PSR-EW410 keybed

[EB5AGV]

Hi all,

Please, I don't want to start a flame war, I am just exposing my experience on this keybed 

Some months ago I got a new PSR-EW410 at a very good price. I was glad to have located a 76-key unit, instead of the PSR-E463 which was my other option, as it also sported a better piano voice.

But... on the real life, playing it, I can't stand the keybed  . It is too cheap feeling IMHO. I have also a Casio CT-X5000 and, definitely, at least for me, is lots better as it is easier to add some expression to my playing. Of course, not on par to other of my keyboards, as the Genos nor any classic Yamaha synth (DX7, EX7, SY77, SY85 and such). But the EW410 is for me barely useable. And I feel pretty bad about that, as it was going to be our friends-band portable keyboard and I think I will end using the Casio.

I don't know if I am too picky but, having close to 20 keyboards, the EW410 keybed rates very, very low among them.

Has anyone else compared side-by-side the EW410/E463 keybed with the CT-X5000?. Are older models (E453, E443, E433) better, keybed wise?. It is just a matter of getting used to it?. I would hate to sell it, but I am considering doing so.

Jose

[SciNote]

Yeah, this has been brought up before, and there is definitely some substance to this concern.  I've tried the PSR-E463 in the store, and I agree that the key-feel just is not up to the level of some of Yamaha's own keyboards in this price range.  Indeed, this is one reason that I have not upgraded my older PSR-E433.  The E433 has a key-feel on par with that of professional keyboards, but after that model, Yamaha seems to have skimped on this aspect of their boards in this price range.

[vbdx66]

Hi Jose,

I fully agree with Bob and you on this issue. I had the PSR 433 for some years then sold it and it had a wonderful keybed. IMHO the keybed of the CT-X3000/5000 (I had the 3k for a couple of weeks) is on par with that, maybe even slightly better.

If you want more keys, a better keybed, a light insfrumwnt and the sounds of the 5k, I'd suggest going, or at least trying out in a music shop, the Casio CDP-350. It is a very lightweight digital, portable piano. Basically it has 88 keys, the sounds of the CT-X5000, a few higher quality piano sounds on top of that, and more or less the same features of the CT-X700/800. The only thing I dislike about it is its horrible orange LCD screen, but well...

Hope this helps,

Vinciane

[pjd]

Count me in with Bob and Vinciane. I ditched my E443 mainly because I didn't like the key bed.

Yamaha can do better than this, even in the budget realm. Maybe compare with the Yamaha MX49 or MX61, for example.

All the best -- pj

[EB5AGV]

Hi Jose,

I fully agree with Bob and you on this issue. I had the PSR 433 for some years then sold it and it had a wonderful keybed. IMHO the keybed of the CT-X3000/5000 (I had the 3k for a couple of weeks) is on par with that, maybe even slightly better.

If you want more keys, a better keybed, a light insfrumwnt and the sounds of the 5k, I'd suggest going, or at least trying out in a music shop, the Casio CDP-350. It is a very lightweight digital, portable piano. Basically it has 88 keys, the sounds of the CT-X5000, a few higher quality piano sounds on top of that, and more or less the same features of the CT-X700/800. The only thing I dislike about it is its horrible orange LCD screen, but well...

Hope this helps,

Vinciane

Congrats on your 1000th post! 

Well, I wanted a keyboard for light playing with some friends, so the CT-X5000 will do. Yes, more keys could be nice, but it is not a need when most playing is pop style 

Of course, the EW410 has some advantages, as the more known to me Yamaha user interface, but right now it will sit on its box and perhaps been sold sooner than later.

In the future, if I see my playing could be better with a better keybed, I will go for a more pro unit. But, so far, I am a lousy player, so with a decent one it is more than enough 

Jose

[SciNote]

I'm really wondering if Yamaha made some abrupt changes to their plans due to what Casio has done.  Normally, we would've expected replacements for the PSR-E263 and E363 this year, but here it is, with the year nearly half over, and no updates.  It's like they said, "We need to bring out SOMETHING", so they took an E263, gave it a touch sensitive keyboard and offered a couple colors for the case/housing, called it a PSR-E360 and said, "Okay, here's a new model for you for now while we scramble to catch up to Casio's newest offerings!"

Now, if Yamaha can bring out something with an improved key-feel and some of the new Casio features, like portamento and (I believe) a style editor, and combine it with Yamaha's much-superior user interface, then that will be interesting to see!

[DCKeyboard]

Like the YPG-235? Tell me about it. Best feeling on the keyboard, I thought they would keep it like that for the next upgrade. I guess not. So the question on the Keybed for the EW410 you were talking about, I was thinking.....could it be a problem for Arranger keyboards like me to play with styles or are you looking for something like a piano style?

This is a very interesting topic and I should look into it.


I just wish to get the EW410 76 key. I like 76 key better because the 61 key is sooooo limited for me. I just can't afford it right now :/.

[vbdx66]

Now, if Yamaha can bring out something with an improved key-feel and some of the new Casio features, like portamento and (I believe) a style editor, and combine it with Yamaha's much-superior user interface, then that will be interesting to see!

Hi Bob,

A style editor on a PSR E? No way Yamaha will do that. What you are asking for will most likely be the replacement model for the PSR S670, not the PSR E463.

That being said, I strongly hope that the replacement for the PSR E363 or the E463 will come out next year. The PSR E360 was probably meant to replace the E263 since it has all the sounds and features of the E263 with a key sensitive keyboard and a fancy cabinet (well...).

I bet that more and more parents of young children and beginner players are made aware by  their music teacher that a touch sensitive keyboard is mandatory (see for instance all video reviews of beginner keyboards by Jeremy See on YouTube), that is why Yamaha launched the E360.

Regards,

Vinciane

[AnupamEnosh]

I think I was the first person to point this out in this forum, starting from PSR-E443, the keybed offered from Yamaha is too bad and definitely not suitable for performances. I've taken my E453 to different stages, where at times I felt that I should throw this and get a cheaper Casio Keyboard which has smoother keys. Also, this keybed might make you feel suspicious regarding your playing skills, if you don't have a long term experience of playing a keyboard. I remember while I got myself this E453, the only thing that disappointed me was the keys. I had no option back then, but to adjust with it. Yamaha has done this major adjustment with the keyboard to cut down the MRP. I'm happy that atleast someone in the forum voiced against this.. :|

[AnupamEnosh]

Yeah, this has been brought up before, and there is definitely some substance to this concern.  I've tried the PSR-E463 in the store, and I agree that the key-feel just is not up to the level of some of Yamaha's own keyboards in this price range.  Indeed, this is one reason that I have not upgraded my older PSR-E433.  The E433 has a key-feel on par with that of professional keyboards, but after that model, Yamaha seems to have skimped on this aspect of their boards in this price range.

I wish E433 could have been available in my country, but here I455 was the only keyboard left with good keys, at the time of my purchase of E453. I skipped considering that, coz I was tight on budget unaware of this (keybed) issue, and I455 was too old model and much highly priced for its offering. I'm not sure, but someone told me that the PSR S670 also has such cheap keybed.. I need to confirm with the users of S670.

[vbdx66]

Hello everyone,

To go further with this topic, Jeremy See and The Bradge on YouTube are saying that Yamaha is working on the replacement of the PSR S line with a new line of PSR X keyboards at prototype stage and a first photo of this PSR X has leaked. Has anybody any information on this? The information is supposed to come from our forum but I did a search and couldn't find anything... 

Regards,

Vinciane

[SeaGtGruff]

What do you mean about the information is supposed to have come from our forum? I didn't watch all of Jeremy's video, but I didn't hear him say that during the first half of it. He did say something about "keyboard forums," but I haven't seen anything, so I figured he might have meant keyboard forums over in Asia.

[vbdx66]

Hi Michael,

It'isnt Jeremy who say that but Bradley "The Bradge" on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/EJ1_P_nzkcU

Regards,

Vinciane

[Toril S]

I think this is just speculations!

[vbdx66]

Hi Toril,

Not completely, since Jeremy apparently has a knowledgeable contact at Yamaha's Asian headquarters, and so far Jeremy has never stated something he wasn't sure of.

And by the way, some speculation is part of the fun... remember when the first Genos promo video leaked off...? 

Regards,

Vinciane

[Toril S]

Yes, speculation is a lot of fun But I hope the picture is wrong. Seems like a very small screen!

[vbdx66]

Yes, it is difficult to tell how the keyboard really looks like, the person who leaked the picture could have taken one in high res... but he/she probably took it with his/her cell phone 

[EB5AGV]

Well, to return this thread to its origins... I have just sold my 5 months old, barely used, like new PSR-EW410 

I am sorry but could not justify having it and the Casio CT-X5000 for occasional mobile use.

All the other keyboards I own are used at home only... yes, I can't justify having 15+ either, but that is another topic

Jose