All Posts by Jaime Echagüe

Digital Piano Casio CTK 3200 Full Review (with Vídeo)

CASIO CTK 3200 Keyboard In-Depth Analysis

The Casio CTK 3200 is a “cheap” keyboard for beginners who want to have contact with a keyboard instrument, but it is also a very good option if you want the keyboard to compose music with your computer.

​Note that it is out of print and you should now look at our review of the Casio CTK 3500. There are no significant changes.

Despite being a keyboard for beginners it has several things that make it very popular and a bestseller in the whole world.

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If you are thinking of studying piano officially or want to go far with the piano as your primary instrument this should not be your first choice. It’s a good secondary keyboard for those people who want to transport it to rehearsals and already know how to play the piano. But if you don’t know if you want to play the piano and you’re very aware that it’s worth a lot to you for the first 2 years of learning then go ahead.

It has a price well below 100 euros and the truth is that for that price you can not put more benefits. We came to tell you why this keyboard is so popular.

It has 61 keys that are usually good enough for beginners and to play most musical pieces. It also has sustain pedal input to keep the note in time and USB MIDI output so you can use it as a MIDI controller. These things are the really important things on a keyboard for that price and we go on to detail and explain them below.

Bring a power supply for the network, although it can also be powered by batteries.

Sensitive Keyboard

One of the characteristics of a piano is that the keys have sensitivity. So if you press the harder key the musical note will sound louder. The Casio CTK 3200 is sensitive and has two pulsation sensitivities. But you don’t have the Hammer Action keyboard to simulate the weight of real piano keys. Touch is important if you want to study piano at a certain level.

Polyphony and sounds

It has a polyphonic memory of 48 voices. Which is not bad for the price it has although it is far from the 192 that can have the piano keyboards in the range of 600 euros. This is one of the aspects that defines the quality of the piano sound.

It has 400 sounds and 150 styles. Although deep down, a lot of them you won’t use later. They are very good to play but what matters are the sounds of piano and Jazz organ. This keyboard has a piano sound is simply ok.

Here’s a video for you to hear what it sounds like.

Connectivity and MIDI

This is one of the strong points of the keyboard. For its low price it has USB MIDI output. So you can use it as a MIDI controller and connect it to your computer. This is basic nowadays because it allows you, for example, to write a score while playing in real time with programs like Sibelius.

In addition to recording with music editing programs such as Cubase, Ableton can record tracks as MIDI, with all the note information stored in the track. So you can then export it to score and transport it to any instrument.

It also comes with a sustain pedal connector. This pedal allows you to keep the note in time even if the key is released. A very important expressive resource in an instrument like the piano. It’s a basic and very good thing to bring it in for its price. The pedal is not included.

It has mini sound jack input to connect for example your mp4 and play on top and headphones output to rehearse in silence.

Portability and speakers

This is a strong feature of the keyboard. It weighs only 3.5 kg, which makes it an extremely portable product as it also works with batteries (includes the mains adapter).

The keyboard has 2 speakers of 2 W. Enough to rehearse in acoustic with other musicians but if you want to play in open spaces or medium sized restaurants you will have to put an extra amplification.

Who is this keyboard perfect for?

Its price makes it very suitable for various purposes:

  • If you already have a piano technique, it will serve as a comfortable keyboard to take you to rehearsals and small performances in restaurants or similar if you have a low budget.
  • It’s ideal as a secondary keyboard to take to rehearsals even if you study with a better one.
  • Great for compositing and using it as a MIDI controller.
  • It has everything you need to get started with the keyboard. So it might be worth it if you just want to try if you like music. Then you’ll sell it easily second-hand.

​It’s not good if you want to study piano at an intermediate or higher level. It’ll be too limited for you.

CASIO CTK 3200 vs Yamaha PSR E353 vs Yamaha PSR E363

The main competitor of the CASIO CTK 3200 is the Yamaha PSR E353 (and its new model the Yamaha PSR E363). Both are bestsellers and quite similar but there are differences between them.

Both support sustain pedals, are MIDI controllers, and have 61 touch-sensitive keys.

The polyphony of the Casio CTK 3200 is superior to that of the Yamaha PSR E353 since the Casio has 48 notes of polyphony and the Yamaha 32. This gives you quite a head start.

The CASIO is lighter than the Yamaha PSR E353, although the Yamaha has a built-in music sheet holder.

The Yamaha PSR E353 wins in that it has DUAL function to split the keyboard into 2 parts and share with the teacher. And the speakers are a little more powerful, 2.5 W each.

Yamaha also comes with a subscription to a powerful interactive piano learning app called Flowkey, which corrects what you play interactively while you play the exercises because it picks up what you play through the microphone.

They both have many different sounds, so we can say that in that both will fulfill any expectation and of course they bring metronome.

The Casio has a wheel that allows you to switch between sounds which is called PITCH BEND.

At the same price we would normally recommend to keep the Casio CTK 3200 for the superior polyphony although if you are learning on your own the free subscription of several months to Flowkey is a pass. That would make us recommend the Yamaha.

If you want you can watch our review of the Yamaha PSR E363 with another video for you to hear how it sounds.

Where to buy the CASIO CTK 3200?

At buscarinstrumentos.com we monitor prices in stores such as Thomann, Woodbrass and Amazon. Although it must be said that keyboards of this range the one that usually has them cheaper is Amazon. To see where to buy it at the best price take a look at the review of its latest model, the Casio CTK 3500. Anyway below you have the link to the Casio CTK 3500

If you want to go to a piano keyboard that suits you to study and with Hammer Action keyboard we advise you to have a look at our review of the Yamaha P-45. But above all don’t miss our ranking with the best digital pianos of the moment.

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

We hope you enjoyed this review and found it useful. Thank you for reading it!

 

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Digital Piano Kawai ES100 Full Review. Is it a good choice?

Analysis and opinion of the piano keyboard Kawai ES100

The Kawai brand is gaining importance in Europe and has more and more followers. Although Yamaha is still the leader in keyboard sales, Kawai is making its mark.

​It is important for you to know that there is a new model of this keyboard. The Kawai ES110, don’t hesitate to see our review about this digital piano from Kawai. Also in the review of the Kawai ES110 we compared it with the Kawai ES100.

Today we bring you a very competitive digital piano with a price well below 700 € (899 $). It is an option that allows you to have a piano keyboard for budgets that do not allow a clavinova or an acoustic digital piano.

A lot of people start learning piano with much worse keyboards. They’ have not even Hammer Actions and they don’t even have a sustain pedal. Which is a mistake, such a keyboard can be used to compose but not to learn piano.

The Kawai ES100 has the minimum necessary to learn to play the piano in a dignified way and can be worth until you reach a medium-high level. If you are studying classical conservatory the last years of the middle grade and then the higher grade you should go to a higher model. Or at least have many hours of extra study with an acoustic piano.

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The Kawai ES 100 Keyboard has 88 sensitive keys with Hammer Action Advanced Hammer Action IV-F. The keys on a piano must be sensitive to touch. So they sound louder depending on how hard you press them. And to give the feeling of weight on the key the keyboard must be Hammer Action. (weighted keys)

Hammer Action on a piano keyboard is vital to feel like you’re playing on an acoustic piano. What is the purpose of these instruments. Although you have to keep in mind that the touch is not exactly the same as that of an acoustic piano. Even if you have a digital piano it is always important that part of the studio you do in some acoustic piano. Ask to be allowed to practice in a shop or cultural centre if you don’t have money.

Polyphony and sounds

Polyphonic memory on a piano keyboard is important. The bigger it is, you will be able to play more and complex songs in your digital piano. This particular model has a pretty good 192-voice polyphony. This is one of the main factors you should keep in mind when comparing piano keyboards.

It has 18 different sounds and some interesting ones similar to a hammond organ. They are resources that can come in handy although for the piano studio what matters is the real piano sound. It’s very acceptable is its price range.

Connectivity and recording

It comes with a MIDI connector, which allows you to do such wonderful things as connecting it to your computer and writing scores while playing with programs like Sibelius.

If you record what you play with music editing programs such as Cubase, Ableton, etc. you can record on MIDI tracks, which as they save the information of the musical notes played then those MIDI tracks can be exported to score.

The Kawai ES100 keyboard allows you to record a track in case you want to play on it later.

Of course it has an input for headphones and a sostenido pedal. The pedal is what makes it possible to keep the note playing over time even if the digital piano key is released. A basic resource for playing the piano. It’s included.

Other important features

Like all pianos in its range the Kawai ES100 brings the following extras that are important:

  • Dual Mode to play with your teacher at the same time.
  • Effects as reverb, etc
  • 2 loudspeakers of 7 W .
  • Power supply.

It’s got a lot more extras than all the keyboards. But listen to us, you have to pay attention to the previous ones and the weight. The Kawai ES100 weighs 12 Kg. It is portable with a piano keyboard backpack with adequate handles but half a kilo heavier than its competing Yamaha keyboards. If you want it for study, it’s not a problem.You don’t have the option to run on batteries.

Video for you to hear how it sounds

Kawai ES100 vs Yamaha P115 vs Yamaha P125

The main competitor of the Kawai ES100 is undoubtedly the Yamaha P115 (although it now has its new version in the Yamaha P125).The Yamaha P115 coincides with the Kawai ES100 is the following aspects.

  • They both have a polyphony of 192 voices.
  • Both have 88 weighted keys, with pedal and feeder.
  • They have a similar weight, the Yamaha P115 a little lighter.
  • Both have various piano and organ sounds, as well as metronome or dual Mode
  • MIDI connection, although that of the Yamaha P115 is USB that for us is more comfortable.

​The Kawai ES100 in our opinion has more nuances in sensitivity than the GHS system of the Yamaha P115. Although many people like the feel of the Yamaha P115 more, the truth is that the Yamaha P115 is more popular in Spain and has more sales.

The quantum of the Yamaha P125 and the Yamaha P115 must be taken into account that it differs in the number of piano sounds. The P125 brings that improvement over the P115 and at the same price so it will always be better option the latest model.

Both have an acceptable grand-piano sound but here it’s a matter of taste. Whichever one you choose is fine as both have been recorded with quality sampling technology.

Don’t hesitate to take a look at our analysis of your rival, our review of the Yamaha P115. And here’s the new review with the Yamaha P125

Where to buy the Kawai ES100?

Right now one of the best possibilities is Amazon and Thomann. Although as the ES100 is already out of print you link the new Kawai ES110

If you live at America or Asia always check Amazon. But If you live at Europe check as well Thomann:

If it’s still too expensive we recommend you take a look at our review of the Yamaha P45.If you just want it to compose you just have 61 keys, MIDI connection and pedal take a look at our guide with cheap keyboards very popular.Of course we recommend our selection of the best portable digital pianos. Where you have everything you need to know about these wonderful instruments.

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

 

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Escribir música con Sibelius desde teclado MIDI

What software should I use to write music and work with MIDI?

You have several options to compose music, record your MIDI piano or write musical notation. Some of the programs are more powerful than others but a little more complex to learn. In this guide we will give you some ideas on the possibilities you have and which software you should learn more (depending on your aspirations).

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What computer equipment do you need

You have to keep in mind that you are going to work with sound. Even if it is not as demanding as videogames, it is a higher level than simply working with office automation.If you are just going to record with the piano and write music notation, you will be worth 4 GB of RAM. That RAM will give you to put more tracks, such as a drum kit, guitar and voice but you will start to have your computer running slower.

If you want to record comfortably with other musicians, the normal thing is that in the same project, several tracks of each instrument are recorded, so of this way can be chosen later and if you are going to do this it is better to have 6 GB or 8 GB.Concluding: Minimum 4 GB of RAM and let it have a minimum i3 processor (if it can have higher specifictions, much better). About hard disk, is recommended to have several hundreds of GB, because the musical projects occupy enough and this way the hard disk will never surpass 80% of storage. Also, the idea is you do not run out of virtual memory.

What do we really do when we record a MIDI?

The software that can really take advantage of the benefits of MIDI a software with the capability of recording MIDI tracks. This means, they are able to record a track that stores the music track played by each key pressed on the MIDI piano controller.

If we are playing a three-note chord. The MIDI track will have to save that information for each key, otherwise, it cannot be broken down into notes and carried to score.Well, now that we are a little better placed on what we need, we will go on to see which programs are the most popular and suitable.

Cubase

Its first on the track because is one of the most important. We warn that it is not the most intuitive, but we can say that it is the most used software by musicians. Both professional and amateur.Its use is so widespread that it has so many plugins and add-ons. In addition although its learning curve is not easy, you will always find many tutorials on the Internet or some sound technician who can give you 2 or 3 private lessons to leave everything ready.It can work with MIDI tracks, record what you play on the keyboard and then export it to score.

review de Cubase para usar con teclado MIDI

It is one of the most used programs for recording music bands. Both at amateur level in Home Studios and with professionals. It is also used to create electronic music.The best: you can do with it whatever you want and the fact that it is so popular makes it have a very strong user community in forums and plenty of approval.The worst: intermediate learning curve.

FL Studio

Easy-to-use sound editing and music creation software.

It supports MIDI keyboards and you can record tracks as above and then export them to music sheet.It does not have a community as big as CUBASE and although some voices defend that it is as powerful as the previous one, the general perception is that it is a more amateur program.It is good to start with or if you just want to record music and compose at a certain level, because if anything stands out, it means is also much more intuitive.

It easily rivals Ableton Live.The best: The price and how easy it is to learn how to handle it.The worst: It has fewer plugins than Cubase and the user community is smaller, so if you get into the world of music production you may need something more. However, this software is very useful.

FL Studio vs Ableton Live​

Ableton Live is also very intuitive and often comes with several MIDI keyboards already included as it has a good business strategy. The truth is, we can tell you it does not matter which one you use. You can do the same, the important thing is that you feel good with the interface and that it is intuitive for you, because if you are going to change to something more powerful, you better jump directly to CUBASE.

Sibelius

Is a good one if you want to compose music and are interested in transcribing music sheet. Sibelius is the most powerful program to compose. Because it is made for that particular function. Writing scores.Keyboard shortcuts, program features. Everything is designed to generate and edit scores with maximum ease and productivity. So, that makes it the best option, if that is what you need.Here is an example video for you to see how to configure a MIDI keyboard in Sibelius.

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Which MIDI keyboard to choose?

There are MIDI keyboards of various prices, but what is important is that it is not a monophonic keyboard but a polyphonic keyboard. That is, it allows you to press several keys at once to make a chord. Otherwise you will not be able to play the piano or compose comfortably.

There are piano keyboards with MIDI interface and Hammer Action MIDI controllers that emulate the touch of a normal piano. They are more expensive, but much better for pianists who want a real touch. If you are interested, we share here with you some post with reviews of MIDI keyboards that can be very useful to you.

We hope you liked this post. If you think it might be useful to someone, do not hesitate to share it on your social networks. Thanks for reading!

 

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