That electric piano patch at the beginning of the video sounded very rich and lush. The Piano sound you played had lots of punch and realism! Another plus is the full sized MIDI din plugs. Winner winner!
2:00: my wish list: a) assignable mono out, and/or ability to separate by left-right channel. I would loooove to be able to output the Hammond to a Leslie. b) in the absence of the above, a better fast Leslie emulation. c) ability to assign each Part to a separate midi channel. But the lack of those things did not prevent me from purchasing this keyboard. It’s that good a value.
A quick followup: one of the most useful features is the ability per Part to ignore particular midi CCs! I have a Live Set for Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are”. I’m using baritone sax #1 on the CK61’s keyboard. The external sound of course is the phased Rhodes, played on my 88 key controller. But there’s that ‘ahhhh’ vocal sound that is played sometimes. First off, the CK does not AFAIK allow range limitation. The range of the ‘ahhh’ should be no more than Bb to F#, so only a couple of them play at a time. So I set up ‘ahhh’ voices on my Alesis QS7.1, which does allow range limits. But how to get it to be off or on where needed? You can’t do it with CC07, which is channel volume - that ends up controlling overall volume on every device on that midi channel. So on the QS7.1 I assigned a pedal to CC11, which is Expression. And then I set the Parts on the CK61 to ignore Expression! I can now fade the ‘ahhh’ in and out as needed without affecting anything else.
Thank you so much for your effort and a lot of details you put into these videos. I wqtched at least 10 if not 15 other videos of this keyboard and non of them showed (not even mentioned) the speakers' On/Off button for example.
I have a ck88 and i absolutely love it. I have a 3 tier stand full of synths, and i desperately wanted an upgrade over the psr e473. I now use the 473 as a midi controller only. The CK is absolutely beautiful and covers so many bases. Amazing value!
Having owned a Yamaha PSR SX700, I can completely agree with you that the FSB Key Action strikes a very good balance between Synth Action keys and for Piano Playing as well One of my biggest gripe in the PSR E series was the key noise, wasn't really quiet during home playing no matter if using headphones, the FSB keybed is just so quiet, it's really a breeze to play... And about Casual Live performances, it's definitely one of the best actions for almost every scenario like you said, really happy with the keyboard! Great video as always Jeremy, Your content never disappoints!
Hey just want to ask , is psr sx700 suitable for live performance? In terms of saving preset for each song and, amplification, can the built in amp active while the keybaord connect to output line to speaker?
Wow, that's EXACTLY what I wanted Yamaha to do. Genius. They brought in all the CP, YC, FS, _and_ DX sounds plus customizations with full-size keys. That CK61 seems like it would fit nicely above my DGX-650 on a two-tier stand, or that CK88 could just replace my DGX.
@@daniroade Nah, I can't justify it. I'm not a stage performer. I'm barely a home performer. The DGX is more than good enough for my living room, and it needs to stay in my living room because it's heavy as hell! Maybe someday, I will supplement it with a CK61, but I would have to find a killer deal on a used one first.
This is a compelling instrument and looks like a home-run for Yamaha. If it had aftertouch I would be tempted to replace my Kurzweil SP6, but would miss the arpeggiator. Excellent demo!
Yes, this homerun is so good that Yamaha is abandoning the CP61, CP76, and CP88. Those users are getting screwed, it is pretty funny. Good thing I'm not one of them. 🤣🤣
Excellent review Jeremy. The CK61 is the one I’ve had my heart set on. However while saving up for one the price has recently jumped up by £150 here in the UK 😳. Thanks a lot Yamaha, I’ll have to live with my (brilliant) little Casio CT-S1 for longer.
I bought this on a gut feeling. I had been out of music for a while and I wanted a smaller desktop keyboard that I can connect with my brand new Boss RC600 looper pedal. I put into the search engine "best 61 key stage piano" and I came across a video, and I was sold immediately once I heard the sounds and saw just how user friendly it was. Now I'm waiting for it to be delivered and I'm watching more and more videos on it. I now know I have made an excellent decision. What an amazing piece of kit for that price!
This video along with a few others convinced me to pull the trigger on this awesome keyboard. Itll compliment my modest synth collection well and integrate perfectly. Tomorrow ill put my order in.😊
this year has been exceptional for Yamaha both in the home keyboards and performance keyboards. Here in India on the amateur front the PSR-E473 is on backorder, it is probably the only time such a thing has happened, and funnily being assembled here for a change.. I am hoping to get a CK88 before it runs out
And here we are again, I paired this with my go piano 88 by Roland and I could not be happier. small clubs and bars are my wheel house....This is great, awsome stuff ,man.
Not sure I’d pick this over a YC but it is a better value. I have the Reface DX and combining the them of sorts into the CK was a good idea a few years ago. The Refaces hit the market back 2016 or so. Now it seems like Yamaha isn’t really trying anymore in 2023. MODX -> MODX+. No updated Montage yet. Genos is long in the tooth.
Hey Jeremy, I've been a 'beginner' keyboard player for MANY years and watching your videos just got me interested in fine tuning my skills at it again. I started out with an old Yamaha DGX205 (which I still have, and it still looks, works, and sounds pristine). That little 76 keyboard is from back in the day when Yamaha used to load up their instruments with all sorts of gimmicky 'sounds' and 'voices' (most of which no one ever used...perhaps except me). JMO, but it seems to me that though the modern day onboard features and outputs on the keyboards are fancier (and in some cases, a bit more professional) the sound is basically the same---and it is a good sound. I plug mine into an audio interface that's hooked up to high-grade speakers, and this cheap old keyboard sounds like a Baby Grand. Well, not exactly...key noise. I'm looking into upgrading to a new 88 key model, but I still love this old one.
For the record, yamaha's home keyboards still do include the random uncomonly used, sounds. Many of these are xglight voices to make things compatible with standard midi systems, but for that end of the spectrum, most of the sounds even in the panel voices are still xglight voices but slightly better. This is beginning to evolv with the lastest of the 2 higher end psr-e models, but still holds true for the most part. Same goes with the accompanyment styles. They have added some new ones over time, but the bulk of them are ones that have been revamped and ported from keyboards dating back to the 2000s if not earlier. This along witht eh sounds is a factor that puts some picky people off the home keyboards from them, but I don't mind. Would I like the better sounds from the higher end keyboards to be brought down? Yes. Do I really care that much to tell people to get something else? No I don't. I guess it let's them really show the difference by putting mostly old sounds that are going on 30 years old onto the home keyboards and better sounds that still sometimes date back a while on the higher end ones.
You're the 1st l've heard mention this keyboard is the Reface series in one. That's an eye opener. Seems like it takes a few keyboards to learn what you can live with, and live without.
Couldn't agree with you more about what's missing in such a tempting package. Like 73 keys etc Just the same you made it very tempting Jeremy. Thanks❤❤❤❤
I agree, it's essential to have this 61 key version, but a no brainer to have a 76 key version if this, maybe even instead if the 88 keys. Since I have two 61 key instruments, I would get the 76 if available.
There's probably not enough demand for a 76-key version. Or we might see one introduced very late, like Juno-DS76 which came out many years after Juno-DS61 and 88 were released.
I wanted to add that Yamaha was brilliant in coming out with this. The N-word Keyboard that those with deep pockets are buying are financially impractical for the rest of us, particularly if we are trying to be good stewards over the finances that we have. This keyboard is great for the public musician that has little experience and for those like me that have been playing for quite a while. The worst part is that with so many controls at your fingertips one must settle themselves to not get addicted to "over-tweeking". 😁 I got mine before I saw your video, but your video confirmed my impressions. Great Job again, Sir. Be Blessed. 🙌 & 👐🙏.
I just wanted to thank you for this review! I've been trying to figure out what would make a better organ-style keyboard (I'm a guitar/drum guy currently) and no review even mentioned it. You've actually got video of the action of the keyboard. My hero!
Hey, Jeremy. Nice to see a new video from you. I hope all is well with you and your family. Big changes at work, on back on the midnight watch working overnight again after five years as I relocated to the bigger store, since my old store was closed down. This is an incredible keyboard!!! I want one now, and will probably get it later, in addition to the Roland FP-E50. And I think this time, it will be all the keyboards I ever need, replacing the Roland RD 88 and V-Combo VR-09B. Masataka Kono has reviewed and has been currently featuring this keyboard for a while on his current videos. To me, my two 61 note keyboards are great for what they are at that price range, you know which ones, but I still wanted at least three of the 4 Reface series keyboards, but like Roland, the hit the ball out of the park to complete my wish list. This is the best pro level 61 note keyboard, and is very affordable at $1000, and is the same price as the FP-E50. But at the price, you have a choice between the smaller, more portable format with battery power, or a full 88 note expandable stage pianos with incredible, innovative auto arranger functions. But both together are still affordable for the perfect two keyboard pro studio or gigging rig. They are both a bargain, but realistically, if they were both sold at the price they are with, the CK61 should be at least $1500, and the FP-E50 should be at $2000. But we're glad they are not. The FP-E50 will be great for my church keyboard with the CK61 a great second keyboard for more versatility, but also by perfect to tote and have at home with more limited space. The graphics, design, controls, sounds and features are excellent. Things keep getting better, and with my pay raise, and planning to kick in my Social Security checks a few years early, I will have more accessibility to these keyboards and peripheral gear, including a ln iPad Mini and a loaded new Mac Mini Desktop computer later. I agree that the CK61 should have a music holder, and a 73 key version for those that would want and could use it. A major reason I want the 88 keys. I gotta go eat dinner and get ready for work, and may comment more later, but I think I mention most of what I wanted. Great review of this keyboard, as always. T
Always a pleasure to have you share your vast experience with us buddy. We live in exciting times. Loads keyboards for us to choose at competitive prices.
I was watching Yamaha and Casio keyboard videos lately, and it seems like Casio makes a home run with Casio CT-S1, and Yamaha makes a home run with Yamaha CK61. (Of course they are not the same leage keyboards, but both keyboards took some suggestions from customers, which seems to turned out a nice move, beneficial for both Casio/Yamaha and their customers respectively.)
I just got my Yamaha CK61 today! I've been using Yamaha MM6, which I love, for about 10 years but it's slowly breaking down. I was thinking of getting Yamaha MX61, but I visited Guitar Center and tinkered with the CK61. It feels solid and polished, with nice sounds, so I decided to get it.
This sounds perfect! The drawbacks are pluses to me. I already have 76, 88 weighted & 37 keys, so don’t need that. Just a simple light-weight versatile keyboard for playing with my rock band is fine. I don’t wanna pay for a workstation I’m never gonna use because I already have music production tools up the ying-yang.
I don't know. IMO it's worth geting the 88 weighted key version because for me at least every time I play on nonweighted keys it just feels rong. Dynamics IMO are a lot easier to control on weighted keys🎹🎶
I tend to agree and prefer weighted keys. But, if you have to carry your keyboard to gigs, you might want to opt for the CK61 because it weighs so much less. Plus, it's a few hundred dollars less.
This is an organ-oriented board so there's no way you'd want that with weighted keys if that was your focus. Plus, if you get the CK61 you can put it on your second tier and control the very nice piano sounds with an 88-key controller of your choice ... ;)
Does is support soft pedal like the s90-es does? Also for a midi controller it needs more knobs,fades and a few pads for drums. I love the sound of Yamaha pianos No I am not a keyboard or piano player. I think Toto for Yamaha Pianos.
Jeromey i use a direct box from the headphone jack for recording and i have to say it brings the impedence to low so PSR E ,WK,CS any cheezy keyboards types as well to bring it to professional sound quality. Try it some time. Clean sound. Keyboard with speakers work in my studio
Jeremy, thanks so much for introducing me to this keyboard! It really does seem like (nearly) the best of all worlds, as a kind of Swiss Army Knife of stage boards. Can't wait to go get my hands on one and try it. I have been schlepping around a Korg SV1; love the sounds and key action, but it's HEAVY - and somewhat limited. Also a Hammond XK-1 for organ. Hmmm - maybe this board might replace both?? We'll see. Keep doing what you do!
Its nice. Its also costs more than double than this and weighs 9kg more than a CK88. It fits nicely between the Yamaha CK and the absolute best (Nord Stage). For someone who wants improved sounds over the CK and is willing to pay for it it's a great option.
I was about to go RE-BUY a Yamaha yc mini. Then I looked at the YC full size board but no speakers and no batteries. I mainly want organ. So would you say that this CK61 is the perfect balance at this point for organ, better then or should I say more playable then the mini 37 yc, yet with more features and playability?. IS THIS THE PERFECT organ keyboard for price and options.?. Thanks.
I too was disappointed by the lack of arpeggiator (much more so than a sequencer) ... but within the confines of the CK61 control placement, there really isn't any extra room for other buttons unless you start doing shift+ functions which is not really the point here. Also, if you're getting this board, you should already BE the arpeggiator! (Although sometimes it fun to be lazy or use it to tweak params like say on an analog monosynth.)
It's almost perfect but they should imitate Clavia and offer both semi and fully-weighted for people who play mostly piano, it would be a dream to have a fully weighted 61 or 64 key version but I'd settle for 73
I think us reface users that didn't like the minikeys, literally wanted the same thing but with 37 regular sized keys. the reface series has a great aesthetic quality to it and the controls are specialized and intuitive. still waiting on a true reface update with normal keys. it wouldn't really increase the size all that much,,,
I have this. Nothing bad to say. With the organ section you will need a seperate leslie pedal, like always, but otherwise i think this is close to perfection.
If it had a VA engine that was controllable through the organ drawbars, it would have been absolutely perfect for me ... But I'm guessing that one may still be coming ...
Very nice keyboard for the price. I have a Yamaha MODX7+. I have been thinking about purchasing either a CK61, or YC61. I prefer the rotary speaker simulator on the YC.
Yamaha CK88 USB flash drive problem please help!!! this is a great keyboard besides one thing that drives me absolutely crazy! i want to save my live set sounds to a usb flash drive because the 160 live sets are not enough for me. i tried to connect several usb flash drives but the keyboard doesn't recognize any of them. in the manual it says only "some usb flash drives may not work" but not which ones and what are the requirements for a usb flash drive to work. i cannot buy hundreds of usb flash drives and try them all!!! anyone can help me???
me to. I have the reface CP I got for christmas, and I like it for what it does, but eversince I heard about the CK61, I wanted it. I just hope they have it at the music stors where I live in canada.
I'm a guitarist and i'm learning piano to put more sensibility in my creation. I have buy studio one and now i'm searching a keyboard with hp to start in my musical compositions for listening and very good conectivity to go after in my computer to register. What models do you advise me to look for who coud be the goodest for me and wich i will keep for a very long time Thank you Jeremy.
Hey Jeremy, can you tell us about the Yamaha's brand-new I-300 , and also a comparison with e373 , i personally own a e373 , is it good to get a i300 or stay with e373
Such a bunch of regulators on the panel is just a dream! The display is too small, once it was the reason for my rejection of MOX, now it also makes you think... Thanks for the feedback.
Would also be rad if it's not in the typical black color. I think it would look updatedly (if there's even a word) aesthetic, Instagramably appropriate or better yet distinguishably photogenic on live stage performance in 2023. Even far distances of onlookers can be delighted that your keys are not the boring black casings. Haha! 😅
I would really like to know more about the keyboard feel. Can I play precise classical on it or is it more a compromise of electric keyboards and organ?
Excellent presentation. I’ve been on the fence w this keyboard, as I already have the Casio Pxs-3000 and I have the reface cop and the red reface organ mini keyboard.
I think this Yamaha is a better "portable organ" option than the Roland v-combo vr-09, that thing is terrible, it stores the transpose position in the registers so it's impossible to switch registers during a song if you use transpose. Not replacing my Numa Compact x2 yet, the Yamaha is double the price and does not have after-touch. I guess the price will come down after a while. Two features all these keyboards miss: - waterproof (or at least rain proof) - powertool slots for Makita, DeWalt and Bosh batteries (I have home-made adapters, but built-in would be more convenient)
I have TWO Compact 2xs ... If Studiologic made a 61 key version I'd probably have a third. But I needed something smaller, and frankly, the Ck61 has better sounds, more panel controls and fuinctionality, easier to see in the dark, a whole extra part (which is huge), the ability to shape the EG of sampled sounds (only res + cutoff on NC2x), more effects, live sets, more flexibility, and among other things, very importantly a l/r input that also has its own effects. So many times do I wish the Numa had this even without effects. They are very similar, and I'm so glad the CK61 has the two-way USB audio and MIDI that the NC2x has as well as speakers, which I generally use even when using external amplification. With the CK61 $899 right now, the newer Compact 2 X SE is the same price.
Roland rd2000 or Yamaha ck88 or cp88? I’m looking for heavy keys with rich acoustic piano pad strings and ep. The feel is important and the quality of the sound. Suggestions?
I too was disappointed by the lack of arpeggiator (much more so than a sequencer) ... but if you're using the USB MIDI out into an iPad ... it is possible to route the MIDI back into the CK61 and arpeggiate that way?
Since the Yamaha CK88/61 models don't have a built-in arpeggiator, could you create an arpeggio effect in real time, while still using the voices on the Yamaha CK88/61, by adding an external device like a USB midi keyboard controller that has an arpeggiator function? Thanks! 🙂
Since the ck 61 doesn't include styles, where did the auto accompanyment parts for some of the demos come from? I've been trying to find a reasonably priced keyboard from yamaha that has the higher quality sounds than the psr-e473, but can't find anything in that form factor. When I refer to higher quality sounds, I'm refering to non xglight sounds, such as the high quality drum kits, pianos, etc that are on dgx and psr s/sx series instruments.
Thanks for the great review. I’ve been wondering about this one. Currently getting by with an AKAI Mpk 249 but I have to haul my laptop around for the sound engine
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The piano sound is so awesome! Thanks Jeremy, not only for the sharing but also for your wonderful demos and performances! 😊
It's not the keyboard that's amazing, but your hands on every keyboard that are amazing. You're awesome, my friend !
Thank you for your kind words, buddy. 😍
That electric piano patch at the beginning of the video sounded very rich and lush. The Piano sound you played had lots of punch and realism! Another plus is the full sized MIDI din plugs.
Winner winner!
2:00: my wish list: a) assignable mono out, and/or ability to separate by left-right channel. I would loooove to be able to output the Hammond to a Leslie. b) in the absence of the above, a better fast Leslie emulation. c) ability to assign each Part to a separate midi channel.
But the lack of those things did not prevent me from purchasing this keyboard. It’s that good a value.
A quick followup: one of the most useful features is the ability per Part to ignore particular midi CCs! I have a Live Set for Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are”. I’m using baritone sax #1 on the CK61’s keyboard. The external sound of course is the phased Rhodes, played on my 88 key controller. But there’s that ‘ahhhh’ vocal sound that is played sometimes. First off, the CK does not AFAIK allow range limitation. The range of the ‘ahhh’ should be no more than Bb to F#, so only a couple of them play at a time. So I set up ‘ahhh’ voices on my Alesis QS7.1, which does allow range limits.
But how to get it to be off or on where needed? You can’t do it with CC07, which is channel volume - that ends up controlling overall volume on every device on that midi channel. So on the QS7.1 I assigned a pedal to CC11, which is Expression. And then I set the Parts on the CK61 to ignore Expression! I can now fade the ‘ahhh’ in and out as needed without affecting anything else.
Thank you so much for your effort and a lot of details you put into these videos.
I wqtched at least 10 if not 15 other videos of this keyboard and non of them showed (not even mentioned) the speakers' On/Off button for example.
Glad you like them!
I have a ck88 and i absolutely love it. I have a 3 tier stand full of synths, and i desperately wanted an upgrade over the psr e473. I now use the 473 as a midi controller only. The CK is absolutely beautiful and covers so many bases. Amazing value!
Only 80 sounds?
Having owned a Yamaha PSR SX700, I can completely agree with you that the FSB Key Action strikes a very good balance between Synth Action keys and for Piano Playing as well
One of my biggest gripe in the PSR E series was the key noise, wasn't really quiet during home playing no matter if using headphones, the FSB keybed is just so quiet, it's really a breeze to play...
And about Casual Live performances, it's definitely one of the best actions for almost every scenario like you said, really happy with the keyboard!
Great video as always Jeremy, Your content never disappoints!
IMHO the keyboard action of the SX700 and SX900 leaves a lot to be desired for how much they cost, particularly the SX900.
Hey just want to ask , is psr sx700 suitable for live performance? In terms of saving preset for each song and, amplification, can the built in amp active while the keybaord connect to output line to speaker?
la unica diferencia entre el fsb key action es solo el ruido ???
Wow, that's EXACTLY what I wanted Yamaha to do. Genius. They brought in all the CP, YC, FS, _and_ DX sounds plus customizations with full-size keys. That CK61 seems like it would fit nicely above my DGX-650 on a two-tier stand, or that CK88 could just replace my DGX.
Me too I'm thinking of replacing my DGX-650. Did you end up swapping?
@@daniroade Nah, I can't justify it. I'm not a stage performer. I'm barely a home performer. The DGX is more than good enough for my living room, and it needs to stay in my living room because it's heavy as hell! Maybe someday, I will supplement it with a CK61, but I would have to find a killer deal on a used one first.
its not the full reface series. It's more like the YC, CP (not sure if 1:1), but only some sounds from DX and CS, as they are standalone synthesizers
Finally... you got the chance to get this. So far, I'm loving the CK 61, together with my PsR Sx900.
If you had to pick just one, CK61 or the SX900?
This is a compelling instrument and looks like a home-run for Yamaha. If it had aftertouch I would be tempted to replace my Kurzweil SP6, but would miss the arpeggiator. Excellent demo!
Yes, this homerun is so good that Yamaha is abandoning the CP61, CP76, and CP88. Those users are getting screwed, it is pretty funny. Good thing I'm not one of them. 🤣🤣
Excellent review Jeremy. The CK61 is the one I’ve had my heart set on. However while saving up for one the price has recently jumped up by £150 here in the UK 😳. Thanks a lot Yamaha, I’ll have to live with my (brilliant) little Casio CT-S1 for longer.
Love the way you play the keys. Reminds me of my younger years.
I bought this on a gut feeling. I had been out of music for a while and I wanted a smaller desktop keyboard that I can connect with my brand new Boss RC600 looper pedal. I put into the search engine "best 61 key stage piano" and I came across a video, and I was sold immediately once I heard the sounds and saw just how user friendly it was. Now I'm waiting for it to be delivered and I'm watching more and more videos on it. I now know I have made an excellent decision. What an amazing piece of kit for that price!
This video along with a few others convinced me to pull the trigger on this awesome keyboard. Itll compliment my modest synth collection well and integrate perfectly. Tomorrow ill put my order in.😊
this year has been exceptional for Yamaha both in the home keyboards and performance keyboards. Here in India on the amateur front the PSR-E473 is on backorder, it is probably the only time such a thing has happened, and funnily being assembled here for a change.. I am hoping to get a CK88 before it runs out
Not for me gigging, modx8 keybed sucks in humidity 😑 random notes crazy ..sorry I ever bought it
And here we are again, I paired this with my go piano 88 by Roland and I could not be happier. small clubs and bars are my wheel house....This is great, awsome stuff ,man.
Not sure I’d pick this over a YC but it is a better value. I have the Reface DX and combining the them of sorts into the CK was a good idea a few years ago. The Refaces hit the market back 2016 or so. Now it seems like Yamaha isn’t really trying anymore in 2023. MODX -> MODX+. No updated Montage yet. Genos is long in the tooth.
Hey Jeremy, I've been a 'beginner' keyboard player for MANY years and watching your videos just got me interested in fine tuning my skills at it again. I started out with an old Yamaha DGX205 (which I still have, and it still looks, works, and sounds pristine). That little 76 keyboard is from back in the day when Yamaha used to load up their instruments with all sorts of gimmicky 'sounds' and 'voices' (most of which no one ever used...perhaps except me).
JMO, but it seems to me that though the modern day onboard features and outputs on the keyboards are fancier (and in some cases, a bit more professional) the sound is basically the same---and it is a good sound. I plug mine into an audio interface that's hooked up to high-grade speakers, and this cheap old keyboard sounds like a Baby Grand. Well, not exactly...key noise. I'm looking into upgrading to a new 88 key model, but I still love this old one.
For the record, yamaha's home keyboards still do include the random uncomonly used, sounds. Many of these are xglight voices to make things compatible with standard midi systems, but for that end of the spectrum, most of the sounds even in the panel voices are still xglight voices but slightly better. This is beginning to evolv with the lastest of the 2 higher end psr-e models, but still holds true for the most part. Same goes with the accompanyment styles. They have added some new ones over time, but the bulk of them are ones that have been revamped and ported from keyboards dating back to the 2000s if not earlier. This along witht eh sounds is a factor that puts some picky people off the home keyboards from them, but I don't mind. Would I like the better sounds from the higher end keyboards to be brought down? Yes. Do I really care that much to tell people to get something else? No I don't. I guess it let's them really show the difference by putting mostly old sounds that are going on 30 years old onto the home keyboards and better sounds that still sometimes date back a while on the higher end ones.
That piano sounds great. I appreciate you and your Honesty explaining things.
I appreciate that!
You're the 1st l've heard mention this keyboard is the Reface series in one. That's an eye opener. Seems like it takes a few keyboards to learn what you can live with, and live without.
Couldn't agree with you more about what's missing in such a tempting package. Like 73 keys etc Just the same you made it very tempting Jeremy. Thanks❤❤❤❤
A 76 key version would probably have sold me on this. It sounds great and looks fun to play.
I agree, it's essential to have this 61 key version, but a no brainer to have a 76 key version if this, maybe even instead if the 88 keys. Since I have two 61 key instruments, I would get the 76 if available.
Yes, I agree Beauc. This keyboard would be fantastic if only there were 76 keys.
YES! I even play a lot of classical piano and I can certainly live with 76 keys for portability!
There's probably not enough demand for a 76-key version.
Or we might see one introduced very late, like Juno-DS76 which came out many years after Juno-DS61 and 88 were released.
IKR ?! Why not...
Just bought a ck61. I am thoroughly satisfied.
I wanted to add that Yamaha was brilliant in coming out with this. The N-word Keyboard that those with deep pockets are buying are financially impractical for the rest of us, particularly if we are trying to be good stewards over the finances that we have.
This keyboard is great for the public musician that has little experience and for those like me that have been playing for quite a while. The worst part is that with so many controls at your fingertips one must settle themselves to not get addicted to "over-tweeking". 😁
I got mine before I saw your video, but your video confirmed my impressions. Great Job again, Sir. Be Blessed. 🙌 & 👐🙏.
I just wanted to thank you for this review! I've been trying to figure out what would make a better organ-style keyboard (I'm a guitar/drum guy currently) and no review even mentioned it. You've actually got video of the action of the keyboard. My hero!
I agree on what you concluded in what is really missing in this keyboard👍😏
Hey, Jeremy. Nice to see a new video from you. I hope all is well with you and your family.
Big changes at work, on back on the midnight watch working overnight again after five years as I relocated to the bigger store, since my old store was closed down.
This is an incredible keyboard!!! I want one now, and will probably get it later, in addition to the Roland FP-E50. And I think this time, it will be all the keyboards I ever need, replacing the Roland RD 88 and V-Combo VR-09B.
Masataka Kono has reviewed and has been currently featuring this keyboard for a while on his current videos.
To me, my two 61 note keyboards are great for what they are at that price range, you know which ones, but I still wanted at least three of the 4 Reface series keyboards, but like Roland, the hit the ball out of the park to complete my wish list.
This is the best pro level 61 note keyboard, and is very affordable at $1000, and is the same price as the FP-E50. But at the price, you have a choice between the smaller, more portable format with battery power, or a full 88 note expandable stage pianos with incredible, innovative auto arranger functions. But both together are still affordable for the perfect two keyboard pro studio or gigging rig.
They are both a bargain, but realistically, if they were both sold at the price they are with, the CK61 should be at least $1500, and the FP-E50 should be at $2000. But we're glad they are not.
The FP-E50 will be great for my church keyboard with the CK61 a great second keyboard for more versatility, but also by perfect to tote and have at home with more limited space. The graphics, design, controls, sounds and features are excellent.
Things keep getting better, and with my pay raise, and planning to kick in my Social Security checks a few years early, I will have more accessibility to these keyboards and peripheral gear, including a ln iPad Mini and a loaded new Mac Mini Desktop computer later.
I agree that the CK61 should have a music holder, and a 73 key version for those that would want and could use it. A major reason I want the 88 keys.
I gotta go eat dinner and get ready for work, and may comment more later, but I think I mention most of what I wanted. Great review of this keyboard, as always.
T
Always a pleasure to have you share your vast experience with us buddy. We live in exciting times. Loads keyboards for us to choose at competitive prices.
@@JeremySee You can't get much better for these two keyboards in the general use category, but who knows what's coming in the future?
I was watching Yamaha and Casio keyboard videos lately, and it seems like Casio makes a home run with Casio CT-S1, and Yamaha makes a home run with Yamaha CK61.
(Of course they are not the same leage keyboards, but both keyboards took some suggestions from customers, which seems to turned out a nice move, beneficial for both Casio/Yamaha and their customers respectively.)
I just got my Yamaha CK61 today! I've been using Yamaha MM6, which I love, for about 10 years but it's slowly breaking down. I was thinking of getting Yamaha MX61, but I visited Guitar Center and tinkered with the CK61. It feels solid and polished, with nice sounds, so I decided to get it.
Wow!! Your voice is great! It’s the first time I’ve ever heard it. 😮
Your English is soo good!!! Thank you for this review!
Thank you too!
wow, amazing performance! I know this video is about the product, but you've also got some serious skills on the keys!
This sounds perfect! The drawbacks are pluses to me. I already have 76, 88 weighted & 37 keys, so don’t need that. Just a simple light-weight versatile keyboard for playing with my rock band is fine. I don’t wanna pay for a workstation I’m never gonna use because I already have music production tools up the ying-yang.
Nice review Jeremy, looks like Yamaha has a winner with this one- great review.
Jeremy - great coverage of this awesome keyboard!
I don't know. IMO it's worth geting the 88 weighted key version because for me at least every time I play on nonweighted keys it just feels rong. Dynamics IMO are a lot easier to control on weighted keys🎹🎶
I tend to agree and prefer weighted keys. But, if you have to carry your keyboard to gigs, you might want to opt for the CK61 because it weighs so much less. Plus, it's a few hundred dollars less.
The 88 is only 22lbs. That’s actually quite light
This is an organ-oriented board so there's no way you'd want that with weighted keys if that was your focus. Plus, if you get the CK61 you can put it on your second tier and control the very nice piano sounds with an 88-key controller of your choice ... ;)
Yep. And if you hunt around, there are decent weighted controllers (often disguised as “beginner pianos”) out there, gently used, well under $200
The CK61 would be a great unweighted compact lightweight battery powered keyboard used in combination with my Roland RD88.
Question, how many layers can you put on each, lower & uper part, & how many of your own sounds can you edit & store in it, thanks Jery, 🕊️.
Thank you Jeremy for the review I have very recently purchased the 473 and would have definately done the jump to get this one. Andre SA
Does is support soft pedal like the s90-es does? Also for a midi controller it needs more knobs,fades and a few pads for drums. I love the sound of Yamaha pianos No I am not a keyboard or piano player. I think Toto for Yamaha Pianos.
Really nice job on the review--you covered a lot of ground! Out of curiousity--what song is being played at 6:30 it's hauntingly beautful!
Jeromey i use a direct box from the headphone jack for recording and i have to say it brings the impedence to low so PSR E ,WK,CS any cheezy keyboards types as well to bring it to professional sound quality. Try it some time. Clean sound. Keyboard with speakers work in my studio
Greetings from Mexico, I still have my PF 2000 and i like it very much, it was very interesting because i always trusted Yamaha´s technology.
Jeremy, thanks so much for introducing me to this keyboard! It really does seem like (nearly) the best of all worlds, as a kind of Swiss Army Knife of stage boards. Can't wait to go get my hands on one and try it. I have been schlepping around a Korg SV1; love the sounds and key action, but it's HEAVY - and somewhat limited. Also a Hammond XK-1 for organ. Hmmm - maybe this board might replace both?? We'll see. Keep doing what you do!
To this date I believe nothing beats the Kawai MP7se, which truly is still just one of the best overall stage piano`s out there..
Its nice. Its also costs more than double than this and weighs 9kg more than a CK88. It fits nicely between the Yamaha CK and the absolute best (Nord Stage). For someone who wants improved sounds over the CK and is willing to pay for it it's a great option.
Love your honesty Jeremy!
Thanks buddy.
I was about to go RE-BUY a Yamaha yc mini. Then I looked at the YC full size board but no speakers and no batteries. I mainly want organ. So would you say that this CK61 is the perfect balance at this point for organ, better then or should I say more playable then the mini 37 yc, yet with more features and playability?. IS THIS THE PERFECT organ keyboard for price and options.?. Thanks.
As usual, an excellent review. I Love your videos. I'm hoping you can do a review of the Roland FP E50 in the near future.
I too was disappointed by the lack of arpeggiator (much more so than a sequencer) ... but within the confines of the CK61 control placement, there really isn't any extra room for other buttons unless you start doing shift+ functions which is not really the point here. Also, if you're getting this board, you should already BE the arpeggiator! (Although sometimes it fun to be lazy or use it to tweak params like say on an analog monosynth.)
Very helpful video, thanks!
It's almost perfect but they should imitate Clavia and offer both semi and fully-weighted for people who play mostly piano, it would be a dream to have a fully weighted 61 or 64 key version but I'd settle for 73
looks great. wish it was red though.
LOL if it was it'd be twice as expensive
I actually enjoy that blue that's on the MX61 ... But this is for stage players. They take it black.
Thank you for uploading the video. It was very helpful.☺
I think us reface users that didn't like the minikeys, literally wanted the same thing but with 37 regular sized keys. the reface series has a great aesthetic quality to it and the controls are specialized and intuitive. still waiting on a true reface update with normal keys. it wouldn't really increase the size all that much,,,
I agree ... Regular-sized keys would be awesome!
I'm quite impressed with this keyboard. I abandoned Yamaha long time ago but this is a great keyboard, no secuencer though
Looks similar to Roland FA-06 except FA-06 also has Sequencer and Arpegiator, while Yamaha provides FM synth sounds (probably in PCM).
You do great reviews. Thanks for the info!
I'm happy to share what I know.
Haha, I just started picking out colors of the wind a week ago. Great review as always.
I have this. Nothing bad to say. With the organ section you will need a seperate leslie pedal, like always, but otherwise i think this is close to perfection.
By Leslie pedal, do you mean a guitar pedal that simulates Leslie sounds? Thanks!
If it had a VA engine that was controllable through the organ drawbars, it would have been absolutely perfect for me ... But I'm guessing that one may still be coming ...
Hi. Which portable keyboard with built in speakers has the most authentic, best grand piano sound? thanks for all the work you put in.
Very nice keyboard for the price. I have a Yamaha MODX7+. I have been thinking about purchasing either a CK61, or YC61. I prefer the rotary speaker simulator on the YC.
Where is the accompaniment at 3:27 coming from? Backing track?
Yamaha CK88 USB flash drive problem please help!!!
this is a great keyboard besides one thing that drives me absolutely crazy! i want to save my live set sounds to a usb flash drive because the 160 live sets are not enough for me. i tried to connect several usb flash drives but the keyboard doesn't recognize any of them. in the manual it says only "some usb flash drives may not work" but not which ones and what are the requirements for a usb flash drive to work. i cannot buy hundreds of usb flash drives and try them all!!! anyone can help me???
Hello! I'm always watching your videos and I am planning to buy one soon. Nice keyboard!
me to. I have the reface CP I got for christmas, and I like it for what it does, but eversince I heard about the CK61, I wanted it. I just hope they have it at the music stors where I live in canada.
Can you review this keyboard "CASIO WK-6600 - KH29"?
I'm a guitarist and i'm learning piano to put more sensibility in my creation. I have buy studio one and now i'm searching a keyboard with hp to start in my musical compositions for listening and very good conectivity to go after in my computer to register. What models do you advise me to look for who coud be the goodest for me and wich i will keep for a very long time
Thank you Jeremy.
Great review man.
Hey Jeremy, can you tell us about the Yamaha's brand-new I-300 , and also a comparison with e373 , i personally own a e373 , is it good to get a i300 or stay with e373
You are a wonderful Muscian !!! I loved it thank you.
Thank you for your kind words. ♥️
Such a bunch of regulators on the panel is just a dream! The display is too small, once it was the reason for my rejection of MOX, now it also makes you think... Thanks for the feedback.
la sensacion de la accion de las teclas es igual que el de un psr e473 ??? help please
Would also be rad if it's not in the typical black color. I think it would look updatedly (if there's even a word) aesthetic, Instagramably appropriate or better yet distinguishably photogenic on live stage performance in 2023. Even far distances of onlookers can be delighted that your keys are not the boring black casings. Haha! 😅
Really? Color?
I would really like to know more about the keyboard feel. Can I play precise classical on it or is it more a compromise of electric keyboards and organ?
Excellent presentation. I’ve been on the fence w this keyboard, as I already have the Casio Pxs-3000 and I have the reface cop and the red reface organ mini keyboard.
This will replace all your reface(s)! 😍
@@JeremySeeDefinitely something to think about. How are the speakers being underneath though?
The CK-61 has got my vote. Thanks!
Excellent message Sir What is the price of the Yamaha CX 600 Cheers Best' Wishes 🌹 Ozzie
I think this Yamaha is a better "portable organ" option than the Roland v-combo vr-09, that thing is terrible, it stores the transpose position in the registers so it's impossible to switch registers during a song if you use transpose. Not replacing my Numa Compact x2 yet, the Yamaha is double the price and does not have after-touch. I guess the price will come down after a while.
Two features all these keyboards miss:
- waterproof (or at least rain proof)
- powertool slots for Makita, DeWalt and Bosh batteries (I have home-made adapters, but built-in would be more convenient)
I have TWO Compact 2xs ... If Studiologic made a 61 key version I'd probably have a third. But I needed something smaller, and frankly, the Ck61 has better sounds, more panel controls and fuinctionality, easier to see in the dark, a whole extra part (which is huge), the ability to shape the EG of sampled sounds (only res + cutoff on NC2x), more effects, live sets, more flexibility, and among other things, very importantly a l/r input that also has its own effects. So many times do I wish the Numa had this even without effects. They are very similar, and I'm so glad the CK61 has the two-way USB audio and MIDI that the NC2x has as well as speakers, which I generally use even when using external amplification. With the CK61 $899 right now, the newer Compact 2 X SE is the same price.
Jeremy makes any keyboard sound so nice!😊. this does have great features, and so light-weight!
Then I buy it and sounds like crap😂😂
Roland rd2000 or Yamaha ck88 or cp88? I’m looking for heavy keys with rich acoustic piano pad strings and ep.
The feel is important and the quality of the sound.
Suggestions?
I too was disappointed by the lack of arpeggiator (much more so than a sequencer) ... but if you're using the USB MIDI out into an iPad ... it is possible to route the MIDI back into the CK61 and arpeggiate that way?
Hello Jeremy , I am struggling to choose between the Yamaha PSR SX600 and the Yamaha Ck88
Could you do a comparison between the two please
Yamaha has been killing it for years. I have a CP73 and it’s really amazing but i kinda wish i had waited 2 years.
Since the Yamaha CK88/61 models don't have a built-in arpeggiator, could you create an arpeggio effect in real time, while still using the voices on the Yamaha CK88/61, by adding an external device like a USB midi keyboard controller that has an arpeggiator function? Thanks! 🙂
I love the electric guitar sound , looks like very expensive keyboard amazing😇
Sir, how good is Yamaha DGX 650 or newer version… pls advice…
Since the ck 61 doesn't include styles, where did the auto accompanyment parts for some of the demos come from? I've been trying to find a reasonably priced keyboard from yamaha that has the higher quality sounds than the psr-e473, but can't find anything in that form factor. When I refer to higher quality sounds, I'm refering to non xglight sounds, such as the high quality drum kits, pianos, etc that are on dgx and psr s/sx series instruments.
Great Song, Professor Jeremy! 🕺
Only thing that's not "pro level" about the connectivity is no MIDI Thru on the OUT port ... I guess you can't have everything? But also, why not?
Thanks for the great review. I’ve been wondering about this one. Currently getting by with an AKAI Mpk 249 but I have to haul my laptop around for the sound engine
It's a pain to haul laptops for sounds. Nothing beats power on and play. 😍
Any recommendation what i need to buy -portable piano. I play in a small church (30-50). Many thanks.
Does this have a built in rhythm section like an arranger keyboard?
Hi sir.....May i request you to make a video on PSR I300 please..... Thankyou.....
Good review, but you have 3 links to 88 keyboards, so I don't know whcih one you recommend with the best action weighted keys.
Very nice...how does this compare with the Yamaha DGX 670 (besides of course the CK cost much more)
Is Yamaha DGX 650 good keyboard?
Hello, Jeremy! I would like to ask if how can you convert Styles that are in prs file into a sty file? Thank you so much.💙
I noticed that the Akai MPC Key 61 was not a part of your selection, is there a reason why? Thank you.
So it or not possible to attach a separately purchased music rest to it at all?
Pleasantly surprised to hear your cool voice in this demo.
What's the song he's playing at 7:00 called?