Yamaha PSR-E403, another look at this excellent keyboard!

Hi Gearfacts geezers, the Yamaha PSR-E403 is the current entry-level keyboard for Yamaha but it gives you some really advanced features such as an arpeggiator, cutoff and res knobs, a decent soundset and USB connectivity. Great for the learner and heaps of fun for the plinker like me :)

[@LittleRichard1988]

I personally have a Yamaha PSR-295 that came out 2 years before it. The E403 is basically an upgraded PSR-295 with filters, arpegiator and a pitchbend wheel. The E403 came out in 2006 and was discontinued in 2008. Even though mine doesn't have all the fancy synth features I can't really complain because this was in 2004.

[@gearfacts]

Yes it seems that anything starting with a "4" has the filters, PB and Arp. It's a bit upgrade but yep they're all nice keyboards, very user-friendly and fun :)

[@bonnielee4894]

I bought this new when it first came out and it still plays perfectly. I love it.

[@gearfacts]

Great to hear!

[@rodneyjweltham150]

thank you for the review of this venerable and very inexpensive Yamaha ranger keyboard. I am a professional musician and I use the more expensive an up-to-date Yamaha or arrangers once in a while in the church when we don't have a drummer or a bass player, at least at rehearsal... what's that says keyboard aside is the filter and resonance knobs... we are actually makes the unit a basic synthesizer. I found one of these for $80 about six years ago and I purchased it for the kids to church. Running it through my large stereo keyboard amplifier in the church sanctuary, actually sounds pretty good... cheers from Toronto!

[@gearfacts]

Ah Toronto - I had a fun visit there in 2001 :)

[@frankcarter6427]

I've just dug ours out of the cupboard it's been in for years and am enjoying messing with it (I'm a guitar not a keyboard player) have zero understanding of what it does but the arpeggiator is awesome with headphones

[@gearfacts]

Absolutely, nd it's got some good beats to jam along to with your guitar.

[@Blackmamba12345]

Hey GF, hope all good, I’m keeping it for now... did you connect yours to your laptop ever also? Apparently you can use the same drivers as the 463 so can connect to windows 10 but I’ve not tried to just yet.

[@bluespongetv1095]

loved the video & all the fun tunes u played! Currently deciding whether to get this model or a Casio CTK-720- any recommendations? Thanks!!

[@gearfacts]

Glad you liked the video! Of those two models I'd definitely choose the Yamaha, manly because of the dynamic controls. Also, to me it's just a much more fun keyboard to own :)

[@bluespongetv1095]

@@gearfacts lovely!! thanks a bunch :))

[@rodneyjweltham150]

The main, and really biggest flaw, of this keyboard is the tiny display that is almost unreadable. The two knobs that control the filters take this keyboard to a different level entirely from the normal units that Yamaha was putting out at the time. Too bad toggling through the effects for the real time controls produces almost no visible effect on the display (or, maybe I have vision problems)

[@gearfacts]

Yep, and as I recall there's no contrast control in the menu. It could simply be a faulty screen, they have been known to fade or glitch out quite suddenly. Maybe check out similar models next time you're passing a music gear shop.

[@danaowens30]

Hi Gear facts,I love this Keyboard its one of my many Keyboards thats is as close to the MM6 in comparison. I even put my own MM6 logo on it lol...i read forums and this Model thru a D.I box omg! And i used the Organ sound with a Ventialor mk2 , dude thru my D.I box for recording reggae sounds phomonial.. try it some time. Keyboards with speakers thru a D.I box makes the sounds more lush..the organs sound more B3 ish no draw bars

[@gearfacts]

I love experiments like this! There is so much hidden depth to cheap instruments, that's why I do most of my reviews about old gear :)

[@pridenjoy9437]

im goin' to get mine by tomorrow , cant wait! nice chops man ...

[@gearfacts]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the vid and I hope the keyboard serves you well :) Thanks for watching Gearfacts.

[@pridenjoy9437]

Gearfacts Thank you, no problemo ..your video really help me , keep up the good work 👍

[@MzZee]

I created all my beats and everything on this keyboard everyone thought I went to the studio. I miss this keyboard so much and can't find it anymore uuuuuugh

[@gearfacts]

Yeah it's a nice one. Good piano sound. They are getting much cheaper though, and there are better models in this series :)

[@allanfada9830]

I've just bought one from my local used electrical goods store for £70. I was gonna buy a Yamaha djx mk2 for £50 but opted for this model instead 😁🎹🎹🎼

[@heroknaderi]

I’m curious where I can find a used one today 😎👍

[@gearfacts]

Local classifieds or ebay. If the ebay person won't post it, offer to send a courier to collect it, that's what I do.

[@SaturnineXTS]

Probably could just go with a 413, 423 or even the newer ones, each next one gets better than the last.

[@SnoweeOfficial]

My parents got this piano before I was even born!

[@gearfacts]

Wow yeah I guess it must be nearly 20 years old now

[@henson2k]

I used to have one of this

[@ericmunro6583]

Looking for instruction manual for psr E 403 picked one up cheep grandkids want to play but no instruction

[@gearfacts]

Search the net for "Yamaha PSR-E403 PDF" and the manual will appear.

[@allanfada9830]

I have this model..the PSR-E403 and the PSR1700. Unfortunately, I've totally lost all keyboard sound on the PSR1700. It still has rhythm drum sounds so the speakers are ok.. but I carefully opened it to clean one key that wasnt working, I did this very slowly and extremely methodically so as to ensure no cable disconnects.. But apparently I must have done something bcos I've lost ALL keyboard sound. I need a guy who knows how to rectify this for me.

[@gearfacts]

Sounds like you did all the correct things. So the problem must be to do with an electronic component so it might be time to see a local electronics technician. They are a bit hard to find these days though, as most electronic items are disposable rather than repairable. I'd try having one more look inside. Follow the signal path from each group of keys all the way to the processor - maybe there's something you missed. Good luck with it!

[@CoolJoe330]

Would you recommend it over a Casio CTK 3000?

[@gearfacts]

Oh yes definitely. GF

[@А.У.Б.83]

Здравствуйте можете показать как записать ритм с нуля на этом синтезаторе

[@gearfacts]

At this stage, I’m not sure how to do it myself. However, I will be trying to do this on a Yamaha PSRE463 very soon. Hopefully I can share a video about that 👍

[@А.У.Б.83]

@@gearfacts спасибо

[@MrPcjay]

The trouble with my friend is that you absolutely don’t understand this instrument. In fact, you scroll through the frequency buttons in the video and nothing else.

[@gearfacts]

That’s just nonsense.

[@heroknaderi]

Yamaha beats Casio when it comes to sound quality 👍

[@charus6997]

Hello, I have this model. Suddenly while my kid was trying some tunes, the volume got decreased to a v.v.low level. Unable to increase it to original level with normal volume knob. Is there any other setting to bring back the original volume? Please help me

[@gearfacts]

Must be a fault, I've never seen this happen before. All I can suggest is plugging an amp or HiFi into the headphone socket to boost that missing volume.

[@charus6997]

Oh I see. Thank you for the suggestion. Will do that. Is there any setting that might have gone wrong, which could be rectified atleast?

[@gearfacts]

@@charus6997 If it's affecting th overall keyboard volume then no, I'd say it's a fault. If it was just affecting the main sound or the accompaniment sounds only then I'd suggest checking their respective levels in the function menu ...but I'm 90% the problem is physical I'm afraid.

[@charus6997]

@@gearfacts Yes sir, the problem is only with keys. When the pre loaded music is played it's all loud and good.

[@charus6997]

Thank you so much for your response sir

[@XaneMyers]

1:22 This annotation doesn't link to anything, but KZbin is going to remove annotations eventually.

[@gearfacts]

Yeah they're just about to go.

[@D-B-E]

How is he Bass?

[@gearfacts]

Strictly average.

[@D-B-E]

@@gearfacts which piano do you recommend with good bass and pitch bend with good price.

[@gearfacts]

@@D-B-E Well I guess for the price it's good - There's nothing with the cutoff+resonance controls that comes this cheap, so I guess it's actually pretty good. Sorry if it sounds like I'm changing my answer!

[@mollies13]

This old model or 463???

[@gearfacts]

Definitely 463 :)

[@MrChazter83]

Is $100 a decent buy now in 2020?

[@gearfacts]

$100 (US) is a fair price I think

[@MrChazter83]

@@gearfacts whoa whoa whoa!!! Doesn't sound like a fact to me sir!

[@gearfacts]

@@MrChazter83 Too high or too low?

[@MrChazter83]

@@gearfacts lol I'm just jabbing at ur name gear FACTS I have no idea on the value

[@gearfacts]

@@MrChazter83 haha how did I not see that??!

[@pratikspatel1620]

Portable grand?

[@gearfacts]

Yep, with one touch :) #gearfacts

[@carlleell1559]

Just got mine today for $45.00 bargain in perfect condition

[@gearfacts]

Excellent deal!

[@alienspro]

In Russia his price 220$ on very avarage condition. At the same time our the salary from work in mount merely 300$.

[@MzZee]

Omg where?!

[@Blackmamba12345]

I bought one for £25 used ... but thinking of selling again.

[@gearfacts]

Well you got a great deal but i guess if it's not useful to you then there's not much to do but re-sell it. You'll make some pocket-money though ;) GF

[@rizkifaskia6108]

Vs casio ctx 700. Which is better?

[@gearfacts]

Overall I think I'd choose the CTX700. Gearfacts

[@mollies13]

For piano then casio for like messing around then this keyboard

[@archieotn]

😊😊

[@mukeshrai9117]

10000 तक बड़ी की की वाला अच्छी रिथम वाला कोनसा key बोर्ड ख़रीदें

[@namelastname6333]

Casio Ctx 700

[@namelastname6333]

अन्यथा psr ई 363

[@pratikspatel1620]

How to off touch

[@gearfacts]

Off switch is located on the left, you have to hold it down for about 2 seconds.

[@sampalagummi]

Sound too low

[@latheefmoonu3711]

I have sale same this one in qatar

[@gearfacts]

Use my video to help people want to buy it from you :)

[@archieotn]

Lol i have it