YAMAHA CK61 Keyboard Unboxing & YAMAHA Keyboard Dealers Observation

[@sugarmountainsounds3597]

Thanks for the videos! I got my CK61 nearly a month ago. I had the fortune of being in Fort Wayne at Sweetwater to try out “all” their keyboards. Well, that wasn’t really the case. They have most out on the floor to demo but not all. They didn’t have a CK61 out but they happily grabbed one from the warehouse for me to play. I can’t say I fell in love with it and believe it or not I am still mixed. I really took to the YC-61 and but it is back ordered and the key chattering issue made me think twice. But I did love the feel of that key bed. After a month it still isn’t even half satisfying for me to play the piano voices. I am still somewhat of a beginner but had a Kawai studio upright that I loved. I still have my Korg D1 (sometimes mated to my Roland Jupiter Xm that I am happy with. To cut to the case, did you have to make any/many setting changes on the piano patches (sensitivity, etc.) to make it feel/sound more like your CP? Thanks.

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

That is cool. Next time I’m in the USA I will make a point to visit them. The CP and CK don’t feel the same however the sound is comparable. I am really starting to like the expressiveness of the keyboard. For the sounds I did layer and eq. I had to do the same with the CP. Soundmondo is very good to get custom sounds. The CK is a good addition but not a replacement cheers

[@sugarmountainsounds3597]

Yeah, Sweetwater is worth the visit. I travel most of the year in our 21 foot van, so the CK-61 features are perfect for our travels. Admittedly I haven’t had as much time as I like to play with all of the effects and settings but freeing up more time now. As a side note, we are planning to travel in Eastern Canada this summer/fall. Cheers.

[@jimsuber6784]

OK, I just bought one. I'm a bass player but I use boards for recording and live, weekend, church retreats. I just do chord padding for vocals. Hope this things handles it. Too old to be hauling around 25 year old 76 key Korgs. Great video. Thanks

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

Good keyboard for that. Very expressive too. Enjoy cheers

[@timpullen4941]

Hi have you found a way to set the CK61 sustain pedal so that it can be enabled or disabled for parts A B C. Example if a patch has Piano and another sound maybe strings. I cant find a way to set the patch so that piano will sustain by pedal but strings not. If it cant then this is an oversight. I use an external keyboard connected via midi. The sustain pedal triggers both CK61 key action and the secondary keyboard. I haven't found a way to disable seperate parts.

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

That would be an improvement feature and should be implemented. Thanks for the feedback.

[@tonylancer7367]

This is a silly question, but are instruments more affordable over the pond where you are? Or do the music retailers have special discounts/programs/payment plans that allow you to pay a small fee every month while having the keyboard? I want the power of the MODX, but the portability of the CK (not sure which is lighter and more sturdy to take anywhere), but the CK looks like a real nice keyboard. Interestingly, Blake from Yamaha mentioned that the CK doesn't replace the MX line, so I wonder if Yamaha will (hopefully) upgrade the MX line too? 🤔 BTW +1 sub! 😄

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

Hi Tony, well in Canada, at the end of the day , the price point is kind of the same. Yamaha dealers in the USA cannot sell to Canada in some cases and I'm assuming across the pond as well. I tried. In regards to payment plans yes with good interests rates... For special discounts, I'm not so sure. :) .. The MODX is slightly heavier however just as portable as the CK61. I own the MX61 as well and it is basic and not as expressive .. as a stand alone keyboard. If you connect to an iPad or Computer daw.. it Shines a bit more...

[@angusbabb4913]

Well said about the dealer shops not having demos I phoned up the London Yamaha dealers asking if they had a Ck 61 on Demo and they said they didn’t ,I decided to go down to the shop anyway the same afternoon ,and there was a KC 61 and ck 88 on demo …seriously… Do they think I’m going to buy one without trying one first ?!🙁

[@thesoundsmith]

Amazon

[@gsptrane]

What battery pack are you using instead of the 8 AA’s?

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

I will create a video shortly going over it. You can search on 12v power pack on Amazon. Cheers :)

[@georgehardisty8948]

Curious to see what you do with this channel. I also like Yamaha keyboards. Have a MODX8, YPG 535, DGX 660 and a CLP 670. Played bass in a band in the 70’s, but might end up playing keyboard. Since I don’t have a stage keyboard I have been looking at CK 88 & 61.

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

That is very cool :) . I have so much show and tell stuff and I don't know where to start :).. Thanks for sharing. I will put more stuff soon about this keyboard and stuff Cheers

[@thesoundsmith]

CK88. Unless you've got roadies and 4 grand for a Nord or a serious workstation. For GIGS - perfect. Any quibbles about sound texture or quality are lost in a bar, club or hotel setting. It sounds great live.

[@timpullen4941]

Hello. 6 weeks after getting the CK61 I have played several gigs. I love the features and sounds but !!!! It has the worst key action of any product I have ever owned. The keys feel as if there is a pressure hinge under each key. There is a key resistance initially and then the key resistance is overcome and the key goes down. When playing medium velocity broken chords in a ballad suddenly the key just barks at full volume. Then when playing staccato on non decaying sounds like trumpet, there is a key bounce / note retrigger. I have sent videos to Yamaha about this and waiting for an outcome. Yamaha are going to need to fix the key action on the CK61. Other forums are filling up with people complaining about the key action.

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

Thanks for the feedback. You're right it is different and have you noticed how quiet the keys are? No click clap, clink. I kind of like the expression of the keys. Preferences are always a personal thing :).. Cheers

[@teetie192]

do Yamaha have links where are good Backing Tracks?

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

I don't think Yamaha does but there are many ways to make your own or search the web for midi files and then create your own tracks .. hope this helps a bit . cheers

[@umbertocariota1880]

Hi, feels the CK keybed better then the one on MODX? Ciao from Italy

[@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq]

Hello Umberto :) , the keyboard has a more resistive travel when pressed. Not the same as the Modx semi weighted. However , I do like the feel allot. Cheers from Canada.

[@umbertocariota1880]

@@KCHomeStudioStuff-tg7dq Many thanks!!1, ciaoooo