongy in comparison. They lack the precise feedback and control I get with the FP-10. If key action is your top priority, the FP-10 is in a league of its own.

Winner: Roland FP-10

Pianote Prima vs. Alesis Prestige Artist

The Alesis Prestige Artist’s graded hammer-action keys are impressively balanced and responsive. When I play it, I notice the keys feel slightly heavier and more refined than those on the Prima, which makes a difference in pieces requiring subtle dynamics.

Winner: Alesis Prestige Artist

Pianote Prima vs. Yamaha P45

The Yamaha P45 has been a popular beginner choice for years, but its Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action feels noticeably lighter and less realistic than the Prima’s progressive hammer action, which was extremely surprising.

Winner: Pianote Prima

Pianote Prima vs. Donner DDP-80 Plus

The Donner DDP-80 Plus is aesthetically beautiful, it’s not in the same league as its top competitors regarding key action. The keys are overly heavy and lack the tactile feedback I expect, even in a beginner keyboard. The keys are also a bit clunky in general/noisy.

Winner: Pianote Prima

Speaker Design

The Pianote Prima takes an unconventional approach to its speaker placement by pointing the speakers downward. While most beginner digital pianos place their speakers on the top or front panels, this design allows sound to resonate off the surface below the piano, creating a unique, ambient playing/listening experience.

I was particularly surprised by the quality of the speakers for the price point. They deliver a solid, balanced sound that easily fills the room. The downward-facing speakers projected beautifully in my space, which has taller ceilings (about 14 feet), creating a natural reverb effect that enhanced the overall playing experience.

This design choice seems particularly effective in open or larger spaces where the sound can spread and resonate without being absorbed.

That said, the placement does have its drawbacks. On softer surfaces like carpet, the sound can lose clarity or feel muted, so placing the Prima on a hard, reflective surface like wood or tile is ideal.

For private practice, the stereo headphone jacks are a great alternative, offering crisp, high-quality sound without any compromises.

Overall, while the downward speaker design isn’t groundbreaking, it’s a thoughtful choice that works well in the right environment and adds an extra layer of versatility to this beginner-friendly piano.

Key Action

The Pianote Prima offers a key action that I find quite good for its price point. The keys feel reasonably weighted, striking a nice balance—not too clunky or heavy, but also not overly springy or light. This makes it comfortable to play for extended practice sessions and suitable for beginners who are learning to control dynamics and touch.

While it doesn’t quite match the realism of higher-end keyboards with advanced hammer-action systems, the Prima’s key action is responsive and satisfying for its price. 

Personal Experience Playing The Pianote Prima

In my personal playing experience with the Pianote Prima, I found that it does allow for dynamic playing, meaning you can achieve a decent range of expression based on how hard or soft you press the keys. For beginners or those looking for a practice keyboard, this is a solid feature and helps develop touch control.

However, the difference becomes clear when compared to higher-end keyboards like the Roland FP-90X. While sufficient for basic practice, the Pianote Prima’s key action and responsiveness lack the precision and nuanced feel of a premium instrument. The FP-90X, for instance, offers a much more refined dynamic range and better mimics the feel of an acoustic piano, giving you more control over subtle changes in volume and tone.

That said, the Pianote Prima still performs well for its price and target audience. 

MIDI Connection/Connectivity

I personally tested the MIDI-over-USB and Bluetooth MIDI functionality with both Cubase and Ableton Live, and the experience was smooth and reliable. Connecting the keyboard to these DAWs was straightforward, and I was able torecord and play virtual instruments without any noticeable latency.

In Cubase, I set up a MIDI track to test some piano plugins, and the keyboard responded well, accurately capturing my playing dynamics. Similarly, in Ableton Live, I mapped it to trigger a variety of synths and samples, and the connection remained stable throughout.

Sustain Pedal

The bundled sustain pedal is fairly basic, but works exactly how you would hope.

Sounds

The Pianote Prima comes with an impressive 238 onboard sounds, categorized neatly in the instructional manual. These include options like piano, hammered instruments, organs, guitars, bass, strings, ensembles, brass, reeds, synth leads, synth pads, percussion, and more.

While the variety is extensive, the piano sound is by far the standout. The very first preset, “Acoustic Grand Piano,” is excellent, especially when paired with the “Effect” feature, which adds reverb, and the sustain pedal to enhance its dynamics. It delivers a rich, expressive tone that feels far more refined compared to many of the other sounds in the bank.

Dual Headphone Jacks

The Pianote Prima Keyboard offers a range of thoughtful features, including its dual headphone jacks and integrated speakers, aimed at making practice and learning more versatile and accessible. 

Would I Recommend the Prima?

The answer is yes. At $599, the Pianote Prima offers exceptional value, especially for beginners who want to combine a quality digital keyboard with structured lessons. The included Pianote package gives you access to engaging online lessons, making it easier to learn and stay motivated. While the keyboard itself isn’t on par with higher-end models in terms of touch or sound quality, it’s well-suited for practice and learning, with features like dual headphone jacks and MIDI connectivity. For its price and purpose, the Prima is a standout option for those just starting their musical journey.