Yamaha PSR-EW425 76-Key Portable Keyboard

Love this keyboard which I use primarily as a piano. Perfect for people who can no longer handle fully weighted keys - it's a light touch, but still very responsive and capable of delicacy and emotion. The piano and pad sounds are a vast improvement from the previous model. I had to put coloured stickers on the registration pads as black on black not so good for quick and reliable access. This is the perfect portable busking instrument, and also the recorded sound is excellent.

Amazing product for its price!!

Hi Musicheads,I have been using Yamaha PSR - i425 for over 6 months, and i must say its an awesome product for the price i paid (however, its cheaper on bajaao.com). The keyboards has 61 keys with over 500 tones, including a number of Indian tones. The tones are signature yamaha tones which you might find in other yamaha keyboards, but the indian tones are a cherry on the top. I am learning classical vocals, and i needed a harmonium or tanpura for practice. After reviewing a lot of products, I zeroed down to this, as it has perfect tones for both harmonium (three different tones) and tanpura, along with the added benefit of an awesome bright piano and synth tone. So, it saved me bucks for buying 2 separate instruments.Here it goes, a snapshot of things you must ... MoreHi Musicheads,I have been using Yamaha PSR - i425 for over 6 months, and i must say its an awesome product for the price i paid (however, its cheaper on bajaao.com). The keyboards has 61 keys with over 500 tones, including a number of Indian tones. The tones are signature yamaha tones which you might find in other yamaha keyboards, but the indian tones are a cherry on the top. I am learning classical vocals, and i needed a harmonium or tanpura for practice. After reviewing a lot of products, I zeroed down to this, as it has perfect tones for both harmonium (three different tones) and tanpura, along with the added benefit of an awesome bright piano and synth tone. So, it saved me bucks for buying 2 separate instruments.Here it goes, a snapshot of things you must know before buying the product:Pros:1. Amazing indian instrument tones (especially harmonium)2. A bright piano tone thats as good as any high range instrument3. Awesome touch response4. Arpeggio feature is amazing for beginners5. Can be used as MIDI keyboard for recording purposes (however, installing the driver is a pain in the arse)6. Drum kit patch is amazing (I have actually played drums at a performance using this keyboard)7. Recording is available, which enables one to layer a music piece over the recorded one to combine the effects of a synth and a piano played together.Cons:1. Piano tone could have been much better (Another reason why i prefer the bright piano tone).2. Pitch bend is not accurately calibrated (might be a one-off case). When u turn one-fourth of rotation the pitch goes up by half note, while the other three-fourths of rotation ups the pitch by another half note3. Offers only 32 note polyphony, as compared to 48 note by Casio in the same price rangeHaving said all this, please buy this awesome product if you are a beginner. This has everything u need as a learner. However, for advanced level players, this product might not deliver up to the expectation.I hope this helps.Happy playing guys.Cheers!!!

Awesome the Product - Yamaha PSR I425

First of all, i would like to thanks Bajaao.com for providing the excellent service. Well Packed and delivered on time. Yamaha PSR I425 is a best in range keyboard with excellent sound quality and features. Though it has many features, the best i like is that it comes with Indian - Bollywood and POP style sounds. Great product and i would definitely like to recommend this product.

First impressions

Looks like I'm the first to comment on this so here goes. First a couple of general things.1: Be prepared to wait if you're considering buying this board. I ordered mine July 4 and Yamaha didn't get it to GC New Orleans until November 30. 5 months, but not the fault of GC. Seems they had big problems with the display on the 61 key E 473 model, so that probably caused a lot of delays.2: be prepared for a lot of button pushing, especially when trying to get into the DSP effects. 3: like most keyboards in this class the user's manual is not written very well, so you'll need patience with that. 3: if you already have the PSR-EW 410 that this board replaces it and you're happy with it, it's probably not worth the expense of getting the new 425. Yamaha did update the ... MoreLooks like I'm the first to comment on this so here goes. First a couple of general things.1: Be prepared to wait if you're considering buying this board. I ordered mine July 4 and Yamaha didn't get it to GC New Orleans until November 30. 5 months, but not the fault of GC. Seems they had big problems with the display on the 61 key E 473 model, so that probably caused a lot of delays.2: be prepared for a lot of button pushing, especially when trying to get into the DSP effects. 3: like most keyboards in this class the user's manual is not written very well, so you'll need patience with that. 3: if you already have the PSR-EW 410 that this board replaces it and you're happy with it, it's probably not worth the expense of getting the new 425. Yamaha did update the sound engine a bit so main instrument tones are better, particularly the main organ and electric piano tones. They also added some whiz-bang stuff like articulation and motion effects and volume boost, but that's about all. Everything is pretty much the same as the EW 410. Overall it's probably the best board you can get in this class and price range but it still leaves several things to be desired. If you're looking for something with better instrument sounds or more advanced capabilities you'll have to look at boards that start around$1,000. Certainly great for advanced beginners, home entertainment, and small venue and gig players. My pro's and con's on this board:Pros: Very fair price for this group or class of keyboards. Materials, fit, and finish are excellent for a board in this class. Keys are mounted well and are snug with no wobbling, clicking, or clattering and a very good synth-type action. Control knobs and buttons are firm with a slight resistance or "feel" to them. Far better than Casio boards which still feel like toys. On-board speakers sound very good at half volume though I have not cranked them all the way. Excellent organ and electric piano tones. Most of the guitar tones are very good. I haven't gotten into the synth tones because I rarely play synth. Glad to see Yamaha include the AC power adaptor with the board.Cons: 1: The display screen is still small and hard to read. The frame around the screen just eats up space and is unnecessary. To me it looks like there's enough space to put a larger screen if they would have eliminated the frame or made it smaller. 2: Still only has 32 on-board memory slots for pre-sets. That's ancient history in today's world. Should have been increased to at least 64 slots. I used 24 of the 32 slots in the first 2 days. That has to change on the next version. 3: Still only 64 notes polyphony, that also needs to be increased. 4: 820 voices but a lot of goofy old 1990's stuff like car horns, phone ringing, duck quaking, gun shot, etc. That's for 8 year old kids and needs to go. 4: Still just 1 pedal input. Would be nice to have separate ports for sustain and expression/trigger pedals. 5: Lots of button pushing, especially when trying to get DSP effects settings. The board can really use a few more on board controls, even if it means knocking it down to 72 notes instead of 76. That is still more than enough keys for 95% of players. I would love to see Yamaha add a second keyboard split function to give 3 sections, 1 for chords and arpeggios and 2 for split and dual voice capability. I think most people are willing to pay a bit extra for more functionality. Well that's about all I have. Overall a very good keyboard at a good price from Yamaha that just falls a bit short on layout, controls, and ease of function.

Good choice for downsizing organ players.

Downsizing is a hassle. Making room for an aging five hundred pound console organ? Don't even think it! Time for something portable.An arranger keyboard seemed to provide the most organ-like specifications, but I wasn't sure a single split keyboard would satisfy me. A few practice sessions settled that.A generous variety of voices and added organ sounds brought me to this Yamaha model. With little practice, setting up presets with rich orchestral sounds and solo voices was a breeze. Those, like me, who like to tinker with the complexity of sounds will enjoy the many options to customize their final product.Sam Ash was the dealer of choice, not only because they stocked this new, hard-to-find model, but they'll be handy in the event of service issues down the road.

Good keyboard to start with

Well I am using this keyboard since at least last 6 years...its a nice keyboard with synth action 61 keys.... functions are easy to understand. It has set of typical Yamaha XG and Midi sounds which are good... also additional tones are decent... one who is beginning programming or playing keyboard will defiantly enjoy it. this keyboard is equipped with Yamaha's popular arranger functions which are really easy to understand. for beginners there are learning tools too... Touch sens is good though not editable... pitch bend modulation functions are decent. There is only pitch bend wheel in this keyboard and that too vertically placed so pitch bending requires a special attention. dedicated assignable knobs functions good. Over all build quality is average though it ... MoreWell I am using this keyboard since at least last 6 years...its a nice keyboard with synth action 61 keys.... functions are easy to understand. It has set of typical Yamaha XG and Midi sounds which are good... also additional tones are decent... one who is beginning programming or playing keyboard will defiantly enjoy it. this keyboard is equipped with Yamaha's popular arranger functions which are really easy to understand. for beginners there are learning tools too... Touch sens is good though not editable... pitch bend modulation functions are decent. There is only pitch bend wheel in this keyboard and that too vertically placed so pitch bending requires a special attention. dedicated assignable knobs functions good. Over all build quality is average though it cant get compared with Roland and Korg but far better than Casio. Its light weighted so one can easily move it from one place to another. USB port functions good though you have to install Yamaha USB drivers first but that's ok.COns :- 1. it has only a emulated headphone out which is placed at back so recording keyboard to your computer via Line outs is a task as you need to get a good split cable.2.Same YAMAHA family tones so actually you will feel no major difference compared to PSR e-343.3. Pitch bend wheel is vertically placed.4. only 32voice polyphony so you will feel tired when you want to play string runs, mandolin strokes etc.5. Boosted speakers so you will hear good sound on your keyboard speakers but when you connect it to sound card and hear on moniters the tones and speacially Rhythm instruments lag in feel and punch.overall a really good keyboard for beginner musicians and programmers... there is no better keyboard in this price range(below 15 k) so highly recommended.

Great Keyboard

My new Yamaha PSR-EW425 is great. The custom service from Adorama was 5 star abd the Yamaha Keyboard is priceless.

I think this is going to work well for me!

I read reviews of this keyboard although it was in back-order status. Eric, from the Las Vegas Sam Ash store, called me when they were finally able to stock it. He was patient with me regarding pick up times. Eric is also very knowledgeable. I appreciate the professionalism. I'd buy it again!

THIS KEYBOARD ROCKS!

I am used to performing on keyboards that cost much more than this keyboard. Since I am a female, I was looking for a lightweight and inexpensive second keyboard, one that was light enough for me to carry by myself. I have to say that I thought there had to be a "catch" to this keyboard because the price was so low. I am thrilled with the keyboard and am thinking about picking up another one as a spare.

Update

Well I'll be eating crow for awhile after my original 4 star review. I had to return this board to GC, when after just 2 weeks of moderate use it began showing multiple problems. First the display began fading in and out. Next the master volume control was wonky. On some of the instrument voices I had to crank the volume all the way to reach what would be considered one-half volume. Then some of the registration slots would not hold my custom set ups, but were reverting back to the factory loaded sets. Probably something wrong with the chip set. I should have cancelled the order after learning that Yamaha had many problems with the 61 note PSR-E463 version of this board, but I really wanted it. Looks like Yamaha just threw a few new bells and whistles on the old EW ... MoreWell I'll be eating crow for awhile after my original 4 star review. I had to return this board to GC, when after just 2 weeks of moderate use it began showing multiple problems. First the display began fading in and out. Next the master volume control was wonky. On some of the instrument voices I had to crank the volume all the way to reach what would be considered one-half volume. Then some of the registration slots would not hold my custom set ups, but were reverting back to the factory loaded sets. Probably something wrong with the chip set. I should have cancelled the order after learning that Yamaha had many problems with the 61 note PSR-E463 version of this board, but I really wanted it. Looks like Yamaha just threw a few new bells and whistles on the old EW 410 keyboard and sent it out to retailers with little or no testing at the factory. Very disappointing show by a manufacturer with a reputation for quality products.