Yamaha DGX230AD 76 Key Portable Grand with power Review

Aside from it now being affordable (I bought it when it first came out at around $900), this is a high quality digital piano.The sound is utterly incredible, clear cut and crisp.Basic operation is simple, the weighted keys match those of actual piano keys...the feel is all there.This is perfect for those fluid in their craft, going from in studio to performing in shows.It is fairly heavy, requires 2 people to transport.It is well made, can take serious rough wear and tear from moving and constant use.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha DGX230AD 76 Key Portable Grand with power

Product Description:
The Yamaha DGX-630 offers an affordable, feature-packed portable keyboard that boasts an authentic grand piano-like touch: heavy in the low end, feathery light in the highs, and amazingly responsive throughout. It 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 USB facilitates easy transfer with a PC or Macintosh computer for use with many optional software packages that can score, arrange, and sequence your music. Can't play a keyboard instrument? Yamaha Education Suite helps you get started. With nearly 500 voices and built-in stereo speakers, the Yamaha DGX-230/AD is truly a grand keyboard music instrument that you and your family will enjoy.Pitch bend wheel to add smooth pitch variations to notes playedVoices - 116 panel voices + 12 drum/SFX kits + 361 XGlite voices, Polyphony -32, DUAL and SPLIT modesStyles - 160 Preset Styles + External files, Style Control -ACMP ON/OFF, SYNC STOP, SYNC START, START/STOP, INTRO/ENDING/rit., MAIN/AUTO FILL, Fingering -Multi Finger, Full Keyboard, Style VolumeMusic Database -300 + External filesEducation Feature -Dictionary, Lesson 1-3, Repeat & LearnRegistration Memory -8 banks x 2 typesEffects - Reverb -9 types, Chorus -4 types, Harmony -26 types30 Preset Songs + 5 User Songs + Accessory CD-ROM with 70 moreAuxiliary jacks -PHONES/OUTPUT, DC IN 12V, USB, SUSTAINAmplifier -6 Watts per channel to two 2-way on-board speakers -12cm x 2 + 3cm x 2Power Supply - Adaptor -PA-150 (included) or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha, Batteries -SixDsize, R20P (LR20) or equivalent batteries (optional) Unit Dimensions (W x D x H) -1,178 x 412 x 137 mm (46-3/8 x 16-1/4 x 5-3/8); Weight -8.3kg (18 lbs. 5 oz.) (not including batteries)Supplied Accessories - Music Rest, Accessory CD-ROM, Owner's Manu

Want to buy Yamaha DGX230AD 76 Key Portable Grand with power at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below:

Kurzweil SP-76 Stage Piano Review

[Since posting this review, I see that Kurzweil has come out with the SP2 and SP3.Both pianos now allow for splits and layering, the SP2 with 64 (double those of the SP76) and the SP3 with 512 voices.The only problem is that it's now difficult for an average consumer to distinguish between the SP and PC series.In fact, the SP2 and SP3 look rather gaudy to me compared to the cleaner lines of the PC1, 2, or 3.All the same, the SP2 is still comparatively light and easy to program and hence can be recommended as a player's (as opposed to programmer's) axe.Sill one complaint: you have to wonder if these designers have ever heard a jazz trio--Nat Cole, Monty Alexander, Oscar Peterson, the 3 Sounds--for whom the walking bass plus ride cymbal sound are the very essence of "swing"(what's that?).A performance instrument should have those areas covered before the toys and whistles, the effects, the drum machines, the Take 6 examples, the reverb, the RMI electric piano, and every other clever device that, basically, has nothing to do with jazz, with swing, with music is thrown into the electronic circuitry.]

I've gone through twenty different keyboards and ten brands and am currently on my third SP-76 (one was stolen).It's a trifle inflated right now (it's gone down as low as $500, but that's when the American dollar still had some value).It's the most practical solution for the modern keyboard player (and pianist), the least expensive electric piano that still carries some respectability (don't bring a Casio or low-end Yamaha on a gig).Best of all, I can play a downtown job, walk a block to the hotel with keyboard gig bag over one shoulder (lightweight stand inside) and a small but powerful cube amp in one hand in a single trip (by comparison, I see other guys rolling coffins with Roland RD700s and making 2-3 trips), then repeating the whole process at the end of the night.The SP76 is a life-saver.

I'm more of a "pianist" than a "keyboard" player, but you soon force yourself to get used to unweighted keys in exchange for the lightness, and you rarely miss the 12 subtracted notes. The SP76 piano sounds as good as any but falls considerably short of the long-gone Kurzweil K-1000.

Don't be confused by the descriptions of any pianos in the SP series.You can't split and layer sounds without an external module, the keyboard requires time and patience to MIDI, and the 32 onboard sounds are not always adequate (why no vibes?).Still if I lost another keyboard, I'd have to replace it instantly with this one or stop accepting any more one-nighters.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kurzweil SP-76 Stage Piano

Want to buy Kurzweil SP-76 Stage Piano at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below:

Yamaha P140 88-Key Digital Piano (Black) Review

I recently did an exhaustive review of the digital piano world as I am trying to teach my children to play the piano.Accoustic pianos are not a choice due to the size, weight, cost, and tuning requirements.I love the idea of a piano that is always in tune (and can move if we move), but I wanted to be sure I was teaching my kids in a way that they could easily play a grand piano if presented with one.The biggest concern is muscle memory, and making sure their fingers are used to the feel of a real key.

Roland makes some of the top-of-the-line pianos, but they also come with a high cost.I am sure the sound might be a bit better, but I could not justify the expense.I tried out some of the higher-end Yamaha pianos, and while I was impressed, still was shocked at the cost.The P85 was the lowest cost Yamaha piano I tried that seemed it could be good for teaching.It sounded nice, feature the weighted keys with "graded hammer standard" (GHS), and was reasonably portable.However, I felt the P85 keys were a little hard to push with a little too much return.I had a higher-end Yamaha nearby (non-portable) and found the keys much better.The store also had a grand piano, and the higher-end Yamaha was much closer than the P85.

With a little research, I discovered that the high-end Yamaha pianos (the ones that cost $2k and up) use "graded hammer effect" (GHE), a step up from GHS.The P-140 was the least expensive piano to support GHE.It also has 64 note polyphony, 14 voices with 3 tonal varieties, and support for a sustain pedal (you only need 1 pedal for most playing).

What are the downsides to the P-140?Some other digital pianos have far more voices, more recording capability, and louder speakers.I think the built-in speakers on the P-140 are rather pathetic.But they are good enough for practice.

When I bought the P-140, the P-155 was being introduced.It has essentially replaced the P-140.Better speakers, 128 note polyphony, and more features, but essentially the same piano.I found a seller who was looking to liquidate his P-140's for a good price (with a free stand as well), and I decided the P-155 was not worth the extra cost.If my kids really start playing seriously, I may invest in a Roland, but for now, the P-140 makes sure they don't learn bad habits.My number one criteria was realistic action, and the least expensive way to get into the higher end GHE is the P-140.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha P140 88-Key Digital Piano (Black)

Product Description:
The Ideal Fusion of Rich, Expressive Sound and Exceptional Style As the newest member of Yamaha's P series line, the P-140 delivers incredible sound performance at an incredibly sound price. Featuring Yamaha's highly acclaimed Graded Hammer Effect keyboard as well as realistic piano and instrumental voices, the P-140 offers both the authentic feel of an acoustic piano and the advanced features of today's digitals. Whether you are an accomplished or aspiring musician, the P-140 has the simple operation and superior style you need to showcase your abilities.

Get 33% OFF

Want to buy Yamaha P140 88-Key Digital Piano (Black) at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below:

Casio CTK2000 61 Key Personal Keyboard with MP3/iPod Connection Review

After looking at several reviews and product informatiom of various priced keyboards, and wanting to stay in budget , we decided to purchase this one for our son for Christmas. He is 12 and a budding musician, he absolutely LOVES this keyboard. The only downfall is it did not come with it's own AC adapter, which may be common but would have been nice to know to have on hand Christmas morning (it takes a lot of batteries). Other than that it shipped super fast, great packing, good prduct, we are very pleased!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Casio CTK2000 61 Key Personal Keyboard with MP3/iPod Connection

Product Description:
The Casio CTK2000 is ideal for beginners, children, adults, everyone!And it's loaded with features like a USB port to connect to your computer, plus 48-note polyphony so you are always in control.The CTK2000 keyboard features a 61-key full-size keyboard with MP3/iPod connectivity, an LCD display, and a 3 Step Lesson learning system.The CTK2000 allows you to select up to 400 tones that now include a world music library.There are also 150 versatile rhythms to help add plenty of life to all your keyboard performances.The CTK2000 comes with a total of 110 built-in tunes.You can play back built-in tunes for your own listening pleasure, or you can use them for practice or even sing-alongs.

Get 36% OFF

Want to buy Casio CTK2000 61 Key Personal Keyboard with MP3/iPod Connection at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below: