Want to be the next PRODIGY or CRYSTAL METHOD?...
Written: Apr 07 '04 (Updated Apr 07 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Realistic Sound, Touch-Sensitive Keys, MIDI Compatible, Stereo Speakers, Easy to Use, Large Voice_Library
Cons: Considered out-of-date (yeah right!)
The Bottom Line: The Yamaha PSR-220 (or 230) is one of the greatest entry level keyboards. Full of functions, lots of features.
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| Chris_Billings's Full Review: Yamaha Psr230 Portable Midi Keyboard |
A few years back, I was stuck taking piano lessons. Before that I had a keyboard that I use to mess around with once and a while. I have a passion for music, even though I dreaded piano lessons. I regret that I didn’t try my hardest while learning to play the piano, but I can’t go back in time. So, I have learned to deal with that mistake in my life.
I’m pretty picky when it comes to choosing musical instruments and gear. I usually stay with the big three manufactures when I buy keyboards. Roland, Korg, and of course Yamaha.
I have had several keyboards over the years, but the best “starter” keyboard that I have used is the Yamaha PSR-220. The keyboard is now considered to be outdated, and on Yamaha’s website, you can’t even find it unless you search the archived section of the site. But through my search of the internet, I have found out that the keyboard is still being used, even by professional musicians. The price has dropped considerably (it can be found for under $200 now).
Yamaha classified the keyboard as an “entry-level” professional keyboard. And I believe it. The keyboard has a wide range of features on it. Most starter keyboards are just basic. They don’t have anything fancy, and there are maybe a dozen different voices to choose from.
BASIC FEATURES
The Yamaha PSR-220 has 61 Full Size Keys, that are Touch Responsive just like a real Piano. Touch a key softly, you get a quiet sound, slam your fingers down on the keys and you get a loud response back (or you can turn off the touch response feature). The keys range from C1 to C6. Which you can set the keyboard at different octaves of a piano. Since an actual piano has more keys and notes, 61 keys on the keyboard isn’t enough. But you do have the option of taking the keys up or down an octave.
The keyboard features a number key-pad on the right side of the LCD screen, which allows you to “dial-in” what voice or style you want directly.
Also the keyboard as a built-in Metronome so that you can learn timing. A small picture of a metronome pops up on he LCD screen, and a ticking sound begins. With the Tempo button, you can change the speed up or down. You can even speed up the tempo of the accompaniment style (which I talk about later...)
VOICES
Like I said before, most starter keyboards only feature a few voices to choose from. But the PSR-220 features 99 voices to choose from (plus a drum kit). The voices aren’t just a bunch of cheesy sounding rip-offs. At the time, Yamaha used the latest technology called, Advanced Wave Memory (AWM for short). Yamaha took actual instruments and digitally recorded them. Everything from the standard Piano, to a Jazz Organ, to a Distorted Guitar, and even a full Orchestra voice section.
You can also use two different voices at once, with the Dual Voice function. You can set the main Voice as a Piano, and then the background Voice can be a String Ensemble. It’s like you are in a concert, with a full orchestra backing you up.
Another thing you can do, is “split” the keyboard. This allows you to make the first half of the keyboard once instrument, and the other half a totally different one. So you can play the Piano and Accordion (or whatever you want) at the same time. And when you thought it was over, you can split the keyboard into thirds!
STYLES
Do you ever want to practice with some music in the background? Can’t find a drummer to jam with? Well there are 100 styles to choose from. Rock, Disco, Techno, Salsa, etc. The Styles accompany you as you are playing. They provide some beat and rhythm to play along with. And they sound pretty life-like.
AUDIO
The Yamaha PSR-220 features full Stereo sound, which there are two speakers, one on each side of the keyboard. There are options, which allow you to adjust how the echo and sustain fade from one side to the other. Very cool. Especially since the keyboard features realistic voices outside the realm of instruments. Like Gunshots, Crowds Cheering, and my favorite, the Ocean Waves.
Also the PSR-220 has a max polyphony of 28. This means that you can have up to 28 notes playing at the same time (in theory) More than the 28, some of them cut out, and are not heard. I say “in theory” because of this...
The basic Piano voice uses 1 note, Steel Drums uses 2 notes, Distortion Guitar uses 2 notes, etc. The max any voice uses is 2 notes to generate the sound. So if you have the keyboard on Dual Voice Mode, The first voice is Piano which uses 1 note like I said and the background Voice, Strings uses 2 notes. So when you press a key down, you are actually using 3 notes. Lost....well......good.....oops...I mean sorry...
VISUAL
The keyboard features an LCD screen in the center of the unit, approximately 2 inches x 2 ½ inches. This is where the vital information is displayed at. Like the Voice you are using, the various Voice Effects (reverb, echo, etc.), and more. To cycle through the menu, you use two buttons on the right side of the screen, and each section has a sub menu, which you use the two buttons on the left side to cycle through.
The only problem I have with the LCD screen, is that it’s not backlit. Later models now have a backlit screen making it easier to use in concert conditions, etc. But it’s not a bad thing.
One benefit of the LCD screen, is that it shows the chords when you play them. Not sure what the name of a chord is, just view the screen.
MIDI COMPATIBLE
Probably the most important thing about this keyboard, is that it’s compatible with any General MIDI program. MIDI is the universal music file that allows you to use music on your websites, and on your computer, and other keyboards. It’s a set standard, that makes it so that you are compatible with everybody else. The MIDI voices expand the amount and types of instrument voices you use. With a total of 128 voices to choose from already (and more when using a sequencer, sampling software, synthesizer, etc), there are no limits to what you can do.
Almost every computer has a way to access MIDI files. And with this keyboard hooked up to your computer, you can compose your own music and save them on your computer. Many computers require you to have extra software installed so that you can sample and record. The most popular software is Cakewalk, which allows you to record your own samples and use preset ones included in the CD. Probably the best that I have tried is, Propellerheads Reason 2.5 software (it only sells $500.00) But I will have to talk about that some other time.
The only thing you need to hook your computer up to the keyboard, is a MIDI Control Box (M-Audio) makes the best that I have seen. You hook it up between your computer and keyboard. Since most computer don’t have a MIDI Terminal, you need a control box to plug into your USB(or other ports).
COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER KEYBOARDS
The PSR-220 can be used with almost any keyboard or synthesizer that has MIDI Terminals. You can use a Tone Generator with the keyboard too. Just like you would use an Effects Pedal with a guitar.
PSR-220 VERSUS PSR-230...
Other than the 230 being about $50 more than the 220, it features a Cartridge Slot that allows you to but carts directly from Yamaha. This allows you to expand the amount of Voices you can use, more Styles of backgrounds to accompany you, and more Demos to listen and Jam with. Another features that the 230 has, is it’s more of a teaching tool as well. It features Guide Lamps above each key. They light up and tell you what key to press when you are learning to play a particular song. If you buy a cartridge, you can learn to play the song exactly how it is on the sheet music. You can set the keyboard up to go step by step through each chord, or you have the option of trying to keep up with the actual song too.
ACCESSORIES...
The most needed accessories is a foot pedal that allows you to control the sustain and volume. The Yamaha FC5 foot pedal is the recommended one to use. It’s around $19.99 on sale at www.musiciansfriend.com most of the year. This pedal allows you to control the sustain in real time, like you would on a normal piano.
Also you can use headphones so that you are able to practice in peace and quiet, or you can plug in extra stereo speakers if you want to blast everyone out.
OVERALL
Overall, this is the best keyboard for starters (and beginning professionals) The instruction manual is easy to understand, the buttons are durable, keys are very responsive, compatibility with other instruments is amazing, loads of voices to choose from, etc. You can even do some basic recording with the keyboard. But to do major recording, it requires a computer and some software to do so.
At the time, the keyboard wasn’t too expensive. For a digital instrument with all these features, you would expect to pay almost $1000! It’s not too hard to find, if you use the search engines. You can still get used ones in decent condition on Ebay.com, and even new on some sites. It just takes some looking around.
DIMENSIONS & SPECS...
61 Touch-Responsive Full Size Keys
General MIDI Compatible
11 lbs aprox weight
37”W x 15”D x 5”H aprox
12 Watts power consumption
MIDI In terminal
MIDI Out terminal
Headphone/Aux Jack
Sustain Jack
DC IN 10 to 12V Jack
Cartridge Slot (on PSR-230 only)
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[PRODUCT]
Yamaha PortaTone PSR-220 Keyboard
&
Yamaha PortaTone PSR-230 Keyboard
[MANUFACTURE]
Yamaha
[YEAR of RELEASE]
1996
[M.S.R.P.]
$300 to $500 in 1996 (aprox)
[BATTERIES REQUIRED?]
NO
(only for portable operation which uses 6 “D” size batteries)
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RELATED WEBSITES
http://www.yamaha.com
http://www.yamahamusicsoft.com
http://www.m-audio.com
http://www.propellerheads.se
http://www.musiciansfriend.com
COPYRIGHT 2004
Copyright Chris_Billings 2004
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Chris Billings
Location: Spokane Valley, Washington, USA
Reviews written: 188
Trusted by: 271 members
About Me:
"You know what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like this?"
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