Binding: Electronics
Brand: Yamaha
EAN: 0086792277738
Feature: 61 piano-sized keys
Label: Yamaha
Manufacturer: Yamaha
Model: PSR225GMAD
Publisher: Yamaha
Studio: Yamaha

• 61 piano-sized keys
• Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) input and output
• Interactive Yamaha Education Suite included for beginning musicians
• 100 authentic instrument voices and styles encourages creativity
• Multifingering auto accompaniment

The PSR-225GMAD has everything a musician new to keyboards would need to get started creating, composing, and/or performing music, without the expense of a professional synthesizer. It's a fantastic keyboard at a phenomenal price.

The PSR-225GMAD boasts a total of 238 voices. The voices are simple to access: press the Voice button, then type in the appropriate voice's number (all of the voices with their numbers are listed in the accompanying manual). For an inexpensive instrument, the quality of these voices is well above average. The PSR-225GMAD is a General MIDI-compatible keyboard, which means 128 of the voices are grouped in a standardized way: if you connect the keyboard to a computer--via the MIDI ports using MIDI cables (sold separately)--the PSR-225GMAD will correctly play General MIDI files (a standard of most MIDI files in educational software and of those available on the Internet).

If you enjoy playing along with built-in drum patterns and bass lines, then you will want to press the Style button. The PSR-225GMAD contains 100 different auto accompaniments from a variety of musical genres. The keyboard can harmonize chords for you, and it can select voices that match well the style you have chosen. You can easily change the tempo or move between an intro, ending, or two preset sections of a song.

There is also a Song function on the PSR-225GMAD, which allows you to play back songs or record your own songs. This is one area where the PSR-225GMAD does not shine. The user can store only a maximum of three songs. Each song can have up to six tracks, but the interface for recording these tracks is cumbersome and counterintuitive.

A user more serious about creating their own songs will probably opt for connecting the keyboard to a computer and using a software-based sequencer. The novice songwriter will most likely become frustrated rather quickly with the PSR-225GMAD's built-in sequencer because of its complexity and limitations.

There are a number of other useful and extremely easy-to-use functions on the PSR-225GMAD, including a metronome, dual- and split-keyboard modes, and sound enhancers such as reverb and chorus. The five-octave, 61-note keyboard and good-quality built-in speakers make the PSR-225GMAD very fun to play.

Overall, the PSR-225GMAD is a quality keyboard for new keyboardists and composers. --Chris Fresolone

Pros:

• 5-octave, 61-note keyboard
• Built-in speakers
• Good-quality sound
• General MIDI compatible
• 100 different auto accompaniments
• Easy-to-use functions and sound effects

Cons:

• Limited and difficult-to-use built-in sequencer

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Keyboard
Comment: I have owned this keyboard for about three years now and like it alot. This keyboard is good for begginners and advanced piano players. It has a very wide selection of instuments, each one sounding very similar to the real thing. It also has several beats and rythms to take you song even further with the accompany mode. It also has an excellent touch response feature that makes this keyboard even more similar to a real piano. It is also easy to navigate around the different modes. It is also a very high quality and durable item. For the years that I have had it, it has never malfunctioned. So, whether you are a begginner or an advanced pianist and you don't want to invest in a real piano, I would highly reccommend this keyboard.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Value
Comment: I purchased this keyboard so I could have an inexpensive way to play the piano now and then. I am amazed at the quality of this keyboard. I am enjoying the great piano sound and touch sensitive keys. I also purchased an inexpensive foot pedal to go with the keyboard. This nicely simulates the sustain pedal on a piano. This keyboard has many useful features that will be fun to explore over time. I think this keyboard is a fantastic value.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Top Quality for a small price
Comment: I have a Clavinova and a PSR 6700. I play the clavinova at our local hospital and the keyboard at the Senior Center. I ordered the PSR225GMAD as a backup mainly because of its weight and price. I was amazed at the sound quality. I didn't believe it was possible with just two 3 watt speakers. The voices very closely mimic the real instruments and the rythm sections are outstanding. It is easy to set the voice, tempos, and accompaniment. At twelve pounds, I can carry it without the possibility of getting a hernia. It is attractive, has quality sound and it was at at unbelievable low price. My only suggestion is that you increase the number of memory setups. Four is not enough.

A very satisfied customer,

Sam J. Vaughn

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