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Hi Folks.
My sister in law as a part time gig gives music lessons to kids. Not her main trade, but she is good at it. Sometimes she would travel (in a car) to friends and they would jam.... She asked me to help her to find the right travel keyboard for her needs, but there are so much choices, that my head spins and she has a specific set of features / pre-requisites that it must have.
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1)Good acoustic piano sound
2) Has to be portable enough for her to carry and of course built in speakers.
3)Weighted keys. Not full weight of course, but something not very "plasticky"
4) Should be able to play styles (has to have at least a good GM soundest onboard for that)... Style expansion in the future.... Nothing fancy, just some average styles in Bossa Nova / Jazz /Pop.
5) Not expensive $200-$400 or close to that. Could be (and most probably should be) pre-owned.
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Could be any brand. I guess something from 2005-2019 year range.
If it was me I would take three components: A weighted controlled+tablet/ipad+portable speaker(s). She wants it all in the same package...
Any recommendations? Again a pre-owned unit is totally fine.
I thank you in advance.
Misha.
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Suggestion: Look at digital pianos instead of digital keyboards. Digital pianos generally have excellent sounding piano sounds with a fairly generic sounding built-in MIDI sound module. The Yamaha DGX series range from inexpensive to more than I can pay. 
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Jim,
Thank you for trying!
She has a Yamaha digital piano, put it is too heavy to carry around and does not have arranger functions.
The issue is I can not pinpoint a middle ground. Something like Yamaha PSR-EW310 would do just fine if it had weighted (not synth) keys. And for her uses, I think preowned would be a better choice. She can get a better keyboard for less money. A lot of keyboards are discontinued, so I am not even sure what models to look at.
I asked here, as it seems many people play/played "live" and know about gear far more than I do.
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eddie1261
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eddie1261
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A lot of people like the Casio Privia if you can believe that Casio became a major player in the music game. One of my friends who is a gig [*****] uses it because it is light, and he is in a band that does jazz standards, a rock band, and plays behind 2 country acts here. All on that keyboard. OR, just thinking, a MIDI controller and a laptop and she could play all virtual instruments.
Look at Casio Privia PX-S3000. I don't know budgets here but that will run $850 new. You can find them used for $500-ish. My own preference is that I don't like anything with speakers in it, but then she doesn't have to move an amp if she has one of those.
Or you could go with her and be her crew!!
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One of my keyboards is the Casio Privia PX-S3000. It's lightweight for sure, full 88 keys. Includes speakers and Bluetooth etc. It's not really a full arranger keyboard, but can certainly provide arranger type backings if you need. Full weighted action. I've got the carry case and a stand as well. All becomes pretty compact for a full keyboard.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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Eddie,
Thank you!
My son plays on Privia, but it doesn't have arranger functions. Just basic 10 sounds or so. Piano sounds great and action is pretty close to real piano.
The one you mentioned PX-S3000 looks great and seems it will play rhythms/styles, but is pricey and used prices are not significantly lower than new ones. Still about 750 shipped. Yamaha is more familiar to her, but I think she is out of luck of finding something portable with weighted keys and arranger functions in Yamaha line with budget she has for it.
After you mentioned, I looked at a few Privia models from a few years back, seems there are some good and affordable options available. I never dealt with Casio arrangers, but I guess some common Yamaha styles can be converted to their format. Only downside is that most of them are 25+ pounds. I was hoping to find something under 20 pounds for her.
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VT,
Thank you! Yes, will look at Privia line.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
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Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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