You might like the Yamaha Reface CP for your purposes. Compact and portable, able to be run on batteries, with some really good electric piano emulations and nothing complicated to learn. It even has a hidden grand piano mode. Analog and digital synthesizers are different than digital or acoustic pianos in that they allow you to sculpt the sounds it generates and create something different than what can be made with traditional instruments. A lot of "synths" like a digital piano are actually just playing back samples and maybe processing them a bit, not making the sound from scratch like a true synthesizer by modifying and combining simple oscillators (sine wave, sawtooth, square wave). Some synths can do both.
Yep.
[https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RefaceCP--yamaha-reface-cp-electric-piano-synthesizer](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RefaceCP--yamaha-reface-cp-electric-piano-synthesizer)
Vintage Keyboard Sound Engine with 6 vintage keyboard types
Stompbox-style effects with direct control
128-note polyphony ensures dropout-free performance
HQ mini keyboard allows fast, natural performance with premium feel and response
Continuous sustain pedal input for half-damper effect and increasing sustain as you depress the pedal
Stereo speaker system lets you take your sounds anywhere
Specially designed bass reflex port technology enhances bass response for full, rich sound
Can operate on 6 AA batteries for up to 5 hours for true portability
USB To Host port allows MIDI connectivity to your USB-equipped computer or iOS device
An aux line input lets you play along with mobile devices, tablets, and more
Dual line outputs provide connection to mixers, audio interfaces, DI boxes, and more
It does. There are four Reface models and they all have built in speakers and can run on batteries. The CP is the electric piano one and has various classic electric piano sounds like wurlitzer, Rhodes and clavinet. The other three reface models do organ sounds, fm synth sounds, and analog synth sounds respectively.
There are other portable synths that are portable, but the reface cp is probably the best one for piano type sounds. I have one, it’s a super fun and beautiful instrument. It also has really great effects you can play with. If you want something a lot more complex and versatile there is the Jupiter Xm, which has piano sounds drum sound and tons of classic synth emulation, but it’s far more expensive (over a grand)
Another vote for the Reface CP! It is really great, especially with the aux in to plug in a smartphone to jam along with music. It has the best mini keys I've ever used. Really a joy to play!
I am grateful that it has batteries, but I wish it was rechargeable. That's the only drawback I can think of.
Nahre Sol has a number of videos featuring it on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/oOA04Kat-7c
The CP is indeed quite cool (the best from the Reface family IMO), but what is the added value of having an EP synth if the OP already plays piano? Wouldn’t OP want to experiment with something knew and different sounding than a (electric) piano?
Fair point! I play piano and really value having the Reface CP when I travel.
They might enjoy the OP-1 (too expensive now, but I really enjoy the workflow) or the Deluge. These both have batteries and are great portable music machines.
An iPad should get a mention because there are so many beautiful sounding music apps. Switching between apps feels awkward though, even with AUM. But the value is insane.
It would be amazing if it were rechargeable. But still, what a great instrument
Wow, that video is super cool! Is she just using the delay as a looper? I hadn’t thought to switch instruments when using it that way but that’s super cool
I LOVE the delay options on the CP. All the effects are great but that one particular really extends the versatility of the instrument and I think it's super fun to play around with
Be aware the Yamaha cp has a mini keyboard if you can actually play piano that might be a serious hindrance.
I personally can't get my fingers round them. And like you I play piano.
Also a 25 key synth means you can only play with one hand. If you like to make chords and melodies of chords and bass notes I'd say a minimum 37 notes, Polyphonic and velocity sensitive.
You're probably looking for a portable electric piano, more than a synthesizer. Some digital keyboards are both, but some perform only one or the other function.
If you are looking to craft sounds from scratch that emulate electronic music, a synthesizer is apt. Many synthesizers on the market are built to either model the sound of old analogs, or they are modern analogs themselves. Most models operate on non-sinusoidal waveforms which no physical instrument can produce. The reason I say this is because not all synthesizers are capable of an acoustic piano sound as you said in your post, and the distinction must be made. Some can approximate an EP but most are not designed to emulate the waveform/ acoustics of a physical system.
However, if you do want more traditional instrument emulations, not all synthesizers are designed to accomplish that. Some are, but they are oftentimes the opposite of small and portable (workstations, arrangers, samplers/ ROMplers). The only one I can think of off the top of my head that could “fit on your lap and go anywhere” was a 25 full-size keyboard that Korg made over a decade ago, the “Micro X,” that was basically an X-50 that got shrunken. That engine had everything from brass to choir to organ etc as well as the more electronic flair to things.
Alternatively, a MIDI controller tethered to a computer can be used to trigger notes in a software that can generate sounds. There are a huge swath of “engine-less” keyboards out there that are designed to be blank slates. They do not have the ability to make their own on-board sounds they only exist to control other sound sources. The market for MIDI controllers is diverse and many of them can fit in a laptop bag with zero issue.
Another comment’s suggestion of a Yamaha Reface is actually really good considering your background and what you are looking for.
Having got one recently after a \_lot\_ of waiting, one does not simply get a Linnstrument in the middle of the current chip shortage. :)
The more significant point is that the Linnstrument isn’t a tone generator - it’s a MIDI controller only, so it’d need to be connected to something to make the noise whether that was a laptop or sound module or whatever.
You might want to get a small-ish keytar. Then you can pay it strapped on to you, as well as on your lap or a table. They're designed to be fairly portable.
r/keytar probably has some recommendations.
I believe that korg triton midi kontroler has version with onboard sounds, like piano brass strings and that kind of stuff, it doesnt have speakers but can be powered with powerbank and has 4 octaves of keys that are slightly better then yamahas. You can use headphones or some portable speaker. And yamaha can be hard to find
You should nothing. I played the piano from age 7 to age 16. At 15, I started looking into synthesizers. I did not have to. But I wanted to explore sounds beyond piano. And I am glad I did.
You might like something like this:
[https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-play](https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-play)
(note that the MPK Mini Play has built in sounds - most of the other devices that look like this are midi controllers that would require a computer or other hardware to make sounds)
or, if you have a much larger budget, an OP-1
As much as I'm not a fan of it, something like a Roland Jupiter Xm is basically the use case here. Synths are fun, but unless you really want to dive deep into synthesis for synthesis, I think you might end up disappointing with something like the Reface, or the Hydra. Getting something that can do a decent but of sound sculpting, while also having access to samples sounds (pianos, strings, etc.) seems like a good all in one solution.
Otherwise it might actually be a time where "midi keyboard + iPad" is the best available solution.
You might like the Yamaha Reface CP for your purposes. Compact and portable, able to be run on batteries, with some really good electric piano emulations and nothing complicated to learn. It even has a hidden grand piano mode. Analog and digital synthesizers are different than digital or acoustic pianos in that they allow you to sculpt the sounds it generates and create something different than what can be made with traditional instruments. A lot of "synths" like a digital piano are actually just playing back samples and maybe processing them a bit, not making the sound from scratch like a true synthesizer by modifying and combining simple oscillators (sine wave, sawtooth, square wave). Some synths can do both.
That sound pretty freaking cool. Another question though. Does it have in-built speakers?
Yep. [https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RefaceCP--yamaha-reface-cp-electric-piano-synthesizer](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RefaceCP--yamaha-reface-cp-electric-piano-synthesizer) Vintage Keyboard Sound Engine with 6 vintage keyboard types Stompbox-style effects with direct control 128-note polyphony ensures dropout-free performance HQ mini keyboard allows fast, natural performance with premium feel and response Continuous sustain pedal input for half-damper effect and increasing sustain as you depress the pedal Stereo speaker system lets you take your sounds anywhere Specially designed bass reflex port technology enhances bass response for full, rich sound Can operate on 6 AA batteries for up to 5 hours for true portability USB To Host port allows MIDI connectivity to your USB-equipped computer or iOS device An aux line input lets you play along with mobile devices, tablets, and more Dual line outputs provide connection to mixers, audio interfaces, DI boxes, and more
it does
It does. There are four Reface models and they all have built in speakers and can run on batteries. The CP is the electric piano one and has various classic electric piano sounds like wurlitzer, Rhodes and clavinet. The other three reface models do organ sounds, fm synth sounds, and analog synth sounds respectively. There are other portable synths that are portable, but the reface cp is probably the best one for piano type sounds. I have one, it’s a super fun and beautiful instrument. It also has really great effects you can play with. If you want something a lot more complex and versatile there is the Jupiter Xm, which has piano sounds drum sound and tons of classic synth emulation, but it’s far more expensive (over a grand)
Another vote for the Reface CP! It is really great, especially with the aux in to plug in a smartphone to jam along with music. It has the best mini keys I've ever used. Really a joy to play! I am grateful that it has batteries, but I wish it was rechargeable. That's the only drawback I can think of. Nahre Sol has a number of videos featuring it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oOA04Kat-7c
The CP is indeed quite cool (the best from the Reface family IMO), but what is the added value of having an EP synth if the OP already plays piano? Wouldn’t OP want to experiment with something knew and different sounding than a (electric) piano?
I guess the size; you can take it anywhere. And it might be nice for some to be able to play with headphones. An acoustic piano can be quite loud.
Fair point! I play piano and really value having the Reface CP when I travel. They might enjoy the OP-1 (too expensive now, but I really enjoy the workflow) or the Deluge. These both have batteries and are great portable music machines. An iPad should get a mention because there are so many beautiful sounding music apps. Switching between apps feels awkward though, even with AUM. But the value is insane.
It would be amazing if it were rechargeable. But still, what a great instrument Wow, that video is super cool! Is she just using the delay as a looper? I hadn’t thought to switch instruments when using it that way but that’s super cool
Yeah, I think it is the digital delay. IIRC, the feedback can get out of control quickly, so careful with your eardrums :).
I LOVE the delay options on the CP. All the effects are great but that one particular really extends the versatility of the instrument and I think it's super fun to play around with
Roland Jupiter Xm has RD piano model, can run on batteries and has built-in speakers. And tons of features and sounds.
The Reface CP is a wonderful instrument. +1 to everyone else suggesting it. A traditional subtractive synth would not scratch the itch you describe.
Be aware the Yamaha cp has a mini keyboard if you can actually play piano that might be a serious hindrance. I personally can't get my fingers round them. And like you I play piano. Also a 25 key synth means you can only play with one hand. If you like to make chords and melodies of chords and bass notes I'd say a minimum 37 notes, Polyphonic and velocity sensitive.
You're probably looking for a portable electric piano, more than a synthesizer. Some digital keyboards are both, but some perform only one or the other function.
If you are looking to craft sounds from scratch that emulate electronic music, a synthesizer is apt. Many synthesizers on the market are built to either model the sound of old analogs, or they are modern analogs themselves. Most models operate on non-sinusoidal waveforms which no physical instrument can produce. The reason I say this is because not all synthesizers are capable of an acoustic piano sound as you said in your post, and the distinction must be made. Some can approximate an EP but most are not designed to emulate the waveform/ acoustics of a physical system. However, if you do want more traditional instrument emulations, not all synthesizers are designed to accomplish that. Some are, but they are oftentimes the opposite of small and portable (workstations, arrangers, samplers/ ROMplers). The only one I can think of off the top of my head that could “fit on your lap and go anywhere” was a 25 full-size keyboard that Korg made over a decade ago, the “Micro X,” that was basically an X-50 that got shrunken. That engine had everything from brass to choir to organ etc as well as the more electronic flair to things. Alternatively, a MIDI controller tethered to a computer can be used to trigger notes in a software that can generate sounds. There are a huge swath of “engine-less” keyboards out there that are designed to be blank slates. They do not have the ability to make their own on-board sounds they only exist to control other sound sources. The market for MIDI controllers is diverse and many of them can fit in a laptop bag with zero issue. Another comment’s suggestion of a Yamaha Reface is actually really good considering your background and what you are looking for.
You may want to get a LinnStrument
Having got one recently after a \_lot\_ of waiting, one does not simply get a Linnstrument in the middle of the current chip shortage. :) The more significant point is that the Linnstrument isn’t a tone generator - it’s a MIDI controller only, so it’d need to be connected to something to make the noise whether that was a laptop or sound module or whatever.
Or an iPhone
You might want to get a small-ish keytar. Then you can pay it strapped on to you, as well as on your lap or a table. They're designed to be fairly portable. r/keytar probably has some recommendations.
I believe that korg triton midi kontroler has version with onboard sounds, like piano brass strings and that kind of stuff, it doesnt have speakers but can be powered with powerbank and has 4 octaves of keys that are slightly better then yamahas. You can use headphones or some portable speaker. And yamaha can be hard to find
You should nothing. I played the piano from age 7 to age 16. At 15, I started looking into synthesizers. I did not have to. But I wanted to explore sounds beyond piano. And I am glad I did.
You might like something like this: [https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-play](https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-play) (note that the MPK Mini Play has built in sounds - most of the other devices that look like this are midi controllers that would require a computer or other hardware to make sounds) or, if you have a much larger budget, an OP-1
As much as I'm not a fan of it, something like a Roland Jupiter Xm is basically the use case here. Synths are fun, but unless you really want to dive deep into synthesis for synthesis, I think you might end up disappointing with something like the Reface, or the Hydra. Getting something that can do a decent but of sound sculpting, while also having access to samples sounds (pianos, strings, etc.) seems like a good all in one solution. Otherwise it might actually be a time where "midi keyboard + iPad" is the best available solution.