Advice for buying first Keyboard

[namenone]

Hey Guys & Girls!

I'm looking to buy my first keyboard, I'm looking for a decently priced (£150ish) keyboard that will last me a good while. I want a keyboard that allows connection to a computer (MIDI).

I've been quite attracted to the lighted keys keyboard's. Is it worth me getting these to learn? So far, i've come across the following two which are appealing to me.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-EZ200-K-Lighting-Portable-sensitive/dp/B000RT9MLM
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-LK-230F5-Key-Lighting-Keyboard/dp/B002LE8I7A/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1373924047&sr=1-2&keywords=CASIO LIGHT UP


EDIT: Also, If i connect the Yamaha via midi and use a midi song, would the backlit keys still play along? I think i saw a video of the Casio doing this?

Can anyone give any advice please?

 

[happyrat1]

A lot of people, myself included tend to think lighted keys are a gimmick and an actual impediment to learning the proper way of playing both by ear and by notation.

Also, those lighted keyboards which do allow external MIDI files to be loaded and played require the left and right hand parts to be on different specific tracks in the MIDI file. Not always easy to come by.

In your price range I'd recommend instead one of these.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-CTK-4...=UTF8&qid=1374102873&sr=8-1&keywords=ctk-4200

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-PSR-...=UTF8&qid=1374102709&sr=8-1&keywords=psr-e433

Personally I'd spend the extra 70 extra UK Pounds or so and get the Yamaha. The low end Yamahas have more realistic sounds than the low end Casios.

 

[namenone]

Thank you for the reply!

I did some further reading after posting this and I do agree on the lighted keys gimmick! I am thinking of spending the extra bucks and buying the Yamaha! any other recommendations more than welcome.

edit: can you explain how to connect this to a computer if i wish to use learning software? does it support usb to PC? or must i get the usb to midi wire?

 

[happyrat1]

The E433 has a standard USB port on it which I think is class compliant USB to MIDI standard.

You may or may not need to load drivers. I think Yamahas are a little funky on that.

Otherwise all you should need is a standard AB USB printer cable and you should be good to go.

You can pick up the cable at any Dollarama just as a for instance.

 

[happyrat1]

BTW. Here's a direct link to the PSR-E433's manual in PDF format.

http://download.yamaha.com/api/asset/file/?language=en&site=uk.yamaha.com&asset_id=55373

You can print it out and study it while you're waiting for it to ship.

Gary

 

[Simon Hopkins]

If you want to look in the second hand market, try and find a good condition CTK-671 or WK3200. The ZPI sound source sounds much better than the AHL system on the CTK-4200 and the AWM system on the E433. Cheaper to buy too.