Casio CDP-200R

(Originally written by stoemp/translated from Audiofanzine FR)

- How many octaves?

Velocity-sensitive keyboard with 88 full-size keys

- How many presets and effects are available? Is it possible to edit them?

Over 600 excellent sound presets. + Arranger with lots of different rhythms. + Basic sampler. Multi-track recording capability
I haven't tried all effect and sound editing possibilities.

- Type of connections? (audio, MIDI, pedals, etc.)?
Damping pedal connector, USB/MIDI connector. Headphone output also usable as line out. Rather low overall output level (it's not even loud enough for headphones). I haven' tested the connector as line output for my mixer yet.

UTILIZATION

- Does the keyboard feel pleasant? Does it fit your needs?
The feel is half-weighted to weighed (very subjective)
The plastic keys and the playing feel are good enough for me.
- Is it easy to make settings?
Quite intuitive use of main functions. The user's manual is essential to get to know all the details.
- Is the selection of MIDI channel and patches easy?
I haven't used the Midi functions in multi-timbral mode yet. I had already experienced with easier patch selection systems but this one is simple enough, even if the best solution is to keep an eye on the (huge) patch list.


SOUNDS

Do the sound presets fit your music style?
Yes it provides enough classic sound presets (nearly 20 piano patches...)
- Are they authentic?
Very authentic.
- Are the effects effective and do they suit your application?
Not used yet.
- Is the expressiveness good? (velocity and aftertouch sensitivity)?
Yes
- Which sounds do you prefer / hate?...
+ Piano and rhythm presets
- ?

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you been using it?

One week

- Which feature do you like the most / the least?

+++ Good-quality 88-note keyboard with comprehensive arranger and 600 sound presets for a nice price.

--- Output volume is too low with headphones
-- Damping pedal is too small and doesn't comply with a real piano pedal.
- The display screen is made out of soft plastic (!?!)

- Did you try any other models before buying it?

I tested an arranger piano from Thomann and I sent it back because the sounds were awful and the playing response was disastrous.

- How would you rate its value for money?
Better than excellent.

- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?
Time will tell if it was the right choice but until now it has been...

- 88-note digital piano
- 670 tones
- 200 rhythms
15 digital effects
I bought this piano in November 2008 and I am very happy
I would not put too much, and have a good piano.
the touch is excellent (better than my old roland RD300)

UTILIZATION

The keyboard is very nice and precise at the sensibilitbr /> at the beginning I Potacs of the manual but the functions are relatively simple and accessible.
It has a large backlit display very complete

SOUNDS

The sounds are very good, very realistic ...
the game is very simple accompaniment utilisbr /> amplification is sufficient to use otherwise private, you must plug in an external amplifier to play several.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought 649, and frankly for the price, it is better than a Yamaha DGX I had tried at the time of purchase.
These two instruments are quite similar, but Casio has a better touch than the yamaha (touch ballast only)
the price quality ratio is very interesting, and I recommend it for those who want to start or have fun with the many features available in the casio.

-How many octaves?

The piano has 88 keys touch heavy, with a maximum polyphony of 48 keys, varying tones used.

"How many sounds, effects available? Are they edited?

670 sounds covering a comprehensive range. The sounds are superimposed and the keyboard can be split in 2 parts playing different sounds. It can also change the level of reverb and chorus.

"What connection (Audio, MIDI pedals ...)?

The keyboard has a microphone input, audio input, sustain an outlet, a headphone jack and a USB connection. Regrettably or not the absence of real audio out according to the use made of it, the only exit being the phones / output to the front of the keyboard.

UTILIZATION

-Touch keyboard is it nice? Should your use?

The keyboard has a very good rendering of touch, what is more adjustable. The spring of the keys is comfortable, the buttons itself are quite angular, but still enjoyable.

-The manual is clear and sufficient?

The manual is well designed and we found it. It is however required to return each time a few pages back to refer to the numbering of the keys of each chapter, which may be a little confusing to use. Apart from this drawback, the explanations are clear and there was no harm in applying.

-The general configuration is simple?

You navigate with relative ease in the functions of the piano and we manage to configure the sounds quickly. But I had the unpleasant surprise that many options present on my old isp E403 such as changing the volume, pitch and sound effects were superimposed and splits absent. They evolve with the same settings as the main tone. Thus, if the volume of low splitée in octaves of the keyboard is too small compared to the volume of the main tone, there is apparently nothing we can do about it. This greatly determines the use of these functions.

SOUNDS

-Sounds they agree with your style of music?

The sounds are as numerous as successful. Being myself oriented Rock / Blues / Jazz, I greatly appreciate the variety of pianos and organs. I explored the little sounds Orchestra / electro, but they seem well made.

-The expression is good? (Response to velocity, aftertouch)?

The sounds respond to the touch and is perfectly happy to play both pianissimo and fortissimo. The touch response is even adjustable, can fit the song played, powerful or soft, or off.

-Are they realistic?

The sounds are a very good level of realism. For the piano for example, there was not a single sound whose height varies, the sampled sound is different depending on the height of the note played. Thus, one hears the sound of hammers in the piano treble and bass have the full power of real piano in their vibration. Perfect.

-What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?

The piano sounds are amazing realism. The organs are also very good. I did not cross its worth I hate it, but I think I can find it by searching the side of the guitars.

OVERALL OPINION

For how long have you been using it? Did you try many other models before getting this one?

I was looking for a new keyboard to go further than my Yamaha PSR E403. I was looking for a piano hammer action in around 500-600 €, but without losing the sound and options for the synth, and I fell on the CDP 200r by searching a catalog of Sonovente. My music store has been for a long time unable to get one, I searched the net and I ended up buying here (thank you Audiofanzine) Used for 400 € (not Shipping costs very high because of the size and weight of the package) with a stand. I tried a few models but none of whom like the CDP 200r synthesis and digital keyboard synthesizer in the same price range.

-What is your opinion about the value for the price?

Excellent, it was a really good digital piano with synth functions.

-Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?

Without doubt, I found what I was looking for.

7 Octaves (we just go virtually shifting up to 9 notes via a function but the manipulation takes a few seconds, hard to do in the middle of a song).

There are 670 different sounds (including 16 drum set). As I've seen elsewhere about the keyboard in general is fun at first but you get tired quickly, but it can still be used! And many are still interesting.
We just set the resonance of sound (10 levels, the default being 6).
200 dynamic drum machines (each has a phase 1, a wagon, a phase 2 and a conclusion that can enable low hanging playback at the touch of a button per game).
There are also 8 free places for sounds to sample'm even including 3 rhythms (also the keyboard sampler but I've never tried this feature).
It also virtually little divide the keyboard into two parts, with his per game.

There is a user-side audio output (headphone or amplifier), audio input (I have not tried yet) to play another music, a microphone input to sample sounds (not tried either), a USB and of course a plug for the pedal.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is quite realistic, I could compare that with two acoustic piano: one had a touch different enough that it becomes disturbing in the beginning, the other had a feel much closer. Overall the race of a button should be more homogeneous on the keyboard as on an acoustic piano but it's a detail that matters little when it starts. The "heaviness" of the keys is very light gradient: heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble.

The number of its forces often noted on each partition where one uses a special sound its number (although in general, the first sound is a piano that suits just about everything), a paper list is provided and Selection is made via a keypad (be careful to select the "tone" before changing his, often an oversight because rhythm is selected by default and it does not necessarily make them count).
With a little practice the pattern of effects and other parameters is simple enough, but the manual is necessary at first to avoid getting lost.

The manual is pretty clear about it and complete even if we sometimes look a bit before finding the information you seek.

SOUNDS

The piano sound is very satisfying: normal piano, grand piano, classical piano, piano rock's moods quite different and all with a good record.
The other sound is often unnecessary but some are very interesting (I think srting leads and synth), I play almost exclusively with the sounds of piano, but I think the palette of choice is exploitable.

The keyboard react well depending on the speed of pressing keys, I have not had a problem with that (although I have a lot harder not to "tap" the notes on the keyboard sound in my music school), this reactivity is adjustable (4 levels): default level 1, level 2 and 3 make the notes more "soft" for the same typing speed, at level 0 there is no difference by typing speed ("strength" of the sound produced is quite large, as if you typed the button hard enough, and is not adjustable). No aftertouch.

There are few effects, 10 levels of reverb, chorus 5 levels (I never use), the functions of transpositions that can be extremely helpful and sympathetic accompaniment features but no more.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this keyboard for almost 2 years now, this is my first keyboard and I am very satisfied. I do not have much of reference regarding the quality / price but it seems very correct.

What I particularly like: The fact that it is rather easy to carry and use in a manner "temporary" (a simple bag can carry it easily, it fits in a car without breaking the head too and fits perfectly a foldable foot when the foot remains fixed at home, you just lay towel or something to raise the rear of the keyboard if you do not want to unscrew the metal bar whenever I use another foot ).

What I find unfortunate: the jack-user driven, very well placed to connect a headset, but much less to connect a receiver (the volume is sufficient to repeat as a group but not for a concert, even for a small Anniversary Party)