Casio PX-130 or Yamaha YPG-535? I am a trombone player, but I'm starting piano lessons this week. And I am wondering which of these two keyboards would be best for me. I want all keys and I don't really want to have to upgrade my keyboard later on. So would either of these be a good choice for me? Casio PX-130 or Yamaha YPG-535? I am a trombone player, but I'm starting piano lessons this week. And I am wondering which of these two keyboards would be best for me. I want all keys and I... » Read More Casio PX-130 or Yamaha YPG-535? I am a trombone player, but I'm starting piano lessons this week. And I am wondering which of these two keyboards would be best for me. I want all keys and I don't really want to have to upgrade my keyboard later on. So would either of these be a good choice for me? « Show Less
743803
David, thank you OH SO much for this really terrific review. In the process of deciding what to surprise my 15yo son with this Christmas and this is great! He's only played for 6 months but shows real promise/interest so I want to keep this spark alive. I'm going to go with the Casio based on your FABULOUS review. Thanks again David! :))
743804
Your best bet, really, is to go to a music store and try them out. Musical instruments really come down to personal preference-- what feels/sounds good to someone else, may not feel/sound good to you, and vice-versa. I've made the mistake of buying instruments based purely on reviews, and I haven't always been happy with them. Now, I would never spend a large chunk of money on another one without first giving it a test drive.
583345
The keys are not weighted! it's very light synth action keyboard...If you look for weighted keyboard, you need the heavy MOTIF (with accordingly heavy cost;)...
1807054
I think that is the same size of a standard piano, I think that the big difference is not the size, but the lightweight. This is a very good entry level keyboard for learning. Regards
701252
I have the same question - one of these or a completely different keyboard to learn piano?
2007998
dear Sir,we asked and read tons of reviews before we bought the Yamaha, which is for our son, who was 8 at that time. His piano teacher recommended better this brand, from her experience. the piano sounds great and my son enjoys playing it. hope this helps.
1166475
You have to buy it. This one has worked very well for my daughter: http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Single-Adjustable-X-Style-Keyboard/dp/B000VJ2VCK/ref=pd_sim_MI_2
654432
We bought a P105 piano with the yamaha stand so I can't speak to your model. It fits perfectly with ours installed with the L85 stand. That one is marketed for the p95. I don't think it would work independently without that stand and the stand isn't universal... It is cut to fit notches molded into the edges of the piano. But the pedals are far better than the little one packaged with the piano. Perhaps you could check out Yamaha's site or go look at one at a music store like guitar center. The stand is great for home use. Well worth it if it fits your keyboard.
1654631
according to the Yamaha website, the PA130 should be compatible with this keyboard. It is a Christmas gift, so we haven't tried it out yet.
1779262
As others have said, the keys are full size. They're plastic and feel more like a low-end portable organ than a piano-- i.e., they aren't weighted or semi-weighted, and feel a little "springy" as you're playing. I'm used to playing this type of keyboard, so it doesn't bother me, but people who are more used to a piano keyboard may need to adjust to them a bit. There are 4 touch sensitivity settings, so you can set it to three levels of touch sensitivity (low, medium, or high) or turn the touch sensitivity off entirely (the fourth setting).
722201
This is critically important! You must get a Yamaha-approved 220-volt AC Power Adaptor unit. The DGX640 models will operate on internal batteries or the Yamaha Power Adaptor unit supplied. So without a 220-volt AC Power Adaptor unit you may power it with internal battery power. I don't know how long batteries last in typical music sessions. The DGX640 will probably arrive in two relatively large and heavy cartons, well packed with foam protection. Plan on the size of the keyboard plus about one and one half times more for packing material. Again, you must be absolutely sure your AC Power Adaptor unit matches the power from your lines. My manual, which came with my DGX640 has wording that indicates, if you specified your region and power need in your order, you may have received the proper AC Power Adaptor. PS: I play my DGX640 every day in my career as a writer and composer for musical theatre. Several professional musicians and salesmen for other digital pianos and acoustic pianos have assured me that I have a fine instrument and should be pleased with the quality of the key action, tonality, and rich bass, presence to midrange, and brilliance to upper range and the overtones of a fine acoustic piano that it provides. Keep in mind when others make comparisons that all acoustic pianos are different as are all violins. And your instrument has its unique qualities, which will become your own. My best wishes.
2092348
250 different "sounds" or instruments, but it excels at the piano sound. I am not crazy about the others. It has 128 notes of polyphony, which is good, but somewhere around 200 would be ideal for advanced players if you don't want some sustained notes to drop out during complex pieces. As far as key noise, there is a little, but not noticeable unless you have on headphones, and others are just listening to "key noise". Not really a problem. Overall I give it a 7 of 10, but if I were to do it again, would probably spend more on a more advanced keyboard without all the superfluous bells and whistles. 250 different "sounds" or instruments, but it excels at the piano sound. I am not crazy about the others. It has 128 notes of polyphony, which is good, but somewhere around 200 would be ideal for advanced players if you don't want some sustained notes to drop out during complex pieces. As far as key noise, there is a little, but not noticeable unless you have on headphones, and others are just listening to "key noise". Not really a problem. Overall I give it a 7 of 10, but if I were to do it again, would probably spend more on a more advanced keyboard without all the... » Read More 250 different "sounds" or instruments, but it excels at the piano sound. I am not crazy about the others. It has 128 notes of polyphony, which is good, but somewhere around 200 would be ideal for advanced players if you don't want some sustained notes to drop out during complex pieces. As far as key noise, there is a little, but not noticeable unless you have on headphones, and others are just listening to "key noise". Not really a problem. Overall I give it a 7 of 10, but if I were to do it again, would probably spend more on a more advanced keyboard without all the superfluous bells and whistles. « Show Less
990152
It completely depends on what she wants to do with it. To me, there are not enough keys to make it any sort of adequate substitute for a full piano, using two hands. It's generally intended to be slung around the shoulder and played with the right hand only. It's not self amplified, so it needs to be connected to some sort of powered speaker, unless you use it exclusively with headphones. That being said, I think the sounds and the physical keyboard touch are nice. If it were me, I might look for something like a Yamaha YPG 235 instead. More keys, self amplified, meant to be played with two hands, many sounds, accompaniment features. My own opinion only!
306739
The Q88 is a very nice synthesizer. It will sound like several different instruments. Set it on stereo piano at the "00" setting and you have a real nice practice piano. This unit has to be plugged into an amplifier with speakers or you could use an old stereo receiver with an auxiliary input for your sound system. Again, the Q88 is a professional sounding band instrument and is still used by many recording artist! There should be a headphone jack on the back for private practice. I would start there! I owned one of these keyboards for years!
271638
hello! well i do recommend this for beginners in synthezizers, this one is of the simple ones`, but attention! this is not a toy, is a very powerfull machine, with wich you can do a lot of things. so if you are looking for a simple keyboard this is not for you. instead if you want to experiment with sounds and start to understand synthtezizers, this is a good start. this instrument will fit very well beginners but also experts who know how to train this little monster!
1865677
I have this keyboard and use a Roland CM-30 Cube Monitor with it. The Cube monitor works extremely well and has a very clean and unfiltered sound (which was important for me since I play mostly classical piano). It's also great since it's actually a mini PA with 3 inputs and a preamp for use with mics and other instruments.
1413049
I have two of the Hohner 32Bs (one for home, one for friend's house). Both needed some tuning, a frustrating process, but worth it. The D'Luca needed the most tuning. It has a somewhat more piercing tone, if that's what you like, and more uneven touch response across the keyboard.
770097
I havent used it without the computer so im not sure if it works independently but I know there is a battery port. What number of keys are you thinking about getting? I had a 49 and it definitely was portable on the road but on a plane im not sure depending on what size keys you get. the smaller one is def. A good size. The keys are for sure fun to play with and has great feedback when you play. I would recommend this midi keyboard for the price