PSRS500 » Yamaha

Yamaha PSR-E223 61-key Portable Electronic Keyboard with Foot Pedal Switch and Stereo Headphones

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:24:31 +0000

Yamaha has carefully designed the PSR-E223 keyboard to make playing and learning music the way it should befun and easy. The included Interactive Yamaha Education Suite has 5 lessons, a chord dictionary, metronome, and over 100 songs to learn and improve your basic skills. The PSR-E223 keyboard has 375 voices, including the amazing Portable Grand with which you can let your inner talent shine. The Yamaha PSR-E223 keyboard gives you 32-note polyphony, with 9 digital reverb effects including a new chorus. It is also GM and XGlite-compatible. Simply connect The Yamaha PSR-E223 to your computer and enjoy the extra benefits. The PSR-E223 can be powered by the optional Yamaha PA-130 AC adapter power supply (sku#336005) or six AA batteries (not included).

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Yamaha PSR-E223 Entry-Level Portable Keyboard

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:31:49 +0000

With the PSRE223 digital keyboard, youre 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 its time to practice. Yamaha is known around the world for the quality of their acoustic pianos and this attention to detail is evident as you enjoy the warmth and clarity of this Portable Grand piano. And of course, the keyboard includes a Sustain Pedal jack on the back for practicing and playing piano pieces.

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Yamaha P85 Digital Stage Piano (Black)

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:53:18 +0000

The Yamaha P85 Digital Piano features an authentic, natural sound with remarkable expressiveness in a compact, affordable piano.This new Contemporary Piano gives you all the dynamic, high-quality sound and natural piano response you expect from Yamaha, along with a high-quality built-in speaker system – packed into a slim, exceptionally affordable digital piano you can play virtually anywhere. No compromises, full quality.Exceptionally High-quality SoundThe gorgeous piano sounds of the P-85 feature meticulous digital sampling of a full concert grand piano – that change in tone and volume depending on how you play – thanks to Yamaha’s sophisticated AWM Stereo Sampling.Realistic, Acoustic-like Touch ResponseEnjoy authentic, naturally expressive key touch – modeled after an actual acoustic piano, from the low notes to the high – with the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard.Ultra-compact, Stylish DesignThe attractive, slim, lightweight design of the instrument – less tha (more…)

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

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:59:18 +0000

From the Manufacturer

The DGX-630 has an 88-key weighted graded hammer action keyboard with authentic grand piano-like touch–heavier in the low end, lighter in the high, and amazingly responsive! The cabinet has wood accents and an attractive matching stand that puts you and your keyboard at the correct recommended height. Also included is the adapter and sustain pedal. Rounding out the piano focus is a high resolution stereo piano sample. Want more? Add the optional LP-7 pedal unit to upgrade to three pedals and sustain half-pedaling, just like an acoustic. And to make sure you never run out of notes, the DGX-630 features 64 notes of polyphony.Have you ever played a song and wondered what it would look like as sheet music? The DGX-630 can display the score to a song whether it comes from the Internet, the internal selections or ones that you record yourself, and the pages scroll automatically when a song is played back – no more page turning! And for singers, the sc (more…)

Yamaha YPG-535 88-Key Portable Grand Piano Keyboard

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:55:45 +0000

Yamaha YPG535, Yamaha 88 Key Digital Piano YPG-535 offers Graded Soft Touch action, USB connectivity and a stand, adapter and sustain pedal. Performance Assistance Technology ensures error-free performances. Music Database provides complete keyboard setups by song title. The song recorder is easy to use. Five types of Master EQ allow players to adjust the sound. The design accents provide Yamaha YPG-535 Digital Piano with an attractive touch.

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The Advantages Of Electronic Pianos Over Acoustic Upright Pianos

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:03:42 +0000

Many years ago, almost every household used to have an upright piano. People took music lessons with a piano teacher. These pianos took a lot of space and had to be tuned from time to time, otherwise they would sound horrible. Today there are a lots of electronic pianos, which do not have this kind of problem and are also quite cost effective. A big advantage of choosing an electronic piano is that they are not expensive. They also do not require tuning and as they weigh less they can be moved easily from place to place. You can even buy a piano that will match your furniture at home.Before you buy one, you need to consider a few thing things. The first thing you need to check is whether it actually sounds like a piano. Also, check out the other sounds other than the piano sound. Many of these keyboards include sounds of different musical instruments as well so check them out. There are some models that will also provide drum sounds. The next thing you need to look for is that whether the piano has weighted keys. These weighted keys will make your electronic piano sound and feel real. If your child is learning to play then the option of weighted keys is a really a necessary one.Most electronic pianos have a midi sequencer onboard. The sequencer will help you record whatever you play. This will help you when you are composing and playing back music pieces. You can play tracks you have recorded later whenever you need it. The next thing to look for is whether the instrument has a built in sound system or whether you have to connect speakers to it to hear the sound. The final thing you need to look for is whether it as an 88 note keyboard. Acoustic upright pianos always have 88 notes. Sometimes, low priced instruments have fewer notes. Popular sizes are 49 note, 61 note and 76 note keyboards.

Portable Electric Keyboard: Good Or Bad

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:09:43 +0000

The electric keyboard is a musical instrument, which is played using a piano keyboard and produces sound with the help of electricity. In earlier times, the keyboard was mechanical but these days the electric variety is used more than the traditional piano. The traditional piano is a keyboard instrument, but it is not electronic in any way. Synthesizers, workstations and portable arrangers are keyboard instruments that use electricity. Electric keyboard produces a variety of sounds and this is done by combining, as well as generating, signals of various frequencies. The frequencies are converted into the electrical signals and then amplified to produce sound through the speakers. But the root of the electric keyboard is in the piano itself, it has evolved from the traditional piano.Modern keyboards came into existence only in the later part of the 20th century, almost in the 1970s. This new revolution started about thirty years ago. It is not a very old form of musical instrument. But since it was introduced, it has gained in popularity over the years. The effect of the electronic keyboard is visible in all parts of the music industry. Everybody today prefers these kinds of keyboards. Today’s bands, groups and musicians have had a boost in popularity due to the electric keyboard. The sound that is produced is simply perfect when played in front of a live audience. They have also made it possible to produce unusual sound effects that have added extra attraction to their music performance.Almost all the bands have begun to use the electric keyboard regularly since the 1980s. Most popular songs of the 1980s feature music using electric keyboards. The best part of these keyboards is ability to replicate the sound of the traditional piano as well as many other instruments.

Alternative to a Piano – 88 Key Keyboard!

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:10:57 +0000

Why should anybody look for a keyboard with 88 keys? On first instance, the obvious reason that comes out is that one may not be able to afford a piano with the traditional looks – be it acoustic or digital. Cost, and to some extent the fact that it needs more space are the primary reasons for someone choosing a keyboard which has 88 keys. Somebody who has started to learn keyboards on 61 keys, and is inclined to go to the advanced level, will need a keyboard with 88 keys. Whatever is the style of music that you want to learn – classical, jazz, blues, etc. you will need 88 keys to play the advanced pieces. But moving to a digital piano is a costlier option than may be getting your 61-key exchanged for a keyboard which has 88 keys, if budget is of high consideration. If you add the advantage of portability to it, it seems even more rational to go in for that since you can even take it along with you if you need to perform. If you are worried about what sort of keys these keyboards will have, then relax. You get keyboards that have graded hammer action as well, similar to that on acoustic grand pianos. So the touch and feel of your keyboard is not going to change. You also have the option of attaching sustain pedals to these keyboards. There are a lot of manufacturers out there who make music keyboards that have more than 61 keys. You can explore Yamaha, Roland, and Korg keyboards if you are looking for 88 key keyboards.

10 Things You Might Not Know About the Electric Keyboard

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:03:16 +0000

1. Some of you may think of someone playing the electronic keyboard as a “pianist”. Well you’d be wrong. They would actually be referred to (by someone who knows what they are talking about) as a “keyboardist”. Sounds clumsy, but it’s true.
2. The term “electronic keyboard” is used to mainly describe the cheap end portable home sequencing keyboards, but is also commonly used to include many variants such as the digital piano, the synthesizer, the electric organ and the arranger keyboard.
3. Many electronic keyboards commonly use MIDI signals to send and receive musical data. MIDI is essentially a sequence of instructions that identify the sound used, the note pressed, the duration of that press, although the complexity of the MIDI system will vary with each keyboard. Some cheaper end models of electric keyboard (such as keyboard toys) simply will not output that data.
4. Many keyboards have the ability to add a “foot switch” or “sustain pedal” as it is commonly referred to. The application of the foot switch enables a pressed note to “ring” for longer and better replicate the sounds of many keyboard based instruments including the organ and the piano.
5. Electronic keyboards across the world have been commonly built by instrument manufacturers such as Alesis, Casio, Ensoniq, E-mu, Kawai, Ketron, Korg, Kurzweil Music Systems, M-Audio, Moog Music, Ne-Ko, Roland, Technics, Yamaha and Sonic to name but a few!
6. Features that keyboardists would be interested in when choosing a keyboard include touch response, after touch, polyphony (the number of notes that can be played at the same time), multi-timbre (playing more than one instrument at the same time), tempo, split point (the ability to split the playing area into different instruments), style, synchronisation, auto harmony, wheels and knobs (to control and vary different features on the keyboard) and response (weighted or spring loaded).
7. Synthesizers are actually slightly different from the standard electronic keyboard in that they can produce a variety of sounds by generating, combining and distorting signals of different frequencies. Unlike the keyboard, the synthesizer produces an electric signal (rather than an acoustic signal) which can then be played through an amplifier of some kind. Synthesizers are most commonly controlled by a keyboard device, although this is often integrated into the machinery.
8. Perhaps the most infamous synthesizer is the Moog Synthesizer, famous for its role in many 1970s and 1980s pop hits and popularly used by artists such as Jean Michelle Jarre and Duran Duran.
9. The earliest incarnations of the non-electric keyboard are the pipe organ, the hurdy gurdy and the harpsichord. The organ is the oldest of these from perhaps as early as the third century AD.
10. The first keyboard to be powered by electricity is said to be the “Ondes Martenot” which appeared in the early 20th century (approx. 1928). It is actually still played today in some French conservatoires thanks to some compositions written specifically for the Ondes Martenot. It produces eerie wavering notes and was produced by “varying the frequency of oscillation in thermionic valves”. Whatever than means…

Piano Keyboards to Keep You Playing: What To Look For In a Keyboard

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:39:42 +0000

When looking for a new keyboard, consider the name brand manufacturers of piano keyboards. Look at your budget and then go from there. Does that budget allow you to check out some of the premiere makers out there? Does your budget require you to go with a lesser-known manufacturer?
Some of the names in piano keyboards are Korg, Kurzweil, Roland, Yamaha, Kawai and Moog. There are a host of others as well, some with a wide model line available. Check each manufacturer’s products from low-end to high-end and compare across companies for features offered. Sometimes a lower-priced model may suit you just as well as a higher-priced one that has many extra gadgets you may never use. The main thing is to make sure any model you choose has a clear, full sound resembling as close as possible a traditional piano sound. You don’t want a tinny sound that is more annoying than pleasing.
If you base your decision solely on price, investigate consumer reports and product reviews that may alert you to product flaws. You may find some high-priced models receive more bad press than lower-priced makes. Regardless, don’t let a piano keyboard purchase blow your budget. You can always upgrade down the road.
One important consideration when purchasing a piano keyboard is the warranty. If you’re buying a new brand, make sure the warranty is suitable with no unacceptable “except for” clauses. If you’re buying used, try to buy from a dealer who offers even a six-month warranty on a used product. They’re out there; you just have to look for them.
Consider the type of keys your fingers will run across when you look at piano keyboards. Do you want traditional weighted keys that have the feel of an acoustic piano? Do you want touch sensitive keys that spring into action with little downward pressure? Both are available, and checking them out will ensure that it suits your touch. I would certainly recommend that you get both of these features so your keyboard not only sounds but also feels like a normal acoustic piano.
Consider whether you want a full 88-key piano or one with fewer keys. It depends on what you plan to play, how much you want to spend, and the space you have in a room. You don’t want to feel cramped with a keyboard whose length barely fits into a small room. On the other hand, if you plan on getting better in a hurry, then get an 88 key keyboard from the outset so you won’t have to worry about outgrowing it.
Another thing to consider in a piano keyboard is the number of controls a model has for sound modification. Many keyboards come equipped with settings to make the piano sound like different musical instruments. Some also have voice settings, so certain keys sound like a choir singing. Again, if you want just your typical piano sound, you may not require all these sound controls. To keep your costs down, it’s best to buy a model with only the features you will use.
An important consideration, especially if you live in an apartment or condominium, is sound control. You want a keyboard that allows you to set the volume as low as possible while maintaining quality and clarity of sound. You also want a keyboard that allows for headphone plug-in, so you can play as loud as you need without disturbing anyone.
With today’s “going green” concerns, you may want to investigate the energy use of keyboards. Keyboards that are green friendly are sure to be the latest models and can save you dollars on energy bills. With that extra money, you can upgrade to a higher-priced keyboard later.
Additional things to consider are any special benefits or bonuses for buying. Some music studios sell keyboards and may offer lesson or music book discounts for purchasing from them. Some music stores offer music lessons on premises and may offer free introductory piano lessons with a keyboard purchase.
The final thing to consider when purchasing a keyboard is its capacity for attachments. Aside from the headphones (and you’ll want them for sure so you can practice silently), you may want outlets for an amplifier or a Musical Instrument Digital Interface outlet. This allows you to hook a keyboard into a computer. Of course, the computer also has to have a MIDI input. If your computer doesn’t, you have to buy a USB MIDI adapter. With the proper software program in place, you can play notes on a keyboard and have them show up as written music on your monitor. The computer plays the notes back, and the program stores the played notes on the computer. If this looks like an attractive option, seek a keyboard with this outlet.
Take the time to investigate all the piano keyboard options available to you on the market. There are makes and models to suit your exact requirements. All you need is an investigative attitude to search out the one that’s right for you.