Are you looking forward to buying your first-ever digital piano but don’t know which one is right for you? Don’t worry we have brought the Yamaha PSR-EW300 which is a great piano for beginners, and it does not break your bank.
It is one of the most affordable digital pianos you can find that are great for learning. Besides, we all love the Yamaha keyboard because our favorite pianists and bands have been using them. While top tier Yamaha keyboards are too expensive for us beginners that don’t mean we can’t have them. It’s a blessing because we can’t learn to play the piano on the expensive ones due to their overwhelming functions and effects.
So, stick to the end of this Yamaha PSR-EW300 review and see if this keyboard will serve you well.
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Features Of Yamaha PSR-EW300:
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 is an arranger keyboard which means its specifically made for the ‘one-man-band’ style of performances. We say this because despite it being a beginner’s keyboards it is packed with the sound of many instruments as well as a lot of rhythms. This allows solo performers to include other instruments in their performance without other band members.
Aesthetics
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 is a 76 key digital piano that weighs almost 13 lbs, which is too light for any keyboard. It’s 45.37″ long and 14.5″ wide which is also very compact even for a 76 key digital piano. This shows that PSR-EW300 is a portable piano that you can take with you to your practice sessions. You might also take it to your gigs, but a 76 key digital piano is not meant for gigs or stage performances.
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 is a simple and solid keyboard with a lot of buttons for control and functionality. The good thing is that it’s durable and therefore if you’re buying it for your kids, it will probably endure a little bit of abuse. We liked the fact that every key and knob is labeled, allowing beginners to learn.
More so, the PSR-EW300 can run on batteries so if you’re taking it along for road trips or places where electricity may not be readily available this keyboard will prove to be a lifesaver for you. Also, a music sheet holder has been provided depicting that this is a keyboard for the learners.
Sound quality and memory
We were surprised to discover the quality of the sound that Yamaha PSR-EW300 has to deliver. We were not expecting such a basic piano to be producing such good quality sound. We believe that the two 2.5W stereo speakers deserve credit for this sound quality. although you may notice the sound to disappoint you if you play it at the maximum keep in mind this keyboard was not made for stage performances. So playing at a normal volume is the right thing to do here.
Moreover, it has to offer 574 sounds and 154 preset songs, which is rare at this price range. However, being limited to a maximum of 48 note polyphony, your choice of sampling is limited. Yamaha could have done better by providing a larger polyphony.
It’s equipped with Yamaha’s Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) which we found in more expensive Yamaha keyboards like the P-45 and the YDP-181. However, not having velocity-sensitive keys does drop the quality of the sound produced by the PSR-EW300.
Key sensitivity
The PSR-EW300 has neither weighted or graded keys. This is a huge drawback because weighted and graded keys provide you the feeling that you’re playing a real piano even if you’re not. Moreover, weighted and graded keys to training your fingers for better digital pianos and acoustic pianos.
What was more disappointing to see was the keys didn’t change samples according to the intensity you press the keys with, it only makes the sound lighter or louder. This is not what velocity sensitivity is, Velocity sensitivity not only changes the volume of the note but adds a bit of nuance to the tone.
However, we must say that Yamaha has done some effort even in such a low-price range. The keys register to three touch sensitivities namely; Soft, Medium, and Heavy.
Other features
Normally beginner keyboards are not packed with a lot of extra features. Those that are packed with extra features, don’t perform well on the essential features too well. However, the PSR-EW300 does well on the both ends.
The PSR-EW300 is equipped with USB to HOST audio and MIDI connectivity, providing more editing options via the PC or Mac. It’s also equipped with an onboard lesson function such as the new touch tutor which is a great educational opportunity.
Let’s give you a bonus tip in case you buy the PSR-EW300, you can connect your portable music player such as a mobile to this keyboard using the AUX and listen to your favorite songs while you play and sing with it. Its internal recorder provides the options to record up to 5 songs and 2 tracks.
A free songbook has been provided to help you with the onboard lessons, glossary, and musical notes. Ohh! Did we forget to mention the 165 auto accompaniment Styles provided?
Furthermore, the PSR-EW300 features three modes; duo, split, and dual. With the duo, you can split the keyboard into two sections with identical pitches. This is ideal for student-tutor sessions. The dual-mode allows you to produce two instrument sounds with the same key. Although this is mainly a fun feature if used creatively can be used to make interesting music. The split mode splits the keyboard into two sections; each for separate instruments.
Yamaha PSR-EW300 Overview:
Pros and Cons Of Yamaha PSR-EW300:
For a simpler analysis, check out these pros and cons:
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact, lightweight and portable
- Controlled panel is labeled
- Durable body
- Good sound quality and memory
- Good speakers
- Great onboard learning and editing
- USB and MIDI connectivity
- 5 songs and 2 tracks
Cons
- Keys are neither weighted nor graded
- The much-touted velocity sensitivity isn’t up to the mark either
- 48 note polyphony
Conclusion
Although these cons mentioned cannot be completely disregarded but for a price this low especially when a keyboard is meant for beginners we can do away with the. However, the pros are very solid and provide so many fun features while keeping the essential features up to the mark. That’s all we had to say from our side, and we hope we have provided you with the best Yamaha PSR-EW300 review. Let us know if you have something to ask or point out.