Digital Piano Key Actions Explained

Yamaha's flagship wooden-key action with counterweights and grand piano key length. Reproduces the let-off sensation of a Yamaha CFX concert grand. Reserved for CLP-895GP, CVP-809 and top CSP models.

Korg's full wooden hammer action used in hybrid models. Real acoustic mechanism parts including escapement. Best-in-class weight feel, though rare outside Korg's premium lineup.

Nord's top-tier weighted action combining a triple-sensor mechanism with graduated resistance. Aggressive and responsive — favored by stage pros for fast passages, though slightly lighter than true acoustic grade.

Full-length wooden keys with synthetic ivory and ebony tops. The workhorse action on CLP-775 through CLP-895 and CVP series. Deep pivot length means noticeably authentic dynamics.

Kawai's most realistic wooden action, based on their Millennium III grand piano mechanism. Long pivot points, let-off simulation, triple-sensor. On CA-901, CA-99, and flagship NV hybrid series.

Evolved PHA-50 with magnetic escapement simulation. Wood and plastic hybrid keys give acoustic-like surface feel without warping. Headline action on Roland LX-9 and GP-609.

Fatar's flagship portable wooden action. Lighter than TP-400W for stage use but retains authentic weighted feel. Standard on high-end Nord and Dexibell stage pianos.

Italian-made Fatar wooden action used by premium European makers. Triple-sensor, graded hammer weighting, real wood construction. Found on Dexibell VIVO S7 Pro and high-end stage pianos.

Roland's hybrid wood/plastic key design — wood core for authentic pivot, plastic surface for humidity resistance. Escapement simulation, triple sensors. Core action on FP-90X, LX-5/6, HP-702+ and HP-704+.

Yamaha's three-sensor plastic graded hammer action with counterweights in lower keys. Repeatable fast passages, even response. Standard across P-515, CLP-745, and NU-1XA hybrid upright.

A shorter, plastic-key version of GrandTouch. Same graded weighting logic without the wood and full pivot length. Used on CLP-725/735 and P-525 for a premium feel at lower price points.

Kawai's space-saving wooden action designed for slim consoles and portable use. Shorter pivot than Grand Feel III but keeps wooden key construction and triple-sensor detection.

Same underlying action as Responsive Hammer III, used in Nautilus, Kronos, and Grandstage. Stage-oriented workhorse that handles fast repetition cleanly.

Roland's entry-to-mid hammer action with escapement simulation and ivory feel surface. Three-sensor detection for fast repetition. Ubiquitous across FP-30X, HP-601, RP-701, and many more.

Korg's premium hammer action with gradually weighted hammers and three-sensor detection. Found on D1, G1B Air, and Grandstage 2. Precise and responsive without feeling heavy.

Korg's mid-tier weighted action. Simpler than RH3 but still convincingly piano-like. On Korg B2SP, SP-280 and similar upright/console pieces.

Earlier-generation triple-sensor graded action. Slightly lighter than GH3X and without counterweights. Still on legacy CLP models and some arranger workstations.

Casio's slim-profile hammer action engineered for the PX-S series. Surprisingly authentic in a 23mm-deep body. The defining feature of the PX-S1100, S3100, S5000, S6000, and S7000.

Casio's three-sensor graded action with ebony/ivory feel surfaces. On PX-870, AP-470, AP-710 and GP-510. Well-respected in its price class.

Korg's compact hammer action for slim chassis. Lighter than RH3 but well-graded. Common on Korg's mid-range portables.

Casio's mainstream fully-weighted action. Graded from heavy bass to lighter treble. Found on CDP-S110 and similar compact beginner pianos.

Fatar's mid-tier plastic hammer action. Long-pivot design gives a more piano-like downstroke than most budget actions. On Dexibell VIVO H3 and some Nord portable boards.

Generic term for fully-weighted hammer actions without proprietary branding. Quality varies by manufacturer. Common on entry-level Williams, Alesis, Donner, and Medeli models.

Generic graded-weighted action — heavier bass keys, lighter treble, simulating acoustic hammer weight. Used by many third-party makers. Feel varies considerably between brands.

Yamaha's entry-level graded action found on P-45 through P-145, NP-35, and YDP-145. Two-sensor detection. A proven beginner action that builds finger strength.

A slightly shorter version of GHS for slim-depth models. Same weighting logic. On YDP-S35/S55 compact consoles.

Korg's slim hammer action for compact portables. Light-to-medium weight, graded by range. Found on Korg B2, C1 Air, LP-180.

Kurzweil's full-weighted hammer action with textured ivory-feel key surfaces. Mid-tier realism, strong value for the price bracket.

Keys have a spring plus a small weight — heavier than a synth but much lighter than a real piano. Standard on arrangers, workstations, and entry synths. Not suitable for serious piano practice.

Spring-loaded plastic keys without any weight. Fast for electronic music triggering. No resemblance to a piano feel.

Entirely unweighted keyboard — spring return only. Typical of portable keyboards (Casio CT, Yamaha PSR) and arranger mini-keyboards. Useful as a second instrument, not a main piano.