Yamaha PSR-E403

61 Key Keyboard-Great for beginners!

I bought this Yamaha keyboard on an impulse at GC one day because it was on sale for 225.00, and a bargain at that. I always wanted to have an affordable keyboard to play with and learn on, and this was a great choice. The URL I included is for the updated version Model PSR-E413, basically the same features.

<a href="https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-61-KEY-PORTABLE-KEYBOARD-105918940-i1516488.gc">https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-61-KEY-PORTABLE-KEYBOARD-105918940-i1516488.gc</a>

It's light, easy to tote around and has an array of very cool sounds. You can add 5 user tracks recordable in the memory, which is great to use as a back up when I play my bass. Built in customizable drums and tempos. I have had this for a couple of years now and no problems at all, still plays as it did when I bought it. It can mimic a string or brass orchestra, or choir! You can program a vast arsenal of sounds with it to suit your mood or style of play. Keys can be programmed to be touch sensitive,with one key, a nice feature for those who can play. The piano sounds are pretty good too!

It does not directly connect to a midi port. The optional AC adapter comes with a cheap sustain pedal and adds about 35 dollars to the price, but needed. You don't want to run this on D batteries,lol.

All plastic construction, but seems durable if you don't beat it up.

If you are looking for a low priced keyboard that will take time to outgrow the features it offers, this may be a great choice for you. It's not a toy, but not exactly something you want to use on stage. Perfect to learn on and get a feel if keyboards are what you want to play without spending a bundle.

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

(Originally written by mengil/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
What kind of keyboard (synth, piano...)? - How many octaves?

The PSR E413 is a 5-octave arranger keyboard (61 keys)

- Types of connections (audio, MIDI, etc.):

Headphone/line output, USB connector and 1/4" input for a sustain controller.

- How many presets and styles are available? - Can they be edited? Does the unit have an effects section?

You get about 500 presets with some editing possibilities:

- Two controls for the filter (very effective, it's what I like most about this keyboard), for the effects section (chorus/flanger and reverb... average quality) and for attack/release parameters (quite difficult to use because the controls don't produce any effect up to one quarter of the way... In spite of this, I find this function very useful).

- Dual mode

- Split mode (you can edit the split and dual sounds the same way as the main sound)

- Five global EQ modes

You also get 180 rhythms named styles (percussions without accompaniment), a music database with 280 rhythms and accompaniment capability, and a song section with 35 tracks, five of which can be edited (each track has five instruments + one recorded "style")...

The device also provides an arpeggiator (not very versatile), a "harmony" section (which can be useful to play things like The Who's "Baba o'riley" for example :P) and a 2x2.5 watt amp stage, which is powerful enough to play with acoustic instruments.

Very comprehensive keyboard considering its price... 9/10

UTILIZATION

- Is it easy to make settings?

Yes, very smooth since it's a quite simple keyboard.

- Is it easy to edit sounds or effects?

Yes, you can save complete configurations in a 16-sound bank. You can also save your ideas in the "song" memory section.

- Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive?

Yes, very clear except for one point:

It doesn't mention that the phones/line output is not conceived for line applications: the signal is strongly amplified when the keyboard volume exceeds the center position which led me to destroy two monitor pairs and one keyboard amp... :/

I give it 7/10 because of this even though it can be easily avoided.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using this keyboard for one year. I use it at home and with a band (we play rock and heavy metal stuff). I really like the sound quality, which is excellent considering the price: synth sounds have a strong punch but there are not many differences among the sounds, the piano presets need to be edited and are quite ok, the organ sound is good.

Choir and orchestral presets are quite average and the guitar simulations deserve no comments. Another problem is that the memory of the keyboard gets completely erased when you don't turn it off at the right moment.

And I also don't like the fact that it destroyed several devices that cost five times as much.

I think you can hardly find a better keyboard for its price and I'm satisfied with it. I recommend it to beginners and keyboard players on a low budget.

Exceptional value for money in spite of the few negative points...8/10

5 octave keyboard with possessing a repetoire of 504 sounds that can be edited using effects buttons like "reverb, chorus, release, cutoff ...".
4 connectors (little):
-USB
Sustain-Taking
-Headphone
Malnutrition

UTILIZATION

A light touch with touches sensitive enough.
touch that fits my use.
The general configuration of the synth is very easy thanks to the many shortcut present on the same keyboard.
Selection of simple midi channels.
The manual seems clear and understandable even for beginners.

OVERALL OPINION

The sounds are suitable to my style of music, they are realistic
The effects are first effective they are many very useful (changes in real-time effects)
The term option is impeccable and perfect touch sensitive with the regulation of sensitivity (4 levels)
The effects of release and cutoff are adjustable with precision.
I like the sound of the Grand piano and wind instruments like the bassoon are very realistic sound I like particularly "new age".
I like the sound a little less lead (I use often) there is not enough.
I hate the sounds are the sounds of electric guitar.
the sounds of acoustic guitar is much better
The drum sounds are realistic and good quality.

- What type of keyboard (synth, piano ...)? How many octaves?
little synth 61 keys 32 voice polyphony

- What connections (audio, MIDI ...)?
phone output / line, sustain input, USB TO HOST

- How many sounds and styles available? Are they edited?
Sounds: 116 + 361 + 12 XGlite Drum / SFX Kits + 15 Arpeggio
styles: 155 + 256 (music database)

- Has he an effects section?
two controllers for real-time attack time and release, chorus, reverb, ...

synth, complete with sounds interesting. The possibility of modifying the envelopes provides a great addition to créaion music.
ability to split or double sounds.

UTILIZATION

No particular concern for the config. I just had a problem of driver for my pc cnnection but after a ride on the Yamaha website, more problems.
for the rest, but happiness, just select the sound and go!

OVERALL OPINION

6 months I use it and no particular problem except with the usb.
I like the intuitive side of the keyboard: no programming, just select the sound and go!
plus the two knobs can really change their sound and it can go even further.
the value seems good. Of course there are much better but more expensive too.