Product: Casio CTK-496
Price Paid: USD 125
Submitted
05/28/2009
at
10:30pm
by
SynthEnthusiast
Email: rsmith01<at>ihug dot co dot nz
Ease of Use
:
6
It is extremely easy to use,you don't need to read the manual,the perfect keyboard for beginners.
There are some nice presets,i.e the Church Organ,synths etc.
Features
:
4
The Polyphony is only 12,6 on some tones,hasn't caused any major problems really...
One of the things lacking from this unit is there are no effects...
Features are rather basic,i wouldn't recommend it for playing live etc...
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
4
Some intruments are realistic,and some are seriously off.
Again,the lack of effects reduces the sound quality enjoyment in my opinion.......
Reliability
:
10
I wouldn't use it at a gig,but that's because of it's lack of features,not because I fear it breaking down,have had no problems with it so far.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never had to contact them.
Overall Rating
:
5
If it were lost or stolen,i may purchase one again,if I had a need for it,it's a reliable workhorse. For the price you really can't complain.
I have been playing on and off for the last 15 years,only recently started getting back into playing.
I also recently purchased a Casio LK220,and comparing it to the CTK-496,the 220 is much better in most ways,it has much better presets and sampling,and effects.
I like the fact it's light,and relatively easy to carry around.
I chose this one to start off with based on price.
So in conclusion,if your just wanting a keyboard to play around with at home etc,then this one will serve you well,but if your wanting to play professionally at gigs etc,i would recommend spending a little more on something better.
Product: Casio CTK-496
Price Paid: US $160
Submitted
04/10/2006
at
01:53am
by
Dmitry
Email: dragons_child at mail<dot>ru
Ease of Use
:
10
Sooo easy to use. Really had no problems with it, everything is clear as day even without the manual.
Features
:
2
Yes, that's where my CTK-496 completely loses. The polyphony just isn't enough, there are no built in effects =(, the keyboard is too soft for playing fast passages.
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
4
It has only GM sounds as far as I have understood, I love the warm strings, the electric grand piano and some bells & organs though. It's a great pity that winds, flutes, choirs etc. suck to heaven.
Reliability
:
8
It fell several times from about ~1 meter high. Nothing really happened, it' still working quite good.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never had a chance to check it.
Overall Rating
:
8
I have been playing this synth for about a year (well, a little bit more). What can I say? this is a perfect variant for the beginners to get acquainted to the synth keyboard after you've been playing the piano for years. I've bought it only for this purpose, not for recording and gigging, for sure.
It's really a shame that it doesn't have any built in effects and the polyphony is only 12 notes, but I still love it though. It's my first keyboard and I couldn't wish anything better for my learning after I've been playing the piano for about 10 years.
