4 comments about Casio PX800 Privia Digital Piano with Weighted Scaled Hammer Action Keys.

1. As a student new to the piano I would humbly say that this instrument accomplishes its goal to play and feel like a full size manual piano with its hammer-action keys. This is the best feature along with its diminutive size to fit into a small space with a full-size keyboard. I have not yet tested all the many other sound and accompaniment features yet but they're all there to use as my skill improves.



2. I had been eying the PX-320, but I have no need to move it around and I really wanted something that was nicer looking in the house, without seeing all the cables etc. I prefer this to the 320 because of the 3 pedals, which work quite nicely, and ascetics of it. I had actually gone into the store thinking I was going to buy the Yamaha YDP-213, because of the console look, but saw the PX-800 and after playing both the choice was clear. I prefer the action of keys, sound, and speakers all above the Yamaha - and I like the look better. Plus because this is a newer model it has 128 polyphony, SD card, USB connections, and all the things I wanted in the 320. For me this was the perfect digital piano to have in the house, and it was easy to assemble, took about 1/2 hour by myself. I highly recommend it!



3. Casio PX800 Privia Digital Piano with Weighted Scaled Hammer Action Keys
   
   My wife and I own a large Steinway grand piano and a small harpsichord in our living room. We bought this digital piano as a replacement of our old MIDI keyboard and for nighttime practice.
   
   Casio PX800 has an excellent speaker set and a realistic keyboard. Although its tuning isn't perfect (like any acoustic piano and harpsichord), it produces a great sound. As a piano with a full size keyboard and three pedals, its footprint is surprisingly, and pleasantly, small.
   
   Its USB-MIDI functionality is also fantastic and extremely easy to use. Thanks to ferland.francois, this Casio keyboard is now Mac compatible. (Casio supports Windows only.)
   
   Not only does this piano function as a great stand-alone musical instrument with an ample set of features and realistic touch, but also it works as an excellent input device for Apple's GarageBand.



4. This instrument has everything you ever wanted in a piano, and much more. Gorgeous sound, heavenly touch, delicious sonorities.

5 comments about Casio AP45 Digital Piano (88 Keys with Weighted Action).

1. I bought this piano through COSTCO and it came disassembled in a box. Apparently the manufacturer wants to save on labor costs and on space. Well that's ok as long as how-to-assemble instructions are provided. To my dismay, I found none of that. I could not believe it! Here I am, looking at a thousand dollars worth of parts and not a single sheet of writing on how to put it together. So, trusting my guts and my intuition I put it together. Ok, it wasn't that hard and after all I never read the instructions that are in the box, but because of this I'm always left with a few 'spare parts' around. This time I got it right - nothing left behind!
   
   The sound especially that of the grand piano seems to be in the high end of the digital piano quality, though if you have a good musical ear you will notice that the harmonics you get in a note played on an acoustic piano, especially on the low and high end of the spectrum are richer resulting in a better quality.
   
   The dynamics of the keyboard, unlike those in many digital pianos, are excellent and playing on it feels like you are playing on a good acoustic upright piano.
   
   I was also impressed by playing with the headphones and the whole experience is unbelievably realistic and high quality. However, for best experience I recommend you use a good set of headphones, such as the Koss Titanium Pro-3AA and not those little ones you may feel compelled to borrow from your ipod.
   
   There are not very many features like the ones you find in other high-end digital pianos but the sound quality is unbeatable. Overall the AP-45 is a good choice for me given its price.



2. I am not a piano player myself, so how useful is such a review to you? But I can use my ears, and I can look at the construction.
   
   The construction is very solid, and the unit is heavy. A few years ago I swore an oath that I would never allow any particleboard items in the house anymore, but now I had to. The unit is really as good as it can be being constructed from particleboard. Both the piano and the stand are made out of very thick material and for the stand the particle board is covered with MDF underneath the veneer. The foot pedals are very solid as well, and it takes real pressure to put them down. Just like the real thing.
   
   All screws and bolts needed for assembly were neatly packed in separate plastic bags, and a good assembly instruction is in the user manual. The packaging was perfect, including a plastic slide off cover on the pins of the power receptacle. It doesn't do anything, but it is good to see the manufacturer has an eye for details.
   
   When I first heard the sound I was totally impressed. This thing sounds like a *real* piano. No booming , resonance or vibration or anything which doesn't belong in the sound. I can imagine that it sounds differently compared to an acoustical piano, but don't sound acoustical pianos different either?
   
   For a non-player, the keys felt very natural to me. If you press a key, you *feel* the momentum of a mechanism being put into action. Until you realize there is no mechanism in place. The harder you hit the key, the louder the sound is.
   
   Incredible. I have nothing to comment on the construction, it is Japanese perfection.



3. Piano looks good, sounds terrific. But - big BUT - this piano has a painfully user-unfriendly interface, using the piano keys for settings. For example, one might expect a simple metronome setting +/- for faster slower, and a three digit display to show you the tempo. But no. First you press the metronome key. Then you press the Setting key. Then you count up Cs from the bottom of the keyboard - holding down C speeds up the metronome, holding down B slows it. And NO way to tell where the tempo is set. That same clumsy keyboard interface is used for many of the controls. I like the piano, but the control UI is just *badly* engineered.



4. I ordered this from Amazon and received it in less than a week. The instructions for assembling are very clear and easy to follow. The weighted action is wonderful and is also adjustable. The sound is excellent and this is probably as close to a real piano as a digital piano is going to get (for this price anyway). Very pleased with the purchase.
   
   By the way, the panels are somewhat textured and semi-mat finish, so this is not as good-looking of a piece of furniure as a real piano with the glossy finish. But the attractive dark brown color compensates for that.



5. I bought the Casi AP45 Digital Piano for my mother for her 80th birthday. She loves to play the piano but has not had one of her own for years. I couldn't afford the regular accoustic piano so I wanted to get her something that was as close as possible to the real thing. This one has been absolutely wonderful. She could not get over how much it sounded and felt just like a regular piano. But better than that, she has been trying all of the other sounds and is having a ball learning how to use them.
   
   The piano was very easy to set up and looks beautiful in her small apt. She tells me everyday that she is in her 7th heaven.

2 comments about Casio PX320 Privia Digital Piano.

1. For the price paid, the Casio Privia PX-320 delivers much more than the products from competitors. See the description.
   The multiple voices provided sound ok through the speakers, but they sound better through a decent pair of headphones.
   I bought mine to replace a Yamaha P-120, that was too heavy to carry around.
   I consider the action of the Casio to be very close of the Yamaha's in terms of quality - even if they feel different.
   Out of the box I would say that the Casio action feels lighter and more dynamic - it is not good or bad, as it is a question of taste.
   I have no issue going back to my Yamaha C3 grand piano after I practiced on the Casio. That is what matters to me.
   The PX comes with a lot of additional voices that are actually, for many but not all, quite usable. The piano allows to layer 2 voices and to set the volume of each of them. You can even add a 3rd voice if split the keyboard. 128 polyphony allows to play without the PX-320 to drop notes, even during sustained phrases.
   A the PX-320 offer a lot of settings, check out the doc (online on the Casio website) to feel your confort with its interface.
   It takes some time to get what you want but you can store your settings in the 96 registration slots for instant setting retrieval. A must that lacks the PX-200.
   In addition the drum sets are dynamic (sound soft or loud depending on your strike speed) and that allows very decent drum play and midi edition.
   Over all a great DP that delivers way more - it would even be a perfect Midi studio controller if it would come with the usual modulation and pitch bend wheels.
   Time for me to get back to it and play my preferred classical pieces. BTW, it comes with the 60 classical pieces score book that the PX-320 has in memory. Very nice.



2. I 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.

No comments about Akai MPK 49 Controller Keyboard.

No comments about Play 'N' Roll Piano.

No comments about Yamaha EZ-200 61-Key Lighted Keyboard with Yamaha Education Suite.

5 comments about 61-KEY Portable Keyboard with Touch-sensitive Keys.

1. Yamaha YPT-400 has USB-MIDI
   
   I bought the Yamaha YPT-400 too and using a regular USB cable I was able to:
   (a) add/subtract songs (.mid files) from a WinXP computer.
   (b) use the USB-MIDI feature...play the PYT-400 as a MIDI keyboard & play/record on computer using any 3rd party MIDI software (I used Voyetra Teach Me Piano Deluxe).
   - the USB-MIDI keyboard is seen as "Yamaha Portatone-1" using "General MIDI" by such MIDI software on the computer.
   
   I used USB driver included on CD-ROM (all USB devices need a driver whether it's provided via Microsoft or directly from manufacturer) and also the newer USB driver version available free for download at some yamaha site (just google for "yamaha ypt 400 usb driver").



2. I bought a YPT-400. I wanted primarily to play along with downloaded songs. When I got to the 12th downloaded song it would not take the 13th song. After back and forth with Yamaha, apparently I was out of memory, making the specs and also the specs re downloaded songs here and in the manual misleading at best. Otherwise, it is a great instrument for the price.



3. An amazing keyboard for it's price!!! The Grand Feature feels awesome!!! I bought this for my husband for Christmas, unfortunatley it arrived in the manufacturers box, so surprise spoiled. Not Amazon's Fault! Anyway,
   he hasn't been able to stop playing since it arrived. The clear sound, sounds like it is connected to an amp.. Amazing features! Great item to own for it's price!!!! Definately recomend this product!!!



4. I am an adult who took piano for a year as a kid and am now taking lessons again. This keyboard has been great for me, as it is small and has good sound. I appreciate that I can plug in earphones or turn the volume way down if I don't want everyone else to have to listen to me practicing. Except for the built in metronome, I have not used any of the extra "features" and honestly would prefer that there just be fewer buttons, but that's a silly complaint. The one thing that really bothers me is that the touch sensitive feature isn't as responsive as I would like. The idea is that just like a piano if you push a key hard it plays loud, and if you push it softly it plays quietly. I don't have experience with other keyboards, but when I play on a real piano at my lesson, it is so much easier to play quietly or loudly when I want to. I am definitely glad that I got the one with touch sensitive keys rather than a cheaper one, but I don't know if other keyboards might have better control.



5. This was a gift for our grandson's 16th birthday. By all reports from him, it is an excellent purchase.

3 comments about Casio WK-8000 88 Key Keyboard with Stand and Power Supply.

1. I purchased my WK-8000 to replace a four year old Yamaha keyboard which I liked but had outgrown. I began looking strictly at new Yamahas but models with the features I wanted were a little more than I was hoping to spend so I decided that I should at least check out the Casio's before dismissing them as toys; It turns out I'm very glad I did.
   
   My background was playing a Farfisa Compact-Duo in a 60's rock band so I wanted something with convincing organ sounds. While my Yamaha could "suggest" the sound of a Vox, Farfisa, or Hammond it never nailed any of them. The Casio is absolutely incredible at producing almost any organ sound you're looking for. The unique drawbar feature is a real stroke of genius. Close your eyes and you really believe you're playing a B3! It even has a control wheel for the rotary speaker effect that if you flip from full-on to full-off (or vice-versa) it winds down (or up) slowly, just like a mechanical Leslie. The only thing that would make it better would be an available foot switch. With a little experimentation I've gotten the most convincing Doors first album/Vox sound I've heard. I can't say enough about the variety of organ settings on this thing.
   
   Most of the other sounds are generally good; the only thing I'm somewhat disappointed in is the piano sound. The bottom is rich and full but when you get much above middle C it sounds tinny. By the time you're an octave above middle C it sounds more like a steel drum than a grand piano. Switching to mellow piano helps some, but not much. Yamaha wins for better overall piano sounds.
   
   The U.S. Casio website doesn't contain as much technical information as their European site or Yamaha's US site but a little research shows that the WK-8000 has more power and larger speakers than most keyboards, giving it enough volume for almost any in-home use. Advanced users can customize existing waveforms and import their own sounds for even more versatility, something not often found in this price range. Casio even has a website with free downloads of additional tones and songs. Build quality is fine, not "on-tour" rugged but just as good as similar products from Yamaha and others. The WK-8000 comes complete with an AC adapter, stand, and sustain petal, things that are optional on many smaller models.
   
   Like most keyboards, any piano mode causes the keys to produce a louder sound in response to a harder touch, but unlike smaller models the keys are also shaped like piano keys. The keyboard feel falls into the `lightly weighted' category (something else Casio's literature is vague about). This weighting (also used by Yamaha and others) is `neither here-nor-there' as true pianos have fully weighted keys and organ keys feel like... well, organ keys. If you're primarily an organist this slightly higher resistance might slow you down a little at first but you get used to it and when you do it should make you a little more comfortable when sitting down at an acoustic piano.
   
   The bottom line is that I'm very pleased with the WK-8000. The only thing keeping it from attaining a five star rating is the lackluster piano sounds, but if your primary focus is organ you won't beat it at twice the price.



2. I just simply love this keyboard. Has alot more stuff than I really need cause I bought it just for home use. All the tones and rythyms sound true and are just wonderful. The piano sound could be alittle better when you play higher up frome mid C. but other than that its great. I would recommend this keyboard to just about every person, beginner or professional. The speakers are loud and very clear and the bass is fantastic. Want a keyboard to use at home in bands or just about anywhere, then you should buy this one. Out does Yamaha 2 to 1.



3. I ordered this product as I've become interested in playing music in my late 20's. I was looking for a full size 88-Key digital piano and this did not disappoint. To me(granted I have played only on a few real pianos) this is the real deal. Sounds great, the speakers are nice, the tones are excellent and the overall quality greater than I expected at the price point. I was excited to start playing and now that I have I'm more excited to continue. The amount of options you have is a bit overwhelming at first(again I'm a beginner!)but the sheer volume of what you can do with this unit is impressive - and all for a great price as compared to similar units.
   
   
   I was told that Casio keyboards were considered more "toys" than instruments but I heartily disagree. A friend of mine who has been playing since she was 4(Korean, started at 4 years old 4 hours a day until she began college at the age of 20) was very impressed and is now considering purchasing one herself as her apartment is too small for a full baby grand. All in all it is a great product with a completely reasonable price.

No comments about Casio LK300TV Lighted Keyboard with Premium Accessories Package.

1 comments about Yamaha PSR-E413 61-Key Digital Keyboard.

1. The PSR-E413 is Yamaha's next addition to their portable keyboard line. It was designed with the new musician in mind, and includes numerous learning tools (the Yamaha Education Suite being the most prominently featured) and "cheater" features (Yamaha Performance Assistance Technology let's you hit the wrong key and still sound correct). Unlike many other beginner level keyboards, however, the PSR-E413 has numerous features that will allow new musicians to grow into semi-professionals without having to buy a new instrument - 504 voices (instruments the keyboard can sound like), 100 arpeggio types, 165 preset styles, 30 preset songs, a pitch-bending wheel, and 5 song/6 track recording. Other common features such as "touch sense" (the keys can sound louder or softer depending on how hard they are pressed), a USB port, sustaining pedal port, and a headphone/output port are also present.
   
   What all of that boils down to is simply this: the E413 is fun to play and sounds great. The price is generally within the acceptable realm for beginners, and the features make it something even those at a semi-professional level would like to play (though, in all honesty, most professionals are going to want a less portable 76+ key unit). After going to numerous music stores and online sources, this model ended up being the best fit for my budget and needs - I highly recommend it.
   
   I have two complaints with the PSR-E413 as packaged. The first is that the music stand (which easily slides into two slots on the top-back of the unit) is made of cheap plastic, and looks like it will break easily. The second is that a number of additional items are needed to fully enjoy this instrument. The first thing you'll need is a plug-in power adapter (I was shocked that the keyboard didn't come with one) unless you want to spend hundreds of dollars on batteries. Next, you'll probably want a keyboard stand (a decent folding one costs anywhere from $20 - $60). An AB-type USB cable is necessary to connect the instrument to your computer and fully realize its potential. After that, a dust cover and case might also interest you. Finally, headphones and a foot switch/pedal should be considered, especially if you like being creative and don't live alone. Yamaha offers a few of these items in a special set called the Survival Kit B (it includes the power adapter, foot switch, headphones, and an extended warranty), but I don't recommend it, as the headphones and pedal it contains are of inferior quality.
   
   Note: This model replaced the PSR-E403 as of May 2008. The two are extremely similar, with the E413 containing a few upgrades (165 vs. 155 styles; 100 arpeggio functions vs 50; etc..). The feel and most of the features of the two, however, are almost the same.