Yamaha PSR260AD 61-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard with AC Adapter

Other products by Yamaha

Product Features

• 61-full sized keys
• Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) input and output
• 100 instrument voices and styles encourages creativity
• Interactive keyboard lessons for beginners
• DJ Mode with programmed game to improve rhythm

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 19.5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004YAGA
• Item model number: PSR260AD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,569 in Musical Instruments (See Bestsellers in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

If you are looking to buy a first keyboard at a reasonable price, try the Yamaha PSR260AD on for size. It's uncomplicated and fun to play, and it might just help you develop music skills. The PSR260AD has 100 voices ranging from pianos to trumpets to drums. One hundred accompaniments, from twist to fusion, can be mixed with the voices. As a MIDI-compatible keyboard, the PSR260AD can connect to a sequencer or computer via MIDI cables (sold separately), both of which can record musical performances from the keyboard and then play them back using the instrument voices on the PSR260AD. After a while, though, 100 voices will probably seem limiting to most users.

The PSR260AD is not a General MIDI keyboard, which means that if you connect it to a computer, General MIDI files (a standard of most MIDI files in educational software and of those available on the Internet) will not sound correct--the instrumentation will be wrong.

One feature on the PSR260AD that most people (especially children and teenagers) will enjoy is the DJ. Pressing the button shaped like a vinyl record resets the keyboard for playing special DJ songs and voices. There are orchestra hits, samples of real voices singing phrases such as "one more time" and "Get up!" and a variety of scratches. There is even a DJ game programmed into the keyboard that helps users develop rhythm skills. One hundred other songs of various styles are also included that are fun to play and are used in the three lessons offered by the PSR260AD.

The lessons can all be done with left hand alone, right hand alone, or both hands together. In the timing lesson, the song plays and the student presses any note in the proper time. During the waiting lesson, the PSR260AD holds the accompaniment until the student plays the correct notes. And in the minus one lesson, the student plays the proper notes in the correct time. An evaluation function gives a grade for each lesson. A staff display and keyboard display help the student identify the correct keys, while animated clapping hands help the student visualize the rhythm. A dictionary function shows the different chord types on the display staff. These educational activities are very entertaining, and by doing them, the student may pick up rudimentary skills that will help in the further study of music.

The PSR260AD is an easy keyboard to use, even for a small child. It is lightweight (11.7 lbs.) even though it has built-in speakers. The buttons are all colorful and clearly marked, and all of the accompaniments, voices, and song styles are printed right on the keyboard. Most of the functionality is so intuitive and simple, you may never need to take the manual out of the shrink-wrap!

The PSR260AD is a fun keyboard to play, but it is mostly a learning tool and creative toy. It will provide many hours of entertainment for younger users, and it may very well inspire them to study music. --Chris Fresolone

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Lightweight
• Lots of fun for younger users
• Clear, intuitive functionality
• Entertaining educational tools

Cons:

• Only 100 voices
• Not General MIDI compatible

Amazon.com Product Description

The Yamaha PSR-260AD will encourage your hidden musical talent. In addition to a five-octave touch-response keyboard, it features the Yamaha Education Suite 2 music teaching function, bass ports, and a new DJ mode. With touch-sensitive keys, you'll have control over volume and tone. A large backlit LCD with icons and characters provides all indication for settings, and the standard MIDI interface is all you'll need to hook up to a computer or other peripherals.

It features 100 instrument voices, 100 accompaniment styles and 100 built-in songs. In addition, the Yamaha PSR-260AD includes 100 songs in a songbook for the beginning keyboard player. If you need to practice without disturbing others, a headphone jack is available, and a sustain pedal jack will enhance your control of sound.

Other useful features for encouraging creativity include four multipads with 10 banks of musical phrases, a multifingering auto-accompaniment, and a DJ button with special dance voices.

At only 11.7 pounds, the Yamaha PSR-260AD is easily portable. It operates with an included adapter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful keyboard, April 26, 2001

By	Luis Gallo "Luis Eduardo Gallo" (Valencia, Estado Carabobo Venezuela) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The PSR 260 is a sophisticated and easy to play keyboard. For its excellent price you will get a keyboard that is portable and versatile, with realistic sounds and 100 voices, among them; piano, grand piano,church organ, accordion, soft guitar, wood bass, strings, marimba, french horn, clarinet, flute, pan flute, violin, sax, banjo and many more. The PSR 260 has also 100 songs either for listening or for use or play with the Yamaha Education Suite. MIDI terminals allow interfacing with other MIDI terminals and a featured touch response lets you control the volume of the voices with your playing strength just as on an acoustic piano. A truly portable instrument this keyboard weights only 12 lbs and is less than one meter long. It comes with a song book, owner's manual and it has a large multifunction LCD backlight display, stereo speakers and auxiliary jacks. A great keyboard to enter into the fascinating world of music.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Keyboard, September 29, 2001

By A Customer

The sound is much better than you would expect in a keyboard this price! 100 instrument sounds and some of them need just a little imagination to tie them to the real world instrument, but they are fun and the piano sounds really are quite good. The touch-sensitive feature works very well and is a real plus. I thought this instrument would come with a sustain peddle, but it does not; you can order one for another 20$. As a starter, before spending big money on a real piano for my daughter who is taking piano lessons, it is a great deal, and the whole family has had fun with it. Don't count on the included music or lessons to be of much use, though, they are too difficult for a beginner. Fortunately, Amazon has about a zillion beginner piano books, so maybe you would want to order one with the keyboard if you are just starting out.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Sound Quality and Fun!, August 15, 2001

By A Customer

This keyboard is a lot of fun. The sound quality is excellent--it sounds almost like a professional instrument, not the toy-like sound quality of other keyboards at this price. The 'Portable Grand' Piano sound is exceptionally good. It sounds even better plugged into an amp or when I use headphones.

With the Rhythms and sounds built in it's easy to make your own songs, or play existing songs and sound good.