Casio AP24 Digital Home Piano Review

Casio AP24 Digital Home PianoThis is a great piano for a new student. Overall price/performance is great. It feels a lot like a real piano. Of course, an experienced pianist can feel a difference, but the main goal with buying this instrument was not to spend tons of money and still get a decent piano.
Another great thing about this digital piano is a headphone jack. This is one of the most important advantages of the digital pianos (for those who have to listen :-). Even though we bought this piano for my daughter, I also play it at night using headphones.
The bottom line is if you need to practice playing piano, but don't want to spend a lot of money - this is your best bet. I searched other Web sites, but this one was the best deal.

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Product Description:
LEADSINGER model LS-3700 (or LS-3000) is a Portable, Hand-held, All-In-The-Mic Karaoke Player. The device connects to the user's TV / Stereo System and provides Lyrics on screen for 300 built-in popular songs. The device allows the user to adjust mic volume, music volume, guide melody, guide musical instrument, key pitch, speed tempo, echo, scoring, & a fun-filled random play Singing Game.
Included contents are: LS-3700 with 300 built-in songs, main cable, song list book, & AC adapter.
Optional items include: High-Fidelity Wireless Remote Duet microphone, Carrying Bag, & a wide variety of 20+ Song Cartridges.

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

Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Keyboard, Sensitive Keys with Lighted Key TeachingI 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....

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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 Survival Kit 88 for 88-Key YPG Series Keyboards Review

Yamaha Survival Kit 88 for 88-Key YPG Series KeyboardsThis product contains good quality products and their value far exceeds the price you pay.The keyboard cover perfectly covers the keyboard area not the whole instrument.This is much more convenient and looks better than a full cover.Full covers are available if needed for very dusty environments.The cover comes folded and can be unfolded and made to lay flat with very little effort.They sewed a "Yamaha" logo onto the cover that gives it a classy look.

The warranty is three years from date of purchase of the keyboard NOT two years.Perhaps the other rater was confused because there are different survival kit numbers and model numbers.Each kit carries different items and includes either a two year or three year warranty.There is a chart printed on the back of the box that mentions the different warranties and references the different model numbers.The sticker on the end of the box clearly states the model number and what you are getting.

Also included are decent quality headphones, one instructional DVD and a CD.

Bottom line: GREAT DEAL.Quality and contents met expectations.

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Product Description:
Includes Watch & Learn DVD Grand piano key cover Stereo headphones Bonus coupons Yamaha Survival Kit DVD-ROM.

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Casio SP32 Pedal Board for CS67 Stand Review

Casio SP32 Pedal Board for CS67 StandThis pedal board is plastic.It is also a medium grey color, matching part of the px-130 keyboard.The board itself is much flimsier than I expected.What I was expecting was veneered or, foil covered particleboard, the same material that the sturdy stand is made of. Well, its not.It does look more finished than the sustain pedal attached to a cord, but when compared to the px-130 which exceeded my expectations in most regards, and the stand, which was pretty much the Ikea quality I expected, this pedal board underwhelmed.Also, the pedals are short and relatively difficult to depress.I used them with only socks on, and they weren't very comfortable to use, and not at all like a real piano.In shoes, they might be OK. Anyway, I won't return it, because that would be more trouble than its worth.I would give it 2.5 stars if that were possible, since I view it as between "It's OK" and "I don't like it"Nevertheless, the whole ensemble, keyboard, stand and board are nice together.

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Product Description:
A Piano Style, Three Pedal Attachment for Your CS67 Privia Stand!The SP32 pedal adds those extra piano dynamics you want for your Privia Digital Piano. The 3 three pedal system adds an extended damper function in that it simulates a pedal that has been pressed down half way.

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Casio PX-320 Privia Digital Piano Review

Casio PX-320 Privia Digital PianoI have played the Casio PX-320 for a couple weeks and am a beginner/intermediate piano player.The PX-320 keys have texture and shape and pressure and volume range and return speed that invites making music.The PX-320 is scaled (graded) so that treble notes are easier and quicker versus bass notes are harder and slower.The keys are weighted and have a simulated hammer action.For my taste the keyboard is a joy to play and is close to an acoustic piano.

I think the Yamaha YPG-635 and Yamaha P85 have at least as good touch and piano sound.I liked the Yamaha YPG-635 display and controls and features and sounds.The YPG-635 is too wide to lay flat in my car while the PX-320 lays on my back seat or back floorboard.The PX-320 base is flat and as large as the top, unlike the P85 that has a base smaller than the top.The P85 has 10 voices.The PX-320 weighs 26 lbs (12kg).

The PX-320 has 11 one-touch sounds like grand piano, electric piano, organ, strings and synth-voice.The PX-320 has 60 wide ranging Casio voices.The PX-320 has 128 General MIDI (GM) voices and 2 Drum Sets. I am pleased with the variety and quality of the voices.I like the large 3-character display and miss a numeric keypad and graphic display.The speakers are fine for a bedroom or living room.If the recessed screws underneath the back are loose the speakers can cause plenty of subtle or annoying noise.

I like the Casio PX-320 price, car fit, finger action, voices, 5 song recording or playback with as little as 2 key pushes, and usable speakers.I look forward to exploring 2-track recording, quick registration, 70 play-along rhythms, and flash memory slot.The Casio PX-320 is enjoyable to play and delightful to hear and easy to learn.

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Product Description:
The PX-320 is perfect for stage and studio use. Along with the advanced AIF sound source providing 128 notes of polyphony where notes reverberate naturally without being cut off it also has 1/4-inch line outputs for connecting to a mixer or PA system. The 202 tones including organ and drum tones will make you ready for any music style. The 88 weighted and Graded keys provide the look and feel of an acoustic piano.


Digital piano with 88 weighted keys. Click to enlarge.
Easily expand your song memory with a built-in SD memory card slot.
Perfect for stage and studio use.
128-Voice Polyphony
This permits the keyboard to produce up to 128 notes simultaneously for full musical expression. It lets you play sweeping chords and make extensive use of the damper pedal.
Scaled Hammer Action
88 touch-dynamic weighted keys make for an authentic playing feel, responding to all your playing nuance like an acoustic piano.
202 Tones
The PX-320 features 202 different tones, including standard General MIDI patches and drum tones.
70 Rhythms
70 preset rhythms offer a varied range spanning the world of music. With Auto Accompaniment, the digital piano automatically plays rhythm, bass, and chord parts in accordance with chords you select using simplified keyboard fingerings, or chords you play. Auto Accompaniment makes it feel like you have your own private backup group with you all the time.
60 Songs
Listen, sing along, play along: 60 top quality songs are stored on your PX-320. You can also play back up to 10 songs from an SD memory card.
You can also turn off the left hand part or right hand part of a song and play along on the piano, which makes for a great learning tool.
8 Digital Effects
Add a little more depth and variation to the built-in tones with 4 reverb and 4 chorus effects.
Registration Memory
You can save up to 96 digital piano setups in registration memory, including tone, rhythm, and tempo settings, for quick and easy recall whenever you need them.
MIDI-In/Out
Use the MIDI in/out to control other MIDI instruments, or with external sequencers, computers, etc.
SD Card Slot
Easily expand your song memory with a built-in SD memory card slot.
USB
The PX-320's USB port offers a quick and easy connection to a PC, handy for use with modern DAW and MIDI systems.
Two Piano Setting Keys
The piano setting key switches to grand piano sound at the touch of a button. Two settings are available: "classic" for a soft, discreet sound and "modern" with a more lighter, brighter character.
Stereo Line In/Out
Connect to a PA system or studio equipment, or connect other sound sources with the line inputs.
Panel-Lock
With the Panel-Lock function, the control panel is protected from unintentional moves while playing and to protect settings.
Powerful Speaker System
The PX-320 features a built-in, two-way system with four speakers and 2 x 8 Watts of output power, to fill a room with sound.
3-Pedal Unit Support
With the optional SP-30, the PX-320 has up to three pedals with half-damper effect. This "half-damper" effect simulates a "half-pedaled" damper pedal.
2 Headphone Connections
Use the two headphone connections for duets or lessons.
What's in the Box
Privia PX-320 Keyboard, AC Adapter, Music Stand, User's Manual

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Yamaha DGX-630 88 Full-Sized Keyboard with Weighted Action Review

Yamaha DGX-630 88 Full-Sized Keyboard with Weighted ActionI am a complete piano novice, but my next-door neighbor, who plays for a living and owns a Kurzweil came over, and after playing it a few minutes said, "If you don't mind my asking, how much did this cost?"His keyboard is a few years old, but he said that he likes the action on this better than his, and he found the sound excellent.

I'm writing this review because I had a few questions that I wished I knew the answers to, but could not find anywhere online before I bought this product sight unseen.

1. Question: How many degrees of loudness are there, depending on how hard you strike?

Answer: A lot.At least 8, but I suspect if my fingers were more dextrous and my ear better I could hear many more levels of touch sensitivity.In any case it sounds in this respect just like a piano to me.

2. Question: Does the timbre of the note change depending on how hard I strike the key?

Answer:Yes, and this effect depends on which keys you strike. In the low notes you hear a realistic sounding distortion when you slam down on the key.On the high notes you hear that hollow sound of the wood piano frame when you nail it.This latter effect was so realistic that I had to turn off the keyboard to be sure it wasn't something that was physically happening inside the box rather than a simulated effect.

Question:On a sustained note does the sound simply fade, or does the quality of the sound change in a natural sounding way as it fades out?

Answer: Again, it sounds just like a real piano to me in this regard.

This keyboard has a "graded hammer action" so that the weight of the keys at the top is lighter than the weight at the bottom. While they may have reproduced this effect accurately, it is almost indiscernable to me with the keyboard off.But with the keyboard on, the weight of the keys feels absolutely distinct from top to bottom because the "strings" at the top and bottom respond so differently.That is, the sound is so good that it tricks your brain into sensing that the keys have completely different weights.

I bought it in spite of the fact that I wasn't sure of the answers to these questions, and it is exactly what I had hoped for.It feels and sounds just like a piano to me, especially with good headphones, which allow me to practice scales in my living room without driving my family insane.

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Product Description:
The new top of the range 88 keys Yamaha DGX-630 features a fully weighted 88-note Graded Hammer keyboard action, a new piano sound with 64-note polyphony and over 500 high quality sounds.

The 88-key Yamaha DGX-630 is a weighted graded hammer action portable keyboard. Upgrades from the previous model include 64-note polyphony, a beautiful matching stand and an optional three-pedal unit, along with additional DSP (Digital Signal Processing) effects that enable realistic sounding Distortion Guitar and Rotary Organ. The Yamaha DGX-630 also includes USB MIDI and USB to Device for removable storage, along with a high resolution Live! Grand stereo sample, song recorder, score and lyric display. The Yamaha DGX-630 offers an affordable, feature-packed portable keyboard. It also boasts an authentic grand piano-like touch: heavy in the low end, feathery light in the highs, and amazingly responsive throughout.

Yamaha Education System (YES) offers an easy, intuitive method of learning how to play a keyboard music instrument. Stand, AC Adapter, Foot Pedal, and Quick-Start DVD are included. USB connectivity for easy matchup to optional PC software complements. Yamaha DGX Series offers a high quality, moderately priced digital piano, but also a diverse feature set typically found on high-end professional synthesizer products. 88 Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keysDual and split modesFC5 sustain pad, music rest and CD-ROM includedGM and XG-Lite compatibleHeadphone portLarge backlit (blue) LCD displayMulti-fingering mode and 'full' keyboard mode availableOptional 3-way pedal board available (model LP-7)Over 500 voices to select fromPitchbend wheelRegistration memories (2 x 8 banks)Reverb, Chorus, DSP and master EQ effectsSupplied with fixed-frame wooden stand and AC power adaptorSweet, Live and Cool voice technology USB connectivityYamaha Education Suite (Y.

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Tipboook - Keyboard and Digital Piano: The Best Guide to Your Instrument (The Best Guide to Your Instrument!) [Paperback] Review

Tipboook - Keyboard and Digital Piano: The Best Guide to Your Instrument [Paperback]I found this a good introductory overview of the subject without excessive detail. Just what I was looking for.

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Product Description:
The Tipbook Series books are handy, accessible, thorough and convenient guides for players who want to get the most out of their instrument. They are written in collaboration with and proofread by musicians, teachers, technicians and other experts - for beginners, students and advanced players. Features include: lessons, teachers and practicing * all jargon explained * basic background information * price indications * the history and the family of the instrument * and more. The keyboard and digital piano book covers such topics as: selecting and play-testing instruments; features and accessories; sound, accompaniments and MIDI; a pianist's glossary; and more! "Comprehensive and superbly organized effort; comfortable to handle, visually attractive, and eminently readable. The Tipbook series is a splendid addition to the music field. The most striking characteristic, to this reviewer, is the way in which the material combines conciseness with solid content. A short, 'how-to' manual always runs the risk of being shallow; Tipbooks avoid that pitfall adroitly and consistently. We highly recommend this series." (Dr. William Leland, PianoEducation.org) "This guide has successfully achieved the difficult task of being relevant for both beginners and experts." ((Becki Jones, Music Educators Journal)

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