All user reviews for the Korg SP-200

Bought used as a rental return in Vancouver, Canada.

The Korg SP-200 has all the essential features of a quality digital stage piano, and is ideal for piano students who'd like to try some other sounds. Gigging musicians will find it a pleasure to play, but might find some of the features a bit limiting for stage performance.

The piano, electric piano, harpsichord, vibraphone, pipe organ, and clavinet sounds are excellent. Though not quite as grand-piano-like as those on Yamaha's P series stage pianos, the weighted keyboard is very fine indeed.

The control layout -- a row of buttons with LEDs, and just two sliders for volume and metronome tempo -- takes an excellent less-is-more approach, making the SP-200 easy to use for beginners.

Korg claims 60-note polyphony (simultaneous notes) for ther SP-200, but that's not always true. Some of the better sounds, like the first two stereo grand pianos, use two sets of oscillators and reduce polyphony to 30 notes, while the reverb and chorus reduce polyphony still further. If you layer two complex sounds and add effects, it's not hard to make notes cut off if you hold down the sustain pedal and play a few two-handed chords. On the other hand, if you use the lovely mono grand piano with no effects, it's nearly impossible to make that happen, so whether the polyphony limits are an issue depends on what you want to do.

The jazz/rock organ and synth string/choir sounds are merely adequate to good. There is no way to store custom user settings (for reverb, key-touch sensitivity, etc.), so when you turn the keyboard off and on, everything reverts to factory settings, which is why the SP-200 might not be best for those who primarily use it onstage.

The SP-200 can act as a MIDI controller or sound source, but neither is its forte -- it is designed to be plugged into some speakers, turned on, and played. Those seeking a weighted keyboard controller probably want other features, such as a pitch bend wheel, that the SP-200 lacks.

The case is about as small as it can be for a weighted, full-88-key stage piano, and at 40 pounds it is even relatively light. All the connector plugs are on the back, even for headphones, which is too bad, since a front-mounted phone jack would be more useful. There is only a single headphone jack, and no line-in to play along with CDs. The power adapter is a standard "wall wart" type with a small plug, rather than a more robust three-prong plug. The included damper pedal is just a footswitch, though a separate piano-style half-damper pedal is available.

For compact, high-quality, excellent sounding stage pianos in this price range, it's a tough competition between the SP-200 and comparable models such as Yamaha's P60 and P90, Kurzweil's SP88X, Roland's RD models, and a few from other manufacturers. The SP-200 acquits itself well, and can be a wise investment if you understand its few limitations in advance.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i bought this from bombay, india and paid 45,000 INR.

the simplicity of the key board, the weighted keys, and the compactness. like a mobile grand piano.

there is no midi thru and usb outputs and more over, some samples are sounding out of tonal quality at the extreme lower and higher octaves.

the design is extremely good, its totally rock solid, iron body. the quality depends on how you use it,, i have seen some other stage pianos where the keys are damaged due to rough handling.

it is good to go for this product if you have a good sound card and a computer and also a hi end tone generator like triton rack. as far as just performance matters this is the best option for a pro pianist.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

88 notes
30 sounds prprogramms not ditables
effects rverbes 3, 3 chorus, 3 touches (lightweight, raliste, heavy)
2 tempra
2 output jack (R Lmono)
Midi in and out
Sustain pedals book with throwing (for roro 15 was a real like on a real piano)
1 headphone
Mtronome.

UTILIZATION

Raliste touch,
Easy
Manuel clear

SOUNDS

The sounds are generally good, I have acht for piano sounds, electric pianos and organs.

The sounds of violins, choir tops are good but, I have never found to my liking.
6 piano sounds, electric 6 (of Rhodes, the Wurlitzer or digital), 1 + 1 clavinet wah clavinet, organ of great beauty + two more with a little distortion + 3 organ "church ...
An acoustic guitar a lot ...

OVERALL OPINION

I've had about one month, I find it perfect for my use: it tolls for music 70 ', the reggae classic.
Trs good qualitprix Report

I had pls emulations, a Pianet T: the korg sounds much better! It's rare when buying an instrument I did not t deu ...

The match CHARACTERISTICS adquate my expectations. Lightweight and compact camera he carries aisment. Additional output headphone t cost would have a distinct advantage.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is as enjoyable as my acoustic piano and compares the most MODELS
expensive (Yamaha, Kawasaki etc). Trs easy for those who like some free versatilis
too many functions. The manual is clear and concise. Fran is the quality of good over some manuals that we find in Canada!

SOUNDS

I do not work with classical piano and the sounds "pipe organ" which are fantastic. I test other sounds and they are practitioner.

OVERALL OPINION

I do possde since one month but I use it every day and I am delighted trs. Is the only BMOL
lorsqu'utilis with headphone MUCH I put the volume slider to max. I have a pair of COST
Sony MDR-MODEL digital 4v. In short, it's probably the best quality I've seen prices in Qubec.

The sounds are much better than on some pianos more expensive (fp2 roland, yamaha p60, p120, etc. ..) The sounds of Piano and Electric Piano trs trs are good, in my opinion better than roland or yamaha for the pianos though more expensive (between 1000 and 1500 euros) ...

Prvoir especially good speakers to amplify it ... gcher this would be a shame such a beautiful sound! (I take myself back on my 2 x 300 Watt eg ..)

This piano has a great look trs professional, not too heavy. Note that I think it would be more suited for scne, improvisations, compositions, recordings, for the work (classical music, scales, etc. ..). I caractrise However this piano for pianists express (I do not say has prtention!), But I think in fact that several paramtres (touch, bounce, weight down, etc ...) must have a good dj to play it before, it is an equipment for professionals. Learn the piano for the first time it would be something heavy enough pianist beginners.

The quality of the recording on another pc o support via external outputs is perfect.

UTILIZATION

A super good touch, not too heavy or too lightweight, touch can be numrique rgler in 3 levels.
This piano is very simple to use, it quickly became familiar with him trs (a few minutes ..)

SOUNDS

The only sound that is not used much is the guitar sound, everything else is great, raliste with intrt (not like the Roland FP2 o many sounds are not anything, tr sincrement s)

OVERALL OPINION

I bought a 699 euro and I can tell you that all the pianos I test in this price range, dj cotent much more expensive (1500 euro fp2 for example) and NO not liked me, I who am a big manic I must admit (I have 2 months before deciding what I liked bte), only the Sp home korg really convinced me.

Note that for those who wish to test the SP200 and do not find in stores (normal piano because it is a rare), it can simply test the above MODEL (SP300) that is less rare bcp store, because to touch and sound (most) there is NO Difference between the SP200 and SP300, only the look is changing, Contents, etc ...

What do you, researchers of digital piano? (Hihi) The SP200 will satisfy you ...
Update of January 2005:
I am the notes, yes, indeed there is no Split on korg sp-200, but my pa n silent Premire of proccupations. It is true that some of the pianos are split trs good (as Fp2, which couple the trs I love good sound "walking bass" with the piano) but I remember however that the co SP200 you 500 euros less than the fp2, which was too expensive for me ...

I did a test in the store, I look good right now touched a piano with acoustic piano and electric piano well. it has all the piano composition useful for> Wurlitzer, PC 80, Rhodes, Rhodes FM, classical piano, piano style "bar".

UTILIZATION

He hit an exellent and good bounce, the plastic of the hull is good, design is simple no frills quality buttons, a solid feel emerges.

SOUNDS

The sounds are really good for the price! I am even surprised at the quality of electric pianos often in this range are zero, and listen to yamaha kawai example that does not resemble the originals at all? Apart from the acoustic piano often in this digital piano range of electric pianos are sloppy.

OVERALL OPINION

I have not bought yet because I hesitate to hit a good master keyboard piano (but I find them all in general blah> Fatar, m audio edirol etc. ..) and the best plug in my laptop on piano .

the absence of this keyboard are:
1 / no control thru
2 / pedal is ridiculous
3 / are the violin, chorus and guitar are used strictly nothing and could be used for piano for more multi-layer sample and become more realistic.

The quality are:
1 / the choice of electric pianos compared with the competition> roland, yamaha, kawai.
2 / the sound of the Wurlitzer very friendly
3/les rhodes quite realistic in this price range
4/THE cp 80 clavinet and very musical
5/les mallets useful (very jazz)

conclusion printing is very good value for any concurence 699 euros! among other brands for better must be the Nord Electro, the Promega 3 or vr 760 roland home but no longer the same price and then to the north and electro vr 760>> touched the piano for an n is not terrible.

88 keys, 30 sounds, reverb and chorus effects 2 parameter. 3 styles of touch

headphone, Stereo output jack 2, has a throw pedals, MIDI I / O

UTILIZATION

Trs good touch, as heavy on pianos. Trs is enjoyable. very easy to use, no worries except for the config noon to look for a can ... The manual says you need.

SOUNDS

This is where I sduit! for the price one has trs beautiful sounds. I love the piano, rhodes and strings together, can I also use a mallet. the effects are quite effective, accentuating the positive trs sound quality. The keyboard has a good Ragit trs VLOC this keyboard is a Russianness

OVERALL OPINION

made two months I have, I use the max on stage with a expendeur Roland PMA-5 and I have much I need. And even without expander, sound streams are then rev right to use the expander is a limit out the sounds that the SP200 has not. the ratio Q / P is remarkable, that becomes a problem to find OCCAZ. I remake it without hsiter choi.

I will not return to the features, everything has been said!

UTILIZATION

It's been a month since I played with while taking classes since I started on piano.
The handling and selection of sounds is super easy. I've still got tested for MIDI!
The hit is just beautiful. I love it. I tested the other days of the purchase in this price range, but there is no comparison. The Korg is TOP.

SOUNDS

The sounds are very realistic, very clean.
That's what I was looking for. No need for me to have sounds alien in 15 dimensions.
The keyboard responds like a piano!
However, I regret that there have no more control over the presets such as equalizer or wheel of expression.

OVERALL OPINION

Assets:
Excellent quality / price!
Much better than its competitors in this price range (UF8).

Cons:
Controls are a bit poor.
It is heavy the beast ....

I would do the selection again.
This is a value on a keyboard (I think) you will keep long.

See other comments

UTILIZATION

In my opinion, much better than the touch of his cronies: P60-P70, Casio PX 100 ...
It took me three months to make up my mind, and I saw the digital piano ....

SOUNDS

The sounds of the piano right for me, I must first find the beautiful piano. Organ, strings and vibes friendly. the rest of the sounds are dispensable.

OVERALL OPINION

I for a month and a half.
I appreciate the aesthetics, strength. It is well built and finished.
I find it sad the lack of integrated speakers.
Value for money very good. for this price is a bargain.
I would do the same choice without hesitation.

For technical info, read the other reviews.
My only regret is that the sounds can't be edited.

UTILIZATION

For me, the keyboard is excellent.
I tested, among others, the Yamaha P140, whose keyboard felt too "heavy" even in light mode.
It's extremely easy to use and the manual is really helpful for certain settings that are a bit more complicated.
The response is perfect, it is exactly what I was looking for.
I haven't had the time to test midi.
Impeccable manual. That said, there aren't many settings to modify...

SOUNDS

I was looking first and foremost for a good piano sound, and I'm really satisfied!
The sp200 offers no less than 12 pianos from classical to more "artificial" ones.
Personally, I prefer pure sounds with the metallic sound of the strings. One of the pianos is really satisfying.
The other ones are OK and the classical guitar is also pretty good.
The strings are rich but not realistic (too "stringy," in fact).
So it's not bad when it comes to sounds.
The excellent keyboard and response make it a real pleasant piano.

OVERALL OPINION

I got it 2 weeks ago.
I love its looks, weight (40 lbs) and ease of use. The effects, chorus and reverb, are awesome, as well as the setting of the keyboard.
I only regret that the sounds can't be modified and I don't like the sustain pedal at all, it's really cheap.
As I said before, I tested the yamaha p140 but I didn't like its keyboard.
I was ready to buy a secondhand roland RD500 that is very comprehensive and whose keyboard I like a lot.
I think the sp200 has a very similar keyboard (although I haven't played an rd500 in years, so maybe I'm not being too objective...).
As for the value for money, I found one for $700 online, shipping and handling included!!! I think I bought the last in stock. I got lucky...
I would certainly buy it again, especially at that price!!!
Even if you buy it for $800 in other stores it's a great deal, IMHO.

- 7octaves.
- 30 sounds in 10 banks, so you have 3 sounds available for each bank. Possibility to mix two sounds. 2 effects: Chorus and Reverb, 3 settings for each effect. Touch function for the keyboard. The piano sounds are obviously the most interesting (I like especially three of them), which is what made me decide to go for the SP-200, considering my budget and the other pianos I tested.
- Mono/stereo audio outputs PLUS headphones, midi IN/OUT, sustain pedal (not the best...)
Considering what I was looking for, and at this price point, it has the perfect features.

UTILIZATION

- The keyboard is very nice, but that's something very subjective. I learned to play piano on my own, so I'm not very technical (not at all, actually!). Up to now I'd had a "real" entry-level acoustic piano and have had the opportunity to play synths and other digital pianos (Yamaha P-80 / P-90, Roland RD-150). I have never liked the keyboards on synths, so I was looking for a weighted keyboard. After having tested the Roland FP-2 and 2 Casios at the same price point, I preferred the keyboard of the SP-200.
- The overall configuration is very intuitive. I miss a digital display and the possibility to configure sounds banks (to be able to switch quickly between sounds, which ought to be possible via MIDI, but I haven't tested it yet).
- I haven't tested midi, so I'll let you know my thoughts once I do.
- The manual seems very clear, but I have barely looked at it because it's very easy to use.

SOUNDS

- I was looking for good piano sounds right from the start and that's what I found in the sp-200! I didn't think I'd be using the other sounds but have surprised myself playing electric pianos (including one with a very '60s sound) or mixing pads with piano sounds... I love it to play rock/pop-rock!!!
- In terms of realism, and compared to other pianos I tested, for me, this is the best one (below $1500).
- Good expressiveness. There's some sort of "damping" sometimes when you press the same note quickly, which is something I hadn't seen in a real piano. But I still need to confirm that it's not a problem of me not releasing the key enough, which reduces the velocity.
- I prefer the following sounds: Grand Piano 1, Bright Piano 2, Classic Piano, There's no single sound that I don't like, but it's true that I don't see myself using the Acoustic Guitar, for example. I would've liked a bass sound better.

OVERALL OPINION

- I've been using it for six days.
- There's nothing in particular that I like or dislike about this piano, I like it as a whole. I'm happy with my investment. I bought it new and think it will be my companion for years to come! What I regret a bit is the sustain pedal, which isn't worthy of this piano, and (something I think has been mentioned by other reviewers) the low level of the headphones output (very, very limited...). I plan to buy some active speakers to really profit from the sound of the piano.
- I didn't test too many products (3 Roland, 2 Casio, 2 Yamaha). My main reference was an acoustic piano, so I was looking for something that resembled it in terms of the keyboard feel and that, at the same time, had a good sound. The SP-200 was the best for me.
- I think it's an excellent value for money, compared to the other models I tested.
- After one week of use, I'm not ready to get rid of it! We'll see in a couple of months...
NB: Since I had no experience with digital pianos, I underestimated an element that has proved to be very important: A stand! I bought one for $40 online and as soon as I get a bit excited it starts rocking with me, in every sense of the word... It's all right for the time being, but I need to get a better stand in the future. Think about it when you buy a piano!!!
Update: I ended up making my own stand out of solid wood. I spent less than $50 and have a very solid stand that it took me a couple of hours to mount.