Casio's $100 Keyboard: CT-S200 - How Good Is It?

[@wavynocturne]

Legend says he's still saying "and people were like 'this is great, but I want something cheaper' " to this day

[@kevinclass2010]

That's what drives the economy... And planned obsolescence

[@ishadyishady6883]

Underrated comment

[@danieldougan269]

For an extra $30, the CT-S300 does give you touch response like he said, albeit with only two levels of dynamic range. That's not a lot, but I still think it's worth the extra money because it teaches the difference of what happens when you press the keys hard or bang on them vs. just touching them softly. That does create bad habits. Yes, you would want more dynamic range than that, but if you're really looking at this low end, I think you will be more pleased with the CT-S300 just for that reason.

[@ThomDeCarlo]

I need to rewatch and count how many times he says, “it’s a $100 keyboard”. 🤣

[@ThePianoforever]

I'm sure I said it a lot 😂

[@reygood1]

A good excuse for that keyboard.

[@HateCrew05]

i was wondering how much this keyboard cost, does he say it in the video ?

[@YouzTube99]

@The Joker D'oh . . . *had*! Someone(s) messed it up!

[@christopherholloway8153]

Me and my friend created a drinking game, where every time James says "hundred dollar keyboard" we had to take a drink. I'm drunk now!

[@morgaj21]

I landed here quite by chance. I am not musical and do not play a keyboard but I would just like to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed your video.

[@suburbohemian]

Best sales pitch for it ever. Have watched a number of reviews, but yours is clearly the most enthusiastic.hee...you sold me!

[@gustavoibarra3989]

I always thought of your channel as the expensive piano review guy, so this is definitely a welcome surprise.

[@boozytheelf3893]

"So I tested some $10 keyboards.." "That's great, but we want something cheaper...."

[@abelledame]

Me😄😄

[@suciodicho]

He need test this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipi4iYNsaN6KocU

[@nickburrows309]

Have just bought the ct-s300, that does have touch sensitive keys and a better key feel and other improvements for not alot more. Great for round the bbq with friends.

[@cosmicsoul_wav]

thanks!

[@jongilbertson2106]

I would like to buy a cheap portable that is good enough to feel like a real piano with touch sensitive keys. Not necessary for performance, but good enough for practice. Would you recommend the ct-s300 for that?

[@moni8942]

Is it a good keyboard?? I been thinking of getting one 😣

[@nickrandles1102]

How do you think it would taste if you put it on the bbq

[@zwch_]

@@jongilbertson2106 it depends, how serious are you about practicing? If you want to get close to a real acoustic, I’d check out the P45 by Yamaha maybe

[@martyruhnke966]

I watch a ton of video reviews for just about anything and everything. This is the first video from this channel that I've ever seen and I am blown away by the quality and detail of this review. Absolutely marvelous, genuine and pleasant to watch and to take 30 minutes to review a low budget item is incredible. Excellent job, sir.

[@slapjoemama]

Right. It had me at the thrift store looking at keyboards like maybe just maybe....

[@vincentpennock3722]

Just got mine last week. Its a good solid keyboard that plays very well for what it is. My biggest take from playing with it(and watching this video) is that this keyboard really excels at NOT being a piano. I actually bought it because I wanted to learn piano, then realized that I didn't want to learn piano in the traditional sense, but really wanted to learn what you might call "70's style" Fender Rhodes jazz-ish type playing. The electric piano sound isn't going to fool anyone, but once you connect it to a set of decent speakers it sounds pretty smooth.

[@ndguardian]

I got one of these (today, actually) for myself as an adult because I'm actually teaching myself piano. I have a Yamaha P-45 that I enjoy, but it's set up in my bedroom. My SO tends to go to bed early, about the time I would typically start my practice, so it makes it difficult to practice. Got this keyboard so I had something smaller I could move to other areas of the apartment so I can still practice while she is sleeping. So far my verdict is that it is surprisingly nice for the price. The sounds aren't terrible, and in my opinion they are usable in a pinch. The keys feel surprisingly good for the price range. Nowhere near the feel of a high end piano, but they are textured and have a bit of travel. I've used more expensive keyboards that feel absolutely terrible and flimsy. I plan on using it with Playground Sessions (please don't smite me for not going with in-person lessons...that's on my radar), so having USB midi was a HUGE plus, and that works flawlessly. Long story short, for my use case it is perfect.

[@kevinbirge2130]

120 shipped. A lot of stuff here I don’t care about, but lots of usable sounds. Sounds great when you record it. Prince could have recorded a half dozen albums using just this instrument. There’s plenty here to work with, achieving greatness is all on the player.

[@ivanmengualalvarez7423]

I like that you're expanding your content with a wider price range, because I'm pretty sure that many beginners watch your videos and not many of them could afford a Steinway to start learning, so it's kind of cool that you are making reviews like this one

[@MM-we2wi]

Great review! But I wonder how much it costs. Can anybody tell me?

[@IndianLandBlues]

Check the video title. Or listen to the review. I lost count of how many times he mentions the $100 price, and how for that price it is a good instrument...cheers!🎹🎵🎹🎶

[@madisonm4880]

wondering the same, would’ve been nice if he mentioned it in the video!

[@forceofnature07]

Bruh this made my day 😂😂😂

[@Pinak36]

@@IndianLandBlues woosh

[@stumbling]

Over $99.

[@christopherholloway8153]

Thank you, James. You are SO good at what you do in reviewing these instruments, and I appreciate that you are considerate to people with moderate budgets. Your playing makes even cheap instruments sound great, and inspiring. Thank you!

[@natashasteinmacher8627]

I am a professional pianist and I wanted something to take with me to Hawaii, to be able to do some light preparation, to use it as a midi recording controller, and maybe have some fun out on the go. I just opened it up today and I'm actually impressed. As a piano teacher, I would NOT recommend this to someone starting out with piano lessons because of the lack of dynamics and the action, but ..... That said, my 10 yo daughter just had a lot of fun creating some ambient music for about an hour. I enjoyed your review. Thanks!

[@uniqueanartist6792]

What would you recommend thats less than $300

[@dennisrubio8737]

what would you recommend less than $200?

[@MARS-eb8pt]

I don’t have enough money to buy pianos lmao so cheap ones gonna have to do

[@alfaraway_music]

I like cheesy sounds. I like red. I'm sold!

[@wren3473]

Sameeee!! The first jazzy sound sounded a lot like the music from Persona 5 lol

[@trashtalk9362]

This something like i am looking for, something that is not complete trash but want to learn something in the quarantine and be able to play Christmas carols.

[@doctorno0070]

An instrument is as good as it's player. A friend of mine plays a Ukelele like it was a classical guitar- the tone is still Uke, but he makes it sound like 2 people playing. This is a great starter keyboard and absolutely nothing to be ashamed about owning, or excusing. Thanks for a great video upload.

[@ismagine]

It is a pretty good $100 keyboard to be used as a 61-full-size key MIDI controller!

[@keyshialee1585]

It looks like a baby Nord. Cute, and sounds better than I would have expected.

[@sonicjackalopeproductions3342]

I personally love that it LOOKS like a baby Nord! And, as an 80's kid it hits my nostalgia button

[@viralbuthow000]

Be aware that the speakers are terrible. He's playing through a source

[@graxjpg]

Plugged into a mixing desk with stereo effects it sounds great for lots of things, it’s indispensable for 80s-90s reggae and Latin music as they used the old Casio sounds.

[@comrade_crab]

Nice review, thank you for highlighting the sounds you like! Worth the money for the vintage sounds alone. Your garden-variety cover band keyboard player will make the price of this keyboard back in one gig, and no one in the audience will notice, know, or care what keyboard they're playing, except that it's a cool red color!

[@dojmike]

When I started playing gigs in my Rock 'N Roll band back in 1966, I would have loved to have had a keyboard with this sophistication and sound capabilities. If it helps someone get involved with music, it is a winner!

[@ThePianoforever]

Let me know if this segment of the market is of interest to you and if you would like me to make more reviews of this super low entry level.

[@raphaelcarneirogoncalves]

Nice James! Go on!

[@KeysOfMysterium]

2000$+ console digital pianos

[@mikael5743]

Yes it is

[@fludzone1]

Please review the Roland GO:Piano (61), Go:Piano(88), and Go:Keys

[@jjfoerch]

I'm looking at dipping my toes into the world of piano and don't want to spend a lot of money to try it out, so I like that you are reviewing entry level instruments.

[@praddiemurrg]

There should be functions where gifted keyboardists play on purely entry level digital keyboards. I think that would be fun

[@TeddyBullard]

It would just further demolish illusions that expensive = always better. Barring some basic considerations there is *no* correlation

[@gregfam6250]

I might actually get this as a travel keyboard to practise/ learn chords on. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

[@strawberryyogurt0]

@Greg Farm ... or save the money and download some free piano app off the apple or google play store. (Obviously an app won’t give you the tactile sensation of a physical piano.)

[@claytoneblackburn]

Actually extremely impressive for the price.

[@perfectgallows9599]

This review was thorough and held my interest the way through. Your personality is very engaging, easy to listen to. Thanks a lot. Trusted. Thumbed up and subscribed.

[@krazzygamerzone1608]

I was planning to buy this keyboard... After watching this video, i will definitely buy this keyboard .... Thanks for the review bro...

[@hcb3636]

Began to watch this with dubious eyes, but then I liked the way you showed your positioning of that "infamous" talk (and this channel) by actively finding good things in even cheaper stuff from the same company. Thanks for the interesting review!

[@ThePianoforever]

Contrary to popular belief, I am not "in anyone's back pocket" nor am I being paid to say bad things about anyone's products. I simply give my honest thoughts and opinions on musical equipment.

[@hcb3636]

@@ThePianoforever Yup, I always find your points honest and fair, as long as I can tell! Just that I hadn't even imagined you ever feature a $100 toy :)

[@dreveicambit3983]

Dude. Idk who you are but thank you so much for this video. I just got one of these and your video was extremely informative and useful!!! ^_^ Stay awesome!

[@SladeTakalaLamey]

Great video, I am exactly the audience for this video and this keyboard. My daughter will enjoy dipping her toes. Thanks very much.

[@bikkies]

This actually looks quite fun and, oddly, almost useful. A meat & potatoes keyboard that isn't trying to be something it's not. There's a bit of a gap in the market for things like this and my own use case, while niche, might work on this. Baroque harpsichord works. I could see myself sticking this in the boot of my car, taking it to work and spending half an hour in my lunch break just keeping my fingers working. The nearest competition in that sector may be my Roland GO:Piano, but that's double the price.

[@TheCynedd]

Great video, JPS. I can think of many uses for this keyboard. If I were to purchase one I could take it with me when I use my camper, I could take it on Christmas Caroling excursions on the back of a truck, I could take it to the park, a university student could take it to their dorm room, etc. As you frequently said: "It is only $100!" 👍

[@berniarmstrong]

As there have been quite a few "retro" looking video games around recently, the sounds on this instrument would be perfect for anyone composing music for those games. One person's "cheesy" is another's "atmospheric" 🙃

[@Birdulon]

Managed to buy a CT-S300 on a foreign road trip last year, was a bundle of fun. My plans of playing it in the back of the van mostly fell through as I was the driver 95% of the time, but that's no fault of the instrument! Loved the handle, weight and speakers. Key action felt nicer than the XW-P1 I have at home, though a lot of that could just be down to new vs several years of use. My only gripe is that the red edition is limited to the CT-S200!

[@tomswift6198]

Paint thinner takes off most leftover adhesive stickies left by modern tapes. Dampen a paper towel slightly in thinner (or turpentine, or mineral spirits, or xylene, etc - NOT paint remover) and rub it over the sticky area. Don't soak the plastic for hours in the paint thinner, but brief exposure won't hurt anything.

[@Faime1Up]

A seriously thorough review. I wasn't sure what beginners keyboard to get but this sold me.

[@Faime1Up]

You're awesome 👌

[@ibass8]

The best feature on this $100 keyboard is its midi controller capability. Plug it in ur DAW and use a VST for superb sounds

[@briansun6336]

I feel this keyboard is offended by being referred to as a “digital piano”. It’s an arranger, not a digital piano. It the great great grandson of the pipe organ, not a piano.

[@hvxcolors]

Casio just released a follow-up to this keyboard, the ct s1. Same portability, number of keys and colors but way better sound. I hope you can ever review that one when it becomes available.

[@prism223]

Your reviews stand out, both in terms of authenticity and in terms of breadth of concerns. I find myself searching for reviews on this channel before buying an instrument 👍

[@HenryAlvarez]

James please do a review of the Korg D1! I beg you! hahaha Been eyeing it together with the ES110 and no review is really helpful at all. I really value your opinion on digital pianos. Cheers!

[@chevy4x466]

Me and my family learned on the Casio. My kids still enjoy it. We have a piano, but the Casio still gets a lot of play.

[@rebeccaabraham8652]

What you have to remember is that there was a time when a lot of synths and keyboards didn’t have any form of dynamics - and we still learned how to play and had a lot of fun with them. I guess one of them was the Yamaha PS 55 - which was my 2nd keyboard and went all over the country with me. Also - some instruments like harpsichord sound just fine on non-dynamic keyboards.

[@Hi11is]

Drinking game: take a shot for each time James says "$100 piano." If you're hardcore just, "$100."

[@deltadanman]

Anybody still standing?

[@DICACIO1]

Liver tapped out in the first 3 minutes 🥃😫😂

[@alis2068]

I really wish you start reviewing home console digital pianos like the kawai KDP series or yamaha YDP series, love the channel and the videos!

[@StressKind]

If you're looking for a cheap way to play Bach by the beach when you're travling, this might be very nice. It seems to have a harpsichord sound and organ sounds - what more do you need?

[@geoffh784]

I looked at this model for portable use but I ended up spending a few more dollars for the CT-S300 which has touch sensitive keys, basically the same keyboard but with couple of extra features.

[@joshuahall4700]

I actually use a really cheap keyboard that has a great organ sound and I use it as my designated organ and it’s right next to my piano I love it

[@ThePianoforever]

A couple of the organs in this sound like they belong on a $500 or $600 instrument to me.

[@extrem2497]

Its a professional level instrument for India and Turkey because we can only afford this one. Digital ones are beyond dreams for me

[@pedroruiz5466]

I'm following you because off what you said and honest review cause you bought it makes sense

[@Kozeeli]

I got a feeling no matter how cheap the keyboard is, you can still make it sound like $1000000000 dollars.

[@Ancient_West]

I don't know how I ended up on this video, but I stayed for the whole thing. I felt like we had a blast together going through this keyboard.

[@bryanbarajasBB]

That's great...but I want things cheaper🤣. Used maybe?

[@keyshialee1585]

Watch him buy the cheapest keyboard on Amazon or Wish and review it hahaha

[@danno9507]

Cat piano it is

[@273man8]

From pawn shop

[@mego7389]

I've got the keyboard for you: Meowsic keyboard

[@davek12]

@@mego7389 Right now. Needs to happen, let's start a $25 Gofundme.

[@prism223]

The sitar and some of the organ sounds were legitimately surprisingly good!

[@MassacreVegan]

Was looking for an affordable keyboard to buy for my girlfriend and settled on this one after watching your review. Thanks so much!

[@orthodon2011]

I have this and as a beginner I love it. It also can integrate via usb midi port in the rear with a Daw like Logic Pro or Fl Studio.Only thing it lacks as far as I am concerned is a lighted display. And the red is indeed cute.

[@MartinMeise]

From my point of view it is very interesting that you have a decent user interface on this keyboard. If you compare it to a Roland FP10, FP30, Yamaha P45, P125 or a KAWAI ES-110 they all come without a display and most of the functions in the keys.

[@Szoulmusic]

"Its great for kid !!" Me as a adult and still used it 🙂

[@swlbarely]

Sounds nice to me! Great playing too! I bought an almost as cheap casio lk265 for 149 bucks which is touch sensitive and has keys that light up when you play it. I was thinking my 2 year old granddaughter would like it and I could learn too. Its been fun playing it. She's starting to get how to play the first few notes of twinkle little star, and I was surprised how handy its been for me for practicing learning chords. It has about 7 piano sounds most of which I don't like but one or two are pretty tolerable. Its also got a lot of other sounds including synth sounds. But like you said, if you're trying to learn basics it gets the job done for not much money. I mean it plays and its way better than having nothing to practice on. The reality is, there are people that want to play and they don't have much money and casio is making something they can afford.

[@cannedmusic]

Cheaper than the P515 and they start sounding...cheap..."...and, obviously, for a $100, our expectations can be very low..." wow, you're setting your expectations rather high. (annex) I just finished your presentation. I went to the Casio website, then went to eBay. I have a CT-S300 on hold in my shopping cart. I have a few other things I want to get, and am filling out my cart before I select pay. Thanks.

[@davidsharp3110]

Great review James, for fun playing when not near my Jupiter XM, this will do. I'm going to buy one. Thank you, love your videos!

[@Dan-sm5bi]

Your videos have convinced me to attempt to learn piano, I really enjoy watching them

[@maknmusiq]

I was trying to recommend it for a beginner that I will be teaching.... dynamics is a deal breaker for me. I think I will shift to the CT X700 Thanks for the review

[@DrBharatSinghSambyal]

get the 300 touch sensitive model. Also amazing keybed... Better keybed than psr900, costing 10 times more... Also makes up for a great midi keyboard. Say it again... Amazing keybed

[@justinmartinez4519]

"This is great but I want things cheaper" has me dead

[@timlucasentertainment]

Your videos are awesome i love the intro for this one Lol . You look like a young John Mellincamp btw

[@billkeindel4785]

man you make that thing sound amazing! :) thank you!

[@goldzilla526]

Damn..I'm going to get mine soon and thanks to You..

[@pieroarce]

Thank's man, I almost buy it. Great review.

[@hezekiahdaggett2179]

Only He could spend 40 minutes on a review for a toy keyboard

[@deltadanman]

'snotta toy!

[@gamedog9542]

It's not a toy piano.

[@wadson990]

Its a key for U$ 100 lol

[@DenisSorokin]

@@gamedog9542 it is. It doesnt have keys sensitivity/dynamic, so its a toy

[@gamecat3769]

@@DenisSorokin Hey! it's my first piano so for me isn't a toy >~

[@johnkardel9098]

Good morning. Thank you for this review. I purchased a Casio CT-S300. It was because of your review of the CT-S200. I have a great-nephew who is 6 years old. He had been trying to learn piano from watching KZbin videos, on his own, and he only had some kind of, maybe, two octive toy. He had been doing this for some time before I learned about it. I gave him my Casio CTK-601 which is more of a synth than a piano but I figured he would have more keyboard room and it has fun sounds. He loves it. In fact, because of the sounds and rhythms it has, his twin sister loves to dance and sing to what he is doing. While I'm not looking at this being the next Jackson 5 or anything, I can see the benefit of the fun factor. The extra $50 for the CT-S300 was worth it. In your review, I think you got bad info. There isn't just two levels of sensitivity on the keys. It's at least five or six from what I can hear. Yes, the piano samples are pretty lacking, to say the least. Still, there is plenty of fun stuff on this $150 keyboard. Fun is important for a young or new learner. Speaking of fun... The Dance Mode thing is very fun. Not so much for learning piano (unless you think about timing and composition in a very weird way) but it adds a fun distraction from the actual technical learning process. Again, thank you for the review. I agree with your insights. Just wanted to mention that the extra $50, makes a difference. John~

[@hershmyster]

Im sold. Thanks for the video!

[@juncarlocarao3439]

james. here I am again.. thank you for reviewing lower class keyboard.. I hope you will review CASIO CT-X5000 as what I had ask you before..

[@markyd9988]

Great review brother.

[@i3017]

Great review! Thank you!

[@davidklimek7999]

I would like reviews of this cheap market keyboards , depending on your talent ,it maybe limited , but for starting out it maybe good!

[@Heyjonjohnson]

A great way to remove adhesive from stickers is “ronsonol” lighter fuel, for like zippo lighters. Works fantastic and cleans up w/o destroying the substrate.

[@kevinbirge2130]

Lighter fluid will remove the sticker residue from your keys. Old bibliophile trick, the fluid will remove a sticker and the glue from the cover of a paperback book without soiling it.

[@dontbe2silly]

You are doing great lad, keep going.

[@ggolds5]

I love the reviews of old or not so old organs. Like the Lowrey Stardust I'm getting. Or the old Hammond S-6 chord organs. Cool stuff.

[@ΧρήστοςΠυλαρινός-γ1η]

If a pedal works backwords it's a polarity issue.Most of the times (maybe not for professional keyboards but in keyboards like this) you can only have the pedal pushed down while you power on the instrument.In professional keyboards you can change the polarity from the Global menu.It is a usefull tip if you already have some damper pedals and you don't want to spend money for a compatible one!

[@danno9507]

I love the title of this, doesn't even give it a chance. On a side-note, do you think we'll ever get a full review of the Roland FP-90? The short one you gave in a store didn't go into detail and you're really the only channel with brutally honest keyboard reviews

[@TheVashjer]

A little bit of WD40 goes a long way for removing sticker residue! Nice review, by the way!

[@cdgoethe]

I'm looking for a traveling keyboard - basically for playing in a motel room. The object being to keep my chops intact while traveling and not having access to a real piano. This Casio is one candidate.

[@creekwoodjoe1607]

Hello. You are the best unbiased and objective reviewer on YT. Any plans to review the Casio Previa PX 560? I really am ready to pull the trigger on that one. Would so appreciate your impressions. Thank you.

[@DanSasakiTamLung]

Thanks for making the video. I'm curious to see what the other makers, such as Yamaha, Roland, and Korg, have to offer at or around the $100-$125 price point, and compare their playability, how they sound, what features they have, and which are good for beginners.

[@MARS-eb8pt]

Did you ever figure out which one was the best one?

[@comeandlearnwithme8470]

Thanks for your in-depth reviews! Do you have any opinion on the Casio Privia PX 360. These are usually found in Best Buy, but not a lot of un-biased reviews on KZbin other than the ones from music shops.

[@rendylaks]

so what keyboard @ThePianoforever you recommend with good portability> so i can practice everywhere i go, that still good for classic, korg micro key have problem with the small keys,

[@javierh1376]

WOw I really enjoyed the review. Made me laugh so much.

[@billperkins74]

I get you on the light action. I primarily play synths and keyboards and when I was looking at weighted key digital pianos, I found I kind of hated it after being used to the lighter keys on keyboards. I had the same issue with guitars being used to a heavier guitar like a Les Paul or Paul Reed Smith after learning on and using a Stratocaster for so long.

[@RandyReeTV]

My man im literally about to buy this because I WANNA PLAY LIKE YOU YOOOO Evrrything you played is chef kiss A lot of it reminds me of video game music. Mainly JRPG s like Final Fantasy Love it.

[@ThePJE2011]

The idea the keyboard had an integral carry handle is great...but for the handle rebate to double as the desk stand is great design! If only the desk stand would be clipped in to the base of the keyboard case for transporting around, that would be terrific. Casio deserve praise for designing this keyboard for starting keyboardists.

[@ThePianoforever]

Oh that would be a great idea, to clip the music desk under the keyboard!

[@ThePJE2011]

@@ThePianoforever I watched your Review on the Crumar 7.....that compartment idea of storing pedal and leads, although a good idea did seem to me it created a bit of a nightmare for a musician in that had to be mindful of sharp edges when putting your hand inside of the compartment. It would be good if manufacturers looked at ergonomics of their designs to see how travelling musicians are better served with thoughtful use of the design. That Casio keyboards portability meant that no external case was needed...so I thought, well...there was a battery compartment, so why not a power supply compartment too?

[@evilwarnings2419]

I'm debating between this and the casio cts1, I´m just concerned about the feel of the keys as I'm used to my yamaha np30 and how well they work as midi controllers. Great video as usual!

[@aileend143]

Hey what would you recommend for a beginner 😣

[@yuwehbritannia530]

I bought CT-S1 and I love it! ❤️

[@IsReal111]

Wow., impressive little keyboard! I could see kids making thier own videos and adding sound effects as well as learning to play music. Cool gift!

[@freddymiguel35]

Can It take batteries?

[@themidireporter3357]

Now you got fans from developing countries ;)

[@alan2a1l]

Could you review the just-released Casio CT-S1? It’s supposedly the “pro-ish” version of this one, for $99 more. It has touch-sensitive keys (3 levels, so I hear). There have been reviews online, but I appreciate your attention to detail and understanding of what a gigging musician might need in an instrument.

[@crazymusicman6154]

To fix the polarity issue you could try making sure you don’t have the pedal pushed down when you turn it on and if it is still reversed just push it down when you turn it on to mess with the polarity thus fixing it

[@florenciocandelaria5400]

i think if you turn on the instrument while pressing the pedal it switches polarity. It does on my P45.