Yamaha PSS-A50 Review | The Good & Bad You Need to Know 

I just bought one. I plan on making some songs for Rhiannas next album.

I have one. I would say overall I'm happy with it. I try not to keep my expectations too high; I'm not gigging with this instrument and I'm certainly not going to record with it. Jeremy, you are right about the volume levels between voices, the lack of stereo speakers (come on, Yamaha, there's plenty of space to do it), and that hiss at the audio output. Every keyboard has its pros and cons. The Roland Go Piano and Go Keys are also fairly decent machines in my opinion but there is no splitting or layering, which a lot of people don't like. For me, with this Yamaha, it's the price, the size, the almost zero-weight, and the decent sounding instruments. It's a great little keyboard to take with you to work out ideas on and then play them "for real" later on a better instrument.

I was very interested in this keyboard I normally would ignore in that form factor and price range, but put it mentally on my nice to have, but not a priority list, until I discovered Masataka Kono on RU-vid and am continuously amazed with every new song/video he releases, using it. So, I got one. He can play awesome arrangements and covers of popular songs with preprogramed tracks, and rhythm, taking advantage of all the features. He also sometimes uses 2, 3, and recently 4 PSS-A50s or one with a Casio CT-S1 or the Yamaha Reface CP. It is a perfect match paired with either of those two keyboards to have a compact, affordable rhythm/bass and other voice backup for performances and live recording. He is the absolute master of this instrument, and has discussed many of the pros and cons, especially the latter. Yes, great affordable lightweight compact keyboard with great sounds and features, and best as you could imagine key action for the price and mini key format. Another feature Masataka found is that you can play and hold chords like on strings and switch to a different tone and it will hold the sound until you release the keys. You can hold strings, for example and switch to piano and play phases and constantly switch tones back and forth, as he demonstrates with captions as he plays on one of his videos. The portamento can also be used to accent strings flute, guitar, bass, brass, etc. Two speakers would be nice, but one is fine. More about that later. I rather keep the battery compartment, but it's great that you have the micro USB jack to power and connect to a device tonuse DAW or other music software. An A/C charger/power supply, or portable onr. I have an Anker 20,000 mAh portable phone chsrger thst could lsst a long time. I also have a Zagg/Halo portable power supply and auto battery jump starter with 60000+ mAh charge. The noise on the headphone output jack can be minimized by turning the volume to 15, as the noise level is constant, and dies not get louder with increased volume. From there, use the mixer or powered speaker controls to adjustvthe volume. Noise is not noticeable on the recordings by Masataka Kono. An audio input jack and sustain pedal jack would be nice. I feel the sound tones are well chosen and utilized by Masataka Kono in his songs, but they could easily come out with another identical model with the tones for the modern dance and other music genres. If you can master all the features of this keyboard and optimize all the good and deal with the not so good features you can have endless enjoyment, especially if you have mad playing and improvisational skills. Now, to bring up a concept idea. The PSS-A50 has all these features at a $100 price point. It's drawbacks is minimal... What if, Yamaha took the basic PSS-A50 we have here, and released another Reface Series model that could be used for backing tracks and rhythm like Masataka Kono uses in tandem with the Reface CP, DX, YC, etc, but at the same $400 price point, and load it up with incredible features, lots of tones, capacity and memory for tracks. My Roland JD-Xi basically does that, and more, at I believe a $650 price point, but no onboard speakers or portable power capability unless you use one of those portable power supplies that csn hook up to keyboard power input jacks. At 4 times the price, the solid reface chassis and form factor, same key action, you could have as much voices as the Casio CT-S400 or Yamaha PSR-E373, deal with the noise output ptoblem, have the Reface professional interface jacks, and memory for lots of backing tracks, maybe using a high capacity USB flash drive, microSD card, or internal memory. Imagine what the $200 PSR-E373 can do, with twice the pice in that Reface series mini format? Yrs, I could use my JD-Xi like the PSS-A50 with my other keyboards, but the forte of the PSS-A50 is the mini, compact form factor, light weight and $100 price to have a simple easy keyboard to take on the go anywhere. And you can afford to have two of them, or more. Serious minded musicians that like the portable, compact form factor and willing to spend that money will have a great tool to take on the go.

Wow, I would be able to play it right next to my laptop with a USB hooked up to it.

will it work with fl-studio?

Thanks for a great video Jeremy! Are there any other keyboards this size and price that you’d recommend over this one? Just one something with bass sounds and individual drum hits for live stuff. Thanks!

I just want a piano i can play in my bed working on scales and chord progressions (this thing works)

I'm definitely considering getting this one. I like it for the reason I like the Casio SA keyboards: It's a powerful portable toy with some well-defined limits, it does not go too deep into professional features(e.g. large format, wheel/joystick, full arranger/workstation functions). That makes it useful for composition and lo-fi recordings. It lets you think a little bit about the direction of the arrangement, but stops you from worrying too much about getting an exact sound or performance. It's good at parties too since everyone can pick it up and get a result. It would be nice if it were more of a synthesizer, but the large voice selection, FX functions and arpeggio already give it a very large palette. One feature that I will miss is no volume slider: on the SA keyboards this is a useful real-time control when sending the signal into an FX pedal, it lets you control the distortion level.

Tossing that tiny keyboard into the air made me extremely uncomfortable lol

*Excellent review!* ⭐😃👍

Regard to the value for money , this keyboard is amazing !!!

It's wonderful to have someone so into technical as well as artistic perspectives. Keyboard evaluations should always have the components, along with balanced pros and cons.

Mine died after a couple of months. I thought it was because I ran it with a phone charger but found out a couple of days ago the ass50 has issues dying from BATTERIES!?

I really liked this review. I enjoyed watching it even though I don't plan on buying a keyboard. I thought your critiques were intelligent and well spoken. I look forward to watching the next video.

Demo review from KEEN ON KEYS RU-vidr on all Yamaha Keyboard similar sizes are fantastic....

Dear Sir kindly please update if you have any update comming soon for this model ..... specially if there will be any chance of them adding the audio input ( to conect mobile phones) thanks very much. Kind regards

Great review, thank you. I wish you'd expand on "Con #7" as I am wondering now what sounds you wish it had and doesn't have.

I've been wanting a Yamaha Reface CP for some time. One of the biggest reasons I haven't bought one is that there is no acoustic piano sound readily available for use (I know about the Easter Egg). With the lower price, the same Reface key system, and the built-in sounds that I like, I couldn't say no to this one. I'm eager to get my hands on it.

Good points, Jeremy. With the unique features offered on this keyboard as well as the low price, Yamaha seems to have this market segment locked up. It will be interesting to see if Korg or Roland come out with a competing product.

None of these cons bother me I just want a small keyboard to practice on. I was concerned about the sounds. I don't use arpeggios on keyboards anyway

I ordered one today,it’ll be here this week,looking forward to using it,I don’t care about the bad side of it,it’s good enough for me,it has its attributes,I’ve seen enough review videos to convince me it’s worth purchasing.

.. Great review 👌 i do hope Yamaha listen, and can update the issues you raised, as it's a cool little keyboard

Touch response / dynamic keyboard for less than 100 euros, this is a miracle.

You have Casio CT s100 & This yamaha Pss a50, Can you make a comparison video Between them ?

I've just bought one and I am already planning to run a cable from the Motion button to a foot pedal. It should have had a socket for this and I might end up doing it that way.

I think this keyboard is made for school / fun, with no purpose to have advanced functions, needed by pro musicians. Probably they wanted to mantain a very low price, and when they had to choose between a function and the price, they choosed to mantain the low price. Personally i'm waiting Yamaha to consider pro functions in a very compact instrument, with an acceptable price. Usually you find pro functions in digital pianos, with more keys and of course a different dimension.... I'd like to buy a compact dimension keyboard, with pro/semi pro functions, and a relative low price.... Don't know if yet exists...

Good review. That's a sub from me.

Another great review Jeremy! I just bought this because, amazingly, there are just not any good portable options offering a decent keybed with velocity sensitivity and a phrase recorder that allows you to loop a beat and bassline to play over. I agree with your recommendations - if Yamaha implemented let's say a 4-track sequencer, stereo speakers, and a couple other features like more sounds and a sustain pedal, they would easily take over the market dominated by much more expensive instruments like the Teenage Engineering OP-1. Come on Yamaha!

Thanks for the review! How do you think this compares against the Akai MPK mini play?

Excellent review ! You''ll be surprised when you'll learn that this keyboard has stereo capabilities ! Have a look on my youtube video "PSS A50 stereo mod explained". I mod the PSS-A50 in order to recreate the RIGHT channel path since only the LEFT channel of the soundengine chip is connected to the left+right jack headphones. Most probably applicable for both PSS-A50, PSS-E30 and PSS-F30 since the hardware is the same.

For a non keyboard player like me, looks like something that will ease my way to do things with 1 hand and play drums with the other, as i was looking for. Thanks for the review. You earned a follower

Plz. memory ? All recording features are artificial pricing. It's just a software.

I am 27 year beginner. Can I buy this for initial stage ??? Or does this affect when I upgrade in future because of small keys?? Pls guide me

Sir how can i connect guitar pedal to pss-a50?

Jeremy what mini keyboard would you buy today? Looking for a mini keyboard to use with midi capabilities. Be able to have it in my lap (in bed, computerdesk, Travel etc). Acmp would be nice as a bonus. Headphone jack is a must. New review coming on todays market?

Hi Jeremy, subscriber here, is it still worth buying or is there a newer version on the horizon? Thanks 🙏

No

Jereme, which is the recent version for this model? I am interested in portable portomento feature.

Excellent video Jeremy! I received my PSS-A50 today and I love it. However I agree with just about all your points. I have quite a lot of thoughts about this keyboard already so will probably end up making a video myself. I totally agree with you on the lack of stereo speakers. I got this as an upgrade from my Casio SA46. The Casio is a bit smaller but manages to fit in two speakers inside. Even though the keyboard itself is not stereo, the dual speakers give it a much fuller sound. I see from your new apartment video you also have a Casio SA46 so you can (if you ever get time) to compare them for yourself. Thanks again for the continually great content!

Thanks for the warning about hiss when recording.

5:44 The keyboard comes out of the box with the keys' velocity sensitivity set to 1. Try switching the sensitivity to 0 (off) and all the instruments are now the same volume. 6:13 Yes, the noise floor is horrendous but with the gain of an external amp set low the improvement in sound is great. I'm surprised how good (acceptable) the sound is from the built in speaker.

the keyboard clicking sound is so prominent....ruins the music

Thank you for such a well though-out and detailed review, Jeremy. The Yamaha PSS series of keyboards evokes a lot of nostalgic feelings in me because the Yamaha PSS 270 keyboard that I got back in 1989 was my 2nd keyboard ever, right after the little Casio PT-1. I never really learned piano proper and never really had much in terms of lessons, at all. I've mostly figured things out by reading, and it was really that Yamaha PSS 270 on which I've learned how to play chords with my left hand and lead melodies with my right. Many years have passed, and I got so excited to see Yamaha resurrecting their PSS series. It's great news for everyone. This time around, I am looking for a mini keyboard that I can use to follow chord progressions and simple melodies while reading music books. Specifically, I have this really great book by Rikky Rooksby called "How to write songs on keyboards...." that I often keep going back to. But it just feels so cumbersome to have to have my Roland Juno DS next to me while I am reading. These little PSS keyboards are so much more practical. And I really originally wanted the PSS-F30, but thought of the PSS-A50 keyboard as perhaps better for my needs, since it's a potentially great MIDI controller, too. Your part of review on the cons of this keyboard makes me however rethink whether I shoud still get the PSS-F30 instead and just keep carrying my Juno DS aroung the house for MIDI connectivity. It's about 11lbs (not too bad), but I am still thinking of the PSS A-50 because of its supreme portability + full-on midi implementation despite its cons. MIDI to me is super important, and I still keep my old Yamaha PSR-510 around just because of its excellent general midi implementation, even though it's really dated today. I often connect 3 of my old keyboards with a MIDI thru box and can get some very good results with fattening the sounds by playing all 3 together along with the MIDI thru box.

Thanks. Very well informed free lancer review! I just want to make a comment on your con section: On con#5. Check into Midi programming. I think it is a good thing not to give it all away perfectly prefabbed. Learning inspires further inquiry like VJing (Video DJ) with Midi etc. Good luck! On Con 6 I would suggest picking up a good Wave Editor for your smart phone and time 2 x 2 undsoweiter. In any case a DI box can fix hisses and hums For flat boring sounds, use a ReverbFXPedal (pro newb tip to really get the feel for concert rooms)

I think Yamaha can do more with this. using the MM6 engine. With selected quality sound, arpeggios and motion effects and great user interface design like Novation Circuit or Teenage Engineering OP1 and OPZ. Add a multitrack looper. i am happy to pay more for it instead of buying Novation Circuit, MC101 or OPZ. Compliment this with an ecosystem so users can buy and swap sound packs in it with their smartphone using usb interface. It will be a fun pro toy for keyboard player.

Hey Sir I always love your video, want to buy this kb but what's stopping me is that headphone/output jack problem, brobably I would wait for a much better portable keyboard in Jan 2020, thank buddy :)

Thank you, this review is excellent. Just what I needed

Nice Review as always! Pretty Nice Small Keyboard for the Price..... But, too many Cons Vs. Loves? I Already have a Arranger and Midi Keyboards But, I would use this as a midi keyboard with all my Other Synths and Modules....

Very interesting pros/cons review ! I will think a little more before buying it ;)

Thanks Jeremy an best wishes over the globe to you and your fam... I decided now to give it santa for my 10years son, trying to get him more to an Instrument beside the flute with an modern approach...it's yt Generation, funny, he asks me for stylophon what i've seen before and never thought he would like it... I hope i can also connect it to the stylophon to get effects and rythm out there.... A lot to try and learn for me and him... Thanks, all the best from south east germany 👍😊😎

I'm considering purchasing this keyboard, it seems like it would work as a great midi controller. BTW, the way you put compression on the background music is quite distracting, you should just make the music volume lower while you're speaking because its hard to focus on your voice and the music both at once.

is it a good choice for beginners, as a first keyboard?

Yamaha must seriously listen to your cons so they can upgrade the next A50...maybe they'll call it A50++ Will they be going to launch another A series?

Great review 👍🏼of this thing. Pros&Cons summary at end . I haven't got one but I'd say for the price pretty good ? Any comparable keys in this price range - £150 or less ??? Thanks.🐂💨💨💨💨

hi jeremy between , casio ct-s200 vs yamaha pss-a50? on sound and touch sensitivity? thanks so much

Hey! Awesome video, what backpack is that?

Which might be better arturia keystep or this pss a50? Confused on what to buy

At the end of they keys there are two SHIFT controls to raise / lower the level of the phrase recording and metronome, so you can mix it. Also it takes level by midi control change, it also takes the usual 4: filter cutoff, resonance, attack and release.

I agree with the difference in sound levels. That is the main gripe I have. I can see why Jeremy made this gripe #1. I am just learning to play so some of the more sophisticated things don't bother me,,,,,yet. Jeremy is more critical than I am. When I am worthy I will get a Reface DX. I need a small keyboard that I can use while camping.

I ordered one last week off Amazon there appears to have been a slight revision to the product around 2022, however it is still micro USB

First Yamaha PSS-A50. Next day from arrive, I try to power up, but nothing happens. Suddenly death. Amazon gave me a second unit. Yesterday I was playing with it about 1 hour. Today I tried to turn on, and again, the piano doesn't work at all. No display, no sounds, nothing!. I like the keyboard a lot, but I won't have a new replacement. I've ask for my money back. Very very disappointed.

Midi is the key feature of the keyboard. I like it, I think it would be fun to play!

Hey, is it possible to connect this to Zoom h5 or h6 and record it straight into it in real life? If so, how would you monitor the sound? Cheers!

just wish there was a pitch wheel! would be perfect for me if so

Can you layer the sound?

Can you please sale me this keyboard 😫

For the size and money... a fun little board for midi and practice or synth sounds on the go.

Nice videos, Jeremy, very useful for keyboard freaks like me. I just bought this PSSA50, the con's were not that much of a deal breaker to me. You're right, the hiss from the output is quite annoying for recording audio signal. Otherwise it is very enjoyable. It makes an excellent MIDI controller. Keybed is high quality. I needed an entry level keyboard for quick ideas. I will try processing the signal through my Arturina Minibrute, let's see what happens...

Sir please gift me a psr e373 i'm big fan

I hope Yamaha plans a PSS A70 or A100 that will have two speakers and a few sliders or knobs to control effects and at least a two line screen for better UI and to address the other cons of your video.

Acoustic piano sound good? So so?

When will they release a new soundchip for lower end keyboards? 😣 Also, I wish they should have included a 6 track recorder so you could layer EDM arpeggiated music.

Great review, thank you. Would be nice to have some hints at comparisons with cheaper or more expensive keyboards.

Can it use as midi keyboard?

Can I use this Keyboard as Midi (for Music production..) & as normal Keyboard...for my musical practice..?

Nice review! I finally got my own hands on a PSS-A50. That is to say, absolutely ANNOYING is the automatic change of the running arpeggio to a default pattern when switching the voice; this extremely disturbs live play and feels like a Chinese sound toy rather than an instrument. (Yamaha are you listening to this?! If this was meant as a shop demo feature, make it at least optional by pressing a button combination to disable that attract mode crap. Also adding more parameters (portamento speed etc.) on the shift button would be nice.) The acoustic instrument voices (guitars etc.) sound very nice and are not useless at all for tekkno. In the opposite I rather thought WTF about the 2 Synth Lead voices (Gemini, Punchy Chordz) those sound way too thin like a 1990th animal toy keyboard's "bee" sample or ultra-lo-fi orchestra hit drowned in an insane amount of digital crunchy hiss noise. I particularly like the enormous octave range (9 octaves!) those up/down buttons can be pressed also during arpeggio as a realtime sound effect. Although there are only 40 preset voices, pitching them way down or up turns many of these into something completely differnt, which may be even by design. Those infamous "bees" e.g. transform into mighty thunder or ocean waves when pitched down and played as clusters modulated with motion effect, and the sweet sounding wind instruments make nasty brown note bass growl this way. Punchy Chordz additionally turns into strange chip drums or videogame shoot noises when pitched down. The Overdriven Guitar can also mimic a hurdy gurdy or bagpipes and turns into a nice sitar by enabling sustain. Holding a chord at Accordion, Harmonica or woodwinds at low octaves can mimic a harmonium voice. Polyphonic arpeggios (piano patterns) combined with portamento and motion effects immediately raise nice impressions of Jean Michel Jarre or Eno/Moebius/Roedelius/Plank traditional synthesizer music. Arpeggio 75 & 76 (Harp) play rapid note clusters; try these also in slower tempo and with other voices for nice effects. While the Drums arpeggiator patterns (those trigger only a fixed note sequence) are intended for drum kits and others for melodic instruments, it is much more interesting to use them vice versa; other arpeggios on the drum sets produce plenty of somewhat semi-random wicked complex tribal grooves (resembling something circuit-bent but are completely repeatable). With the phrase sequencer you may even layer 2 of these at different pattern lengths - together with motion effect it can make nice trance music that can not be done on average small home keyboards. With arpeggio, holding "Arp Hold" again and immediately playing a note or chord changes the running arpeggio to that chord while keeping the selected melody voice. So you can switch arpeggio chords somewhat like a conventional accompaniment, although this is more awkward and slower than the key split chord of standard home keyboards. You can also hold melody notes and switch the octave or voice (with their buttons) to simultaneously play additional notes in other sounds or octaves; the held note will keep sounding in its initial voice. Switching back and forward among voices so allows to slowly play multiple instruments together. Despite so many restrictions, the thing is freaking inspiring. A pity is that the audio output is only mono (the chip would support stereo). When playing with microphone, the sound can be modulated by cupping your hand over the speaker (like on Stylophone or Casio VL-Tone). I do like the old Casio SA-series keyboards due to their strange algorithmic sounds; the modern PSS-A50 is one step above (with usb midi and realistic acoustic instrument timbres) but shares much of this spirit.

Do you think an iPad Pro with the right power adapter could power it via usb?

Hi Jeremy, Can we install external tones in Yamaha PSS-A50?

Sir are u the elder brother rof guitarzero2hero? You look exactly like him but little fatter version of him. Your talking style and face eyes lips looks alike.

Con#2 is a problem of impedance; headphone and line have not the same.

Hi Jeremy, I just bought one of these because of your great review/demo. I know synthesizers and pro keyboards pretty well, but your work is a truly great encyclopedia of affordable / beginner / home / portable instruments. When Patricia asked for a small keyboard to use as a pitch reference for music lessons, I knew it had to be good. It needed to be compact. She wanted a decent acoustic piano sound. I instantly remembered your review. I appreciate you. I learn about instruments I'll never get a chance to touch now in the pandemic.

The cons have it, it is frustrating and gets old quickly, I was hoping for better, a pss 470 with a looper is more fun....

Will it work with VST ? I use basic VST instruments some Hammond B3 and other VST instruments?

Hi Jeremy, I am looking for a small keyboard to put on too of the right side of my PSR S750 to play extra voices in between. I like organ sounds so I was thinking about the Reface YC, but I think it might be to limited in possibilities. Is this new and cheaper Yamaha PSS-A50 a good alternative? Which mini keyboard would you recommend in my case? Greetings 🙋‍♂️ Erik

We have almost same item in this video, I have Yamaha PSR SX700 & PSS A50. I see you have PSR SX900 behind you. We have same taste maybe same budget,, haha. Thanks btw your review PSS A50. Bravo 👍

Which better Yamaha pss A50 or Maudio Keystation 49 MK3???

Hello, very good review. Is it possible to MIDI connect it to a Yamaha PSR or Tyros keyboard and then use it for playing extra voices in between the melody, so have more variety in sounds? And if so, will the audio recorder of the main keyboard record the sound of this small keyboard together with the sound of the main keyboard?

As a beginner the biggest con is the number of voices. In comparison to the f-30 which is almost half the price here, I expected it to have the same or atleast more voices. I'm not interested with the other features at all. Just number of voices, and 3 octaves. But it seems I might go with Casio sa-50(or maybe even f-30) even though it only has 2 and 1/2 octave. What a shame. This would've been a great casual on the go play companion.

I'm a casual so I own both F30 and A50, and keeps going back and forth between them for lap keyboard playing. btw I'd rather keep spare enelong.. err eneloops batteries for it

Hi, love your videos.. Can you make video on PSS A50 vs CTK2550?

Hi. Based on my conditions at the moment, will need to practice with headphones on almost constantly. Could you tell me please, based on that, which keyboard will be better for me - PSS A50 or PSS F30 ? Thank you.

How can it be a MIDI controller? Does it have a USB port? Thank you!

Excellent succinct critique thanks

Nice demo. I would have liked to see the keyboard connected to a computer featuring some software as Cakerwalk, Cubase, etc.

Great review, super helpful! Thank you!

What do you think about the A50 not having built-in rhythms? I only found out after buying. I like this unit. The sounds are great for its price and size. I was just disappointed that it didn't have rhythm presets.

Does it have Rhodes? Are all the sounds fm based? Would you trust it for recording? The high noise floor seems like it might be an issue? But seems like a much cheaper alternative to the reface cp when you just want a Rhodes n piano to play? Thanks.

Hi, can we play Reed aka Harmonium on this keyboard. ? Can we play or add Indian tones, rhythems , add indian songs, on this keyboard? Thank you

Good review. After hearing what you just described about this keyboard, I am determined to purchase a Yamaha PSS-A50 to work with my preschool and high school students in the arts class. The first option I had in mind was to buy a folding piano due to portability but the Yamaha PSS-A50 sounds much better than the options I reviewed and it is also easy to take it everywhere so I have already decided and Yamaha never It has failed because all the instruments I own are of that brand.  Comentarios Otras personas también

I chose to take the jump and buy one of these for its EDM potential. If you have used it with DAW software, I would like to see and example of either loading in new voices or playing it with a VST into the DAW.