Casio CTK-496 Electronic Keyboard with 61 Full-Size Keys and Singalong Capability

by Casio

Product Features

• 61 keys with 100-tune song bank
• MIDI makes for great sound
• Headphone jack for private listening and microphone jack to sing along with the song
• 100 preset tones and 100 rhythms
• Auto Accompaniment to give a deeper sound to your songs

Product Details

Product Manual [2.93mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 12.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0002L59SU
• Item model number: CTK-496
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,186 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Casio's 61-key CTK-496 has everything a beginner needs on board: 100 tones, 100 rhythms, 100 songs. The familiar CD player control buttons (stop, play/pause, rewind, fast forward) make child's play of song bank operation. The on/off buttons for the right and left hand--as well as the button for activating the chord book function--are located just beside the song-bank controller. The instrument offers 12-note polyphony, which means up to 12 keys or voices may be sounded simultaneously.

The song book included in the package yields insight into notes and lyrics. Once you've rehearsed the tunes, the next job is waiting: Sing Along via the top-panel microphone input and dedicated volume control. Other features include MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) in/out, auto-accompaniment, assignable pedals, a headphone jack, and 2 speakers powered by 2 watts each.

Power the unit using an optional AC/DC adapter (model AD-5) or with 6 AA batteries (not included). What's in the Box
Keyboard, song book, music stand, a user's manual, and registration/warranty information.

Product Description

Casio CTK496 MIDI keyboard has everything a beginner needs on board. The 100 rehearsal songs in the song bank can be played from the front panel as if it were a CD player, providing for effective practice. Even separate right and left hand rehearsal is supported. Included song book yields insight into notes and lyrics, making it complete. Once the tunes are rehearsed, you can Sing Along. On the left-hand side of Casio CTK496 there is a microphone input and a volume control. Belt it all out! Other features include 100 sounds, 100 built-in rhythm patterns you can play along with, built-in speakers and Transpose and Tuning controls. Rehearsal system Song Bank controller Chord Book function Sing Along function Auto-accompaniment 100 rehearsal songs Key Transpose and Tuning control LCD musical information system Connectors - Mic In, Headphones, Sustain Pedal In, MIDI In/Out Loudspeakers - 10 cm x 2; 2 x 2 W Power Supply - AD-5 or 6 AA-size batteries (both optional - not included) Song book and music stand included

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

154 of 158 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good buy for begginers., October 16, 2004

By 

Justin Tynne "Tynne" (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casio CTK-496 Electronic Keyboard with 61 Full-Size Keys and Singalong Capability (Electronics)

When I first purchased this product I was ready to open it up and start playing, however, it doesn't come with an AC Adapter(it takes a 9 volt ac adapter) and it doesn't include batteries (as with most electronics nowadays). Although I fortunately had an adapter that fit the keyboard I didn't realise that until after I had already gone out and bought the required six AA batteries required to power the keyboard.

Apart from my power-supply fiasco, once I did get the product working I was surprised at how unrealistic the piano and a lot of the other sounds .. sounded. Another draw back about this keyboard is that it doesn't include the midi in/out cables used to connect to a computer or another midi device, however if you're just wanting to play and don't have any interest in using the keyboard in conjunction with a computer, then this product is great.

Pros:
affordable price
61 full sized keys
long battery life
lots of built in songs to learn
comes with a music stand and ~100 songs to play

Cons:
doesn't come with midi in/out cables
doesn't come with power adapter
certain tones sound horribly unlike the instrument stated (~30 in all of 100 total)

So if you're looking for something affordable, lightweight and easy to use, this is the perfect keyboard for you.

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Poor Quality and Musical Tone, July 27, 2005

By 

Calamity Jane - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casio CTK-496 Electronic Keyboard with 61 Full-Size Keys and Singalong Capability (Electronics)

I wouldn't recommend this keyboard for anyone, not even the novice. A keyboard with 61 keys is too small for someone who already plays the piano. This keyboard has a "tinny", cheap sound, as do the accompanying musical tones. The banjo doesn't sound like a banjo; the accordion doesn't sound like an accordion, etc. The rhythm selections all sound the same. The upper keys play at a lower volume than the lower keys.

A sustain pedal is as important as the keys, yet this product did not come with one. It also didn't come with an adapter, which is equally important unless you have an unlimited supply of free batteries. I had to order the sustain pedal over the Internet, plus pay for the shipping. Nobody within 50 miles of me carried one. I also had to pay extra for an adapter and a set of headphones.

If your looking for a decent keyboard, please consider buying the best and the largest you can afford. This one will leave you feeling cheated and disgusted, while it collects dust in the closet.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Should have included adapter, December 29, 2004

By 

J. McCarthy "reader mom" (North Yarmouth, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Casio CTK-496 Electronic Keyboard with 61 Full-Size Keys and Singalong Capability (Electronics)

This keyboard is fun and sounds pretty decent, however Christmas morning was a little disappointing because we had to run out and get more batteries, since we were one battery short. Also, the adapter power suppy was not included and is just about necessary since the keyboard zaps battery power in about 4 hours. Now I can't find the adapter any where. Big bummer.