Aotearoa NZ Designs

CASIO CDP-200R  - DIGITAL HAMMER ACTION PIANO – WITH USB AND SAMPLING FEATURES

Pros

• Springless hammer system gives the keyboard a fairly authentic grand piano feel but it’s not the best I’ve felt
• Great piano sound source with multiple elements so the sample sources heard when playing softly differ from the sound when the keyboard is played strongly
• Expandability & Inputs – USB Port & General Midi for computer connection, SD memory card slot, Mic input and Audio input for sampling space for drum beats, iPod, voice etc
• Wide selection of tones & rhythms/auto accompaniments (670 tones & 200 rhythms)
• Digital Effects – 10 reverbs & 5 choruses
• Well-priced considering the number of features (RSP – NZ$1,299.00 @ Rock Shop)
• Only 12kgs and compact

Cons

• Average sound quality
• Some tones not as realistic as they could be i.e. strings
• Limited features for professional recording on PC/Mac

Overall Summary

I would recommend the Casio CDP-200R’s as a great keyboard for beginner pianists/keyboardists or for anyone wanting a practice keyboard. I don’t recommend using this keyboard for live gigs or professional recording. Pianists will appreciate the familiar feel of the hammer-action keys, full 88-key piano size and anyone will enjoy the many features available to experiment with (e.g. sampling is a great feature where you can record any sound you want through the audio input – even your iPod). Amateurs/Professionals should look at Casio’s or other brands’ higher range of keyboards for any other purpose apart from practicing. The Casio CDP-200R’s recording capabilities are limited and sound quality is poor compared to its more expensive counterparts.

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