Alesis Recital Pro MKII 88-Key Digital Piano with Hammer-Action Keys

For beginners and advancing players who want a full-size keyboard for home practice, the Alesis Recital Pro MKII pairs 88 weighted hammer-action keys with adjustable touch response. That gives practice a more piano-like key feel than an unweighted keyboard, while the lesson mode and built-in metronome support structured sessions.

Its 20W speakers provide sound without a separate amp, and a front headphone jack lets you practice privately. The included sustain pedal and music rest make it easier to set up for everyday playing.

Technical overview

• Type: 88-key digital piano
• Keys: Weighted hammer action with adjustable touch response
• Built-in sounds: 25, including acoustic and electric pianos, organs, harpsichord, and synths
• Practice features: Lesson Mode, metronome, adjustable reverb, Split Mode, and Layer Mode
• Polyphony: 64 notes
• Speakers: 20W system
• Connectivity: USB-MIDI/Audio, 1/4-inch sustain pedal input, 1/4-inch Aux output, 1/8-inch Aux input, and 1/8-inch headphone output
• Power: Included AC adapter or six AA batteries, sold separately
• Weight: 10.5 kg

The weighted keys are the main distinction from a basic keyboard intended primarily for casual sound selection. Lesson Mode divides the instrument into two identical pitch and voice ranges, which can help a teacher and student follow the same material side by side. Layer and Split modes add options for combining sounds or assigning different sounds to each hand, without requiring external equipment for those functions.

Tips for day-to-day use

For a home lesson, the music rest can hold sheet music or a tablet, while the sustain pedal supports playing that calls for sustained notes. The built-in metronome offers a steady reference during practice, and adjustable reverb lets you change the character of the sound. What makes it useful for shared practice? The front headphone output allows quieter sessions, while USB-MIDI/Audio gives the option to connect to compatible computer software or recording applications.

The included adapter suits a setup near an outlet. Battery operation is also supported, but the six AA batteries are sold separately, so factor that into plans to play away from a power source. Compared with a simpler unweighted keyboard, this model puts more emphasis on piano-style technique, its range of 25 sounds also offers alternatives when practice calls for something beyond piano tones.

What you get

The package includes the Recital Pro MKII, a music rest, sustain pedal, power adapter, user guide, and safety and warranty manual. It also includes three months of Skoove Premium and a 30-day Melodics Premium trial with 100 free lessons, according to the product information. These learning resources are an added starting point, rather than a substitute for choosing a practice routine that suits your goals.

Should you buy it?

Worth considering if you want weighted keys, built-in practice tools, and a pedal in a home piano setup, with the flexibility to use headphones or connect to a computer. It might not be a great match if you need battery operation but do not want to purchase batteries separately. The Alesis Recital Pro MKII is most relevant when the priority is learning and playing on a full-size digital piano, rather than choosing a basic keyboard for occasional, unstructured use.