Yamaha DGX-200AD 76-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard with AC Adapter

by Yamaha

Product Features

• 76-note, touch-sensitive keyboard
• Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) input and output
• Music database with over 200 song styles
• Sequencer records up to 5 songs in 6 tracks
• PC button for easy connection to a PC

Product Details

Product Manual [3.66mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 24 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 45 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000068GR8
• Item model number: DGX200AD
• Batteries: 6 D batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,502 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The DGX200AD is a large and full-featured keyboard. It has 76 keys (only 12 less than a real piano), and large speakers on either side, making for an instrument over 46 inches long, yet weighing less than 20 pounds. The 76 keys make for a much wider range of pitches than the more common 61-note keyboards, and the larger speakers provide a much richer, fuller sound quality. The DGX200AD appears to be the larger version of the Yamaha PSR290AD; the functionality is almost exactly the same. There are so many functions on this keyboard, in fact, that everyone from the novice musician up through the professional will find something to enjoy. If you are interested in something smaller but with the same functionality, you might consider the PSR290AD. This keyboard is powered by either the included AC adapter or six D batteries. If you intend to travel with the keyboard, you may want to consider using the batteries, as the adapter is rather large and heavy.

The DGX200AD has 605 voices, including western and world instruments, fun sound effects such as car engines, drum kits, and five DJ kits. Navigation through all the voices is easy using up and down buttons, a wheel, or a numeric keypad. The voices have also been organized into instrument categories; up and down category buttons allow for quick movement from one to another. Extra programmable enhancements such as reverb and chorus can be applied to the voices as well.

The DGX200AD includes an auto accompaniment feature, allowing the user to play a melody and perhaps one note in the bass while the keyboard plays the rhythm instruments and the proper chords. This is a great tool for practicing improvisation! There is also a chord dictionary; while a bit tricky to use at first, it is ultimately a nice tool for learning the many different variations of chords. In addition, built-in music lessons allow a student to learn to play a song by first practicing the rhythms, and then slowly adding the correct pitches.

The more advanced musician will have fun and powerful tools at her or his disposal. The built-in sequencer allows the composer to record up to five songs on six tracks. If that is not enough power, simply connect the DGX200AD to a PC or Macintosh computer and use it with a software sequencer. Software available for download from Yamaha's PKCLUB Web site allows the user to store MIDI files from the computer in the flash memory of the DGX200AD.

The DGX200AD has a big size, a big sound, and a big arsenal of functions for all users. --Chris Fresolone Pros:

• 605 useful instrument voices
• 76 keys for versatile keyboard playing
• General MIDI compatible
• Great-sounding speakers
• Caters itself to musicians of all levels
• Lightweight for its size

Cons:

• Initial intimidating interface
• Large size makes it a bit clumsy for travel
• Big, heavy adapter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you don't want to move a piano..., February 4, 2003

By 

Melanie M. Kyer "melstra" (York, Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yamaha DGX-200AD 76-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard with AC Adapter (Electronics)

I just finished my graduate degree and started a temporary college teaching job. So since I didn't want to move a large piano to whatever job I end up getting, I decided on a good quality keyboard. I couldn't afford to buy a Disklavier or another of the high-end keyboards (and I eventually plan to get a real baby grand anyway). So I decided to get the highest end Yamaha/Casio/whatever I could afford. This was it!

I love my Yamaha. I could sit for hours and play with the beautiful digital sounds like the harp, pan flute, steel drum and many non-western instruments, but of course I bought it as a PIANO. It doesn't do a bad job at that, but they advertise this as a "Portable Grand"-- and that it is not. First, the piano sound seems to be a touch softer than any of the other voices, so you have to crank the volume to get a decent full sound from it. Second, I think I've heard better digitized piano. It's not bad by any means and I still give it 5 stars, but it's not quite as good as the hype.

Over all, my favorite features are the large keyboard (FINALLY!!! a keyboard on which I can play octaves in the bass without running out of room!!!!), the "wheel" interface for changing voices, the sleek grey styling and the strong sturdy music stand (it can even handle my heavy hardbound Reader's Digest songbooks). I haven't tried the computer interface yet, but I feel like this is a keyboard that will grow with me. I have been playing the piano for 25 years and I am very satisfied with this instrument. If you're not expecting a baby grand, it won't disappoint you.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I returned it!, June 12, 2003

By 

M. Rathke (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yamaha DGX-200AD 76-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard with AC Adapter (Electronics)

The DGX series do not allow the piano voice to be played loud enough; it can only be heard at slightly less than an average volume when volume dial is turned to "max." The problem is that I found myself playing harder to get the touch sensitivity to compensate. I had to decide whether to get an amplifier or speakers, or to return it. The positive reviews about this keyboard are all true. I only gave it three stars because of the volume problem. Every DGX model (200, 300, and 500) have low volume output for the grand piano voice. If you have speakers or an amplifier, than this keyboard is worth every penny. Beware that many other buyers have had the same complaint.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute BEST value!, March 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Yamaha DGX-200AD 76-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard with AC Adapter (Electronics)

There are better keyboards out there, but only for WAY more money. For under [$$$], you get 76 keys, 600 sounds, over 100 styles, and Yamaha name and quality and looks. I like the PSR2000 best because of 64-noty polyphony (vs 32 in the DGX200)and the vocalizer, but it is over 3X the cost! The DGX 200 packs most of the same sounds. I think it is truly the best value out there for the $$.