Yamaha YPT210 61 Key Personal Keyboard (Dent & Scratch) Review

Untill few weeks back I was an absolute 'monkey with a piano', I decided to take some lessons and my teacher recommended me a Yamaha with a metronome. I grabbed this one from a local Circuit City and I've been quite pleased with it since then.

Pros:
- Nicely priced
- Keys feel good when pressed (doesn't feel like cheap plastic)
- Built in metronome (you need it if you are new to piano/keyboard)
- Decent display that can display the musical notations as you play along
- Great learning features with lots of inbuilt songs (keys are displayed on the screen as you play along - works at your speed and can be split into either right or left hand or both - nice way to learn)
- Around 370 built in voices
- 61 keys (enough to start practicing with)
- DVD included which tells about basics of this piano (features of this piano NOT how to play)
- Light weight if you want to carry it around
- Input for sustain pedal (need to buy it separately)
--Overall nicely designed with other features)

Cons:
- Doesn't sound like piano but then I'm just learning
- You cannot control loudness/softness, I mean in a piano if you strike a key softly the sound produced will be different from when you strike the same key hard (loud), in this Yamaha there is no such distinction, sound produced is always the same irrespective of the way key is pressed (this should not matter much to a beginners)
- Power adapter not included, you need to buy it separately
- Notes(music) for inbuilt songs are not included, it would have been very nice if you can have them - makes practicing easier.

Overall, this is a nice keyboard for beginners but as you practice along and you are serious about learning you will outlive its usability and may need to upgrade to higher model or a piano :-).... but if are a beginner like me look no further.

Also, if you are serious about learning piano try this book:
'Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course Level 1" with CD.....great book for beginners.. good luck

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Product Description:
The YPT-210 features 375 natural sounding voices, including Stereo Grand Piano, 361 XGlite voices, 12 drum kits and a sound effect kit. The YPT-210 also has 100 accompaniment styles and 102 built-in songs. Use the Portable Grand button to instantly call up an authentic stereo grand piano sound. The instrument also has a rich Reverb effect that adds concert-hall ambience to any performance. The Yamaha Education Suite (YES) feature makes learning and practicing music more fun than ever before. Some keyboards have two speakers but aren't stereo. Don't be fooled. Just because a keyboard has two speakers doesn't mean that it's truly stereo with two separate amplifiers. All Yamaha Portable Keyboards feature stereo-sampling technology. It has 32 notes of polyphony and will play back 16 different parts or sounds at once (16-part multi timbrel); enough for the most demanding needs. The music pathway to your computer and the Internet is MIDI. It's the way that keyboards communicate with computers. And because the YPT-210 is both General MIDI (GM) and XGlite compatible, you have access to thousands of MIDI song files on the Internet. It's the way to begin and play a musical instrument and a grand way to learn piano without occupying lots of space. Jack for optional Sustain pedal Auto Accompaniment features MIDI in/out Jack for optional headphone Dimensions - Width 37-1/4 x Depth 13-2/3 x Height 4-1/3 (945mm x 348mm x 110mm) Weight - 9 pounds, 11 ounces

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On Stage Classic Single-X Keyboard Stand Review

Purchased this stand in conjunction with my acquisition of the Casio Privia 330 as I am learning piano. The stand is sturdy enough for home use although I can see if you really bang the keys hard on your keyboard it can cause the stand to wobble a bit. An earlier review said that this stand is not good for the Privia which I disagree with. The rubber "grips" on the stand are adjustable to the width of the keyboard resting on it. Initially, it appears that the stand is too wide and the Privia would be resting on the metal bars which would cause the keyboard to be unsecure and slide. All you have to do is twist & move the rubber "grips" in towards the center so that they rest underneath the Privia. Overall a very good stand.

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Product Description:
Many of today's musicians like things simple and affordable.That's why we continue to offer this Single-X with its classic bullet-nose pull knob and improved design with stronger square tubing.

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Ultimate V-Stand 2nd Tier Review

2nd Tier installs quickly and can support the weight of a medium size keyboard.The only down side is you cannot adjust the front to back position of the 2nd keyboard.This makes seeing the settings on the lower keyboard difficult.

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Product Description:
Gig with two keyboards! This sturdy second tier is angle adjustable and holds up to 75 lbs. It's the perfect addition to the V-Stand keyboard stand.

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Alesis MICRON Analog Modeling Synthesizer Review

I have been looking at analog modelling synthesizers since the illustrious Nord Lead blew the synth industry away. There have been many to follow, but I can honestly say the Alesis Micron gives you the most bang for the buck. There are more features on this little keyboard than I have seen on any other VA synth coming anywhere near the price.

500 patches of sounds (with room for 400 more to program) running the gamut of analog textures (don't believe some reviewers not finding soft and warm patches.. they are definitely there right out of the box) including sub-bass tones, warm strings, punchy basses, sweet analog drums and much more in between. The patches are separated by category (lead, bass, drums, pads, etc) and each category can be punched in on the fly.

You have three oscillators per voice (including variable waveshapes and FM) which gives the synth a really fat sound as well as two low frequency ocsillators for warmth. Doing quick modulation and filtering changes can be done with two programmable slider controls. There is also a pitch bend wheel that lights up when you use it. Programming can be pretty intuitive if you learn the shortcut method that makes the keys buttons to select parameters (essentially 37 extra buttons for editing).

I have compared the Micron with other VA synths like Korg's VA synths (MS2000, MicroKorg, Electribe), the Roland 303, the Novation Bass Station and can honestly tell you the Alesis Micron can go toe to toe against all of them and many times come out ahead in both sound and functionality.

The synth also includes a master dual effects processer and a single drive effects processor per patch (something most VA synths don't even include). Not the greatest effects processing in the world, but far from inferior. Essentially the effects help give your sounds some nice ambience. You also get a 40 band vocoder for vocal effects (more robust then the Korg VA synth vocoders) You are limited to 8-voice polyphony, but the synth is 32-part multitimbral.

The Micron also has a built in step and phrase sequencer that includes over 400 patterns preset with drum parts, synth parts and combinations of both along with room for hundreds of your own. The phrase sequencer is really easy to use with one button record and looping. A third type of sequencer you have is a pretty versatile arpeggiator.

Bottom line is if you are looking for synth that is affordable yet has an expansive set of analog sounds (and by that I mean a digital synth that utilizes analog modelling) this is it. If you are doing electronic dance music this synth is perfect for you. You won't find a better value for the money. Sure there are better products out there (Nord is still the tops in my book), but when it comes down to it the Micron will give you professional sounding analog synth sounds and the ability to make some killer patches.

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Product Description:
Offering a virtually limitless sonic palette, the Alesis MICRON eight-voice analog-modeling synthesizer produces a big sound despite its small size. Whether you use a synth to accompany you on stage or in the studio or you prefer to work with the hundreds of preset Alesis sounds or create your own, the MICRON is a great musical companion.


The MICRON may be small in size, but it produces a big sound (see larger image).

It offers 8 voices, each with 3 oscillators, 2 multimode filters, 3 envelope generators, 2 LFOs, sample and hold, and tracking generator (see larger image).
The MICRON has two multi-mode filters, three envelope generators, and two LFOs: the full spectrum of synthesis components for shaping and creating sonorities and textures. For stage and studio-ready quality, the MICRON has 24-bit audio outputs and inputs via balanced connections.
Each of the MICRON's voices contains two filters, and each filter can be one of the following different types, each with its own character and sonic flavor: Bypass, Low Pass: ob 2-pole, tb 3-pole, mg 4-pole, rp 4-pole, jp 4-pole, al 8-pole; Band Pass: ob 2-pole, al 6-pole, octave dual, band limit; High Pass: ob 2-pole, op 4-pole; three Vocal Formants, four Comb Filters, Phase Warp, Frequency, Resonance, Key Tracking, Envelope Amount, Offset, and Absolute.

Key Features

Analog modeling synth engine
Eight voices, each with three oscillators
Up to eight multi-timbral parts with stereo effects
Two multimode filters, three envelope generators, two LFOs, sample and hold, tracking generator
Dynamic real-time and step sequencers, arpeggiator, and drum machine/rhythm sequencer
Stereo bus effects including reverbs and delays
24-bit 1/4-inch balanced stereo analog outputs and inputs
37-key synth-action keyboard with velocity sensitivity
More than 600 preset sounds

Specifications

Synthesis: analog modeling (subtractive), noise generator, FM
Polyphony: up to 8 voices
Timbrality: up to 8 parts
Oscillators: 3 per voice with continuously variable waveshapes, sync, linear and exponential FM, Ring Mod, routable modulation matrix per voice.
Filters: 2 multi-mode resonating filters per voice with 16 filter types
Modulation: 2 LFOs with multiple wave shapes, sample and hold, tracking generator, freely routable modulation matrix per voice
Effects: 4 drive effects, 1 per part; master effects
Sequencing: step sequencer, arpeggiator, drum machine/rhythm sequencer, and phrase sequencer
Program memory: up to 1,000 programs and multi-timbral setups
Velocity sensitive: Yes
Keyboard: 37-key, synth action
External control: MIDI in/out/thru
Inputs: 2 balanced 1/4-inch TRS, mic
Outputs: 2 balanced 1/4-inch TRS, 1/4-inch TRS headphone
Pedal Inputs: Assignable expression pedal, sustain pedal

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Yamaha PA150 Portable Keyboard Power Adapter Review

We lost our adapter for my dx505 keyboard. Bought this as a replacement. Works great! And, it is small than the original!

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Product Description:
Don't gamble with your musical instrument. Use only a genuine Yamaha power adapter. The PA150 adapter replaces the PA5D and is environmentally friendly by reducing the power when the musical instrument is turned off; saving you money! Plug it in and play your instrument without having to worry how long the batteries will last. The PA150 is designed to eliminate your constant need for fresh batteries by using efficient AC operation.

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88-KEY Portable Educational Keyboard Review

Great value, and a marked improvement over the old 500 and 505 models.The speakers produce a richer sound tone, and the display window is much clearer and easier to read.Additional features over the 505 include one-touch "auto-accompaniment", where you can try different background rhythms to your recorded notes (jazz, rock, salsa, etc) at a single touch of a button.There are a few more voices to choose from, and the "sweet" sounds are more realistic than on the old models.The unit looks better as a whole, being a sleek silver instead of a dull plastic beige.Also, the controls are a lot more "touch friendly", especially the selection "spin wheel" that lets you choose features much faster than the older models did.

Connectivity is much simpler than on the 500, requiring only a simple USB cord instead of a special MIDI cord.

The one downside of this keyboard is that a USB drive is the only portable media compatible with this unit, and unfortunately they place the plug-in port in the back, which make it somewhat difficult to reach over and plug the drive in while you're trying to play and select.Because of this, I take away a star, and hope that in their next model, Yamaha will put the USB port somewhere in FRONT where it's easy to reach and plug the drive.

I actually recommend this unit over the DGX 620 (Yamaha's highest available model at the time of this review).All features are exactly the same on the two models, except the keys in the 620 are weighted to as close to a real piano as you'll get.Yamaha calls them 'Graded Hammer Standard' keys.

The 520 does not have the GHS keys, but the trade-off (besides a considerably lower cost than the 620) is a lot of weight...the 620 unit as a whole weighs 19 lbs more than the 520 unit.So if you're a traveling musician like me and have to load and unload your keyboard all the time carrying your instrument to your gigs, you're actually much better off with the 520.Get the 620 only if you want a more realistic feel and don't want to move the keyboard a lot.

Overall, an excellent instrument...and if you have any of the older models, I highly recommend an upgrade!

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Product Description:
Learning to play piano is easier. Say yes to this DGX520. Yamaha DGX520 is the portable grand that the family can explore music on and grow with. This 88-key lightly weighted action product includes state of the art enhancements like USB MIDI for computer connectivity, USB TO DEVICE for connecting USB storage devices, and an amazing educational suite that will get you up and playing immediately. Performance assistant technology is a feature from Yamaha that guarantees that you can't play a wrong melody note or chord. Select a song, press the Performance Assistant button Chord Mode and play the keyboard - any notes you like. Every note you play will fit the music! If you move up the keyboard, the pitch goes up. If you move down, the pitch goes down. Play a perfect arpeggio, or play chords in time with the music, or really "go for it" and play a solo. As long as performance assistant is "on", you're "on".
The DGX520 has 30 built-in songs, plus 70 more on an included CD-ROM, for you to learn to play using the Yamaha Education Suite. The songs are separated into left and right hand parts, providing 7 levels of lessons plus a convenient chord dictionary.
You can change the "feel", or arrangement, of songs by simply pressing the Easy Song Arranger button, allowing you to re-mix any MIDI file. For example, you can try your favorite song with a Rock feel, Hip Hop, then Jazz. It's fast, powerful and one-button simple.
This DGX520 has more features than an acoustic piano. It takes less space and offers accurate sounds. It's easy and fun to learn. Easy Song Arranger allows you to play back songs in 150 unique accompaniment styles On-Board Sequencer records 5 songs, 6 tracks Large Full-Dot Matrix LCD display allows easy viewing of music score and lyrics Flash Rom for downloading songs from the internet Matching Stand included Includes AC Adapter and Foot Pedal Matching piano bench optional P

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Yamaha DVDMOTIFXS Motif XS Series DVD Review

I would recommend this DVD if you just bought the MOTIF XS without owning or playing the older model (ES).

It is arguable that everything in this DVD is in the manual.Technically, that it is true.However, this DVD approaches the concept from another prospective and sometimes it helps to look at the concept from different angles. I think both DVD and the manual compliment one another.

After you watch this DVD, you should visit motifator.comThere you will find more documents for advance usages as well as the forum.Yamaha personnel also frequent in the forum and are extremely helpful.

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Product Description:
The official Motif XS DVD runs at approximately 3 1/2 hours and takes you on a complete tour of the features, functionality, and just plain fun at your disposal with this 2007-released Motif XS workstation. The Motif XS is surprisingly different from its predecessors and this DVD reflects its considerably enhanced performance-orientated capability.When looking at the main Voice, Performance, Pattern & Song areas, in addition to the key button pushes and navigation the DVD demonstrates how each mode can be used ' and customized ' live. Using controllers, playing the multiple arpeggios, making use of the offsets, Play FX, and more are all covered in detail.Effects are Big News on the Motif XS and the DVD spends more than 35 minutes looking at what you've got and how to apply them in all the major modes.It's easy to overlook the (optional) sampling capability on an instrument as inherently 'big' as this but with sample memory safely installed, the delights of sample-based voice libraries, replacing drum voices in customized drum kits, recording guitar and more await. The DVD spends a good 40 minutes on these exciting possibilities.Motif XS's sequencer is powerful and, for many people, will cover all their recording needs. But this is not an either/or situation with computer-based DAWs. The DVD's final scene looks at how to hook up the bundled Cubase AI, along with how to transfer control (and indeed files) back and forth between the two worlds of 'computer' and 'musical instrument.'Written and presented by Yamaha Corporation of America's Athan Billias - one of the Motif series' prime shakers and movers since Day One - you could not be in better hands when it comes to discovering the world of the Motif XS.

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