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

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YPT210 61 Key Personal Keyboard (Dent & Scratch)

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

Buy cheap Yamaha YPT210 61 Key Personal Keyboard (Dent & Scratch) now Get 16% OFF

Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Keyboard, Sensitive Keys with Lighted Key Teaching Review

I am a 36 yo man, I've always wanted to learn piano so I thought I'd get this keyboard which I thought had built in lessons that would guide my learning to play the piano...
For all intents and purposes, doesn't the description seem to infer that? That with the Y.E.S.5 teaching system and all those built in songs you'd have a well thought out lesson plan built in. That was my misunderstanding:::
What it actually is is a nice keyboard that you can learn on, but it won't teach you- the emphasis is on getting out what you put in- you have to really stumble your way thru learning the built in songs that the keyboard lights up the correct keys you're supposed to strike- there is not a good fluid way to learn a little piece at a time (It does have an A-B feature but it's not so much a loop as it is a measure to measure cycle with a 2-4 bar intro, each time!) So its not like you can just sit there and play it over and over and over again until you and your fingers get it, its: play the 2 or so bars you select (A-B) and then at the end, it goes thru at least a 2 bar beat count and then resumes the 2 bars of the song you're trying to learn.... does that make sense?
There are not lesson plans. In the book it says to "Listen to and Learn" the song. My memory isn't that fantastic that I can learn the songs by listening to them and then just learning, I think it would be a vast improvement to have a real loop feature that you could use to select a portion, loop it ad infinitum until you learn it and them move on. Also, I was really thinking that with the latest Learning System (Y.E.S.5) that there would be beginner lessons on reading the sheet music, finger drills, scales, etc... all the stuff you learn when you're learning piano- this piano system is for prodigies and people who already know piano.
So while it is a nice keyboard, it is not the EZ piano that will teach you how to play, you will have to look elsewhere to learn, or teach yourself, but this keyboard with all its songs and such will not be a step by step tutor....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Keyboard, Sensitive Keys with Lighted Key Teaching

Product Description:
Never played piano or keyboard before? The EZ-200 lighted keyboard from Yamaha will have you playing songs from the very first day. Just call up a song from the 100 songs built-in to the keyboard, select if you'd like to play the left or right hand part and hit "Start". The keyboard will light up the key that you're supposed to play, and in fact, the song will actually stop and wait for you to find the correct key! All of the tools you need are found in the keyboard, including how to play chords.


caption Click to enlarge.
Expressive Touch like a piano
If you're buying a keyboard having piano in mind, you'll want Yamaha's Touch Response feature. On an acoustic piano, striking a key harder will produce a louder sound, striking it softer will produce a softer sound. With Yamaha's "Touch Response" the EZ-200 keyboard responds like an acoustic piano.
Portable Grand: Industry's best piano
You're never more than a button push away from the most realistic piano sound in portable keyboards today. One press of the Portable Grand button resets the entire keyboard to a stereo-sampled piano--perfect for when it's time to practice. Yamaha is known around the world for the quality of our acoustic pianos and this attention to detail is evident as you enjoy the warmth and clarity of the EZ-200 Portable Grand piano. And of course, the keyboard includes a Sustain Pedal jack on the back for practicing and playing piano pieces.
Yamaha Education Suite: Helps you learn to play
The EZ-200 has 100 built-in songs 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. In addition, the correct fingering is indicated in the LCD display.
Correct fingering is indicated in the LCD display.
The keyboard lights up the key that you're supposed to play.
Instant access to Yamaha's Portable Grand sound.

Three keyboard lessons for each hand


Lesson One: LISTEN & LEARN the melody or rhythm of a selected song.
Lesson Two: TIMING mode allows you to play the melody or chord by pressing any key using the correct timing.
Lesson Three: WAITING mode stops the playback of a song until you find the correct note and then continues.

Lesson Grading
Monitors your progress as you practice each lessons two and three and gives you a grade.
Chord Dictionary
Shows you how to play chords and tells you which chords you are playing by displaying the notes and chord name on the LCD screen.

Computer Connectivity: General MIDI (GM) and XGlite compatible
The music pathway to your computer and the Internet is MIDI. It's the way that keyboards communicate with computers. And because the EZ-200 is both General MIDI (GM) and XGlite compatible, you have access to thousands of MIDI song files on the Internet.
367 Voices and the One-Touch Setting
The EZ-200 has 367 Voices for you to choose from. For example, there are pianos, electric pianos, harpsichord, guitars, drums, bass, violins, brass and synthesizer voices. Pretty much every instrument in the orchestra is at your fingertips. And if you don't know which sound goes with what style of music, the keyboard can select an appropriate sound for you using the convenient One-Touch Setting.
Sound Quality: Real stereo (Not just 2 Speakers)
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.
32 Note Polyphony and 16 Part Multi Timbrel
In electronic keyboards, the more sounds made at the same time--polyphony--the more memory is needed. Obviously, more is always better, because too little polyphony can cause dropouts in dense passages of music. Some keyboards at this price point have only 12-note polyphony. The EZ-200 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.
Reverb
Yamaha has long been a world leader in digital signal processing technology. In fact, Yamaha professional audio products are found in most professional recording studios around the world. The EZ-200 takes full advantage of this know-how, giving you an extensive range of nine, top-quality reverb effects that simulate playing in everything from a small room to a large spacious concert hall; a first in this price range.
Metronome
Just what the teacher ordered! A fully adjustable metronome is just a button push away.
Strike up the Band--Keyboard Styles
In addition to the 100 songs found in the EZ-200, there are 100 Styles that allow you to play any song you like. It's just like having a built-in band. Call up your favorite style of music like Rock, Big Band or Country, press a chord or play Single Finger mode, and the EZ-200 will follow you through a piece of music, providing all of the drums, bass, piano, guitar, horn and string parts for you. With this instrument, you can make great sounding music with little more than 2 fingers, however as you learn to play, the EZ-200 will adapt to your new skills and automatically switch between single finger mode and fingered mode where you play all the notes of the chord.
Connectivity
The EZ-200 features MIDI In/Out, Sustain Pedal jack and a Headphone jack for private practice.
What's in the Box
EZ-200 Keybaord, Music Rest, Owner's Manual, Song Book

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Yamaha DGX-230 Keyboard Bundle, 76 Keys - Includes Professional Headphones, Keyboard Stand, and Power Supply Review

I bought the yamaha keyboard for my wife for Christmas expecting
a middle of the road keyboard,We are both impressed with the quality,workmanship and endless features of this product for the price. We would recommend this to anyone from a beginner to an advanced player.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha DGX-230 Keyboard Bundle, 76 Keys - Includes Professional Headphones, Keyboard Stand, and Power Supply

Product Description:
If you're looking for a reasonably priced piano-style keyboard, look no further than the DGX230. It's great for veterans and students alike, with 76 non-weighted keys that not only look like piano keys but have a Graded Soft Touch (GST) action with different levels of resistance, making it easier for a budding musician to move to an acoustic or digital piano.


If you're looking for a reasonably priced piano-style keyboard, look no further than the DGX230. Click to enlarge.
2-Way Speaker System
Separate woofers and tweeters deliver sounds in crystal-clear stereo, for more lifelike instrument voices.
Bass Boost System
A special port on each speaker adds a impact to low-ed reproduction.
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Enhance sound quality with sophisticated digital effects like Harmony, Reverb & Chorus.
Advanced Wave Memory (AWM)
Yamaha Advanced Wave Memory technology delivers amazingly realistic sound.
Full Keyboard Mode
The DGX230 delivers on its piano theme with a special mode of fingering called Full Keyboard Mode. This allows the player to play the keyboard like a piano; for example a chord with the right hand and bass notes with the left. When using the accompaniment feature, the virtual band will follow these chords. Traditional portable keyboards normally require you to chord on the left side of the keyboard, in the bass section, which is foreign to most piano players. The DGX230 is also capable of this mode, for those who prefer it.
Learn to play using the Yamaha Education Suite.
Interface with your computer and DAW with USB connectivity.
Easy and intuitive controls.
Built-in stereo speakers.
Yamaha Education Suite
The DGX230 has 30 built-in songs plus 70 more on 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.
Learning features are plenty. Waiting Mode stops the song until you find the right note, Your Tempo Mode matches the song's tempo to your playing speed, and Minus One Mode plays the song without your chosen part, so you can play along.
The DGX230 will monitor your progress, giving you grades for each lesson. A Chord Dictionary is also included, displaying notes and chord names on-screen.
6-Track Sequencer
Imagine capturing your child's first performance or writing and recording your own songs. With the DGX230, you have the equivalent of a built-in multi-track recorder to record one or multiple instrument parts at a time and assign each part to a different track. Six tracks are provided to accommodate sophisticated melodies, chord accompaniment and rhythm parts.
Computer Connectivity: USB and Flash ROM
The DGX230 comes with 30 built-in songs plus 70 more on an included CD-ROM and an interactive lesson system, divided into left and right hand parts, for learning them. In addition, you have the ability to connect to a computer via USB, download more songs from the Internet into the internal Flash ROM (PC only), and use all of the Yamaha Education Suitefeatures to help you learn to play them. Yamaha makes it easy to get connected with the new PC button. Now, instead of wading through function menus and fighting through a maze of selections, one button is your expressway to music on the web and your computer. In addition, once connected, you can play your songs into the computer (PC and Mac), edit them if necessary, and e-mail them to your friends and family. And with General MIDI (GM) and XGlite compatibility, song data always plays back with the correct sounds.
Digital Music Notebook
Digital Music Notebook is a multimedia internet service that enables you to preview, purchase, download and print learn-to-play music books and chart-topping sheet music. From scales to chords to your favorite riffs, Digital Music Notebook is jam-packed with all the secrets you need to master your instrument. Add accompaniments, record and mix yourself, sing karaoke with friends, learn new techniques while having a blast--Digital Music Notebook delivers everything you need to bring music alive! And it's included with the DGX230.
Ease of Operation
There are many tools in the keyboard that make it easy to be a power user from the first day you own the keyboard.

Expandable Music Database: Complete keyboard setups by song title. The keyboard selects an appropriate voice for the right hand melody, the correct musical style and the correct tempo. Simply call up a song title and start playing.
One Touch Setting (OTS): Provides you with a recommended voice with effects for each style. For example, on a jazz style OTS might be piano, for a Latin style it might be acoustic guitar and for a rock style it might be a guitar with overdrive etc.
Registration Memory: Set the keyboard up just the way you like and take a digital snapshot by memorizing it to one of the Registration buttons. Load and save up to 16 Registrations to User memory. The Registration buttons are conveniently located just above the keyboard.
Performance Assistant Technology: Performance assistant technology is a feature from Yamaha that guarantees that you can't play a wrong note or chord. Here's how it works. Select a song, press the Performance Assistant button 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." In addition to working with any of the internal songs with chords, this feature also works with XF MIDI files.

Master EQ: Tailor Your Sound
Five different master equalizer (EQ) settings are provided to give you the best possible sound when listening through different reproduction systems-the instrument's internal speakers, headphones, or an external speaker system. You're in control.
Easy Song Arranger
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.
Realistic Sounding Voices
The DGX230 comes equipped with 116 panel voices, 12 drum/SFX kits plus 361 XGlite voices. Included in this selection is stereo-sampled Piano, a selection of special voices including brass, woodwinds, electric pianos, organs and more.
2 Note Polyphony and 16 Part Multi Timbrel
In electronic keyboards, the more sounds made at the same time--polyphony--the more memory is needed. Obviously, more is always better, because too little polyphony can cause dropouts in dense passages of music. The DGX230 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.
Digital Effects
Yamaha has long been a world leader in digital signal processing technology. In fact, Yamaha professional audio products are found in most professional recording studios around the world. The DGX230 takes full advantage of this know-how, giving you an extensive range of nine, top-quality reverb effects that simulate playing in everything from a small room to a large spacious concert hall and four chorus effects that add richness to electric pianos and guitars in particular. You'll also find 26 types of Harmony effects for your melody part.
Metronome
Just what the teacher ordered! A fully adjustable metronome is just a button push away.
Auto Accompaniment Styles
In addition to the 100 songs mentioned above, the DGX230 also has auto accompaniment styles that "follow" your playing. Simply select a style of music from the 160 built-in styles (example Rock) and start playing. The DGX230 will create a backup band (bass, drums, strings, guitar etc.) and "follow" you through the song. You can play your songs and try different genres of music. And if you can't find the right style for your song, you can go to www.yamahamusicsoft.com, preview from the selection, purchase and transfer it to your keyboard (PC only).
Portable Grand: Industry's best piano
You're never more than a button push away from the most realistic piano sound in portable keyboards today. One press of the Portable Grand button resets the entire keyboard to a stereo-sampled piano--perfect for when it's time to practice. Yamaha is known around the world for the quality of our acoustic pianos and this attention to detail is evident as you enjoy the warmth and clarity of the DGX230 Portable Grand piano. And of course, the keyboard includes a Sustain Pedal jack on the back for practicing and playing piano pieces.
Connectivity
The DGX230 features USB MIDI, Sustain Pedal jack and a Headphone jack for private practice.
What's in the Box
DGX230 Keyboard, Music Rest, Accessory CD-ROM, User's Manual

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Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Sensitive Lighted Keyboard Bundle: Includes Professional Headphones, Keyboard Stand, and Power Supply Review

This is my first real keyboard and I got it to learn to play piano. I've only had it a few days but I'm really impressed by it so far. The keyboard seems to be really good with teaching songs, not only do the keys light up but it tells you which fingers to use and it can teach one hand at a time which is nice for a beginner. I really wasn't expecting much but this thing sounds like a real piano and even the stand and headphones are pretty good quality.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Sensitive Lighted Keyboard Bundle: Includes Professional Headphones, Keyboard Stand, and Power Supply

Product Description:
Never played piano or keyboard before? The EZ-200 lighted keyboard from Yamaha will have you playing songs from the very first day. Just call up a song from the 100 songs built-in to the keyboard, select if you'd like to play the left or right hand part and hit "Start". The keyboard will light up the key that you're supposed to play, and in fact, the song will actually stop and wait for you to find the correct key! All of the tools you need are found in the keyboard, including how to play chords. This bundle includes everything else you need, as well--a keyboard stand, headphones, and a power supply.


Learn to play today. Click to enlarge.
Expressive Touch like a piano
If you're buying a keyboard having piano in mind, you'll want Yamaha's Touch Response feature. On an acoustic piano, striking a key harder will produce a louder sound, striking it softer will produce a softer sound. With Yamaha's "Touch Response" the EZ-200 keyboard responds like an acoustic piano.
Portable Grand: Industry's best piano
You're never more than a button push away from the most realistic piano sound in portable keyboards today. One press of the Portable Grand button resets the entire keyboard to a stereo-sampled piano--perfect for when it's time to practice. Yamaha is known around the world for the quality of our acoustic pianos and this attention to detail is evident as you enjoy the warmth and clarity of the EZ-200 Portable Grand piano. And of course, the keyboard includes a Sustain Pedal jack on the back for practicing and playing piano pieces.

100 built-in songs for you to learn to play, using the Yamaha Education Suite.
The lighted keyboard will have you playing songs from the very first day.
Built-in stereo speakers for brilliant sound.
Bundle includes a keyboard stand, headphones, and a power supply.
Yamaha Education Suite: Helps you learn to play
The EZ-200 has 100 built-in songs 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. In addition, the correct fingering is indicated in the LCD display.

Three keyboard lessons for each hand:



Lesson One--LISTEN & LEARN the melody or rhythm of a selected song.
Lesson Two--TIMING mode allows you to play the melody or chord by pressing any key using the correct timing.
Lesson Three: WAITING mode stops the playback of a song until you find the correct note and then continues.



Lesson Grading--monitors your progress as you practice each lessons two and three and gives you a grade.
Chord Dictionary--shows you how to play chords and tells you which chords you are playing by displaying the notes and chord name on the LCD screen.

Computer Connectivity: General MIDI (GM) and XGlite compatible
The music pathway to your computer and the Internet is MIDI. It's the way that keyboards communicate with computers. And because the EZ-200 is both General MIDI (GM) and XGlite compatible, you have access to thousands of MIDI song files on the Internet.
367 Voices and the One-Touch Setting
The EZ-200 has 367 Voices for you to choose from. For example, there are pianos, electric pianos, harpsichord, guitars, drums, bass, violins, brass and synthesizer voices. Pretty much every instrument in the orchestra is at your fingertips. And if you don't know which sound goes with what style of music, the keyboard can select an appropriate sound for you using the convenient One-Touch Setting.
Sound Quality: Real stereo (Not just 2 Speakers)
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.
32 Note Polyphony and 16 Part Multi Timbrel
In electronic keyboards, the more sounds made at the same time--polyphony--the more memory is needed. Obviously, more is always better, because too little polyphony can cause dropouts in dense passages of music. Some keyboards at this price point have only 12-note polyphony. The EZ-200 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.
Reverb
Yamaha has long been a world leader in digital signal processing technology. In fact, Yamaha professional audio products are found in most professional recording studios around the world. The EZ-200 takes full advantage of this know-how, giving you an extensive range of nine, top-quality reverb effects that simulate playing in everything from a small room to a large spacious concert hall; a first in this price range.
Metronome
Just what the teacher ordered! A fully adjustable metronome is just a button push away.
Strike up the Band!--Keyboard Styles
In addition to the 100 songs found in the EZ-200, there are 100 Styles that allow you to play any song you like. It's just like having a built-in band. Call up your favorite style of music like Rock, Big Band or Country, press a chord or play Single Finger mode, and the EZ-200 will follow you through a piece of music, providing all of the drums, bass, piano, guitar, horn and string parts for you. With this instrument, you can make great sounding music with little more than 2 fingers, however as you learn to play, the EZ-200 will adapt to your new skills and automatically switch between single finger mode and fingered mode where you play all the notes of the chord.
Connectivity
The EZ-200 features MIDI In/Out, Sustain Pedal jack and a Headphone jack for private practice.
Don't forget your Survival Kit!
Designed to provide you with everything you need to get started. Kit includes a two-year extended warranty, power adaptor, foot switch on models that require it, stereo headphones, bonus coupons and a DVD-ROM. Look for it at a dealer near you.
What's in the Box
Yamaha EZ200 Keyboard, Professional Headphones, Keyboard Stand, Power Supply, Music Rest, Owner's Manual, Song Book

Buy cheap Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Sensitive Lighted Keyboard Bundle: Includes Professional Headphones, Keyboard Stand, and Power Supply now Get 50% OFF

Casio LK-100 Lighted Keyboard with Premium Accessories Package Review

We recently started suspecting that our 2 year old has perfect pitch, like her father and her grandmother before her.So all the little toy keyboards that she loved to play with which were all off-key were become problematic.However, it was almost impossible to find a toy keyboard that was actually in tune and not off key.We bought and returned probably a half dozen.Then, the grandparents stepped in and started laying pressure to buy her an actual keyboard.This was the result.

The keyboard has a wonderful sound and plenty of demo songs to keep young children busy.I love that it lights up and it helps illustrate the concept for children who are just learning about music and notes.The keyboard is lighter than I expected.And for the price, it was a good compromise over the toy keyboards.It's also great that it comes with a stand, headphones, and an adapter.Many of the high-end casio keybaords, for some reason, do not even include an adapter.

I do warn, however, that this is a beginner keyboard.It's good for exposing your child and just to test drive to see whether or not your kid's piano interest isn't going to be just a passing phase.However, the keyboard is not going to grow with any serious piano players.There is no touch sensitivity, which is so important to learning to play the piano adequately.And I was disappointed to see that there was no USB connectivity, which you can get with the slightly more expensive Casio models.

But, all in all, I'm satisfied that I'm getting my money's worth.But if you want more features and more piano-like sound/feel, then you'll have to pay more.

If you found this review helpful, please let me know!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Casio LK-100 Lighted Keyboard with Premium Accessories Package

Product Description:
The Casio LK100 Lighted Keyboard features 61 full-sized illuminated keys and incorporates Casio's 3-step lesson system to help you learn to play quicker by following the keys as they light up. The keyboard also features auto accompaniment system to generate complete backgrounds with drums, bass and chord parts with the left hand, while playing melodies and solos with the right hand. This package also comes with a stand and professional closed cup headphones.


Follow the lights on the keyboard to learn quickly and easily. 3-Step Lesson System
Develop your musical skills by following the keys as they light. First, you become familiar with the timing of the notes by watching the keys light as you playback one of the 100 built-in Song Bank tunes. Next, practice playing along at a pace that's comfortable for you. Finally, try playing along at the normal tempo. A simulated human voice is used during the Step 1 or Step 2 lesson feature to call out the fingers you should use to play the required notes (Voice Fingering). The timing of notes is also indicated on the display screen.
Features

Auto Accompaniment: Simply specify a chord and the keyboard automatically produces the matching rhythm, bass, and chord patters. One-touch fill-ins make accompaniments sound interesting and natural.
Easy-to-understand on-screen indicators help to simply keyboard play, even for novices
50 built in auto-accompaniment patterns
100 built-in Song Bank tunes for playback enjoyment or play-along practice
Transpose function instantly changes the key of the keyboard
Connecting to another MIDI device lets you sound notes on both this keyboard and the connected device by playing on this keyboard
Connect a commercially available microphone and you can sing along with Song Bank tunes

Specifications

Keyboard: 61 Standard-size keys, 5 octaves
Key Light System: Can be turned on and off (up to 10 keys can be lit at the same time)
Tones: 100 presets
Polyphony: 12 notes maximum
Lesson System: 3 Step Lesson System
Playback: 1 tune repeat playback
Musical Information Function: Tones, Auto Accompaniment, Song Bank numbers and names, tempo; 3 step lesson display, chord name, fingering, timing indicator, key lighting, voice fingering
Speakers: 10 cm diameter x 2 (Output: 2W + 2W)
Headphones/output: Stereo standard jack (Output is monaural)
Microphone/input: Standard jack (with microphone volume knob)
Power: DC 9V, or 6 AA batteries (approximately 4 hours of continuous use)
Dimensions: 37-1/4 x 14-11/16 x 5-5/16 inches
Weight: 10.4 pounds

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Casio PX-130 88-Key Digital Stage Piano Review

My first keyboard was a Casio.My brother bought it for me when I was 12.It was little more than a 24 note toy, but it was mine and I was proud to own it.As I grew into my music and more serious about performing, I became jaded and picky about my instruments.Casio had a well earned reputation for being cheap, low end starter boards.The most expensive keyboard I ever owned was a Yamaha DX7 FD.Until now, I never owned a full sized, 88 note keyboard, let alone, a keyboard with realistic action.

Enter the Casio PX-130.

Exit all my preconceptions about Casio.

Look and Feel:I love the classic, uncluttered look of the instrument.It has minimal buttons and lights.There is no screen.It first and foremost wants to be a piano.It succeeds.It will look right at home in a studio, a church, or a living room.As for feel, when playing, I have to remind myself that it is not an acoustic.My fingers are convinced that these keys are attached to a big, wooden cabinet in the form of a traditional piano.I did not get a chance to see one of these in a store before buying.I was worried the keys would feel cheap.Needless to say, my expectations were blown away from the first touch.You will not be disappointed.

Sound:If you know what a piano sounds like, you know what this sounds like.I won't pretend to know how all the high end electronic pianos sound, but they can't possibly be head and shoulders above this one.Just as my fingers are easily convinced they are playing an acoustic piano, my ears are equally convinced.If you are thinking about buying an acoustic piano for your home, do it only for the value of a classic piece of furniture, not for the sound.This casio sounds so much better than 90% of the pianos I've played in the homes of people I have visited.The speakers are more than sufficient for most common uses.High notes sound like they originate from the right of center while the opposite is true for low notes, just like you would expect from an acoustic piano.Such full and realistic sound from such a compact package is shocking.You will not be disappointed.

Features:This keyboard has several other sounds besides the traditional piano.To my ear, they are all quite good.Not everyone will find use for all of the sounds, but all of the sounds will be useful to many people.I will not take the time here to describe each sound.There are YouTube videos that do a good job of that.IMO, this keyboard would be well worth it just for the piano sound; the others make for a great bonus.You can split the keyboard to play two different sounds, or you can combine two different sounds to make one composite sound.There is a library of songs built into the memory that are readily accessible.You can even transfer files from your computer to be played on the keyboard.Speaking of computers, this is a great companion for a midi enabled computer, Mac or PC.I use a Mac.After connecting a USB cable, I was instantly able to use the keyboard to trigger the midi in all three of my music creation programs: GarageBand, Logic Studio, and Band in a Box.I experienced no detectable latency in any of the programs.It just worked.You can even record your performances directly in the piano's memory and send them to your computer for editing and use with other programs.There are many useful features.You will not be disappointed.

Value:It is worth every penny of the asking price.Even so, you can find even better deals if you are willing to do a bit of searching.Yes, this is a Casio.No, this is not even the top model in the Privia line.Do not let the low price or the name brand trick you into passing this one up.From now on, I will look at Casio before looking at Yamaha or Roland.Yes, I feel just as silly writing such a thing as you do reading it.But there it is.I have got to believe that the Casio PX-130 is the best keyboard value going right now.

Cons:By no measure can this be considered a toy.Having said that, it is still made out of plastic.Nor is it that good polycarbonate stuff Apple uses for the white MacBook line.It is not industrial grade anything.It is just plain old cheap plastic.I suggest you buy a good case if you are going to travel with it.Also, be prepared for a small learning curve.Because there are so few buttons, most of the functions can only be accessed through the use of a function key paired with one or more of the 88 playable keys.That is a slightly annoying, but acceptable trade-off for having an uncluttered look.Finally, I wish there was more than one USB port.Once you have such a useful device, you will think of many ways to use another USB port or two.That is more of a wish list item than a complaint.

Conclusion:Despite the minor gripes, I gladly gave it five stars.In fact, I plan to buy another one specifically for travel.I do not write many reviews, but I felt it was important to do my part in getting the word out about this product.Casio should be rewarded for what they have done.They have successfully reinvented themselves and we are the beneficiaries.You will not be disappointed.

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Product Description:
The new Casio Privia PX-130 redefines the digital piano category with unprecedented sound quality and performance in a sleek package that is supremely portable. Featuring all new grand piano samples and a new Tri-Sensor 88-note scaled hammer action keyboard and weighing less than 25 lbs., the Casio Privia PX-130 is versatile enough for home, church, school or on stage.


A sleek, portable digital piano.Click to enlarge.
Versatile enough for home, church, school or on stage.
Add a wooden stand and three-pedal unit for an even more piano-like experience.
Realism, Expression and Dynamics
The grand piano sounds in the PX-130 delivers an unprecedented level of realism and expression. Four dynamic layers of stereo piano samples are integrated with Casio's proprietary Linear Morphing System, resulting in a grand piano sound with seamless transitions and a superior dynamic range. For added realism, the PX-130 simulates the sound of the open strings when the dampers are raised by the pedal using Acoustic Resonance DSP. The PX-130 also has 128-note polyphony, enough horsepower for the most demanding musical passages and the ability to layer sounds and use the damper pedal without worry of dropped notes. The result is a grand piano experience that is unmatched at any price.
Expressive Touch
The Privia PX-130 features a new Tri-Sensor 88-note scaled hammer action keyboard. Casio's superior engineering has resulted in an authentic piano touch that captures every detail and nuance of your performance.This scaled hammer action provides the weight, feel and resistance without sacrificing the portability of the instrument.
Education Features
In addition to the superior keyboard action and piano sound, the PX-130 is the perfect instrument for music education. Featuring Casio's Duet mode, the keyboard can be split into two equal ranges, allowing student and teacher to play at the keyboard simultaneously.The PX-130's built-in 2 track recorder and metronome allows you to practice any tempo and later listen back to what you just played.The recording features can also be used to capture moments of creativity and remember song ideas. The optional SP-32 pedal board simulates an acoustic grand piano by providing all three pedals - soft, sostenuto and damper.
Connect and Create
It's easy to connect the PX-130 to your computer with its built in USB MIDI interface. The PX-130's 88-note weighted scaled hammer action keyboard makes it an ideal controller keyboard for using with music software applications. The USB connection also allows you to move songs to and from the computer into PX-130's flash ROM, allowing to you save songs you've created.
Versatility, Portability and Design
Whether you're at home, church, school or on stage, the PX-130 was designed to tackle it all, making it a valuable investment. With its light weight, you can easily take the PX-130 from home, to the classroom or even to the gig and back with no worries. It connects easily to your computer via USB, and its Duet mode is perfect for student and teacher practice. The technology in the Casio PX-130 allows you to do it all.
Plenty of Variety
Choose from 16 built in tones, and combine if desired--layered or split. Further define your sounds with four digital reverbs, four choruses, along with a brilliance and acoustic resonance setting.
Two Headphone Connections
The PX-130 features two headphone connections, ideal for the duet function.
Powerful Speaker System
The PX-130 features built-in speakers, with 2 x 8 Watts of output power, to fill a room with sound.
Accessorize
With the optional SP-32 three-pedal unit, add damper, soft, and sostenuto pedals to the PX-130.
Optional Custom Wood Stand
The CS-67 custom wood stand is available for adding a bit of elegance and holding your PX-130 at ideal level.
What's in the Box
Privia PX-130 Keyboard, AC Adapter, Music Stand, User's Manual

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