Fun & Exotic Digital Keyboards πΈ
Haha I took your advice before and would have taken it again. I'm happy with the choice too
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Sophia The psr e383 is $199, on Amazon, Musician's Friend, and Sweetwater.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSRE383--yamaha-psre383-61-key-mid-range-portable-keyboard-with-pa130-power-adapter
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Ah, yes, but we are poor Canucks... we don't get to benefit from that It's $199US which means $270CAD... and they won't even ship here
Thanks for your effort though!!! I would have jumped on it right away if it had been the price in CAD and if they had shipped here
Edit: it seems Best Buy has the best price here, but we're looking at $290...
Heh, I know the feeling. I have been craving something versatile since I saw Navin's post (now the first in this topic). First I was only thinking about the fun factor and portability, but then gradually I started thinking about more possibilities almost like a band in a box. I think it was you who mentioned that a while ago. This will be a nice compromise, it's not a true toy but it also won't break the bank. And from the videos I have seen, it sounds really nice too, good enough for me anyway.
Of course I don't really NEED it either, but eh, sometimes we just need to treat ourselves to cater our whims, right?
PianoMonk This is a very good hands on comparison, between e373 and e383.
The big advantage of 383 is the smaller form factor for portability. But unfortunately it comes at the cost of a way thinner sound. First I was thinking this is because of the microphone position, but the presenter admitted, too, the older version has more natural bass. On top of that, the speakers are tilted more forward to the player. With my CT-S1, I can play without headphones and don't have the feeling it sounds toy-ish. Even if the e373 is a bit worse, it is still good enough. But the drop off from e373 the e383 start to hurt my ears.
Nothing wrong with the old one, especially for the price difference. The for saved dollars you can buy a carry bag and a cheap pedal (or call it a foot switch).
WieWaldi So, from what you're saying, the sound quality is actually better/deeper on the older model that Sophia has chosen, so Sophia should be pleased about that. It is difficult choosing an instrument when there are so many options these days, but in a way there are no bad choices, just different options to suit different needs. It's amazing to think that the instrument Sophia ordered has the ability to sound like a band of people playing together - technology is like magic these days.
"Don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars." (Final line from Now,Voyager, 1942)
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Yes, I'm very pleased with my choice. For a split second I got all worried again, because I saw an open box model for about $100 at the same store - and their open box products are always excellent. Turned out that is the e273 - and that model doesn't have touch sensitive keys. Ever since I heard that sound demonstration I am convinced that touch sensitive is a MUST, because how else can you get those characteristic sax and guitar sound effects... you know what I mean, "da da deee, PWOOOAAAAAAH da da dee" - sexyphones indeed!
Someone mentioned that having a fixed-volume keyboard is like listening to an actor bellow his lines in a monotonous voice - sure he gets the words across, but you zone out after seconds. So all in all I'm really glad I waited this long without rushing into something I'd probably never even use. It's scheduled to arrive on Tuesday and I'm oddly excited
WieWaldi But the drop off from e373 the e383 start to hurt my ears.
Thanks! I didn't watch the entire video since I already made the choice, but I agree 100% with him (and you). The 373 sounds a lot less tinny - and I like how the speakers are positioned too.
Nightowl indeed - I can't wait to see how she is living up in her creativity
Sophia "da da deee, PWOOOAAAAAAH da da dee"
I see already this thing sitting on top of your piano, doing some licks with Sax voice, because that sounds amazing !! Looks like this can really be used as an addon keyboard. I was only thinking about a lightweight and portable take-with-you option.
WieWaldi The Casiotone CT-S1 piano sounds way better than either the e373 or e383, and the keyboard has a better feel. If one was wanting rhythm accompaniment, the Casio choice in that price range is the CTX700, but the keyboard is rather noisy, from some reviews I've read.
In the US, the e373 and e383 are, $179 and $199. If having more bass from the speakers, without messing with the EQ, is important, then the e373 is a better choice. The e383 speaker output is more of a flat response, similar to studio monitors, or monitor headphones, but can be adjusted with the onboard EQ to suit the player's taste, or lack thereof. Personally, if I were buying a keyboard of this type, I don't think I'd use the speakers very much.
For $20 more, i think the added instruments (particularly the extra pianos) and rhythms, along with the new, easier to use, interface is worth it. The e383 also has the new "articulation" feature.
However, both the e373 and the e383 have the known issue where the sustain pedal does not register in some DAW programs, including GarageBand, unless one makes a workaround by using the split keyboard feature, then registering the split ranges to zero on both sides, then saving the setting as a user registration. A minor drawback in either case of two nice little keyboards.
Anyone interested in the Casio CT-S1 or Yamaha PSR E373, E383, would benefit from looking at Masataka Kono's videos playing these keyboards. He really likes the CT-S1 and plays the heck out it, showing what it is capable of. If not for the rhythms, I'd probably get the CT-S1.
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PianoMonk If not for the rhythms, I'd probably get the CT-S1.
Nice! Funny enough that one too is around the $300 pricemark here in Canada, same as the e383. I am starting to believe that it was a lucky bargain indeed, getting the e373 below $200 (around USD $145)
WieWaldi I was only thinking about a lightweight and portable take-with-you option.
Yes, that was my first thought as well. But I always had in the back of my mind that I'd like something with some bells and whistles to complement the actual piano. It turns out it was an easy trade, a little less portability but suddenly endless possibilities
I bought it here and that's what I paid too. But I just had to have it like some people want a ship in a bottle or a snow globe
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PianoMonk If one was wanting rhythm accompaniment, the Casio choice in that price range is the CTX700, but the keyboard is rather noisy, from some reviews I've read.
I didn't even know a CTX700 exists, actually I didn't know the CTX line exists. Seems like Casio is blurring the lines with the CT400 or CT500 models. From what I can tell as difference at a first glance, the CTX700 has a bigger housing (similar Yammi E373) with more buttons than the others.
I am happy I didn't know all the alternatives, when I bought CT-S1. I just read in PianoWorld the CT-S1 has the most piano-like action-feel amongst the cheapo lightweights like the Go:Piano and similar priced Casios. I liked the small form factor and the look of the nice fabric over the speaker section. Now I use it when I am at my parents place. It is not a piano like my CN29, but still good eough to learn Blues licks and to program my musclememory. Considering the price and portability I am quite happy with it.
If I had also considered the Yamaha alternatives, I would not have bought one until today, but would still linger around in internet forums, reading reviews and watch comparison videos.
Meowsic: $45 / 24 keys = 1,87 $/key
Yamaha: $145 / 61 keys = 2,38 $/key
Guess this premium price tag can be justified with fullsize keys, and they all are full length
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WieWaldi If I had also considered the Yamaha alternatives, I would not have bought one until today, but would still linger around in internet forums, reading reviews and watch comparison videos.
Oh my goodness yes. I have been searching for a keyboard since June. I would have purchased the Casio that Navindra showcased, but it was ridiculously expensive at the time. Basically what I paid for the e373.
The kitty keyboard is about as usable as our real kitties on the keys
It took all this time to decide on the keyboard, but I'm really happy with the one I picked at last. I'm not watching any more comparison videos because this choice is final
Edit: thank you for putting the meowsic price in its proper perspective
Interesting insane keyboards:
Ok......... now I simply must have.... noooooooooo! You guys have to stop posting adorable keyboards like that