Activities Hobbies Yamaha PSR-E423 Review Review of Yamaha's 61-Key Keyboard Share PINTEREST Email Print Image Courtesy of Yamaha Hobbies Playing Music Contests Couponing Freebies Frugal Living Fine Arts & Crafts Astrology Card Games & Gambling Cars & Motorcycles Learn More By Brandy Kraemer Updated on 05/24/19 View Keyboard at Yamaha's Site A great supplemental synth. You’ll get some really smooth, genuine voices from this model straight out of the box – extra stars for that considering its size. USB connectivity and flash storage are extra bonuses not typically found on inexpensive portables. There are only 61 keys, which is sufficient for learning but won’t be enough past the beginner-intermediate level. As you progress, you’ll begin to notice the missing notes, and keyboards with 76 notes can still be found in this price range (although perhaps without the same quality of tones). If the authenticity of built-in voices takes precedence over keyboard range at this point in your musical pursuit, I would absolutely recommend this model. Features Keys: 61 Polyphony: 32-note Touch Sensitivity: Yes; 3 velocity settings, or off Reverb/Chorus: 9 reverb settings; 4 chorus Arpeggiator: 150 types Metronome: Yes; 11-280 BPM Available Colors: Black Price: $150-$230 for keyboard; $250-$275 for bundle Compare Prices Pros Quality voicesPitch bend wheelBuilt-in chord library & lessonsRecording on 6 tracks & flash storage Cons No sustain pedal included Power adaptor not included (see Accessories, below) Software only compatible with Windows Keys & “Action” The keys are lighter than those of a digital piano, but held their weight comparably well; they feel somewhat plastic-y, but lack that hollow, overly-artificial quality found on many portable keyboards. There are three preset levels of touch-sensitivity, or the feature can be turned off completely. Some voices – such as the harpsichords and organs – are not touch-sensitive at all, mimicking the real instruments. Splitting is supported, meaning two different voices can be played on either end. The split-point is adjustable, but only the right side of this point is layer table (more below). Transposition from -12 to +12. Voices & Tones The keyboard includes 183 voices, 462 XGlite tones, and 15 drum and effects kits. Voices may be “dual-layered” so that two different voices can be played simultaneously. Available tones include: 18 Pianos; acoustic, electric, harps- & clavichords 15 Organs; pipe (of varying dispositions), jazz & reed 5 Accordions 22 Guitars; 13 treble & 9 bass 35 Strings & Orchestra ensembles 46 Brass & Woodwind Vibes, Bells & other pitched percussion Keyboard Speakers & Quality The two integrated 2.5W speakers are good, but I’ve heard better on less expensive Yamaha models … although I would not call them poor, just weak. For voices with demanding timbres like strings and reed organs, there was light cracking in the mid-to-high treble octaves at louder volumes. The bass instruments sounded great. Speakers automatically turn off when the headphones input jack is in use – whether by earphones or an external amp – which prevents feedback, interference, or startling noises. Back Panel headphone/OUT, 1/4"USB type BSustain pedal input, 1/4" PSR-E423 Included Accessories Music restLesson software CD-ROM Optional accessories which may be purchased separately include: 12V AC power supply adapter (models # or ) – $15-$25Sustain footswitch (model # )Piano-style sustain pedal (models # or dual-zone ) – $25-$30; $30-$45, respectivelyKeyboard stand (model # ) – $30-$35 PSR-E423 Bundle Package Accessories The bundle package for the PSR-E423 includes the keyboard stereo headphones, AC power supply, and sustain footswitch. More Yamaha Instrument Reviews: P95 - 88-Key NP-30 - 76-Key EZ-200 - 61-Key Lighted Keyboard Beginner Piano Lessons The Point Of Double-Sharps Finding Middle C on the Piano Essential Piano Fingering Comparing Major & Minor Chords Piano Chords Root Notes & Chord Inversion Diminished Chords & Dissonance Essential Piano Chord Fingering Owning an Instrument Safely Whiten Your Piano Keys Piano Room Temps & Humidity Levels Musical Quizzes Identify the Piano Keys Key Signature Quiz Musical Symbols The Grand Staff Key Signatures Time Signatures Note Lengths Dotted Notes Repeat Signs