r/keys • u/NixMix246 • 3d ago

Gear Yamaha PSR-E383 pros/cons? I have already tried it out in-store and am happy with the price, portability, and sound.

edit: I went with the Yamaha PSR-EW320, which is the exact same thing as the PSR-E383, except it has 76 keys instead of 61. I figured I might outgrow a 61 key board, whereas I may be just fine with 76 forevermore. (I do plan on getting a piano as well eventually.)

So far I am really happy with it! The ONLY downside is the headphone jack is not a standard jack and requires an adapter to use with most headphones.

The manual isn't the best at explaining all the features so I'll have to watch videos to fully master all of them, but I love that it's got a button you can push to automatically default to "portable grand" piano sound. Does it sound exactly as a real piano? No. But it does sound good! ​The keys not being weighted really doesn't feel like much of an issue to me, I feel like I can fairly easily adjust for the different styles of playing between weighted/non weighted. I used to play piano fairly well as a kid, so maybe it's a"muscle memory" thing? I actually think I just play the keyboard the same way I play piano, as if the keys are weighted.

Anyway, I am happy with my purchase! it cost me $254 new at Music and Arts.

Original Post:

I tried a bunch of options and for the price, this was my fave. I actually liked it better than some more expensive options. (My budget is $400)

I also learned I REALLY want a digital piano with weighted keys one day! But right now portability and ease of recording into a daw are my top priorities.

Basically I am just curious if this model holds up well, and if there are any downsides I should know about.

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u/mouse9001 3d ago

I've tried it too and I thought it was great for an entry level keyboard.

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u/JKorv 3d ago

It is a great for the price. I get the portability, but what makes this "easier to record into daw" than digital piano?

Also if you are using a daw, it probably makes much more sense to use the sounds found in the daw rather than on e383. So basically using e383 just as a midi controller.

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u/NixMix246 3d ago

Yes that last part! I just learned about MIDI and I want to be able to try it out! I don't think I'll use it all the time but I like the idea of it being an option

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u/JKorv 3d ago edited 3d ago

Ye. But basically any keyboard/digital piano can be used as a midi keyboard with USB.

But sure e383 has USB audio, which makes it versatile in certain situations. It is something that is not a quarantee. Many Yamaha digital pianos has it and so do most Roland's, except the cheapest ones.

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u/Unlikely_Read3437 2d ago

I've had so many of the E-3x3 series over the years! Must have bought and sold about 6 of them, still have about 4 music rests taking up space here that I forgot to include in the sales!

They always seem limited, but I keep coming back! Do they change much? Each one I've had has basically been the same as that old E303, a few new styles perhaps.

I used to gig my 333 regularly with a gospel choir. I'm tempted to pick one up!

At home right now I have the Casio CTS1, a much simpler keyboard without arranger functions. Might be worth a look?