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Digital Piano Casio Cdp 130 Full Review. Is it worth it?

In-depth analysis and review of Casio CDP 130

The Casio CDP 130 is an 88-key piano keyboard. This is important to keep in mind because the intention of this keyboard is to resemble as much as possible a real piano. The Casio CDP 130 could be said to be the cheapest of the keyboards that could be considered a piano keyboard.

It’s a digital piano that has the basic elements. Maybe, your keyboard is Hammer Action one, which means that it is a keystroke sensitive keyboard. Specifically, this model has three different sensitivities. So the louder you press the key, the louder the musical note will sound.

Check out below to see the best place to buy the Casio CDP 130. But keep reading after that, as there is much more review and comparisons between its rivals.

Sound

On a piano keyboard the sound is pre-recorded from a true acoustic piano. There are two important variables in this process that will define the sound of the piano keyboard. One is the polyphonic memory and the other is the type of sampling used to record that sound. Casio on this keyboard uses Intelligent Resonator Sound Engine (AIR).

The polyphony is 48 notes, 24 for certain tones. The polyphony is the number of notes that can sound at a time. It’s a bit basic and for intermediate level it will be a bit short (when you do layering you consume a lot of notes, keep reading to know more about it). This digital piano can give you vouchers for the first 5 years of piano in conservatory if you don’t have another budget.

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It has 10 types of sounds including piano sounds, electric piano… Enough to play the piano at ease. We repeat that it is the digital piano with the best price by far.

Then, it also has the following sound modifiers that usually have 90% of digital pianos:

  • 10 reverb levels.
  • Hall mode which is at the same time a type of reverberation that gives the air of a cathedral.Chorus. To give more presence to the piano sound.
  • On the other hand it has dual mode or layering. This mode allows you to play two piano sounds at once. A very typical combination is Piano + Strings. So it looks like you are playing with an orchestra. This is where polyphony is important, but 48 notes is good for most of what you will play.

Dual mode divides the keyboard in two. So in one half there is a piano sound of your choice and in the other half there is an electric bass, for example. This service is also very common.

Is it good for any level?

In this case the question could be better… what’s your budget? Of course, if you or your child are going to be left without playing the piano because you do not have a higher budget, this is the perfect and cheapest option within what we consider it’s worth.

The reality is that many people study with mid-range piano keyboards and sometimes with 61-key musical keyboards with simple keyboard sensitivity without Hammer Action. Hammer Action is not just velocity sensitivity, but it also means feeling the weight of the key as if it were an acoustic piano.If you already have a good piano training, this model is perfect for practice and maintenance.

It is also good for beginners who are starting, although when you are in middle conservatory you may already be a little short and will limit your learning.It is perfect for composition. It has a more than enough sound and has a tremendously affordable price.

For children or beginners a cheap digital piano like this is a good option, because it allows you to study with headphones and for the level you can have at the beginning, this keyboard can cover that. Both in Hammer Action in feel and sound will get shorter for our improvement, as we advance and our level gets more of intermediate type.For professionals it may be valid for concerts in small restaurants.

So, your idea is to have a better piano keyboard but this model comes with two powerful 8W speakers quite powerful.

Pedal

This is important because the pedal is vital for a keyboard to be considered a piano keyboard. This keyboard comes with the sustain pedal. Which keeps the note in time even if you stop pressing the note key, but keep the pedal pressed. A very important interpretative resource.It does not admit complete triple pedal. But it is one more factor to consider at intermediate levels.

Important extras and connectivity

From its 2 piano tones, it has a few more. But we like the Jazz Organ tone that imitates a Hammond. Below we link several videos for you to see what can be done with this piano keyboard.It brings transposition function up to an octave and metronome.

Comes with power supply but does not support batteries.It also has USB to HOST MIDI connectivity. We can use it as a MIDI controller and connect it to our computer. So with programs like Sibelius we can write scores while playing in real time.

We can also record MIDI tracks with programs like CUBASE, Ableton, etc. So the recorded track (with real piano sound) can be exported to score.It has an entrance for headphones so you can study in silence. Important to start and that your flatmates or neighbors do not kill you and end up with an incipient and promising musical career.

The output of large jack create hulls, but this does not mean that it is line output. If you connect to large amplification equipment (an outdoor direct) you may need an injection box to give your sound signal more power. For a small amplifier, though, there is no problem.

Its weight is normal on this type of piano keyboards, about 11.4 Kg. With this weight, we can say that it is portable with the right backpack. We always recommend that, If possible, you have backpack handles, so that you do not harm your back when carrying it. Below we will link you to one.Here is a video for you to hear what it sounds like, but then keep reading that there’s more important information to keep in mind.

And in this video you will see how to try the different tones available from minute 5. We will leave you the video, starting right from that moment. The man teaches you first the grand piano sound and then the electric piano sound.

Casio CDP 130 vs Yamaha P45

It is important that you know other options at similar prices and then you decide which one suits you best.The direct competitor of the Casio CDP 130 is the Yamaha P45. Yamaha’s tends to gain in sales although Casio also has its market share, but Yamaha surpasses it.There is usually a little difference in price. A few tens of euros, but this can vary quite a bit.

If you see little difference, better choose the Yamaha P45. Although the good thing about Casio CDP 130 is that in price it is unbeatable.

  • The Yamaha P45 has a polyphony of 64 voices compared to the 48 of the Casio CDP 130. This allows you to play more works and do more things with layering…
  • Yamaha’s Hammer Action GHS system has 4 sensitivities in the touch of the key versus the 3 sensitivities of Casio.
  • The Casio CDP 130 gains in loudspeaker power with its 8 W compared to the 6W of the Yamaha P45.
  • Cassius has a slightly more plastic feel.

Where to buy Casio CDP 130?

As you have seen in the pictures of before, you can buy it online at a much more advantageous price. But it is important that the online store has a good reputation with shipping and warranty, in case there is a problem.In America, check Amazon and in Europe, always check Thomann. Here are the direct links to the product:

If not in stock I recommend the Casio px 160 or Casio CDP S100

For a similar price you have the following pianos and keyboards:

 

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Digital Piano Casio CTK 4400 Full Review. Is it a good choice?

Today we talk about this Casio keyboard and we try to share an important information gap because in many descriptions are not clear aspects as if it has sustain pedal and others.

The Casio CTK 4400 is a 61-key electronic keyboard with a sensitive but not a weighted keyboard. That supports sustain pedal (not included) and that has lots of sounds.

It is designed more to have many sounds available than to learn piano although you can use it to try if you like the piano the first year and then sell it or keep it as a keyboard with many different sounds.

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Features

  • 48-voice polyphony which is the number of notes that can sound at one time. It’s okay for its price.
  • It has 600 different sounds and 180 accompaniment styles. Which is a great variety to use while playing.
  • Sampling function that allows you to record small pieces of sound and associate them with keys.
  • They can also be integrated as accompaniment.
  • Recording functions from various sources and memory for up to 10 songs.
  • Keyboard with 2 sensitivities, if you press it hard it sounds louder. To make dynamics but has weight on the keys.
  • Metronome.
  • It has a reverb and chorus effect.
  • Possibility to record what you are playing.
  • Includes power supply. But it can run on batteries.
  • Not very powerful 2.5 W speakers.
  • Music rest included.
  • USB MIDI.

​It admits as we have said sustain pedal, that serves to maintain the note in the time although you stop pressing the key. This is a very important interpretative resource for playing the piano.

Where to buy Casio CTK 4400?

Amazon

  • Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
  • Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment
  • Leader in fast shipments.
  • Price that change a lot daily.
  • The best option in USA and worldwide

The speakers are not very powerful so you would have to buy a small amplifier if you wanted to play in a larger venue. You can use the output of the headphones for that. Although it is not for playing in a big place with a powerful amplification, because you would need injection box.

MIDI connectivity

It has a USB to host MIDI connection, which is very useful for connecting it to the computer and using it as a MIDI controller. It will allow you to do things like write a score while playing with programs like Sibelius.

We leave you a video in introduction and then we give you our conclusion.

A perfect keyboard for beginners or musicians who want a keyboard with many different tones. Perfect for composing and taking small live and as a secondary keyboard at home to compose.

It has a weight of 4.3 kg which makes it very portable and a fairly solid and durable appearance. The keys don’t look like the plastic ones on the cheapest keyboards. That’s why it has a more intermediate price.

Casio CTK 4400 vs Yamaha PSR E353 vs Yamaha PSR E363

Note: The new version of the Yamaha PSR 353, the Yamaha PSR 363 and we update the comparison.

The Yamaha PSR E353 and its new version the Yamaha PSR E363 also have many sounds and both keyboards agree on the following:

  • It has 61 keys.
  • 48 notes of polyphony
  • A huge amount of different sounds and accompaniments.
  • It has USB Midi.
  • Sustain pedal input
  • Sensitive keyboard.
  • They’re very light.
  • Power adapter included.

​The Yamaha PSR E363 wins in price, as it is usually around 150 €, but the Casio CTK 4400 is more robust and its keys have a better touch.

The Casio CTK 4400 has a sampling function that the Yamaha 353 and 363 don’t have and in the quality of the sound and the touch of the keyboard the price difference is a little noticeable. Although I personally would buy the Yamaha PSR 363 as they have improved the polyphony from the 32 I had the 353 to the 48 notes I now have the Yamaha PSR E363.

If you are going to spend between 200 and 300 euros maybe I would take a look at the ​Yamaha PSR 463​​​. Of which we talked in our review of the Yamaha PSR 453 which is its previous version.

Where to buy it?

Always check your Amazon local website. Here is the directo link to the product:

For a similar price you have the following pianos and keyboards:

 

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Digital Piano Casio PX 160 Full Review. Is it worth it?

Casio PX 160 in-depth analysis and opinion

The Casio PX 160 (Privia) is an 88-key digital piano that over time has made a niche for itself among people accustomed to CASIO keyboards.It is probably the most balanced option in your price range. All the others stand out in some aspects and limp in others. But the Casio PX 160 simply has an “OK” in everything.  In comparison with the Roland FP 30 for example wins in loudspeakers but loses in line output…

Where to Buy Casio PX 160 Privia?

Amazon

  • Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
  • Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment
  • Leader in fast shipments.
  • Price that change a lot daily.
  • The best option in USA and worldwide.

Thomann

  • Free Shipping.
  • Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
  • 100% reliable payment.
  • Leader in trouble-free shipping.
  • Usually Best Price.
  • Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.

It is an entry-level piano keyboard (from keyboards that are already considered piano keyboards) and is designed to be very portable and comes with sufficient features to be used in any situation. It keeps a very low price and competes directly with the Yamaha P125 and the Roland FP 30.

If you want something cheaper but a Hammer Action piano with a sensitive keyboard you have to go to Casio CDP 130 or Yamaha P45. But for a few more euros you have this Casio that has better polyphony, supports triple pedalboard and has line output to connect to any amplification equipment without needing any extra.

We would like to take this opportunity to tell you that it makes no sense to compare the Casio PX 160 vs. the Yamaha P45 or the Casio CDP 130. It is better and therefore a little more expensive but not much more. The Casio CDP 130 competes directly with the Yamaha P45 although lately we have come to see it for up to 200 euros. A very powerful offer.

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Sound of the Casio PX 160.

This piano keyboard from Casio has a polyphonic memory of 128 notes. The polyphony is the amount of notes that can sound at a time and this includes accompaniments.

You can do layering which is to make two sounds sound at the same time, this consumes twice as much polyphony. A very typical combination is a piano sound and a strings accompaniment at the same time.

As you probably already know, apart from polyphonic memory, another factor that determines the sound of a digital piano is the technology with which the piano sounds were recorded. It is called sampling and in this case uses the CASIO Multi-dimensional Morphing AiR technology.

It brings 18 high quality sounds. With various piano sounds recorded in different situations. Such as the Concert Grand or the Classic Grand. It also has organ sound that can be used in funk and jazz. Here you can hear the sounds Concert Piano, Modern piano and a baroque instrument such as the Clavichord.

It also brings acceptable reverb, chorus and brightness effects but without great variety.We can conclude that it has a polyphonic memory of 128 voices that is not bad at all and the sampling also guarantees a good sound in the price range that we move.

What is below 600 € and even many times below 500 €.If you want to hear more of the available sounds, listen to the following video for a more general review:

Sound Effects

Like most digital pianos in this range you can customize aspects of the sound and save your settings. You can modify the following aspects:

  • Reverberation: Emulate for example if you are playing in a place like a church. It has 4 levels.
  • Chorus: Up to 4 levels
  • Brightness: Allows you to define a more mellow or metallic sound depending on the chosen level.
  • You can also choose the temperament you like that refers to how pianos of certain times sounded.
  • You can also emulate the sound produced by a piano when you stop stepping on the pedal. This is the damper noise. But come on, it is already being very fine.

Interface

The Casio PX 160 has a very intuitive and elegant interface. In this one, Casio has made a remarkable effort and to think that Casio are not able to make good quality keyboards. They make them and they are of the best, in this Roland and Kawai have better image but it is not at all true.

interfaz_casio_px_160

Velocity sensitivity y Hammer Action

As you know, the sensitivity of the key is very important. For the louder we press a key the louder the note will sound.

That is the sensitivity and then there is the Hammer Action that mimics the weight of a real piano key. In this case there are three sensibilities.In this case the Scaled Hammer Action II is used. So it has weighted keys. Not bad for an entry-level digital piano but there are other keyboards for the same price with more sensitivities.

Portability

In this point it stands out very much. It only weighs 11 Kg, when other piano keyboards in the same range usually weigh 12 Kg or 14. This is important if you move it regularly without a car.

Connectivity and speakers

It has L/R output, so it is good for playing as a stage piano and connecting to any amplification equipment without an audio power box.

salida_linea_casio_px_160

In this sense it is also very complete. It has output for two headphones so that they can study teacher and student, in silence.It includes a sustain pedal SP3 (a little basic but like all of this range) and what is more important, it admits triple pedalboard that is important for the study of the classic in the conservatory from medium degree.

The sustain pedal is a basic interpretative resource to keep the note ringing even if the key of the corresponding note is released.It has USB MIDI (cheaper cable), so we can connect it to the computer and record MIDI tracks in any music editing program such as CUBASE, SIbelius, Ableton that we can then export to score.

usb_midi_casio_px_160

Extras

It has a music sheet holder that fits in the piano and also comes with the mains adapter.It can record a track and has USB port to save the files.It also has the following typical functionalities in this type of keyboards:Layers that allow two tones to sound at the same time.

Split: In one half an electric bass sounds and in the other the piano sound you want.

Of course it takes very customizable metronome and allows to divide the piano in two to interpret the duo or the teacher.The Casio PX 160 has tough competitors in Yamaha and Roland. We will compare it to two models that are similarly priced:

Casio PX160 vs Yamaha P115 vs Yamaha P125

The Yamaha P125 and its previous model the Yamaha P115 are probably the hardest of the competitors of the Casio PX 160. It should be noted that the Yamaha P125 and the P115 only differ in that the new P125 brings 10 more piano sounds for the same price that was before the Yamaha P125.

The Casio PX 160 is usually cheaper than the Yamaha P125. Both are similar range piano keyboards with 88 keys and Hammer Action keyboard but the polyphony of the Yamaha 125 is 192 versus the maximum polyphony of 128 of the Casio PX 160.

The Yamaha P125 has a Hammer Action with the GHS system of 4 sensitivities versus the 3 sensitivities of the CASIO PX 160.Both support optional triple bottom bracket and come with sustain pedal.The P125 has a sound boost, a kind of turbo for live.

The Casio has more powerful 8W speakers compared to the 7W of the Yamaha P125.It is not easy to decide but for the small price difference the Yamaha P125 has a sound that we like better. Below you will see the prices on Amazon but we recommend that you take a look at our review on the Yamaha P125.

Casio PX 160 vs Roland FP 30

Roland FP 30 is Roland’s choice to compete with the Casio PX 160In this case the polyphony of both is the same, 128 voices.

So this would not be a reason to spend a little more.They are quite similar in the performances they bring but the Roland FP 30 has a Hammer Action system with 5 different sensitivities.

The touch is better with what if for a classical student better the Roland FP 30.The Casio PX 160 is the standard price, but you can change your mind if you appreciate that the Roland FP 30 has a built-in microphone.

This allows you to play and sing at the same time, so you can quickly record a demo to share with other musicians on a flash drive.The Roland wins on its super-powered 11W speakers over the Casio Px 160’s 8W. This means you can play in many places without needing an extra amplifier.Do not hesitate to see our analysis of Roland FP 30.

Where to buy the piano keyboard Casio PX 160?

As you have seen above we have advanced this answer in some explanatory tables. Today these piano keyboards can be found at the best prices by shopping online.

If you live at USA or America always check at your local Amazon website. If you live at Europe always check Thomann. Here the direct links of the product:

For a similar price you have the following pianos and keyboards:

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