On paper, the Casio CTK-4000 seems like a nice low-end keyboard, but many buyers give it a thumbs down.

This affordable keyboard has 61 standard-size keys and two touch sensitivity levels for a more piano-like experience, along with 48-note polyphony (24-note for certain tones).

With 570 onboard tones, plus rhythms, reverb, and chorus digital effects to add depth to the performance, there is plenty of room for exploration and creativity in your playing.

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Using the Auto Accompaniment feature, you can play a chord with your left hand and the selected accompaniment pattern will play automatically. Similarly, the Auto Harmonize feature automatically adds harmony to the melody notes you play with your right hand.

For novices, the CTK-4000 features a 3-step lesson system and built-in songs to helps you master keyboard play.

You can also connect the CTK-4000 to a computer using a USB cable and exchange MIDI data between the two devices.

However, despite all the features, many buyers don’t seem happy with the quality of this keyboard. That’s why you may want to think twice before opening your wallet.

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Here are some of the features of the Casio CTK-4000 Personal Keyboard, 61-Key, with MP3 Connection, 10 Second Sampling, and Digital Effects:

• - 61 piano-style keys
• - Touch response (2 sensitivity levels, off)
• - 48-note polyphony (maximum)
• - 570 high-quality tones including stereo grand piano tones
• - 180 rhythms including 74 ethnic rhythms and 20 patterns for piano play

Here is what current owners have to say about the Casio CTK-4000 Personal Keyboard:

Duke: “If you want to bang keys for a few days and then put this into the corner of your darkest closet this keyboard is probably fine. But, if you were planning on using this as a tool to learn to play a keyboard I would advise against it. After less than 4 months (Less than 40 hours total use) the keys are all starting to squeak and bend oddly. If you’re like me (and want something that is at least reliable and feels right even though you aren’t a pro) I’d advise spending a bit more to get something that isn’t so flimsy.”

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This is a great-sounding portable keyboard that seems to have something for everyone. It comes with an attractive matching stand that puts the instrument at the correct recommended height.

The 88-key weighted graded hammer action keyboard feels remarkably like a grand piano – the keys are heavier in the low end, lighter in the high, and exquisitely responsive.

For those who prefer it, the Yamaha DGX-630 can also be played in traditional keyboard mode (chording on the left side of the keyboard, in the bass section).

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It has 64 notes of polyphony, less than some digital pianos but enough for expressive and natural tones. Buyers describe the sound quality as “superb” and “phenomenal.”

The keyboard has an extensive range of top-quality reverb and chorus effects and instrument voices, as well as harmony effects for the melody part. The options for creativity are almost endless.

This model provides some useful features for beginners. For example, there are 30 built-in songs plus 70 more on the included CD-ROM, providing 7 levels of lessons plus a chord dictionary.

The keyboard has 2 USB ports on the back for ample connectivity. Songwriters will appreciate the 6-track recorder that can record multi-track, multi-voice compositions.

All in all, this instrument combines impressive sound with a feature set that will make just about everyone happy. It’s a fine choice for beginners and non-professionals.

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Here are some of the features of the Yamaha DGX-630 88 Full-Sized Keyboard with Weighted Action:

• - 88 piano style, weighted keys with graded soft touch
• - 6-track recorder
• - Digital effects for reverb, chorus and instrumental sound
• - 503 high-quality tones
• - 64 note polyphony and 16 part multi timbrel
• - Stereo speakers

Here is what current owners have to say about the Yamaha DGX-630 88 Full-Sized Keyboard with Weighted Action:

T. Navarro: “I absolutely love this keyboard. Don’t sell yourself short and think that it’d be better to spend $200 or so less on a different keyboard. Trust me, the money is worth it. If you’re looking for a very acoustic piano sounding keyboard, this one is for you. It comes with lots of bells and whistles, which is great for whatever need you see fit…but if you’re like me, than perhaps you just want a full-sized weighted keyboard that feels and sounds authentic. The keys are just about as sensitive as a piano, if not more, allowing you to gain emphasis in your playing.”

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The Casio PX-800 is a surprisingly good digital piano that offers realistic grand piano sound and feel in a compact, affordable package.

The full size, 88-key keyboard comes with an attractive, custom wood stand that turns it into an elegant piece of furniture. The footprint is surprisingly small so it’s perfect to fit in small spaces where a real piano can’t. The damper and soft/sostenuto pedals add to the authentic piano experience and sound.

The touch-sensitive keys are very like those on an acoustic piano (some buyers find them a little heavy and say they take some getting used to).

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And how does the PX-800 sound? Some buyers say it sounds much better than many real pianos. With 128-note polyphony, the stereo sampled piano voices are beautiful and the advanced filter ensures that notes change and decay naturally.

The piano has a built-in, two-way 40-watt speaker system that produces good quality sound. It will easily connect to a PA system or studio equipment using the stereo line inputs.

The Casio PX-800 has a variety of different instrument voices that sound just as pleasing as the piano voices, including organ, electric piano, harpsichord, and strings. In addition, there is a good selection of on-board effects.

There are all the features you would expect, including a song library, recording and play back function, built-in metronome, and USB-MIDI functionality.

The product does get a few complaints. For example, the light plastic bar that supports the foot pedals is rather flimsy, although the foot pedals feel sturdy during use. The sliding cover for the keys is thin and not made of heavy, quality wood like the rest of the piano. And the keys sometimes make a slight clacking sound when played very softly.

But the complaints are minor ones. Buyers agree that the Casio PX-800 is a great value for the money. This instrument delivers the satisfying feel of a real piano with the advantages of a keyboard.

If you are looking for a good digital piano with exceptional sound quality, but you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg, be sure to check this one out.

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Here are some of the features of the Casio PX-800 Privia Digital Piano with Weighted Scaled Hammer Action Keys:

• - Realistic piano sound and feel
• - Powerful audio
• - 162 built-in tones
• - On-board effects
• - Song library
• - Real-time recording
• - Two headphone connections
• - Stereo line out

Here is what current owners have to say about the Casio PX-800 Privia Digital Piano with Weighted Scaled Hammer Action Keys:

Music major: “I am amazed at how much it sounds like a real piano! The speakers have a wonderful clean sound (although the sound comes from under the piano instead of the top). The keys are weighted and very touch-sensitive, allowing you to achieve the softest and loudest sounds as you play. The three pedals work just like the pedals on a normal piano, and although they are plastic they feel quite sturdy.”

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The Yamaha P85 is a compact, affordable digital piano that is easy to like.

The graded hammer keyboard produces an authentic, natural sound with remarkable expressiveness. The notes change in tone and volume depending on how you play.

The two piano voices (one of them a full concert grand piano) sound wonderful in 64-note polyphony. There is also a variety of other high-quality instrument voices, including electric pianos, organs, strings and harpsichord. Buyers say that the sound quality of the piano is amazing, especially when you use headphones.

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The dual voice function lets you play two instrument voices at the same time. Other features include the ability to record your own playing (hearing yourself play is a valuable self-improvement tool). There is also a built-in metronome for accurate time keeping.

The keyboard has a slim, sleek design and weighs only 26 pounds. The rather odd structure of the keyboard’s speakers means that the instrument won’t sit securely in anything but its custom made stand, so you’ll want to include that in your purchase.

Although the keyboard sounds and feels great, it does have a few flaws. There are no stage outs – if you want to hook up the keyboard to an amp or a mixing board, you have to use the headphone jacks. Some buyers think that the on-board speakers themselves leave a lot to be desired – you may want to supplement the system with quality speakers.

All things considered, the Yamaha P85 is quality digital piano that delivers impressive tone and feel at a reasonable price.

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Here are some of the features of the Yamaha P85 Digital Stage Piano:

• - Extensive instrument voice selection and dual voice function
• - Recording feature for studying or accompaniment
• - Expressive half-pedal control
• - Three-pedal pedal unit (optional)
• - Built-in metronome for practicing and recording in perfect time

Here is what current owners have to say about the Yamaha P85 Digital Stage Piano:

Martin Doege: “The Yamaha P-85 looks and sounds great, is a joy to play, and has all the basics for piano playing covered, as well as some advanced features like voice layering. The quality, convenience (headphone jacks, easy recordings), and price of the P-85 make it pretty hard to fathom why anyone would bother with the hassle of a real grand or upright.”

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This Casio digital piano might be a good choice if you’re willing to make a trade-off between features and price.

The feel of this instrument is one of its best selling points. The weighted keys on the full, 88-note keyboard have scaled hammer action with touch sensitivity, giving a realistic and pleasing piano experience.

The Casio CDP-100 comes with 5 voices, including carefully sampled grand piano. It has 32-note polyphony, eight digital effects, layer and transpose function, and a sustain pedal.

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However, some buyers found the sound disappointing, with complaints that it sounded masked, not sharp and crisp. This problem might be caused by the less-than-fabulous speakers, because other people who used the headphones while playing found the sound quite good.

Although the keyboard is sturdy, it’s also slim, lightweight, and pretty easy to carry around.

This model lacks some of the popular features such as a metronome and a recording function. According to some buyers, the keyboard also needs more outputs. If price is a major factor in your decision, you may not be too concerned about these flaws.

This is a basic weighted-key digital piano that has definite pros and cons. If you’re seriously thinking about buying this model, look for it on sale.

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Here are some of the features of the Casio CDP-100 88-Note Weighted Hammer Action Digital Piano:

• - 88-key, naturally scaled hammer action
• - Three levels of touch sensitivity
• - Five sounds including stereo grand piano
• - 32-note polyphony
• - Speaker system
• - MIDI i/o
• - Headphone and sustain pedal jacks

Here is what current owners have to say about the Casio CDP-100 88-Note Weighted Hammer Action Digital Piano:

Ww: “The CDP-100 is a great practice piano for anyone who is looking for a temporary somewhat portable piano to practice on. The sound is decent, I really like the headphone jack feature which allows me to plug in my headphones when I practice. With the headphones on the notes sound crisp and sharp, however relying on just the built-in speakers the piano sounds a little dull and could be louder. The foot pedal isn’t that great, I found myself holding it down the entire time to hear the effect; but it’s a minor issue. The weighted-hammer keys feel just like real piano, really great. I am very happy with the CDP-100 and highly recommend this as a piano for people who don’t have the money/space for a real piano. As a college student, I think this is the perfect keyboard since I can put on my headphones in when I practice and not disturb my roommates.”

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This is a very nice digital piano that combines great features with exceptional piano tones.

The Yamaha sounds remarkably like a real piano, within the limitations of its speakers. Being digital, it also offers all the benefits of modern electronics. With full DSP you can alter the sound and even get simulated concert hall acoustics.

The weighted key action is top-notch and very piano-like, with a better feel than some real pianos in terms of consistency and smoothness.

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The internal amp and speakers supply a clean and crisp sound. For the complete piano experience and sound, some owners recommend getting the optional pedal assembly, which is a piano-like triple pedal attachment with a soft pedal, a full sustain, and a left hand sustain.

Novices will find many instructional features in the product. For example, the digital display shows the music and the corresponding piano keys to play. If you’re an accomplished pianist, you can simply press one button that turns off the bells and whistles, transforming the instrument into a regular piano.

This is a great piano substitute for apartment dwellers, with its volume control and headphone jack to prevent the neighbors from complaining. A minor point to be aware of – the maximum volume on this instrument isn’t terribly loud, so if you want to use it in a group setting or for performance, you’ll probably want external amplification.

The Yamaha YPG-635 digital piano is suitable for a wide range of musicians, from beginners to more advanced recreational pianists. It produces excellent sound, offers lots of features, and comes at a reasonable price (especially if you catch it on sale).

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Here are some of the features of the Yamaha YPG-635 88-Key Weighted Portable Grand Piano:

• - Sequencer: 6 track / 5 songs / 10,000 notes
• - Keyboard: 88 GHS weighted action MIDI USB slave
• - Display: large 320 x 240 b/w LCD
• - Storage Device: 1.5MB Flash + USB to device
• - Effects: 9 reverb / 4 chorus / 5 EQ / DSP
• - Item Weight: 100 pounds

Here is what current owners have to say about the Yamaha YPG-635 88-Key Weighted Portable Grand Piano:

P. Ziolek: “I am very pleased with this keyboard after owning it for a month. I like the action of the keys and the “ease of use”. I have played many keyboards the past 20 years and this is one of my favorites. Although the sound reproduction through the speakers is very good, there is nothing like a good set of headphones attached. Close your eyes and it’s easy to imagine the original instrument playing.”

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The keyboard may be called a “Portable Grand Piano,” but if you’re looking for something that simulates the sound and feel of an acoustic piano, you may not be happy with this instrument.

The graded soft touch action which is supposed to make it feel like a piano keyboard isn’t bad, but it’s not as realistic as the feel of some other models.

The keyboard sounds good – clean, clear and solid, especially for the middle keys. But again, the sound doesn’t mimic the sound of a real piano closely enough to satisfy some buyers.

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That’s not to say this is a bad product. Overall it amounts to something more than a standard keyboard and something less than a digital piano.

The keyboard comes with plenty of attractive features, including a wide range of instrument voices and sound effects. It has a versatile metronome and also allows you to record performances for listening or practice sessions. USB connectivity is built into the product.

It comes with a stand, power adapter, and sustain pedal. The wooden stand is assembled with nuts and bolts and seems to be very sturdy. The keyboard itself is screwed securely onto the stand.

All in all, the Yamaha YPG-535 should be considered a recreational keyboard. As long as you know what to expect, you will probably find plenty of enjoyment from playing it.

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Here are some of the features of the Yamaha YPG-535 88-Key Portable Grand Piano Keyboard:

• - Graded Soft Touch action
• - USB connectivity
• - Stand, adapter and sustain pedal
• - Performance Assistance Technology
• - A Music Database provides complete keyboard setups by song title
• - Item Weight: 70 pounds

Here is what current owners have to say about the Yamaha YPG-535 88-Key Portable Grand Piano Keyboard:

Skaiya: “First, let me say that this is a solid product for a very good price. It’s highly portable, even once you set it up. I’m not sure how much it weighs, but I’m a 5′3″, 95lbs person, and I can lift and carry this piano with a medium amount of effort. It’s got a full keyboard, and has hundreds of different sounds effects, as well as a pretty good volume range and a jack that you can plug your headphones into if you want a little bit of privacy (although, you have to buy an adapter for your headphone jack).”

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This is a starter keyboard that is designed to get children excited about making music. Just set it up and they will be playing songs in no time.

The lesson system helps novices learn to play quickly by following the keys as they light up (more advanced players can turn off the lights if they prefer). The helpful on-screen fingering and timing indicators also simplify keyboard playing for beginner musicians.

With the auto accompaniment feature, you can specify a chord and the keyboard will automatically produce the matching rhythm, bass, and chord patterns. And with 100 built-in Song Bank tunes you have a broad range of music for playback enjoyment or practice.

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This feature-rich keyboard sounds good but not quite like a piano. It also lacks the touch sensitivity that is an important part of learning to play a real piano. For these reasons, most people won’t find it appropriate for serious musical study.

This package comes complete with a stand, headphones, and an adapter. Within its limitations, the Casio LK-100 is a nice beginner keyboard that both children and adults can enjoy learning on and playing.

Here are some of the features of the Casio LK-100 Lighted Keyboard with Premium Accessories Package:

• - Keyboard: 61 standard-size keys, 5 octaves
• - On-screen fingering and timing indicators
• - 100 amazingly realistic tones
• - 3-Step Lesson System
• - Key Light System (up to 10 keys can be lit at the same time)
• - 50 built in auto-accompaniment patterns
• - 100 built-in Song Bank tunes
• - MIDI compatibility
• - Weight: 24.3 pounds

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Here is what current owners have to say about the Casio LK-100 Lighted Keyboard with Premium Accessories Package:

Stephen LaRosa: “This keyboard is great for anyone who is interested in learning to play. The keys light up to show you what keys to press and it speaks to you to tell you what finger to use. It has 3 different modes to move the student gradually on to more advanced lessons. Great price. Highly recommended.”

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The 61-key Yamaha EZ-200 keyboard was designed to make learning to play easy, fast, and fun. It boasts a lot of features that allow complete novices to sit down and start playing songs within minutes.

There are 100 built-in songs to get you started. The keys light up and the display tells you which finger to use.

The keys of the EZ-200 keyboard have a responsive spring that is very like that of an acoustic piano. This is important for making the transition to a regular piano later.

The keyboard sounds very nice in its default setting, but if you want a more realistic piano sound, press the Portable Grand button to instantly reset the keyboard to the warm and clear tones of stereo-sampled piano.

In addition, there are 100 built-in musical styles such as rock, big band and country that let you play songs in any style you like. The backing tracks will follow you through a piece of music, providing all of the drums, bass, piano, guitar, horn and string parts for you.

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One thing that sets this keyboard apart is its level of polyphony (the number of sounds that can be made at the same time). When playing music, the more sounds that can be made at the same time, the better. But because simultaneous sounds require lots of computer memory, many electronic keyboards are limited to only 12 or 16 notes of polyphony. The EZ-200, on the other hand, has 32 notes of polyphony, far more than some other keyboards in this price range.

This keyboard is great for kids and also suitable for adult learners. Novices will be rewarded by making great-sounding music right off the bat, and the keyboard can adjust to more advanced playing skills as needed.

This model has a lot of features that are usually seen in more expensive digital keyboards. The bundle also comes with stand, headphones and other accessories, giving good value for the price. All in all, this is a good beginner’s keyboard that will please from day one and continue to bring musical enjoyment for a long time.

Here are some of the features of the Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Sensitive Lighted Keyboard Bundle:

• - 61 full size keys
• - 32 notes of polyphony
• - 367 high-quality tones
• - Learn to play the “EZ” way instructional method
• - Stereo speakers
• - Measures 45.8 x 9.5 x 18.2 inches; weighs 32 pounds

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Here is what current owners have to say about the Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Sensitive Lighted Keyboard Bundle:

Ocean: “For someone looking for instant gratification, this keyboard offers just that. Open the box, read the simple instructions and begin playing even classical pieces because the keyboard will tell you where to put your fingers exactly! From there you can memorize the piece yourself so you can play without needing the assistance. Great Idea”

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The Casio SA-75 Keyboard is a small instrument designed primarily for young and aspiring musicians. It has a pleasing sound that is more realistic than a toy keyboard. The keyboard has only 37 keys, but your child can still play a lot of songs on it.

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The keyboard allows your young musician to play up to four notes in a chord, which is a good skill to master. To assist the learning process, the LCD-screen display system shows the notes that are being played as well as icons that indicate the beat. The sing along microphone headset adds even more fun to the setup.

The keyboard is powered by five AA batteries (not included), or you can buy an AC adapter cord separately.

The Casio SA-75 is a good way for children to learn to play music without spending a lot of money on an instrument. If the keyboard is intended for an adult or more advanced musician, you should look for something more substantial than this model.

Here are some of the features of the Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone:

• - On-screen music staff displays notes played while icons indicate the beat
• - 10 demo songs with a melody-off control
• - Four-note polyphonic with 100 PCM tones
• - 30 patterns include 10 rhythms, 10 free sessions, and 10 funny modes
• - Runs on five-AA batteries or AC adapter (not included)
• - Weighs 4.4 pounds

Here is what current owners have to say about the Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone:

Very picky shopper: “I bought this keyboard for my daughter’s seventh birthday. She loves music and sings all the time. This keyboard is perfect for her. It’s easy to use, lightweight, and has a decent sound. My two older children, both teenagers, have had fun playing with this keyboard also. I would probably look for something more substantial for an adult or advanced musician, but for our family’s needs this keyboard is perfect and the price was very reasonable. I intended to order the power cord, too, but the batteries haven’t run out yet and I might just stick with them since it’s more convenient.”

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