Picked for one job
Top pick
Yamaha P-225 is the place to start if you record on a computer but also practice one hand against a saved part after closing it. For DAW recording, connect directly to the computer in a supported way, use the Yamaha driver on Windows and turn Audio Loopback off. Roland FP-30X adds Bluetooth MIDI for compatible apps. If the computer handles all your recording, P-145BT already records its own sound over USB.
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Look for a piano that sends actual audio to a computer, and not only MIDI. Weigh up recording, monitoring and USB setup before you buy a separate interface.
By the numbers
What we found across the digital pianos we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
The P-225 records two internal MIDI parts and the FP-30X records one, while the P-145BT has no internal recorder. All three can still record their piano sound to a computer over USB.
How we calculatedInternal practice memories and live USB audio are separate functions. The recorder counts here are exact and cover three of the four shortlisted models. For the B2+, no internal part count is inferred from a specification that was omitted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha P-225 |
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| Roland FP-30X |
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| Yamaha P-145BT |
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| Korg B2+ |
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Decision guide
To record the instrument's sound directly, insist on a documented USB audio interface. After that, pick the practice and connection features that stay useful once the recording app is closed.
MIDI tells software which notes were played, while audio captures the sound itself. FP-10 offers USB MIDI, so it can drive a software piano, but that workflow differs from recording its internal sound over USB. The audio route is documented for P-225, P-145BT, FP-30X and B2+. If a software instrument provides all of your sounds, you may not need USB audio at all.
P-145BT has USB audio already, even without an onboard recorder. P-225 adds two internal MIDI parts so you can practice one hand against the other away from the computer, whereas FP-30X has one internal part. Those recorder differences matter between recording sessions, and not because capturing stereo USB audio requires a two-part recorder.
P-225 owners are told by Yamaha to plug straight into the computer instead of going through a USB hub, and Windows users need its Steinberg USB driver. That matters if a monitor dock already has every cable. B2+ uses USB-C, but its standard Windows MIDI driver supports one application at a time. A convenient connector does not mean every multi-app workflow will work.
Audio Loopback is on by default on the P-225. Yamaha says to turn it off for a DAW setup, and that stops the computer audio from being returned alongside the piano. Follow that routing instruction before you enable software monitoring. A built-in interface saves you a separate box, but you still have to choose the recording input and avoid a feedback loop.
4 options
Yamaha, P-225
Its sound can be recorded over USB, and two internal MIDI parts allow separate-hand practice without the computer.
Top pick ifYou want separate-hand practice without the computer as well as USB audio recording, and you can work with the supported direct USB connection, the Windows driver when needed and the DAW loopback setting
On Windows, the Yamaha Steinberg USB driver is required. For recording in a DAW, the manual calls for a direct computer connection with Audio Loopback off.
Roland, FP-30X
A one-part internal recorder, along with USB audio recording, Bluetooth MIDI and two headphone sockets.
Pick this instead ifBuilt-in Bluetooth MIDI and two headphone sockets are also on your list. Its internal recorder has one part. The P-225 offers a two-part practice workflow.
The P-225 arrangement for recording each hand separately is not provided by its one-part internal recorder.
Yamaha, P-145BT
The piano sound is recorded over its USB connection, although the computer handles the recording.
Pick this instead ifYour computer does all the recording, and one headphone socket is enough. You do not need the P-225 upgrade for USB audio.
With the computer off, there is no internal recorder to practice against a recorded part.
Korg, B2+
Its USB-C computer connection carries audio and MIDI.
Pick this instead ifThe USB-C connection is what you prefer. If a lesson app and another MIDI application must run together, check the separate Windows MIDI-driver requirement.
With the standard Windows MIDI driver, only one application can run at a time. For several MIDI applications at once, Korg specifies its USB-MIDI driver.
Ready to buy
Top pick for this job
You want separate-hand practice without the computer as well as USB audio recording, and you can work with the supported direct USB connection, the Windows driver when needed and the DAW loopback setting
See price & reviews on AmazonPick this instead if
Built-in Bluetooth MIDI and two headphone sockets are also on your list. Its internal recorder has one part. The P-225 offers a two-part practice workflow.
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