Get professional keyboard sounds at an affordable price!

When it comes to equipment used by professional keyboardists, brands like Nord and Moog are especially popular. While manufacturers like Roland and YAMAHA offer more affordable options, professionals often gravitate toward flagship models, which can easily cost several hundred thousand yen. Even stage pianos with streamlined features often exceed 300,000 yen for high-quality models. For amateur musicians, these prices can be a significant barrier.

However, there are ways to access professional-grade sounds for under 100,000 yen. The ability to enjoy the same sounds used by pros at such an affordable price is certainly an appealing prospect!

KORG microKORG XL＋

This is a synthesizer categorized as an analog modeling synth, designed to emulate the warmth and characteristics of analog sound as closely as possible while being digital. Thanks to its simplicity and affordability, it is often recommended for beginners to synthesizers. However, being beginner-friendly doesn’t mean the sound is low-quality. In fact, many professionals also use it.

For instance, Toconoma's Nishikawa is frequently seen using it during live performances, and Hasegawa from Macaroni Enpitsu incorporates it prominently in his tracks. On Twitter, he even mentioned sending his microKORG XL+ for maintenance, showing how long he’s been using it.

With only 37 keys, it’s not typically used as a standalone instrument for live performances. However, when combined with a main workstation or digital piano, it significantly expands the range of possibilities.

ROLAND GAIA SH-01

This is another analog modeling synthesizer. Both the microKORG XL+ and GAIA have been long-selling models for over a decade, a rarity in the fast-evolving synthesizer industry, highlighting their enduring popularity. Artists like Tetsuya Komuro and Silent Siren’s Kurosaka have been spotted using them during live performances.

At first glance, the abundance of faders and buttons might seem intimidating, but their number actually makes operation intuitive, allowing users to craft sounds directly on the hardware with ease. Additionally, while most synthesizers of this size feature mini keys, the GAIA comes equipped with full-size keys.

The choice between the two often comes down to specific needs: those seeking a vocoder tend to go for the microKORG XL+, while those prioritizing full-size keys often opt for the GAIA. Each model caters to different preferences, making them versatile options.

ROLAND GO:PIANO

While not a primary instrument, Fujii Kaze has been seen using the ROLAND GO:PIANO during performances on *Kōhaku Uta Gassen* and live streams.

One of the biggest challenges for pianists is the weight of their instruments. Acoustic pianos are impossible to carry around, so stage pianos are commonly used for live performances.

However, even stage pianos can be quite heavy, typically weighing at least 10kg and often exceeding 20kg. This weight is largely unavoidable for achieving the authentic touch of an acoustic piano.

This is where the GO:PIANO shines for occasions that require more casual setups. Instead of lugging around a 20kg piano, the GO:PIANO offers a practical alternative. Its semi-weighted keys, while not fully replicating the feel of an acoustic piano, provide enough resistance to feel natural for pianists. The biggest advantage? It weighs only 7kg—about as much as a six-month-old baby—making it incredibly easy to transport.

Additionally, it comes with built-in speakers, battery operation, and other convenient features. And the best part? It’s priced at around ¥30,000, making it an affordable option even as a secondary instrument.

ROLAND’s official YouTube channel features a video comparing eight digital pianos, where even the testers were impressed by the GO:PIANO’s convenience and functionality.

Harami-chan Tries Out Roland's Latest Digital Piano!

BEHRINGER DeepMind6

Let’s take a look at a bit of an outlier product. While I couldn’t find any professional musicians using the DeepMind6 specifically, it’s a synthesizer inspired by ROLAND’s legendary JUNO-106, an analog synthesizer first released in 1984.

The JUNO series today is often seen as an entry-level workstation synthesizer, but it originally began as an analog synth lineup. The JUNO-106 has since become a highly sought-after vintage synth, with well-maintained units fetching over ¥200,000 on the secondhand market.

Many workstation synthesizers include digital models of the JUNO-106, but these digital recreations often fail to fully capture the rich, thick sound of the original analog hardware. That’s where the DeepMind6 comes in—a modern analog synthesizer designed to bring back the JUNO-106 experience.

Although not a perfect replica due to being produced by a different manufacturer, the DeepMind6 offers impressive versatility. With its integrated effects, it can handle both vintage-style sounds and more modern tones, making it a flexible option for many musicians.

The reason I wanted to highlight the DeepMind6 specifically is also to introduce its manufacturer, BEHRINGER. Many of BEHRINGER’s synthesizers are what’s known as “clone models,” recreations of iconic instruments from the past. For synths like the JUNO-106 that are discontinued or prohibitively expensive, BEHRINGER provides alternatives at prices often under ¥100,000.

If owning the original isn’t a priority, opting for one of these clone models is definitely worth considering.

■ Summary

Professional-grade equipment often comes with a high price tag, and as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. However, there are affordable options that can bring you closer to achieving professional-quality sound.
Keyboardists, in particular, tend to face higher costs when it comes to gear, so it’s important to carefully consider your options before making a purchase.

For those looking for even more affordable alternatives, pairing a MIDI keyboard with software synthesizers is a great way to enjoy professional sounds at a fraction of the cost.
For more details, check out our related article:

⇒ MIDI Keyboards that are Great for Even Non-Keyboardists

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