Welcome to my youtube channel! This channel and my website are all about the fun journey of learning piano and a little bit about music. You'll find down to earth reviews of products and services I actually own or have tested; everything from keyboard, digital pianos, mixers, mics & other music gadgets, but most importantly reviews and information on some of the learning resources (online courses, apps etc) that got me playing popular songs on the piano in just over a month!
Thanks for posting this video. I bought the Casio CT-S500 last year, and when Roland came out with these keyboards my first thought was "should I have waited", but from your review, I can tell based on what is important to me, I made the right choice. I like the theoretical expandability of the Roland, but a lot of this is more theoretical than practical. With 900-1000 sounds, you might not really be looking for other sounds to keep track of. Casio sold me with the CT-S500's synth features. In addition to the pitch bend wheel it has a modulation knob (which can also be used for other purposes). Roland doesn't have this. Casio also has two big assignable knobs that usually default to filter cutoff and resonance, the most commonly adjusted synth parameters in live playing. Roland doesn't have that. Casio has portamento. One of the great things the CTS-500 shares with the Roland Go-Keys is a bluetooth midi interface and a music rest so pairing either with an iPad is easy and almost a must-do. If you hook your home keyboard up to your iPad (or iPhone), there is a whole universe available to you including Roland ZenBeats 2.0, a free mobile oriented DAW that includes a reduced feature version of Roland's Zen Core synth called ZC1. The free version only has 60 presets, but for $14,99 you can get a version with 2500 presets (editable) and 90 included effects. In other words, for $14,99 you get a sound engine that looks a lot like the Go Keys, but you have a bigger screen to edit on - even on an iPhone.
Hello my friend, first of all - a big compliment for your channel and your great videos. I always enjoy watching them. I would like to ask you something again: For example, when I connect a PSR E383 to the app, it is recognized wonderfully. I can also send the midi files to my device. It then appears in the “Song Section” on the device and when I want to play it, I can see that the chords change and the beat is running. Regardless of whether I select a style beforehand or not (when exporting). I know that you wrote that there is a keyboard with ex. Arranger functions, but can't you use this somehow or at least make the chord sequence usable? Best regards
No piano (that I know of) will work with Bluetooth headphones - the Bluetooth is for streaming audio IN to the piano from a device (play along with RU-vid on your iPad/phone etc). So no you wouldn’t notice any delay. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Hey man, thank you for this review and for sharing your experience. I'm wondering what do you prefer now? AKG K92 or OneOdio Pro 50? I'm confused between the two. My main purpose is to just use it with digital piano. I would like to know which produces comparatively better sound quality from the two?
I still use both, but I use the OneOdio for piano practice and band practice, and the AKG for editing my videos. The AKG are probably offer a tiny bit more detail, but the OneOdio is way more comfortable and sturdy (I’m always tossing them into a gig bag for practices and bringing them back etc). If I could only have one I’d choose the OneOdio (just make sure it’s the Pro and get either the 10or the 50; I’d get the 50 the ear pads are awesome). Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Perfect! I got the answer then. OneOdio Pro 50 it is for me. Thank you so much for your detailed quick response. :) Here in Amazon India, the biggest sale of the year is happening, and AKG K92 and OneOdio Pro 50 are on sale for 35$ and 40$ respectively, which I think is a great deal!
Tony, I came back to this review because I need a second keyboard (manual) for my organ setup experiments. I would like to emphasize again that organ manuals almost never have 164-165 mm octave width (especially church organs that are of my interest). I should also add that I really like that there are church and pipe organ sounds on this keyboard. Our interests and needs are different 😊 Thank you, Michael Ps. Let me also repeat that both YC61 and CK61 have narrower octave width. I am also considering buying the second CK61 - it became my favourite keyboard. I still practice on Yamaha C7 grand piano but I will not get a digital piano anymore.
No they’re not - they’re slightly narrower like all the PSR-E series. This was the first review I ever did on a non weighted digital piano and I hadn’t noticed that issue yet :)
The CK61 is a whole different league than the CT-S1; far better sounds, features and both have an action that feels almost semi weighted so CK61 all the way. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Great work. I can't figure out if Go Keys has stop/break function for the style. Many songs have breaks/pause so arranger without it doesn't work for live gigs. Also when you are programing a song does it mean you can't make breaks like in BandinBox? You mention that it doesn't have music rest
Thanks! By not having a music rest, I meant the thing that connects to the back of the keyboard that holds music paper/ipad. There is a chord fingering option that stops the accompaniment (except for the drums) if your left hand is not holding down a chord, so you could use that for breaks. As far as programming in breaks to the chord sequencer I would have to test that (I will be making a video soon on the chord sequencer so stay tuned). Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Finally to see a really comprehensive review with instructions on RU-vid. Constructive, precise, instructional, and honest. Better than any company presenter. I watched around 20 videos about this keyboard and they are so annoying
Bonjour de France, vos vidéos sont géniales.J ai une question .Quel fichier midi lit ce clavier. les kar et kok sont ils pris en compte? j ai beau cherché sur le net je ne trouve pas.D'avance merci
Excellent video. I need a portable keyboard that will use USB midi to play my iPad sounds. Will this go keys 5 work as a midi controller with an iPad please? I have an iPad mini 4 with a lightning cable camera connection kit. Thanks.
Yes it should work fine! And with built in audio interface the MIDI audio will come back through the keyboard without any lag. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Thanks so much! And I agree on the keys .. but it would add to the weight (and probably steal some sales from their $$$ ones). Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone thanks already subbed. Funny thing is one of the shops that sell it in the UK musicstore dv247 are advertising it has having a waterfall keybed 😁
Your video should be very useful to people trying to decide on one of these keyboards. I think it mainly shows that the main piano sound is comparable between the two. I considered both the PSR-E373 and PSR-EW-425 last year before ultimately buying a Casio CTS-500. The deciding factors in favor of the Casio were the modulation knob (in addition to the pitch bend wheel), the ability to adjust more synthesizer parameters, including portamento, plus onboard USB-Midi. The Yamaha seemed to have a better sound system and better arranger functions, but those weren't that important to me. If I were in the market this year, I would also consider Roland GoKeys 3 and 5.
Yeah I still need to get my hands on a CT-S500 to test! How do you like yours? I did buy a GO:Keys 5, first review is here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HlNmh4u1qH0.html Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Tony, I recently bought one of these initially for use with an Alesis Recital Pro, and then sold that and got a CK88. I want to pass on a 'cautionary note' to you and your readers on this Battery Pack. It is noted as 12V, but on close view of BOTH the label on the pack and in the instruction sheet, the output is not well regulated, and the voltage actually ranges between 9V and 12.6V. Both of the keyboards mentioned here can use batteries, the CK88 (8 AA's nominally 12V) Alesis (6 D cells nominally 9V). I did some voltage measurements over time comparing to the 5 Led 'meter' on the pack. Just leaving the power pack on continuously to where only 3 Led lights showed, and an hour into that, the output voltage had dropped to 10.54V. When only the 2 lights showed, the voltage was down to 10.4. At some point around this lower voltage, a well designed keyboard voltage regulator circuit 'should' shut down the board. However, as a cautionary note, I do not plan to run the board with less than 3 lights showing in order to avoid a risk
One Found Issue with the DGX 670 - Resolved and Not an Issue For a very few tones (3-5 at most in testing - including the CFX Grand), the very last 2 keys upper scale, are dull\dead - no true sound) I have only seen this for a few instruments and not as a whole for the keyboard so I am believing this to be a sampling issue and not a defective keyboard. I am wondering if anyone else has seen this or even tested to see this? Quick update: Received information from Yamaha. This is normal. The very logic reasoning behind this is the following: "The upper strings of a piano are very small and therefore do not resonate the way the larger bass notes or middle octaves do. The upper keys only emit a faint sound. " Take a look at the following videos: (Video paints a 1000 words! :) ) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5DTZTYnGsFs.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Qxc0t2R7oeU.html thank you everyone!
Output from headphone output to external speakers - it's good news! I know this is long but I wanted to be thorough so I am hoping there is little doubt on external speakers. I posted the following 3 weeks ago: "I saw the mention about no L\R line out. Further research prove this true. I do want to have the ability to play at small venues with this?" Like many others, this was an "on-hold" show stopper for me. Well I pulled the trigger and purchased the DGX 670. I cannot be any happier. So my concern was a full volume sound\clarity without distortion in case I take this keyboard to a small venue for entertainment playing. Reading comments from other RU-vid videos regarding the "less than full volume" when connecting the headphone output to monitor speakers, the comments were just not promising. Also an associated topic that was a big concern was that most DMG 670 owners will not get anything louder or "better" than the built-in speakers or expensive quality headphones. Even after watching other RU-vid videos where some gave comment that using a splitter connected to the headphone output gave an optional viable solution, the comments were just not convincing enough. Here is my take as a new owner: 1. Regarding headphones: I have two nice sets of headphones and both are very good in expressing the DGX 670's sound quality, but they are not the wallet breaking suggestions listed in some comments. (See below my suggestions for alternatives to the wallet breakers if one so desires) 2. The Built-in speakers: I am not overwhelmed by these speakers but I am also not underwhelmed either. They play fairly loud with decent clarity and without a distortion (80% volume).My music room is a 14x14 room. I lean toward the thought that much better speakers could have been on this keyboard to express the sound quality and clarity of the tones. (Again see below for the drum roll) 3. A splitter cable connected to the headphone output approach: Using the 1/4" stereo plug to 2 1/4" mono plugs into some stereo monitors was kind of okay but just like what others had mentioned, the sound output was diminished compared to the built-in speakers so this was a no go. A comment or two mentioned manipulating some settings but ...? Drum Roll!!! 4. External Amp (keyboard amp preferred): a very small few mentioned using a mixer go between with a splitter cable from the headphone output to stereo mixer inputs and then to speakers\monitors. My experience. Exclude the mixer. I have a few instrument amps including a Roland KC150 65 watt amp. (E.g. www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KC150--roland-kc-150-65w-12-inch-keyboard-amp/reviews) Using a single 1/4" to 1/4" mono and\or stereo cable, this works fantastic. Using a splitter 1/4" stereo plug to 2 1/4" mono plugs on the amp is incredible. (I use 2 channels since my outputs are not stereo on the Roland) If you have stereo outputs on the amp then use stereo to stereo plugs. With some amp adjustments and volume adjustment on the DGX 670, you have one beautiful sounding arranger keyboard. Volume and clarity with this 65 watt amp is plenty for a small venue or maybe even a medium venue. Definitely more than enough for any room in your house! ""Remember to always have volumes turned down completely when connecting cables to live on instruments and amps. Once connected, then adjust."" So now I am hoping this is many people's answer on the volume\clarity output solution coming from the headphone output on the DGX 670. What about the mention of an alternative to the wallet breaking headphones. Of course this is one's desire and my own opinion but get or just have a fairly decent pair of headphones (In my opinion, the $400.00 headphones are not going to bring one to euphoria!) A $150.00 set or maybe even less if you get fortunate, might do when you are practicing and want to go silent. The alternative: If you have all sorts of money (don't we wish), with the money saved from the $400.00 headphones, buy an amp and try to make sure it is a keyboard amp. (careful because one can get involved in spending $400 -$600 for a new keyboard amp) But here is the bigger and better alternative! Go to something like "Craigslist". A seller just wanted to get rid of his excellent condition Roland KC150 for $150.00. Saw it and got it with no hesitation. I looked in surrounding craigslist locations near me as of this posting and saw 3 excellent Roland\Other brand keyboard amps with 40 watt to 100 watt between $100 and $200. True you take a little chance on the purchase but test it before you buy if there is any concern. Please allow me to interject this important note. I was 100% convinced to purchase the DGX 670 because of all the reviews and explicit tutorials that Piano Tone has provided. I had strong intentions to get this Yamaha Arranger keyboard regardless but the plethora of Piano Tone's incredible coverage of "How To ..." on features that would otherwise be difficult to learn and\or understand, convinced me to get it. Thank you Piano Tone!
Thanks for the review and lesson. I just got my Sk Pro and do not find any mention of Rhodes or Wurlitzer patches either in my manuals or on the keyboard. Do they appear in yours? I downloaded the latest manuals and updated the operating system to the latest update Thanks so much. Mark
The EP voices aren’t named “Rhodes” etc (licensing I assume) - so you have to look for the hints. “EP Tine” for example refers to a Rhodes. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Hi. I have a question. Why do most pianists prefer portable pianos, even for home use? Why don't you prefer wooden digital pianos? And what do you think of the 515 piano after the 525? The light keyboard is similar to the 745? Help me please
I think lots of people do like the wooden furniture style ones; they tend to have much better speakers;for me there is no point (I live in an apartment so headphones almost all the time), and I play in a band so I need portability. I haven’t tested the 525 yet so not sure how it is compared to the 515 (I hope to rent one this year to check it out) Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
can someone please help me? my keyboard (the same as you) doesn't work as a midi controller, i plugged into my cellphone and even bought the audio evolution and it doesn't work as a midi controller, im going crazy.
The keyboard should be fine as a midi controller - if you’re connecting it to a phone and it’s not working it’s likely the cable or the adapter (like lighting adapter for iPhone). If you were connecting it to a pc and it didn’t work I would say make sure to check for a driver. Also test out some other MIDI apps on your phone see if those work (like GarageBand if it’s an iPhone). Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone Thank you for the answer! I really liked your channel. about the keyboard, I tried other apps and it still didn't worked, but when i connected my cellphone to a bluetooth speaker it worked but with a delay.
At least as good as the Go Keys 5, probably better depending on your personal preference. 76 keys is the sweet spot methinks, and the price is pretty sweet too
Yeah I own both and they both have big advantages over the other; EW425 speakers blow the Roland’s away, 76 keys is awesome, the Roland has better key action, chord sequencer and better/easier access to way more registrations. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
I have 2 vintage synths, Yamaha DD7 DII and SY77. i recently bought a Yamaha DGX-670 which has a USB MIDI. I want to connect this to my PMM-88 8x8 patch bay, hence the need for the host device. I 'liked' your explanation as well as your review of the DGX as well. You relly know your stuff!
Roland makes a single pedal (DP-10) that uses a fold out rubber pad so your foot rests on the pad which is connected to the pedal. This simple device makes it impossible to move the pedal across the floor. Since pad and pedal are one, you can't push the pedal away from your foot.
Hi, I want to star learning to play piano, which is better, casio CPD-S160 or Yamaha P45? I'm also interested in playing other sounds, like melodics (the little windee keyboard), so, this models can play different instruments?
They’re both good choices for getting started - neither has a lot of sounds, but both can be used as midi controllers so if you have sounds in a midi app on a pc/tablet then you can play those sounds using the keyboard. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Depends how many keys the keyboard has. A full set of keys like on a real piano has 88 and the left most white note is an A, so first 7 are A B C D E F G. Better way to “find” notes on any keyboard (49, 61, 73, 76, or 88) is look at the groups of black notes - they will alternate between sets of 2 and 3 black notes. The white key to the left of the black key in the group of 2 is always a C. I have reviews on some awesome online piano courses if you want to check them out: ru-vid.com/group/PL_W0EMCT9oNb7OQ7TiB0WHZv7K4k1bScA Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
I don’t know of all the changes between the 2X and the 2SE, but I know of one charge that corrects the deal-killer omission from the 2X that made me pass over it. The new SE has portamento on the synth engine, and the 2X does not. The other big change is an updated piano engine from Studiologic’s current digital pianos.
Another helpful review. I bought the Yamaha CK88 a few weeks back. I already have the Yamaha MODX8 which I bought 3 years ago plus a Yamaha P121 . Initial thoughts are that the GHS action in the CL88 on the model I have is slightly more sluggish. Hopefully playing it in will loosen things a little in time. I am finding though that the main piano tones sound so much better on the CK compared to the MODX. The velocity settings..key to sound relationship is perfect. Haven't gigged with it yet but will soon for commercial gigs. ( Korg Liano is being delivered soon which will cover casual jams/open mics). All the best. Stevie
Thanks again! And wow that’s awesome - you’re like me lol (more keyboards!!!!). I’ve never gotten much into the MOD line myself (should test one out one day). I was playing the Liano in a store a couple days ago and it continues to impress me.
@PianoTone The CK line is so much more intuitive for a live player. I think the menu diving on the MODx just spoils the experience. Plus there's something weird about the key velocity settings on the pianos. Anyway the more keyboards the better! Cheers and thanks again. 😁
For a headphone out the best choice is a stereo to mono splitter cable (stereo goes into headphone port, splits signal into L and R mono signals that go into 2 ports on the other end. If you are connecting to a stereo aux in port you could use a TRS cable at both ends since aux ins are stereo. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
All the videos I have seen only does 1 finger streaming light for bass note in the left hand, can it also do chords with at least root +5th for steering lights?
I’ve never used GarageBand on a Mac but I assume it would be fine. Don’t know if you’d need a special driver or not. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
Thanks again! Yes I think you’ll be fine (that keyboard is insanely light); and if you need more sounds the built in audio interface is perfect - just connect to your phone or tablet midi app and the audio comes straight back to the piano with no lag!
Great review Tony. I do have a couple of 88 key options for gigs inc. CK88. But I am very interested in grabbing a super light 88 board for short gigs. I own an EV Everse 8 speaker which has an 1/8 input for media players. This cpuld potentially offer an option to use with the 1/8 from the Liano. Do you have any experience of a similar set up and do you envisage any issues such as "humming noise "?" Great channel by the way. Just subscribed. Cheers Stevie 🎹
Thanks! That’s probably fine, especially for a super portable setup. I used that connection from my Casiotone CT-S1 to my Bose battery speaker and it was fine (also left the 2 1/4” channels open for mic’s for my singer and I). I compare the connection options (the aux vs. splitting the out to 2 channels) in my Bose speaker review if you want to check that out; go to the 20:00 mark of this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cdLwh0hk5uk.html Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
@PianoTone that's very helpful Tony. Much appreciated. I will check out the Bose review. I have just put in an order for the Liano which will basically live in the back of my car for jams and open mics. 6kgs is a game changer! Cheers mate.
CK88 has an improved Hammond/Leslie sound when you uses rotary B effect, AND the rotary effect on “effect 1” set to roughly 55 and 55 amounts for depth and rate……. try it!… vastly improves the organ sound….it’s far more realistic…You can thank me later.👍🏻👍🏻
Hi Tony, What is a comparable piano to the DGX-670 but with line out for connection to speaker? that is the only thing holding me back from getting this!
The Roland FP-E50 is a great portable option; also has awesome arranger features and proper left/right line outs and weighs less. It also has chord sequencer that is super cool (DGX does not), but DGX has a multi track recorder (E50 does not). Also has great piano sounds, does have a heavier feeling action than the DGX. Did a review here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r2I973DiNsA.html Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
Respected sir , i want to ask something .Before i should save my file , do i have to plug the USB drive first or how? Because i'm confused, i want to move the track into my mobile phone or even in USB , but I don't know the proccess , please show me how
Now that some time has passed since this video was posted, which key action do you prefer between the GHS and GHC, and why? Is the GHC an upgrade, or just a slight variation without a significant difference? Also, considering all factors, would you say the P-225 is objectively the better choice between the two? The comments comparing the P-125 and P-225 seem contradictory, so I'd appreciate your input.
Hey there! As far as action goes I only rented the 225 so it’s been a while, but to be honest I didn’t notice an appreciable difference between the two. The 225 is definitely an upgrade because of the CFX Grand piano and Bluetooth audio in (but the 125 is still a great piano). Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
