Casio CTK491 61-Key MIDI Keyboard

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zZounds Gear Experts Say...

Full-size Keyboard with Sing Along, LCD, Song Bank, and MIDI Functions. NOT compatible with Yamaha sustain pedals.

Overview

The CTK-491 is a full-size keyboard with Sing Along, LCD, Song Bank, and MIDI Functions.

Features:
Musical Information System displays selections and status of Tone, Rhythm, Song, Volume, and Tempo

On-screen Keyboard, music staff and finger icons display notes and chords played, and metronome icon indicates the beat

Chord Book Function gives notes and fingerings for 15 different chord types in every key

Casio CHORD and Fingered Chord auto-accompaniment system

Transpose and Tuning Control

Specs

Memory: None

Keys: 61 full-size

Polyphony: 12 notes

Sounds: 100 tones

Rhythms: 100 rhythm patterns

Songs: 100 Songs with LH/RH On/Off Control

MIDI: IN/OUT Jack; 5-channel multi-timbral (ch. 1-4, drums ch. 10)

Speakers: 2 built-in speakers

Connectors: 1/4 in. lineout/headphone jack, sustain pedal jack

Power: Operates on AA batteries or optional AD-5 AC adapter

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-435-7732
Web: https://world.casio.com/support/

Reviews

(57 ratings)

Submitted June 15, 2004 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Good to Go."

Overall:

(see rating details)

It's been two years now. I'm not ready to upgrade any time soon. Between this keyboard and my editing software, I'm good to go.

Sound

I use this keyboard for home recording purposes. I find that most of the tones sound pretty good with a little reverb added, but some of the higher pitches "buzz" a little too much, so I have to apply filters or use other techniques to make it sound a little less "plastic." Otherwise, I'm mostly content with the tones provided, especially Jazz Guitar and Wood Bass. When mixed just right, these tones can sound very organic.

Features

There weren't any features that I really needed that didn't come with this keyboard, except for a power adapter. I like the Casio-chord feature a lot. It's a good way to mess around with chord progressions if you're not quite sure where to go with a song.

Quality

Much better than I expected. I wanted a low-cost keyboard to write music with. Now I record music with it, and it gives me the lo-fi sound I crave.

Value

Out of every musical instrument I've ever purchased, this one has been the best value. I play it every day, and, unlike my guitar, there's no sort of upkeep necessary. Just plug and play, my friends.

The Wow Factor

I mean, it's a Casio. That's kind of retro-chic, right? Ok, it's plastic and gray. What do you expect?