Mini-Keyboard Review! Yamaha PSS-A50

[@smithjason5887]

I have this one too. For composing on the go or at home, it's the perfect size. With USB, a laptop and a pair of headphone, you have an entire studio

[@tommylee85]

I'd like to buy a small keyboard to learn some music theory. I would actually like to learn guitar, but having a keyboard close could help "visualize" and understanding chords and scales. You think this model is reccomended?

[@smithjason5887]

@@tommylee85 I play both piano and guitar. I would say they are two very different instruments and they don't really help each other, at least for me. Guitar have no black keys and you learn the scales and chords by shape and relative position on the fret board. However, I would still recommend this keyboard if you do composing and you already had experience with keys.

[@tommylee85]

@@smithjason5887 thanks for the reply! I know that keys and guitar are completely different, but i'd like to learn theory and feel like a key could be helpful to visualize things. I got a piano, but it's old and out of tune (and definitely not portable :D), so I want a small and decent keyboard. I'm thinking about this model and the PSS-F30, but that one seems more "kid oriented"; am I right? Thanks again for the help!

[@christksolidrock2231]

I just found this channel because it was mention in my song writing book. Liking this channel already

[@sonic2000gr]

This sells for 85 euros here and it's a real steal. The keybed is the same used in the yamaha reface synths that sell for 300+. Long time ago I learnt to play on a 4 octave PSS 480 which was amazing. I hope yamaha expands the range.

[@guillaumed4145]

Thanks for the feedback, it seems really good!

[@ita7940]

I have one too! One cool thing is that you can actually use a power bank or just connect it to your phone with a simple adapter (e.g., regular USB to USB-C), allowing you to take it anywhere without relying on AA batteries

[@TamaraJoy7]

I bought a second hand one yesterday (Dec 2024) off Facebook Marketplace place for $50. I’m a music teacher and just wanted one for travelling and sitting on my lap while teaching just to play along with my students adding some fun effects. I think it’s brilliant! I love anything Yamaha and this keyboard reminds me of the first little Yamaha keyboard I bought in the 80s!

[@A3Kr0n]

It's currently discontinued, but I got mine a few years ago for $100 US on Amazon. I usually turn touch sens. off. The batteries last as long as you'd expect with something like that, but I've left it plugged into my computer for years without changing the installed batteries, so there's that. My USB plug does that, too. Grrrr! You can play other voices and percussion through MIDI channels while playing the keyboard! The blank spot on the left of the power button is perfect to Velcro a smartphone to and use a MIDI app using a short plug. I use Audio Evolution.

[@AugustusBroadford]

my favourite kbd (and I have a few ...!) - also excellent as a midi-controller 🎹💖

[@tufif]

How does the speaker volume compare to an acoustic guitar? This seems like a nice jamming at the park or on the beach keyboard for acoustic jams

[@Elazarko]

It all seems amazing!! There's only one problem! The piano tone doesn't actually sound like an acoustic piano, it sounds like a toy. Yes a toy.

[@christopherecatalano]

If you run it into some real speakers, it will definitely beef up the sound. The speaker is toy, the samples are probably similar to larger format Yamaha digital piano samples, and those pianos have pretty nice stereo speakers. Samples that sound amazing get crunched onto iPhones. The bigger drag is maybe no sensitivity and the inability to manipulate/process tones interestingly. It can't fit that into such a small board. It will also work somewhat as a USB controller for your DAW.

[@jimpeter3453]

What a cute keyboard!

[@samkam4984]

Thanks for the nice video...can we do sound combination?

[@eltonwild5648]

Can you explain the setup to video record your keyboard in the back? I want to record my mands playing in a vertical angle. I have a mic tripod. What camera are you using?

[@jjacob25101]

Great video. I have one of theses and it's bincredible for what it is, what it can do, and it's price. This and the Yamaha Reface series of 4 keyboard the same size are referred to as MINIKEYS. If you wantvto reallyvsee what can be done with this, my good friend, jazz pianistcfrom Japan, Masataka Kono is the master of this keyboard and the Reface CP. He has several videos playing this, sometimes two or more for a sing, or in combination with the Reface CP or a Casio CT-S1 to use as ryhythm and otyer vouces and lots of other combilations. The Reface series is the next step up with 4 models: The DX based onbthe iconic DX7 synth, the CS based on the old anslog synth, the YC forvvarious organs, and the CP which is the electronic keyboards such as Rhodes, Wulitzer Clavinet, Toy Piano. I bekieve they have a damper pedal and dusl ¼" audio out jacks. The CP would be a great step up fir more money and has an acoustic piano voice by powering of, putting the instrument selector between two of them and powering bsck on. It just takes getting ysed to the 36 smaller keys, but that's whatvyou get in a small firmat portable like this. My $650 Roland JDXi synth also has the same type of keyboard. But this PSS-A50 is great to carry and play once you master it to a certain extent, as displayed by my friends many videos.

[@davidbernalpianista]

Hi, could you evaluate the folding pianos? Are they worth it?

[@Ekomshiro]

Do you think this could be a good keyboard to start learning piano? I'm an amateur violinist and just want to learn some piano to improve my violin playing (better understanding polyphony, chord progressions etc) But I also want to avoid any bad habits to ruin the possibility of more serious piano learning in the future.

[@sonic2000gr]

I would suggest getting something with more keys, 49 or preferably 61. You can just get a MIDI controller and use it with your PC as well.

[@hikari_no_yume]

Seconding the suggestion to have more keys. This thing has three octaves, which does allow _some_ two-handed piano stuff, but most piano pieces will need significant adaptation to be playable on this, which might be frustrating. The keys aren't full-size either, and they have “synth action” (don't have the weighted feel of real piano keys).

[@57too]

I'm a songwriter recording my own stuff and other than singing and guitar/bass, it takes me a long time to figure out what I'm hearing in my head and get it down on keyboard cause I barely know the chords. I'd buy this unit just for the arpegiator alone, then kiss the girls to make them cry. Jeez!

[@jean-pierresammut6974]

1. It makes too much hiss, especially via headphones. 2. The electronics inside have a defect with the F001 component. If the keyboard doesn't switch on (...it will happen within a few months), tell your technician to bypass the F001 point. 3. The output is mono. 4. USB-MIDI does not permit you to connect a full-size keyboard as a controller ... not even if you use a DOREMIDI-Host-Box. 5. It sounds good because the volume is low. Try playing it through a very loud amplification system, and it will sound like a toy. It is a toy, actually. 6. Three octaves is too little. You need at least four, in order to play without restrictions.

[@lminhquan]

Yes I really hate the hiss sound

[@NinjaSheepa]

thank you

[@thepianoplayer416]

What can people practice with 37 keys? For the money there are folding keyboards with 88 keys. And some travel keyboards have built-in rechargeable batteries. If you can get even 6 hours on a single charge, more convenient than having to buy batteries all the time. The main problem with a keyboard with small keys is that the fingerings can be off when you switch back to a full-size keyboard or piano later on. Besides touch sensitivity, would be nice to have weighted keys which hardly any travel keyboard has at the moment. Travelled with the Piano de Voyage from France. Comes in 4 modules you can carry in your suitcase that adds up to 88 keys: 15 (controller module) + 24 + 24 + 25. The keys are full-size semi-weighted for about $1500. Better than entry level keyboards like Yamaha Piaggero, Roland Go or Casio CTK.

[@sonic2000gr]

37 keys is a compromise. It's not too bad for sketching musical ideas or trying out chords etc. Maybe play a synth part (There are more than a few synths with just 37 keys). But putting both hands on is more or less a stretch. 49 would be much better. On the other hand 49 becomes too large already. Most people with small to average sized hands can adjust to small keys easily as long as the keybed feels ok. The keybed on this is fine (same as the Reface synth series). PSS A50 can also run on rechargeable AAs if you wish (stated in the manual). But of course another option is to get similarly sized MIDI controller and use with your laptop/tablet. An Arturia Keystep 37 for example has an amazing keybed and build quality. But as you say none of this is a substitute for a piano, if you are solely interested in piano practice. It can be a nice way to enjoy yourself when travelling though.

[@smithjason5887]

For composing, teaching demonstration purpose, it's absolutely fine

[@thepianoplayer416]

@@smithjason5887 Not saying the Yamaha keyboard is the best or the worst in the market. For the money you're paying there are alternatives. I have both the 1st release of the Folding Piano 88 from Carry-on that is NOT touch sensitive for $100 and the later release of the folding keyboard that IS touch sensitive for $150. I have all 88 keys for composing or arranging music. I still need to try my pieces on a full-size keyboard since the smaller keys would throw off the fingerings. As a practice instrument I prefer a folding keyboard with 88 full-size keys. Even a smaller keyboard with an octave up/down buttons is not ideal for learning proper fingerings and big jumps when switching to a regular keyboard later.

[@othinus]

for vocalists who mainly need a piano for a company man, 37 keys is more than enough for chords and basic melodies. like what Lewis capaldi does in most of his songs.

[@thepianoplayer416]

@@othinus Guess if you're just using a keyboard for church hymns iwould be ok. But when doing more complex stuff like Beethoven or Mozart probably not.

[@agamaz5650]

get a midi controller + pianoteq