Top Electronic Keyboards

Yamaha YPG-235 76-Key MIDI Portable Keyboard

42 Reviews

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	Price: $249.99
	Price: $249.99
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Pros: Semi-weighted keys approximate the feel of playing an actual piano, Exceptional sound output, Ideal for both beginners and advanced users
Cons: Headphones and power adapter are relatively substandard

As far as its feature set is concerned, the Yamaha YPG-235 is posited nicely as a mid-range unit between beginner keyboards and the more advanced ones for professionals. This particular electronic keyboard has 76 keys in total, almost as many as a standard grand piano, with the keys themselves being semi-weighted to approximate the feel of playing the actual instrument. The Yamaha brand is nearly a byword for great musical instruments, and the YPG-235 is no exception. The sound that this instrument produces, whether it is the default piano sound or other instruments, is very lifelike, having been sampled directly from the source. This is true especially when using the Portable Grand mode button which enhances the sound quality of the keyboard to a great degree. The software included with the purchase helps to ease the learning curve of how to play the instrument. It allows students to master the basics using a library of 30 songs built into the keyboard's memory, plus an additional 70 on the bundled CD. Using the USB port on this model, users can download songs on the Internet and place them into the keyboard, as long as the files are in MIDI format. Advanced musicians will surely appreciate the built-in six-track sequencer that allows for a more complex and multi-layered composition, which, in turn, could be uploaded to a computer using the USB port for post processing. The Yamaha YPG-235 Electronic Keyboard comes with a stand, headphones, foot switch and power adapter. However, a few users noticed that the headphones are of lesser quality and recommend that a separate compatible headphone kit be used instead. Also, the power adapter seems to be a little substandard so a newer model is likewise recommended to get the most out of the instrument.

M-Audio 99005300600 Oxygen 49 V3 Compact Controller Keyboard

25 Reviews

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	Price: $136.66
	Price: $149.00
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Pros: Responsive keys, Knobs and sliders have a solid feel, Easy integration with most software, Reasonable price
Cons: Keys are not fully-weighted

Although its keys are not fully-weighted, the M-Audio Oxygen 49 is still a credible option for those who opt for modern music making and anyone who wants a flexible MIDI keyboard that can fit in their given space. Size is, of course, the main advantage of portable MIDI controllers, which is why, the Oxygen 49 consumes less space on your desk or workstation and may just be the right one if you are contented having 49 keys. The keys are responsive and the keyboard itself has great capabilities and features, especially for the price. Since it draws power from your computer's USB port, no additional power adapter is needed. This makes it more convenient to use and more portable. There are 6 dedicated transport buttons and track select buttons as well as 8 assignable knobs and 9 assignable sliders that give you hands-on control and provide easy sound modification. DirectLink mode also offers automatic mapping to DAW functions. In addition to its compatibility with ProTools, you can also use other virtual instruments like Xpand!2, Hybrid, Velvet, Strike, Oddity, ImpOSCar and Minimonsta. Minimum requirements for Windows Vista and Windows 7 systems are 1GB RAM, 128MB video card and 1.6GHz Intel or AMD processor, and 1GHz Intel or AMD and 512MB RAM for those using Windows XP. It also works well with Mac OS X 10.4.11 or 10.5.6 with only a 1GHz processor and 512MB RAM as requirements. Needless to say, M-Audio is a well-known brand and the Oxygen 49 is just one of their high-quality and well-reviewed audio equipment. While there are higher-end MIDI keyboards with more advanced features, this particular model is a great stepping stone if you want to enjoy a realistic experience at home, in the studio and on stage but wouldn't want to pay a premium.

Yamaha YPG-535 88-Key Portable Keyboard

15 Reviews

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	Price: $499.99
	Price: $525.00
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Pros: Clear sound, Lightweight, Great features
Cons: Lousy foot pedal

The Yamaha YPG-535 is an 88-key portable keyboard that has all of the requisite features for you to easily learn how to play. It comes equipped with the company's exclusive Performance Assistant Technology that ensures you'll never be out of tune and Yamaha Education Suite that provides you with three keyboard lessons: Waiting Mode, Tempo Mode and Minus One Mode. Its Expandable Music Database and One Touch Setting help you to choose the right voice, style, effects and tempo. No more turning sheet music pages because it has a built-in display that enables you to see the notes and even the lyrics. The only gripe is that the supplied foot pedal with this electronic keyboard is slightly hard to press down so you might need to shell out a little bit to buy something more decent. On the plus side however, the YPG-535 features a 2-Way Speaker System for superb clarity, a Bass Boost System for adding more impact, Digital Signal Processing for improved audio quality, Full Keyboard Mode for those who prefer or are used to playing the piano, Digital Music Notebook for purchasing and downloading chords, Easy Song Arranger, Five master equalizer settings, a Registration Memory that allows you to save up to 16 registrations, two USB ports that make transferring essential data or recording your session more convenient than ever and a 6-track sequencer for recording your own songs or music. Lastly, the Yamaha YPG-535 Portable Keyboard also boasts of a 32-Note Polyphony, 16 Part Multi Timbrel, 127 panel voices, 12 drum/SFX kits, 361 XGlite voices, 9 reverb effects, 26 Harmony effects, Auto Accompaniment Styles and Special voices which consist of sweet and cool voices and dual and split mode. With all things considered, it is highly recommended for both beginners and more advanced players because of its capability of producing realistic sound, and it's a very logical system that doesn't take long to master.

M-Audio Oxygen 61 61-Key Portable Keyboard

16 Reviews

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	Price: $199.00
	Price: $159.35
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Pros: Great quality, Good number of extra features, Lightweight, Adequate connections, No power supply needed
Cons: Keys could use a little more weight, Different than previous versions so there may be a learning curve

Those looking for a compact and affordable MIDI controller with a lot of keys and extra special effects should give the M-Audio Oxygen 61 a try. It is compatible with Pro Tools and other popular music software and it works flawlessly with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X. Initial set-up and learning how to operate it may be slightly harder than expected but once you get past that, you are going to be amazed with its functionality and great value for the money. Truth is, it can be considered as one of the best MIDI keyboards in this price range. It makes creating music as easy as it could possibly be with its dedicated track up/down buttons, 6 dedicated transport controls, 8 assignable knobs and 9 assignable sliders. Being bus-powered, you'll not need a power supply. This makes it more portable and simpler to set-up. The M-Audio Oxygen 61 is recommended for those who are new to music or those who have an undying passion or interest in making music. The touch response may not be as good as higher-end MIDI keyboards and the keys may feel a little "cheap" to advanced or professional musicians who are used to more expensive equipment but for beginners and intermediate users, it is a great start.

eMedia FD05107 For Dummies 61-Key Portable Keyboard

12 Reviews

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Popularity :

	Price: $159.95
	Price: $136.44
RadioShack.com	Price: $199.99
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Pros: 61-key electronic keyboard, Ability to connect to a computer via USB, CD-ROM has lots of enhanced teaching tools
Cons: Not for professional use

Most people would like to learn how to play the piano but are either intimidated by the instrument or having to learn under an instructor. However, the eMedia Piano for Dummies Starter Pack simplifies the process by combining the instrument and the instructor in a single package that is always ready to teach anytime. This product is a great instructional tool on the basics of the keyboards with some advanced tips and tricks to help make the learning process quicker, whether for kids or for grownups. It is composed of an electronic keyboard with an interactive CD-ROM. The keyboard has 61 keys, integrated speakers, an LCD display that shows notes in musical notation, 100 styles, 300 realistic sampled instrument sounds and 100 demo songs for students to play along to. There is also a USB port for convenient connection to a computer and a headphone jack. The keyboard can run off the included AC adapter or through 6 AA batteries. The CD-ROM that forms the other half of the eMedia Starter Pack makes for a fun way to learn how to play the piano via enhanced teaching tools. Video tutorials handled by an actual music teacher and audio demos are presented in a clear and easy-to-understand interface that also shows the notes of the particular piece being played and scrolls through them in real time. In addition, the interface allows the student to highlight and select specific passages within the music piece in order to concentrate on it further by looping the passage. There are also additional features in the program, such as a chord dictionary, a digital metronome and recorder, real-time playing feedback and an onscreen keyboard that can automatically light up in time with the music to indicate the right combination of keys to be pressed thus, making it much easier for the student to memorize chord patterns. The best thing about the eMedia Piano For Dummies Starter Pack is that it does not cost nearly as much as buying a piano and hiring an instructor. This, along with the ability to practice anytime at the student's convenience makes this product a solid option for music lovers looking to learn how to play.