However, the limited functionality of the B1 remains and is a massive downside to the B2, especially since other digital pianos have nearly standardized these extras. The Korg B2 offers anyone wishing to play the piano for the first time 12 well-voiced tones and a comfortable key action, making it evident that it is a big advance over its somewhat underwhelming predecessor. Although this piano may not be as feature-rich as other beginner-friendly digital pianos available on the market, it does provide users with a straightforward instrument at a very appealing price. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the B2, a highly regarded digital piano, is Korg’s join to the B1. The B2 is designed to rank among the latest quality pianos for beginners, much like its predecessor. There are two further models in addition to the B2: the B2SP, which features a stylish stand and a 3-unit pedal, and the B2N, which opts for a lightweight keyboard as well as a different speaker layout. The B2’s 88 fully weighted keys and Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH) keyboard offer it a natural-feeling response. The weight of the piano keys varies depending on the note they are on since they are graded; the deeper notes feel heavier than the keys inside the higher octave. Like I said, it’s really important that any new piano I buy has an acoustic feel to the keys. The Korg B2 has 88 weighted hammer action keys. If you don’t want those heavy weighted keys, the Korg B2N offers a lighter-key version. Later on, I’ll talk a little more about the Korg B2N, as well as the Korg B2SP. Both are variations of the Korg B2. The B2 provides a total of 12 sounds that cover a diverse range of genres, starting with five pristine piano sounds from its new piano engine, and also providing richly distinctive electric piano, organ, harpsichord, and strings. In addition to capturing the enormous tonal range of a grand piano, the meticulously-sampled sounds created for the B2 Digital Piano also reproduce the sympathetic string vibrations and damper resonances that give the piano its character. The Korg B2 is an entry-level digital piano that has all the standard connections you expect for a beginner’s digital piano.

The German Concert Pianois a default sound that is more suited for classical pieces with its deep bass frequencies. The metronome can be turned on/off with one touch. There's a touch control function that gives you three levels of adjustment for how your playing dynamics affect the sound (light, normal, heavy), letting users perform with a response that suits their own style. Also provided are settings for two effects: reverb and chorus. In the Box I’d seen a review online about the Korg’s new B2, and thought it might be well suited for me because of its simplicity. Yes, it’s a digital piano, so there are obviously a few technical elements to the piano. That’s what makes it digital after all. However, Korg say they’ve paid ‘special attention to the experience of playing a real piano’ with their new B2 release – which was only released in September of this year. That’s exactly what I wanted: a cheaper, more flexible piano with the same feel as an acoustic. The Italian Concert, Jazz, and Ballad piano sounds (the best of the bunch in my opinion) have only 40 notes of polyphony, whereas everything else has 60. Most digital pianos aimed at beginners are limited when it comes to effects, and the B2 doesn’t break the mold.

You get a reverb and a chorus effect, both of which have unchangeable, hard-coded settings. Korg claims the presets are tweaked to optimal settings, and I’ll agree. The 1/8″ headphone out enables you to practice without disturbing the people around you. It also doubles as your main output for use with external amplifiers and speakers. The Audio In input allows you to play music from your device on Korg’s speakers and play along with it – sounds like a usual function, but the competitors of the same class don’t have it. Korg B2N and B2SP variations: are they any better? Korg lists the B2 as having a maximum 120 voices of polyphony, in line with the other competitors in this price range. If you were to play one key three times in a row, the B2 each time has the chance to trigger different samples, recreating the experience of playing a real piano, where no two notes ever sound the same.

Unsurprisingly, the B2 is Korg's sequel to the relatively popular B1 digital piano, and like its precursor, this piano is designed to be one of the best digital pianos for beginners. The B2 sits alongside two variants, the B2SP, which comes with a stylish stand and a three-pedal unit and the B2N, which opts for a lighter keyboard and different speaker set. Accompanying sounds: The accompanying organs and electric piano sounds are great, but have limited malleability features. Its strings are passable and can be used for layering with other piano sounds. You may wonder how it is possible to have 32, 64, or even 128 notes playing at the same time, if there are only 88 keys and we never play them all at once. Instead B2 has so called Partner mode, which can split the keyboard into two equal parts and allows teacher to play along with the student with the same sound. Partner mode is similar to Split mode, the difference is that in Partner mode you can’t select different voices for left and right keyboard zones. While digital pianos haven’t been Korg’s main focus, their long-running experience in instrument manufacturing ensures that there’s always a degree of polish and quality with their products.

Downloads

If supplied in conjunction with any Korg instrument or equipment, such Third Party Software shall only relate to the non-essential functions of such instrument or equipment. When you reach the polyphony cap, the piano starts to drop the earliest played notes to free up memory for new notes, which in turn affects the quality and fullness of the sound. In play, the keys are alright. The keybed is velocity-sensitive, so harder keypresses emit louder sounds. This response can be modified on the front panel, and you can choose between 3 preset levels (light, normal, and heavy).

If you know anything about Korg, you'll know they have a stellar reputation for killer sounds, and the B2 certainly doesn't sully that reputation. While there isn't an abundance of voices, what is present are 12 very high-quality sounds. We found the piano tones to be bright and articulate, with a rich and satisfying low end. Let's face it, most people just want their piano to be, well, a piano and will never stray into other sounds. If that's you, then you needn't worry about the B2, as it most definitely delivers on the piano front. You agrees that the express obligations and warranties made by Korg in this Agreement are (so far as is permitted by law) in lieu of and to the exclusion of any other warranty, condition, term, undertaking or representation of any kind, express or implied, statutory or otherwise, relating to anything supplied or services provided under or in connection with this Agreement including (without limitation) any warranty as to the condition, quality, performance, merchantability or fitness for purpose of the Licensed Program and the Services or any part of them. The Korg B2 has 12 different sound including 5 Grand Pianos (German, Italian, Classic, Jazz, Ballad), Stage Electric Piano (Wurlitzer-style preset), 60’s Electric Piano (Rhodes-like preset), Digital Electric Piano (DX7-style synthesizer), Harpsichord, Pipe Organ, Electric Organ, Orchestral Strings. Sampling: This digital piano emulates the sounds of the German concert piano which is a Bosendorfer concert grand piano. The other pieces of software included are the Korg Module LE and the Korg Gadget LE. I haven’t yet tried these out, so you’ll have to see for yourself! ConnectivityEffects: There is also a reverb and chorus effect in this piano and these presets are tweaked with optimal piano settings.