Yamaha PSR170MS 61-Note Portable Electronic Keyboard with AC Adapter and Bonus Stand

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Title : Yamaha PSR170MS 61-Note Portable Electronic Keyboard with AC Adapter and Bonus Stand
Author : Yamaha
Release Date : 20021101
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $159.99
Amazon.com Price : $ ( %)
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Editorial Reviews :
The Yamaha PSR170MS is a dream-come-true for piano students. It would be hard not to learn at least basic keyboard skills while using this model. The user-friendly LCD display shows permanent bass and treble clefs and has a small virtual keyboard. As a song played or we plunked at the keyboard, the notes were instantly displayed. At first we felt that this was a novelty feature, but as we moved into the lessons, we could see that it can be helpful to see the staff and notes.
While we were playing random chords to see what they looked like on the bass clef, we noticed that the keys are not sensitive to touch. We could bang on the keys like Jerry Lee Lewis or caress them like Yanni and the volume never changed. While this may throw an experienced keyboardist for a loop, it might be useful to the novice, who won't have to worry about volume control.

The PSR170MS is equipped with the Yamaha Education Suite feature. This feature walks you through seven lessons at your own pace. The lessons are a blur at first, but the fact that the keyboard will repeat them as many times as you want allows you to run them over and over again until you become comfortable. The lessons can be done using the 100 voices and styles that come on the PSR170MS. This was particularly enjoyable, as we would have been bored while practicing without a little variety. It comes with 100 prerecorded songs--some we never heard before, some we can't forget. You can play along with any of them anytime.

Yamaha lets you have fun away from the lessons and learning with the DJ Mode. The DJ Mode has groovy voice and music samples you can use to play along with a prerecorded funky dance riff or to create your own. If you're like us, it may take you a while to get back to the serious side of the keyboard. As a MIDI compatible keyboard, the PSR170MS can connect to a sequencer or computer via MIDI cables (sold separately), both of which can record musical performances from the keyboard and then play them back using the instrument voices on the PSR170MS. This feature is great for adding the keyboard to an ensemble and using it to lay down tracks while recording.

Overall, this keyboard impressed us most by how well designed it was for the music student. It comes with just enough functions for learning the basics and not so many that you get bogged down in menus. The keyboard isn't all about learning, though. We plugged it in right out of the box and had a toe-tapping good time. Note: The Yamaha PSR170MS includes a keyboard stand.

Pros:
Very portable
61 full-size piano keys
MIDI capable
Great for learning

Cons:
The keys are not touch-sensitive

Buyer Reviews :
Yamaha has come out with a winner. The psr-170 has all the basic features required to learn keyboard/piano skills. The sound quality is outstanding and it is very easy to operate. We had a unit costing hundreds of dollars more, but it was too complicated to operate, and we returned it. This unit is so easy, it is just a matter of pushing the Grand Piano key, and you have a fully functional keyboard piano. And the sound is fabulous. Certainly far better than I would have originally expected from a unit in this price range. The built in lessons are great for learning the 100 included songs, but they will not teach basics such as finger placement, scales, reading music, etc. For that, you will need to buy extra books and videos, or hire an instructor. Once you have the basic skills, however, the built in tutorials will guide you toward mastering many famous tunes and mastering your skills. It is the perfect starter unit for the young or adult learning. The included stand is somewhat flimsy, but for the budget minded, it will save another $30 or more when compared to buying the stand and power adapter separately. An optional MIDI adaptor will allow the unit to be connected to a PC, and pedals and other accessories are available directly from Yamaha. The beginner can do without the accessories however. Still it is nice to know that it can be upgraded, if so desired. Highly recommended.

(by An electronics fan)

Features/Technical Specs :
* 61 piano-sized keys
* DJ button accesses special dance voices and songs
* Interactive Yamaha Education Suite and keyboard stand included
* Download songs off Internet to play on keyboard
* 100 authentic instrument voices with Advanced Wave Memory

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