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The Failure of the Alesis Recital Pro (In Depth Review)
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- čas přidán 13. 03. 2021
- In my opinion, the Alesis Recital Pro is not the best option in the under $400 category. Although it looks pretty nice, and a couple of its sounds do have some redeeming qualities, it has a familiar flaw with the action which detracts from the playing experience, and is very difficult to record with due to its jumpy, unpredictable dynamic response. If you're in the market for a keyboard in this price bracket, I'd try to avoid the Recital Pro, there are better options out there.
Making unbiased reviews for over 10 years: / thepianoforever
Milan Recording Studios: / @milanrecordingstudios...
I watched your videos to decide which digital piano to buy. I finally bought one so I want to thank you for making these review videos. I no longer need to watch reviews but I do enjoy seeing how you passionately explain each feature. ☺️ I will continue to support and watch whenever I can.
Thank you for your continued support!
The same here! I was so confused by the broad spectrum of features and capabilities that I was stuck in analysis paralysis. These videos really dive into the details but clarify why the details matter, and which details matter more than others. My new P-125 is going to keep me going through a long time of learning.
yeah same! I found the videos helpful and finally decided, but i still watch them! Its just something about his voice, the style of the video, the information... I dont really know, theres just something about hearing him talk about the alesis and learn more about it thats so interesting and fun and calming to watch. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Would love to see a comparison video between this and the iNovus and the Donner
I think it could be very interesting if enough people want it.
@@ThePianoforever would you say the keybed is better on the iNovus?
@@ThePianoforever we want it!
Hell ya , we’re all waiting for it
can i ask? is it the same feel from acoustic piano?
I would personally love a very simple digital piano that's done well with only a few features. Great point!
Eh, I managed to get one of these for $80. So it's perfect as far as I'm concerned hahaha
HOW
@@ihavenolife8651 I got lucky and found it on an auction. Must have been a return or something, cause it was brand new!
@@kingsleyabrokwah3930 LUCKY
I've had this for about 3 months and i still really like it for the price bracket. I switched from a beat up acoustic piano, though, so maybe my bar was not set very high...
I got this a week ago and like it a lot I was also using an old beat-up piano from goodwill and it's a lot of fun.
I do plan on getting a high quality instrument in the future but I am fond of this Keyboard so far.
The reason nobody has done the "single piano sound but good" is that the sound engine part is the cheapest part to add and have more sounds etc. It's the constuction that costs, and since they have to build it anyway, they'd rather just throw some more sounds in there too. Using just one sound wouldn't make it any cheaper for them. They only restrict or add sounds to artificially segment models for different prices - not because it actually has any effect on their margins.
I have a question for you, James. I need an 88 key keyboard, with as full weighted action (as I learned on a Cable upright many long decades ago). I could really care less about the tones the keyboard has, as it's primarily for a signal generator for my DAW.
I do have a few requirements:
1. Fully weighted action
2. Duplex MIDI via USB
3. Speakers disabled when connected to USB
That pretty much covers it. As I said, the internal sounds mean nothing, really, as I have quite a few decent tone generators in my DAW. I also have a nice 61 key synth for custom sounds. I do need the cost to be as low as possible, as funds are tight these days. I'm also not picky about the brand, although I certainly don't want junk.
Do you have any suggestions?
Great content! I can`t wait for the Alesis Prestige Artist review, hoping that will have improved keybed - overall the specs look really promising for the price range..
For beginners, the even greater danger than that they will be unhappy with a poorly-regulated instrument is that they won't know the instrument is the problem. Normally, a beginner should attribute shortcomings to technique, not tools. It would be easy for a beginner trying to learn, for example, to play three-note chords together to conclude that he or she just doesn't have a feel for the instrument and give up.
It's true that beginners won't immediately appreciate all the nuances of a really fine instrument, but the idea that one can learn on any old thing is a real mistake, and a formula for killing a person's joy in playing before it even develops. A beginner has enough to learn without also having to compensate for a poorly-crafted instrument.
Well said.
I humbly learn playing piano to a extremely cheap chinese keyboard without velocity sensitivity (well the basics and notes) and upgraded into Yamaha P45.
This is exactly how I’ve been feeling!!! I own this instrument and after watching this video it makes me really wonder if it was the keyboard.
What keyboard would you recommend around $400? I’ve played piano on and off for a few years and I want to get back into it.
I bought this piano as a temporary one when I was grounded in Houston at the start of the pandemic, and I can say that it’s not a keyboard I’d recommend to anyone serious about learning to play the piano.
Well, we all learn from our experiences. It's why I try to help people make good decisions based on things I have learned along the way.
What one would you recommend for like 400 to 500
@@ilovehp123100 get a Yamaha or a Roland and be done with it
@@dnews9519 I made the mistake of buying the Alesis Recital (non-pro version) and a few months down the line now I've stuck at it, I'm looking at upgrading.
What's the Yamaha P125 like?
Can someone please tell us which ones we’d be happiest with in the 5-8 hundred dollar range , please
I heard that most people are spending stimulus checks on clothing. Not me, I decided I wanted a keyboard with 88 weighted keys. I have a Kuwai keyboard probably 20 years old and it's so hard to enjoy playing with less keys that are plastic with no weight. I've wanted to upgrade for years and just never took the leap. I watched a lot of reviews before deciding on the P-125. You do the best piano reviews. It will be delivered on Thursday and I can't wait! Thank you for your unbiased reviews!
You made a great choice
what song did you play in 14:22? sounds so peaceful
As you may remember, I play a mp11se, but appreciate these keybed reviews to follow the quality of manufacturing. It does make playing frustrating and difficult with a sophomoric keybed. Helps too in giving advice to people when they ask what they should buy.
The MP11SE has the best action in a stage piano out there. Glad you're enjoying the videos, thanks for the support!
@@ThePianoforever I love mine. Did have a bad epoxy on a lower key. It came off. I re-bonded it and all is good. Thanks James.
I brought this keyboard as an adult beginner. Now three years later I’ve started to notice how unclean my playing is. But as I watch your video, it’s making me wonder if it’s the keybed. I really appreciate this review. I’m going to upgrade my piano.
They probably keep the digital samples mediocre so people have a reason to spend another $1000 on a higher quality set of samples.
It keeps the flagship prices high. Not that it necessarily applies to Alesis or other specific manufacturers, but newcomers have no reason to undercut the competition if people spend the money on it anyway other than conquering the market.
I’m torn between this and a better Yamaha digital piano, mainly because I just don’t want to invest the money on something that I won’t necessarily be playing 5 years from now… but I suppose spending on something decent is more incentive to play
Anyone know what song he played at 10:25
Definitely interested in comparison between Donner, Innovus and Alesis. Thanks for the brilliant content!! Keep up the good work 😀
Thank you.
Please try to get a yamaha
James, I know you cannot review them all. That said, do you have any plans to review the Alesis Prestige Artist? I tried one (I was standing, and am a beginner). After seeing this review, I am not certain if the issues you mention with the Recital Pro carry over to the Prestige Artist. It has a good price point for somebody like me. Thanks.
Great review (as always) James. I picked up the Alesis Recital Grand three months ago. Though a newer model, unfortunately some of the flaws you point out on the Recital Pro (and even more) remain with the Recital Grand.
It’s put me off on their products. Back to Yamaha now, where I should have remained.
those weird shapes on the underside of cheap keyboards is how you make thinner and cheaper plastic more rigid!
Sounds right to me Woody.
Excellent demonstration of the shortcomings of this piano. I agree, these really are fatal flaws.
Sadly, I think they would be for me.
Hi, My wife and I love your videos!!! We just purchased the Alesis recital pro and had to send it back 3 times because the organ feature had barely any volume on the left side of the keyboard on all three piano's we received. All the other voices do have decent volume on the left side of the keyboard including the pipe organ, but not the organ. Could you please tell me which is the best 88 key electric piano for under $500.00? Thank you so much!!! Stephen
Yes, I'd like to see your comparison of the Alesis, Donnor, etc. Thanks!
I missed the gram weights. Wished you can continue to use the gram weights on all future digital pianos, because it's very difficult, if not rare, to see video reviews where gram weights are used to measure how light or heavy the hammer actions they are in digital pianos.
If you do a video montage of all of your digital pianos in the studio, where it's just putting gram weights on the white and black keys, I bet you will get a lot of attention.
I did a few awhile back, but the reason I don't use them is most keyboards do not have these type of problem and using them can give one the wrong impression in many ways.
I would love see a comparison video between the Alesis Recital Pro, Inovus and Donner. Thank you
with pianos and sustain pedals, about 90% of the time, if you insert the pedal while the system is on, it inverts the polarity. So if you're having that issue, try toggling the "on" state back to off before inserting the pedal.
Also, if the pedal is being held down while the instrument is turned on, the polarity will be reversed.
Would definitely be interested in seeing the comparison video between Alesis, Donner & Innovus! Want to get an entry level piano in the next couple months and these are the three that always come up
I might record that one tomorrow.
Hi man do u know if the recital 88 (one model below this one) has the same problem with the black keys?
Thank you for the great review! I was very close to purchasing this but now I'll definitely have to consider my other options.
Glad it was helpful for you. There's definitely better options out there, even within this price category.
Im glad to see my purchase is good
i would like to see a comparison between the alesis, the inovus and the donner
That’s idea about a really simple piano that excels in one category (only has one) sounds great because I really only wanna play classical 😅
When are you going back to acoustics?. I miss some _real_ piano sound!
I just found some "lost" videos that I will be uploading in the next few weeks. I am also planning on making new videos of pianos on location as soon as I can, but some states are still very tough on the mask guidelines. If I have to wear a mask making a video would make no sense and driving very long distances to run across local restrictions would be devastating.
Should I buy this or not?
Thanks for all the videos that you share James! They are a great help for us! In my country this Alesis cost almost the same than a Yamaha P45, could it be a better option for a beginner?
I am thinking about doing a comparison video of under $400.00 that would have several choices that would be good for the beginner.
Get the Yamaha P-45🎹🎶
P-45 or FP10
I’d love to see the comparison video you made reference to herein (Donner, Alesis and that third one I can’t remember as I’m writing this 😂. You do a great job on your vids. Keep em coming please!!!!
I am starting to some interest in a review like that.
I was gonna get one of these but it sounded like a keyboard rather than a piano. I went with the p125 and I dont regret it one bit, its a very inspiring instrument thats actually sounds alot like an acoustic piano to my ears.
Omg, now we have the new NUX NPK-10, which is a bit more expensive, but looks like a good entry level digital piano.
I think the reason that "simple but high quality" digital piano doesn't exist is because software features are cheap. It doesn't really make much of a difference wether they put in one sound or 100. What makes a huge difference in price is the quality of the construction, in particular the action. So in effect, they would be making an instrument that cost like 90% of it's top of the line counterpart but without many of the features. I don't actually know anything, just what I thought might be a possible reason.
I think you are likely right.
For $400 I think the feel is perfectly fine, just doesn't have graded keys.
@@knightley5896 graded keys means that the keys have a higher resistance on the lower notes and less resistance on the higher notes which is similar to how a real piano's keys feel.
150
I just bought the Casio CDP S100 for 310 coins, similar price. I'm a rookie.
Did I make a mistake?
No that’s a good deal.
I’ve been waiting 7 months for Alesis product support to return my numerous attempts to reach them.
Do a review of them all i would like to hear the difference.
Hey James, first of all, great haircut! Having said that, I have the yamaha P85, it's old, but do you know if it is at the level of the p125? or maybe it is like the p45? I have it's base (L85) and I want to upgrade the piano to one that can fit in it, as they're pretty expensive
Thanks!!!
I owned a P80 for many years and it was quite nice and had great organ sounds as I remember. It's hard to compare the older versions to the newer ones for many reasons. I really don't know about the case / stands and how they would adapt.
@@ThePianoforever Thank you!! Then I might stick with it a little while
I think you have been incredibly generous with your time and effort with this item. I used one of these at a rehearsal since it was available and set up at the studio.
I could tell within 5 minutes that this springy action would irritative my forearms with continued use. It is horrible action for developing piano technique and also not good for organ style playing. It reminds me of some of the budget low end models of Lowrey and Wurlitzer spinets from the 1960's
Hey - I am only the beginner on piano, but I have one question - is this really thet bad? iNovus and Donner are not available in my country (Poland). Yamaha P-45 sounds better than Alesis, it has better action on keys but it costs 100 dollars more - in Poland for such a young fella like me it's too expensive.
Also my main purpose for buying piano is that I need to start singing and playing the piano at the same time cause i need to learn to sing "clearer" if you know what I mean. It would also be nice to start learning how to play chords, songs etc. on this instrument in the future. Maybe to record something but hey - there's a lot of nice vst's and then I will probably use Alesis as a MIDI Controller if I will be looking for a better sound.
Alesis speaker system also have more watts (20 watts if I'm correct) than speaker system in the Yamaha P-45 - hearing the piano correctly during singing is freaking important cause for next couple of months I will mostly use this instrument without headphones (I don't like to wear them during singing) or computer (Plugins eat up my CPU terribly, I want to buy a Mac in the future but not now, maybe next year).
So despite the price it's also why I wanna buy Alesis Recital Pro. Am I really doing a bad thing? Tell me please. Cheers!
Sorry, but I can't recommend the Alesis.
My dream learning piano: decent sound, quality keybed, 3-pedal or half-pedal support, midi in/out. Anyone have suggestions? I was hoping this would be it. Thank you for all the reviews James! Would love to see a review for Alesis Recital Artist/Pro.
Korg b2 or alesis grand recital version! Have you found one yet?
what’s that song called? On 10:20
I admire your honest reviews. Were I looking for a new digital piano the lack of a quality damper pedal on the Alesis Recital Pro would be a "do not purchase" game-changer for me.
Great video, as always, JPS.
Cool, thanks!
Hey James nice review 👏🏼 im not even considering buying an Alesis but still had to watch the video, you are the best piano reviewer in CZcams 👊🏼 Are you planning on reviewing the new Yamaha DGX670? Im about to preorder it, but I was hoping for your unbiased review first... keep up the great content 😉🤟🏻
Everybody gangsta until James pull out the gram weights.
P.s. Will you be doing an honest review of the yamaha dgx 670 soon?
I would have to buy it as Yamaha will not front me any of their products at the present time.
I was thinking on buy this keyboard and I was pretty sure about it. What would it be better: Donner keyboard or Casio Cdp-s100?
thanks a lot
Alesis, in the modern era, seems to be a strange company they seem to regularly vary from releasing either very good or very ordinary instruments.
Do you know if Alesis Recital Grand has the same issues? I compared the sound with other models and I know is not the best but is good enough to learn?
I wasn't happy with the first acoustic piano sound set. Too subdued and sounded slightly digital - aliased on my end but could be youtube compression. Thanks for your excellent review.
Thank you.
james , thanks for the honesty on this one. Its a very competitive price category, Im also aware that many beginner students are shopping in this price range and maybe slightly upwards. depending on their individual level of playing. Action is critical. not only for learning but Especially if one, someday plans to migrate to an acoustic piano. Which is why we never start our kids on electric guitar first right? Learn the feel and touch first. Good vid.
I am thinking about doing a direct comparison between several of the under $400.00 price point if people are interested.
@@ThePianoforever I think it could be very timely James, considering current conditions and New students learning virtually etc. Could be a nice fit .
@@ThePianoforever Yes, we are interested in that video! I’ve learned so much from watching your videos. Also please give your opinion on the 400 price range vs the next slightly higher price range. The dilemma for beginners is usually “do I buy the absolute cheap beginner stuff like the alessis pro or do I save up just a tiny bit more for a better one”. Like, would it make sense to wait and save a bit more for something like the typical recommendations (yamaha p45, p125, roland counterparts, etc.)? I ask this because, in the long run, starting out with the cheaper ones and then upgrading to the typical recommendations turn out to be more expensive than getting just one. A person will probably outgrow that quickly. Not to mention, the bad habits and other things that you cant learn with cheaper ones.
As you can tell, Im overthinking this lol. And Im leaning towards a higher price range (because I am sure I’ll use it), but I hope you also share the positives of getting the cheaper ones as well. Thanks so much!
I think I can do that comparison as well. I have a few scheduled for the next 30 days that I think will be some of the most interesting I have ever done, but when do you spend the extra cash to get to the next level and how would benefit the most from the upgrade. A very interesting concept for a video.
@@ThePianoforever Awesome ! I look forward to seeing this
Yes! But did you like it?
The Alesis DG8 will ALWAYS be their best piano, no matter what else Alesis makes
Can you program this piano on the pc? Programming might be the wrong word; what i mean is download and add additional voices for example a drum kit, which i would like to have on a digital piano. Help would be greatly appreciated :)
Excuse me, what songs did you play?
Hi there. What are some of the digital pianos with the best internal speaker system? I need something simple with internal speakers but I don't want it to sound bad.
You should totally do the comparison video. Not everyone can spend the big bucks for a Kawai ES920 or Yamaha P-515 I feel blessed to have my Yamaha P-515 although one day I hope to get a baby grand as my condo is fairly small.
Would love to see a Korg D1 review.
I have asked Korg to allow me to review their keyboards, but would prefer other reviewers and I would need to purchase one outright and that can be kind of tough to do. I have heard early on that Korg D1's were being delivered with defective actions by 3rd party sources.
Hmm. Interesting...
Me too I'm waiting for his review on the D1.. I'm thinking it's time to replace my Korg SP250 since it's already 10 years old. I've always wanted the Korg Grandstage but I can't afford it so I'm looking at the D1..
you saved me!! 😩 thanks a bunch
Please make that comparison between Alesis, Donner and Inova. It Will be really intersting with another piano with the same price rate. Also i would apreciate if you could review some Korg digital pianos (as D1 jeje)
Have you been able to transpose octaves? It's the only key-function that doesn't work on my Recital. Best regards!
Great review♥️
Glad you liked it!!
Nice haircut bro ...Looks good 👍
That is why I am going to spend more money and buy the Yamaha p 121 or p 45
Please do video on boston gp 156 👍
I think you would be better off buying a Kawai honestly. Kawai use to make them in Japan, but now I have heard that they may be making some or all of them in Indonesia. I believe they are over priced and better options are out there for the money.
@@ThePianoforever yes , thanks for your suggestion
that was really helpful!
I would love the comparison!!!!
Dude I absolutely love your videos. You are such a cool dude
Glad you like them!
Im french so I dont understand the whole video, this piano is not good ? Even if Im just a « beginner » ?
It is not very good, even for a beginner. Other instruments are better, for about the same price.
@@ThePianoforever oh sad .. did you have some exemple of other piano ?
I have several videos of affordable digital pianos, like the Donner DEP-20 or Inovus i88. For a little more money you can get the P-125 or ES110 which are even better.
Curious if you're planning on doing a video on the Roland FP-90X. Would love to hear what's been improved since the FP-90 and how it compares to the Yamaha p515.
I really can't buy them all and I feel there are better keyboards for the money.
@@ThePianoforever Oh really? Your first video on the FP-90 had me thinking it was be very competitive, and the new modelling systems had me really interested. In that case I'd Like to know what keyboard in that price range you'd more readily recommend.
Have you reviewed any keyboards that use the Fatar hammer action keybed? Fatar sells some under their studiologic brand, but they're also in some other brands.
I have, if you watch my reviews I will sometimes state the action that is used if I feel it is important to do so. You might also google it to see witch reviews to watch to see what I say about the action in case I do not state the brand name. In some cases it might no be clear witch action the maker uses.
I would like to see some Celviano pianos here. Not sure if you did a video with those before.
I’m a beginner that’s been using this piano for 5 months now and I’m looking to upgrade. I have around $1,500 to spend on a new digital piano, what would you recommend?
Yamaha P515 would be a nice choice for the $1,500 dollar range.
I am having a hard time finding the best weighted keyboard for a classical pianist like me, and I have been watching most of your videos. Since I am going to live in a dorm, I am currently looking for a keyboard that has pretty much the feel of an acoustic piano. I know this sounds stupid, and it is quite impossible for a keyboard to have the feeling as close as an acoustic one, but do you have any suggestions for the perfect weighted portable keyboard for me? That would be really great!
@@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow Yes! After dozens of youtube videos, I came into a conclusion that the P45 would most likely be my choice! Thank you!
@@Persun_McPersonson oh really? Would you mind telling me those?
How similar are the keys to a real piano? (Grand Piano) in terms of touch
James ,
Is it possible this instrument is flawed and causes that volume problem?
Maybe others are ok.
You nailed the default sound analysis , I felt the same way.
Either the keyboard is really inexpensive or Alesis has a fantastic sales pitch:},
what else would account for the number of people who wanted a revue.
Cheers,
Rik Spector
I really don't think this is a one off problem.
What is the first demonstration piece called, really want to learn it
Good video. Holes and indentations may certainly have to do with component fitting/ventilation etc. Another reason may be design for actual molding process and release from the machine molding it.
I think you're correct! :)
@@ThePianoforever As always, cost, does it make sense for flat bottom design, does it work with the completed unit. So many variables.
please do the Medeli SP-4200 Review
It's almost as if there's no gradual velocity. It sounds ok... Great for a beginner. The cheaper modules can't seem to get it away from the "honk" in their sampling. Thanks for your review... I was curious about this.
Glad you found value in my review.
This makes me have a harder time still choose this or auturia
Update I did go auturia cuz I wanted more symrhs
Could you review the Casio SK-1 in your time capsule series?
Please do a comparison 🙏 and do you think any of these are almost as good as the yamaha p45/p71?
I might compare one or more of the under $400.00 usd against the P45.
No way, Yamaha P45 blows it out of water
what was the first song u played on the piano?
Alesis has become an enigma to me. I bought an Alesis DG-8 (digital grand) many years ago because of the "Q-Card" library and the ability to program a card with a great deal of instruments. Oddly, the Q-Cards remain hard to find and expensive when you do. So someone is using them out there. In any case, that is my only experience with Alesis and keyboards as they seem to be concentrating more on percussion and recording these days. While I would not say it has the best sound or flexibility of functions, it has served me for many years and at least I know that when I sell it, I can get back my purchase price and then some as the prices have held all this time.
Hey James, I really love your work. The videos are very well structured and thought-out, I really appreciate the level of thought and work you put into them. I hope you and your family are keeping safe and well during the pandemic, God bless you all Jesus loves you all so much. If I may ask, I hope not to take up too much of your time, but could I have the privilege of asking your opinion as to what would be the best specific piano model choice (it could be an upright, baby grand, or digital piano) for someone who has $1000-2000 to spend and that wants to get a piano that will be the very best for learning piano to a professional level and as a good instrument for learning skills that translate to all sorts of piano (that you seem to have in abundance - you play beautifully) (I understand you prefer the heavier weighted keys for this reason - to increase endurance and strength that can be capitalised on when playing lighter-weighted instruments?)? I’m so sorry if my question is too broad to answer James. Have a lovely day man :) Thank you again.
It's not a question I can answer in a general statement, but the best way to know what I think of a particular instrument is to watch a in depth review of that instrument. In addition I will be doing several 3 way reviews of the top instruments in that price range very soon. I will group them in certain categories to make it interesting and fair all around.
@@ThePianoforever thank you so much for your wonderful reply James. You are an inspiration to many, and your manner and willingness to engage with your audience online only adds to how wonderful both you and your channel are to engage with. Thank you James.
Yes Please! I Would appreciate a comparison video between Alesis, Inovus, Donner, Yamaha np32 and Roland GO: Piano please!!!
Thank you in advance!!!
You got it!
czcams.com/video/SHwn7mzD0-8/video.html
I’ve owned this keyboard for 3 years and it sucks. My midi notes are sustaining on their own. Onboard sounds are horrible. Save your money and buy something else.
Would love to see a review of the Kawai MR380 Digital Piano
Ah yes, the Boston BFS-40. Nice that it has a--
wait, did you just punk us with The Lick? 37:43
Yet another honest and unbiased review, James. Thanks for showing us that, even if you could mitigate the line signal by making it balanced, the action is truly shoddy. Sorry you've stuck yourself with this dud.
Can I learn what you are playing
Which one is better Alesis Recital Pro or Donner Dep-20?
after watching several videos on the Donner Dep-20 and hearing his review just now on the Alesis I would definitely say the Donner Dep-20. He also has a review on the Donner Dep-20 which was a much better review than this Alesis.