The Alesis Recital Pro is a feature-rich digital piano that promises to cater to both beginners and experienced players alike.
With a competitive price point and a host of impressive features, this 88-key digital piano has garnered high praise from users. Let’s dive into what makes this instrument stand out.
Having used the Alesis Recital Pro for over a year, I can confidently say that it offers exceptional value for its price. The fully weighted keys provide an authentic feel that closely mimics an acoustic piano.
One minor drawback is the slight thump sound produced by the keys, but this is easily overshadowed by the piano’s impressive sound quality and versatile features. The ability to record, split, and layer voices has significantly enhanced my practice sessions.
Premium Weighted Hammer Action Keys
The Alesis Recital Pro comes with 88 full-sized weighted hammer action keys, providing a realistic touch response that closely mimics that of an acoustic piano. These keys have an adjustable touch response feature, allowing players to customize the sensitivity to their preferred playing style. This is especially beneficial for those transitioning from a traditional piano to a digital one, as it ensures a familiar and comfortable playing experience.
Versatile Sound Options
This digital piano offers a variety of 12 voices, including Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Synth, and Bass. Additionally, the built-in effects such as Chorus, Modulation, and Reverb, along with the two 20W speakers, deliver a clear and rich sound that fills the room. These premium sounds make the Alesis Recital Pro a versatile instrument suitable for various genres and playing styles.
Comprehensive Connectivity
The Alesis Recital Pro is equipped with a range of connectivity options. It features a ¼” sustain pedal input (pedal not included), a ¼” stereo headphone output for private practice, and stereo outputs for connecting to external speakers or amplifiers. This makes it a highly adaptable instrument for both home practice and live performances, ensuring you have the right connections for any setup.
Portable and Flexible Power Options
Designed with portability in mind, the Alesis Recital Pro can be powered using the included power adapter or 6 D cell batteries (not included). This feature allows musicians to play the keyboard wherever they go, whether it’s for busking, small gigs, or moving between different rooms in a home. Its reasonable weight and sensible design make it easy to transport and set up.
Educational Features
The Alesis Recital Pro is packed with powerful educational features, making it an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate players. It includes standard, split, layer, record, and lesson modes, along with a 128-note max polyphony. Additionally, buyers receive a 3-month premium subscription to Skoove for interactive online piano lessons and 60 free virtual lessons from Melodics to help hone their skills.
User-Friendly LCD Display
One standout feature of the Alesis Recital Pro is its backlit LCD screen, which simplifies the navigation of the piano’s functions. Unlike other entry-level digital pianos that require complex button and key combinations to access features, the LCD screen makes it easy to select sounds, adjust parameters, and access deeper functions. This user-friendly interface enhances the overall playing experience.
Advanced Layering and Splitting Options
The Alesis Recital Pro goes beyond the basics with its advanced layering and splitting options. Players can layer multiple sounds and assign different voices to the left and right sides of the keyboard simultaneously. Additionally, users can balance the volume mix of all the different layers, a feature that is often missing in other digital pianos in this price range.
Stage-Friendly Design
Designed with stage use in mind, the Alesis Recital Pro includes numerous easy-to-access buttons for selecting sounds, turning effects on and off, and transposing your playing. The dual-color LEDs on the buttons indicate which voices and effects are active, providing a clear and intuitive interface. This makes the Recital Pro a comfortable and reliable choice for live performances.
Flexible Output Options
For those intending to connect their keyboards to more powerful speaker systems, the Alesis Recital Pro offers dedicated ¼” stereo left/right outputs. This feature is crucial for gigging musicians, as it provides a more robust and reliable connection compared to using a headphone jack. This thoughtful design element ensures high-quality sound output during performances.
Battery-Operated Convenience
The option to power the Alesis Recital Pro with batteries adds a layer of convenience for musicians on the go. Whether playing outdoors, at a friend’s house, or in locations without easy access to power outlets, this feature ensures that the piano is always ready to play. Combined with its lightweight design and carrying handle, the Recital Pro is an excellent choice for mobility and ease of use.
Pros:
- Affordable price for a feature-rich digital piano
- 88 fully weighted hammer-action keys with adjustable touch response
- Includes 60 free virtual lessons from Melodics
Cons:
- Onboard speakers are below average in sound quality
- No sustain pedal included in the box
- Limited electric piano sounds
Conclusion
In summary, the Alesis Recital Pro is a fantastic option for anyone seeking an affordable, high-quality digital piano. Its rich feature set and excellent build quality make it suitable for a wide range of users.
While it may have a few minor shortcomings, the overall performance and value it provides are hard to beat. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, the Alesis Recital Pro is a worthwhile investment.
Questions & Answers:
Question: Can the Alesis Recital Pro be powered by batteries?
Answer: Yes, the Alesis Recital Pro can be powered via the included power adapter or 6 D cell batteries (not included).
Question: Does the Alesis Recital Pro have a headphone output?
Answer: Yes, it has a 1/4” stereo headphone output for private practice.
Question: Are there any built-in educational features?
Answer: Yes, it includes standard, split, layer, record, and lesson modes, and comes with a 3-month premium subscription to Skoove for online piano lessons.
