Casio CT-S300 Keyboard: The great, the good, and the terrible.

The Casio CT-S300 is a beautifully-designed keyboard. Very practical and extremely portable. The keys feel good, the features are acceptable, but ...it just sounds awful :(

[@apislapis]

Sorry guys for being a bit late to the party. Just bought one of these for fun, portability, to help me work out chord progressions at my own speed, but because I come from a synth background, I quite like the fact that some of these sounds are not 100% accurate as the "cheese factor" or lo-fi approach can work well in a synth arrangement. A bit of cheese never did a hamburger, pizzas, pasta dishes or a cottage pie any harm, moreover it helped to improve it! Can't wait to put this baby through my zoom MS-CDR70 pedal or my Strymons or modular gear. Lest we forget this is a Casiotone like the other ones I have from the 80s like my MT-41. It's a heck of a lot more accurate than my old Casiotones, but a year on the best starter piano keys for a beginner from Casio is the CT-S1. I'm in love with the red one tbh, and they sound heaps better with the new Casio AIX chip. Sounds don't always have to be spot on to be excellent imho. If I may point out the Korg M1 "house" piano, never sounded like a grand piano, but has been plastered on many a dance hit since 1988. Keep up the good work Gearfacts, fab videos, always great to hear from someone from the land of the vegemite sandwich. Da da da.

[@gearfacts]

Enjoyable comment, thanks apislapis! I think the basic messages here is that the quality of a keyboard isn’t solely determined by its sonic presentation - it’s also a simple question of how fun it is to use. So easy to forget that :)

[@TomAnderson7]

It sounds like Super Nintendo sound chip with reverb. Is that a bad thing? For some Yes. For me? Hell No, I love it :)

[@Fancadegamer1729]

This is the best keyboard for minimalists (me) as it has simplicity in every ATOM

[@gearfacts]

Yep I’m a huge fan of simplicity too. I want to have fun with my instruments, not pore over a manual!

[@Fancadegamer1729]

@@gearfacts I agree!

[@johnsonjacob3525]

It doesn't have the most top tier sounds, but they are decent, and there are a lot of them, and the overall design, features and price for a battery powered, portable 61 full sized velocity sensitive keys, pitch bend wheel and carrying handle, music stand is great for the price. I will probably be picking one up next month.

[@rmsoft]

Did you?

[@johnsonjacob3525]

@@rmsoft I only gotba Roland Go:Keys 61K, whichbus over twice the price, and what I really wanted to get. It's awesome,but I still plan to get this Casio CT-S300 later for my sister to play and to checknout and shiw my friends that was thinking of getting one. It is a great compact keyboard to take in the car, or wherever because of it's portability.

[@brendanmulrooney368]

@@johnsonjacob3525 did you?

[@ragnarmarnikulasson3626]

@@johnsonjacob3525 did you?

[@tomhoots]

OK, fine. Show me something that "sounds better," but is no bigger, no heavier. This will sit on my computer desk / dining table. No room for a keyboard stand, no room for a chair behind a keyboard stand. I have to put it away (thus it needs to be "small" and "light") EVERY TIME I USE IT, and I have to go get it every time I want to use it. Oh, heck, I can spend lots of money on something that sounds wonderful, but it'll sit packed away in a box buried under other stuff in the closet, because I have nowhere else to put the dang thing. Give me 61 decent keys with some decent features in the smallest, lightest package on the market. OK? I'll sit here and wait for your suggestions. "In the end, we all have different needs." I have purchased over a dozen keyboards that I mostly "never used." I think I could actually use this one.

[@gearfacts]

Well yeah, that was pretty much my assessment. As said in the video, the physical design is impeccable :)

[@stratcat4461]

Truer words were never spoken. Good review.

[@gearfacts]

Thanks SC :)

[@MaimiZhang]

This is such a decent keyboard. Additional pitch bend makes me honestly regret choosing PSR-E363 over this. HaAhah but I guess it's fine though because my yamaha has better piano sound for me. I like the piano sound of this too.

[@hvxcolors396]

I have the CT-S200 and it works great with Chordana over USB! In fact that is the only way to get a decent sound of it. That's why I'm a bit surprised that you mention that the usb connection with Chordana doesn't seem to work for you, while these are internally basically the same keyboards. In fact Chordana was one of the main reasons to buy the CT-S200, it is realy a great program to improve on rusty keyboard skills.

[@gearfacts]

Cool :) If someone is loving their keyboard I would never disagree that it was a good purchase!

[@hvxcolors396]

Thx. Loving is certainly not the case. The piano sounds are so horrible on the CT S200 that I had to order the Roland Go Keys. But that keyboard is not supported by Rolands piano app. The e373 would have been a better option but won't be available for at least another month. Even the ct-x700 has been out of stock most of the time (in Europe).

[@carissaaaaa6214]

Thank you so much! very informative!

[@gearfacts]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@user-gf4dd2hr2m]

I have it its perfect I love the sound ❤️❤️

[@Zedrophobia]

I've been using mine to learn. However Simply Piano can't work out what notes I'm pressing when it gets complicated making things very annoying. Also the sustain makes everything it sound even worse.

[@pianokeyjoe]

Ok ok ok ok... wait.. wait. Even the Casio website does not mention important things like.. oh I don't know.. multi timbrel operation of the sound engine, whether the LCD display will light up or not, semi weighted or non weighted keys. The sounds seem Casio but not bad. All things considering for a $149USD keyboard with velocity sensitive keys and 400 tones, Casio came out with something economical and usable. But the lack of midi din ports for use with OTHER gear, is a bad move.

[@gearfacts]

Agreed. I think the market they're aiming for with this one has probably never heard of Midi DIN sockets...!

[@dannyh1891]

Nice review. When you say it sounds bad, would using plug in speakers or headphones solve this problem?

[@gearfacts]

Not really, it's more that the sounds a little bit weak and "hollow". I think a better way to improve it would be a to attach a small multi effects unit like a Zoom G1on for example. Like in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKCTpIt7i9ahaas

[@New_Zealand_Music]

Yeeaahhhhh. Liked that lol. That's a real pity about the piano sound you're right it does sound metallic. What a shame I need a cheap Poly

[@JeffyG]

The sounds are what they are, huh? I mean it’s just a cheap chip and what do you need for beginners, really? As a midi controller, you can always use GarageBand virtual instruments or download the dozens of free VSTs for a DAW. Like DeXEd and you’ve got a DX7 or Vital and you’ve got the best synth. This debate about the sounds is silly.

[@gearfacts]

True, USB opens it up to do lots of things. And it certainly is nice to play.

[@EmiPianoMX]

I left it on rehearsal space and I miss it :( So tiny it can be on the keyboard stand of my computer desk without problems and with MIDI, it sounds like any other keyboard. The piano isn't that bad for a really entry-level keyboard. In fact, I'm feeling a bit prompted to sell my XW-P1 synth to buy other of these (both sound quite similar to me even if the P1 is editable)

[@gearfacts]

I'd go at least to the CT-S400, it's a big leap in sound quality :)

[@EmiPianoMX]

@@gearfacts I considered it but it is way more expensive in my country. I just "adapted" the stand for my Privia piano to make it more manageable on my "studio". I'll in fact think about it if I have constant gigs or see one on a reduced price :) but I only found it double the price of some CTX-700 I've seen (The 700 is very good, I bought one for a student, but not that portable).

[@matiasmartinez7208]

i'd stick with the xw-p1, since it's got a lot more functionality and if you want a more realistic piano sound you can always use a vst or samples

[@EmiPianoMX]

@@matiasmartinez7208 I stuck with it, "someday I'll use it". But part of me wants that anyone else uses it instead of being there.

[@kimthompson5871]

It doesn’t sound too bad . Not sure of the price though . Seems like if they added some of the sounds from their other keyboards they might be on to something .

[@gearfacts]

100% agree with that. Schlocky sounds...

[@pisderata]

you have to spin the wheel through the 400 sounds? no category button like cts400🤔

[@gearfacts]

I think there was an option to 'skip' between categories, but yes it's not as quick.

[@rjpolancov]

Hi, it seems it might work for my needs since I'm looking for portability and just a simple piano/strings. Let me ask you, are you using camera mic or is it the headpohone out?

[@gearfacts]

I used a direct line from the headphone socket to the camera for the audio in this vid. And yep I think it'd be adequate for what you want to do, and you can always connect it to a synth app if you want better sounds.

[@rmsoft]

@@gearfacts What synth app?

[@TotemoGaijin]

Coming off an old Yamaha from the early to mid 90s, "sounding awful" is a bit subjective, lol.

[@gearfacts]

It's all relative ;)

[@pauls3993]

Odd comment about the lack of MIDI and Chordana. Can't this keyboard act as a MIDI controller - using usb - into a PC using say, Cakewalk or Cubase, and whatever softsynths you have?

[@TiagoMesan]

What would you consider to be the best one for beginners that has a great sound quality?

[@gearfacts]

If the budget is healthy, I’d recommend any if Yamaha’s PSR-E4** series for beginners. They provide a good taste if everything :)

[@vighneshs1444]

Its double the price of Casio CT S 300

[@Abilify21]

Which is better, Casio ck s300 or Artesia A61? I can’t decide and I’m a beginner :((

[@Jack-fs2im]

good review,good for the money imo

[@gearfacts]

Thanks Jack :)

[@hopel5292]

When it is On, does it make a sound like wind coming from the speakers? Like if you can put your ear on the speaker you can tell if it is on and there is a difference when it is off?

[@gearfacts]

the screen should light up

[@hopel5292]

@@gearfacts Yes I know about the screen and thank you, but I am wondering about the sound that the speakers make

[@Adeleloverfover]

Hi! Im currently having to decide whether or not to buy the yamaha PSR-e413, the yamaha dgx-200, yamaha psr-ew300, or the casio ct-x700 im a beginner so i dont really have any experience or know what to really look for what do you recommend for a beginner ?

[@gearfacts]

Zoro Out if all those, I’d choose the Yamaha psr-e413. It’s got nice keys, a good sound set, dynamic control knobs and the bottom line is this: It’s simply the most fun to use out of all of them :)

[@maswira9698]

I prefer to buy yamaha psr e643.

[@johnsonjacob3525]

@@gearfacts Or save up and get a Roland GO:KEYS...

[@marianahuang6316]

Can I connect simple headphones in this keyboard?

[@gearfacts]

Yes

[@tuhinchatterjee1993]

Can I use casio CTS 300 as a midi in my flstudio daw?

[@gearfacts]

Yes

[@martinvigo8589]

Amigo cual es mas recomendable este casio o el casio ctx3000

[@gearfacts]

I would choose the CTX3000 :)

[@martinvigo8589]

Thanks you

[@ProdbyNKA]

Great vid also can you do a review on the Yamaha dgx 505 please

[@gearfacts]

I will try to :)

[@ProdbyNKA]

@@gearfacts thank you

[@jdxijames]

I picked up a Dgx 505 during lock down for £85. It's a decent bit of kit for its age.

[@gearfacts]

@@jdxijames Indeed. It's from the XG era which is a pretty timeless sound chip :)

[@ProdbyNKA]

@@jdxijames yes

[@joeblow593]

Try plugging into a pignose if you want great sounds. Makes cheap keys sound expensive.😁😁

[@gearfacts]

Ahhh yes! Why did I not think of that!

[@joeblow593]

@@gearfacts haha, yes, you need a pignose that keeps on working. Not so good for bass sounds, but everything else just screams!😀😀

[@gearfacts]

@@joeblow593 NOT good for bass sounds?? Where is your Pignose loyalty, sir!?

[@joeblow593]

@@gearfacts I don't know, I must be getting too particular or something. It will play bass tones of course just not that deep. But for most synth work it really shines!

[@gearfacts]

@@joeblow593 I am thinking (for real) of getting two of them and replacing the speakers in my DJX with the Pignose mechanism. I need it to be LOUD for kids shows when I do them.

[@olive1992]

Hi. Thx for this video. Is it possible to play a piano sound with the right hand and another sound with the left hand. Thx and regards

[@gearfacts]

Split voice, yes I *think* so.... Sorry I don't have this machine anymore, but the answer will be on Google for sure :)

[@pianokeyjoe]

Em? Whats wrong with the LCD display? It is not lighting up like most modern keyboards in a nice blue, green., yellow or redish glow.. This seems strange a non back lit display in a modern keyboard. Heck for that I would at least preferred a red digital number display instead! The keys of the modern Casio keyboards are nice. I do not like the need for some phone app for the keyboard. Good ole 5 pin din midi in and out ports is best as this would be a nice keyboard to use as a sound source or controller or both for simple midi setups. So what is wrong with this picture? lol! Oh Casio...

[@gearfacts]

It's a great little screen but the fact that there's no backlight ....not good.

[@shiroumxm2052]

damnn sounds really cheap lol.. does it worth buying it to use it as a midi controller¿¿ P.S. Excuse my poor English.

[@gearfacts]

Hmm, I think there are much better options for midi control, and for less money :)

[@shiroumxm2052]

@@gearfacts yeah.. im going to get m-Audio keystation 61 instead. Thanks for the advice

[@randomguy6328]

@@petrzalkai how is it?

[@dennisplester1542]

Sorry for coming into this late, but the CT-s300 was cheaper than any other 61 key velocity responsive midi keyboard controller/keyboard that worked with GarageBand in my area, apart from the CT-s200 so I went for it. Combination of velocity sensitivity and pitch wheel made or it a no brainer for me. Very happy with it. I’m sure there are others with better sounds but for my purposes it is perfect. I prefer it over other other midi controllers because I can also use it to dabble or rehearse an idea without it being connected to GarageBand.

[@Sounzgudd]

I didn't sound like the sounds on it but like the design. The sounds remind me of the midi files you don't want to use when you need a backing track. Do you have any suggestions for student keyboards that can grow with the student, so keys, sound, actions, portability, size etc what would you suggest?

[@gearfacts]

Agreed :)

[@user-ml4bd5rm3c]

Di kabalo mag review

[@angelserrano3655]

This is not a synth, is it?

[@gearfacts]

Not a real one, no. All preset sounds with no editing.

[@rmsoft]

Awful sound quality. Pay 100€ more and you get decent Yamaha. Keys are actually good though... even better than on much higher priced units.

[@gearfacts]

I completely agree with all those comments :)