How to Get Started with XR Piano [For Casual Players] A Relaxed Beginner's Guide
Tomo
XR Piano
How Much Does It Cost to Start XR Piano? A Breakdown of Headset, Digital Piano, and App Costs
Tomo
“How much does it actually cost to get started with XR piano?” You might be wondering this.
In this article, we’ll break down the equipment costs needed to start XR piano, item by item.
Your total cost will vary significantly depending on what equipment you already own, so check only the items you actually need.
Contents
An Overview of What You Need and What It Costs for XR Piano
There are broadly four things you need to get started with XR piano. If you already own any of them, you can reduce your costs accordingly.
Key Point
The biggest expenses are the Meta Quest 3 / 3s and a digital piano. If you already own either one, you can significantly reduce your additional costs. If you already own a Meta Quest 3 / 3s in particular, all you need is a cable and the app to get started today.
Details of Each Item
Meta Quest 3 / 3s
This is the core device for XR piano. Sigure supports both the Meta Quest 3 and 3s. The Quest 3s is available at a relatively more affordable price than the Quest 3.
A MIDI-Compatible Digital Piano
Any digital piano that supports MIDI output can be used, regardless of brand or model. Entry-level models start around ¥30,000, while more serious models can run ¥100,000 or more. If you already have a digital piano at home, you don’t need to buy anything additional.
For practice purposes, we recommend a model with 61 or more keys. Foldable pianos and MIDI keyboards can also be connected.
A MIDI Cable
This is the cable connecting your digital piano to the Meta Quest 3 / 3s. The Meta Quest 3 / 3s side uses USB-C. The cable you’ll need depends on the type of port your digital piano has.
| Digital Piano Port | Meta Quest 3 / 3s Port | Common Models |
|---|---|---|
| USB Type-B | USB Type-C | Standard type used by Yamaha, Roland, etc. |
| USB Type-C | USB Type-C | Common on relatively newer models |
| USB Micro-B | USB Type-C | Some Casio models, among others |
| Round (5-pin DIN) | USB Type-C | Common on many Yamaha models |
The Sigure App and Song Purchases
The Sigure app itself costs ¥1,800. It includes 300+ songs, centered around pop hits, anime songs, and classical pieces, and you can purchase additional songs you want to practice individually (¥400–600 each).
Ways to Start XR Piano While Keeping Costs Low
PATTERN 01
Starting with minimal cost
If you already own a Meta Quest 3 / 3s and a digital piano, you can get started with just a MIDI cable (¥1,000–3,000) and the Sigure app (¥1,800). Your total additional cost is roughly ¥3,000–5,000.
PATTERN 02
If you only own a digital piano
You just need to add a Meta Quest 3 / 3s, plus a MIDI cable and the app. You can keep using your familiar digital piano as-is for XR piano.
PATTERN 03
If you’re starting completely from scratch
You’ll need to get the Meta Quest 3 / 3s, a digital piano, a cable, and the app, all together. Since even an entry-level digital piano works perfectly well, you can still keep costs reasonable.
Cost Comparison with Piano Lessons
While there’s an upfront cost, once you’ve gathered your equipment, your only ongoing cost is purchasing additional songs. Compared to piano lessons, which typically cost ¥5,000–20,000 per month, you can significantly reduce your costs over the long run.
A Message from the Sigure Development Team
The Meta Quest 3 / 3s is a device that can be used for plenty of games and apps beyond just XR piano. Rather than thinking of it as a piano-only device, considering it as a multi-purpose XR device makes the overall cost-effectiveness even higher.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q. Is there a monthly fee?
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A. There’s no monthly fee for Sigure. Once you’ve purchased the app itself (¥1,800), all you need to do beyond that is purchase the songs you want to practice individually (¥400–600 each).
Q
- Q. Can I use an inexpensive digital piano without any issues?
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A. As long as it supports MIDI output, even an entry-level model works perfectly fine. We recommend starting with an affordable model first.
Q
- Q. How many additional songs should I buy to start?
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A. We recommend starting with just 1–2 songs. The most cost-effective cycle is to focus on one song until you can play it, then buy the next one.
Q
Check Sigure’s official site for detailed pricing and the latest information.
A Message from the Sigure Development Team
XR piano requires an upfront investment, but once you’ve gathered your equipment, you’ll have almost no ongoing monthly costs.
Compared to continuing to attend piano lessons, you can enjoy piano while significantly reducing costs over the long run. Start by checking whether you can get going with equipment you already own.
ABOUT ME
子どもの頃に挫折したピアノを大人になってから再開したとき、最初にぶつかったのが「楽譜が読めない」という壁でした。
「もっと気軽に、楽しく練習できる方法はないか」と考え続けた結果、XRピアノゲーム『Sigure』を作ることになりました。
このブログでは、同じように大人からピアノを始めた方・再開した方に向けて、XR・ARを使った新しい練習スタイルを発信しています。難しい音楽理論よりも「まず1曲弾ける」を大切に。一緒に楽しみながら上達しましょう。
このブログでは、同じように大人からピアノを始めた方・再開した方に向けて、XR・ARを使った新しい練習スタイルを発信しています。難しい音楽理論よりも「まず1曲弾ける」を大切に。一緒に楽しみながら上達しましょう。
