The electronic keyboard market is a very competitive field with some big players like Yamaha, Roland, Casio and Korg (among others). This is all good news for the consumer because what we’re looking at is high-quality, feature-packed keyboards that offer incredible value for money.
However, one of the problems with all these keyboards and all their functions is trying to choose the right one for you. In this comparison I have chosen the Yamaha PSR-E423 and the Casio CTK-5000, which go hand in hand in the mid-size sector. I’ll go over some of the similarities and differences so that you can gain a greater understanding and hopefully make a better decision for yourself.
Keyboard
Both instruments have a 61-note keyboard with full-size keys. However, the PSR-E423 has organ-style keys, while the CTK-5000 has piano-style keys. Although both keyboards have tactile feedback, which means you can vary the note depending on how much pressure you apply to the key, the PSR-E423’s organ-style notes will remain on as long as you hold down the key. On the other hand, the CTK-5000’s piano-style keys will allow notes to fade out gradually.
The PSR-E423 has a polyphony of 32 notes, while the CTK-5000 has 48. Polyphony is the number of simultaneous notes that can be played at the same time. In this context, the CTK-5000 is capable of providing smoother and more natural transitions between notes.
Sounds
Both keyboards have a similar specification when it comes to built-in sounds and tones. The PSR-E423 has 700 tones and the CTK-5000 has 670. These range from a grand piano to a triangle and any other instrument conceived in between. As with most instruments of this type, some are good, some are not so good.
Similarly, both keyboards are extensively outfitted with onboard rhythms and songs. The PSR-E423 has 174 rhythms while the CTK-5000 has 200. You can use them as accompaniment to enhance your own performance. Similarly, the PSR-E423 has 30 songs, while the CTK-5000 has 152. They are useful for lesson performance and your own listening enjoyment.
Features and facilities
Both keyboards have digital effects available that include reverb and chorus (PSR-E423 has 9 reverbs and 4 choruses; CTK-5000 has 10 and 5) and both have a sequencer so you can build and record your own compositions (both keyboards have 6 tracks available with a memory of 5 songs). Additionally, the CTK-5000 has an SD card reader for added versatility so you can download / upload your own files.
You can connect headphones to the output of both instruments for silent practice. However, only the CTK-5000 has line outputs for connection to an external mixer or public address system. For this reason, the CTK-5000 is more suitable if you want to use it in a live performance situation.
Another noteworthy feature, again with the CTK-5000 only, is the sampling function. With this you can record any audio sound input (maximum 10 seconds) and then play it back through the keyboard. This opens up a whole new range of creative possibilities and potential for fun.
Conclution
As you can see, both keyboards are very similar in terms of specification. For home use, you basically can’t go wrong with either one. The CTK-5000 lends itself a bit more to a live environment. However, the PSR-E423 has more onboard instrument tones and a lower recommended retail price. Ideally, it would be best to try both before you buy, but at least now, after reading this article, you should know what to expect.