Yamaha's Astonishing $50.00 Keyboard (PSS-F30)
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2020
- Many of my followers have wanted to see me review incredibly affordable digital pianos with the goal of seeing whether or not they actually have some musical value, or simply are toys. It's hard to imagine that for only 50 USD ($59.00 including shipping from Texas) you can buy a simple, fun keyboard instrument on which a beginner could learn note names, scales, and simple melodies, but it is possible with the Yamaha PSS-F30.
If you want to see videos of high-end musical gear and behind-the-scenes videos at Milan Recording Studios, you might want to check out my second channel! / @milanrecordingstudios... 
Видеоклипы
Piano at 6:35 | Harpsichord at 8:12 | El. Piano at 9:10 | More El. Pianos 9:42 | Organs 9:52 | Guitars 10:52 | Bass 11:18 | Strings 12:00 | Violin 12:42 | Double Bass 13:05 | Flute 13:27 | More flutes 14:19 | Saxes 15:05 | Brass 15:56 | Trumpets 16:15 | Vibraphone 16:37 | Marimba 17:00 | Synths 17:16 | Pads 17:52 | World 18:28 | I got tired, sorry...
Love that you, as a professional, are able to make a great demo and review even of the cheap instruments for beginners, like this one. Thanks!
It was honestly a lot of fun!
He's the Doogie Howser of pianos - he doesn't even need a piano; he could probably grab a pair of spoons from the kitchen and play those.
I can't stop laughing at this video, it's so funny. I'm having flashbacks to when I was six years old, listening to "Einstein A Go Go" by Landscape for the first time:
ruclips.net/video/CZqUNEHYZgQ/видео.html
@@MrAgmoore ruclips.net/video/X5e0TVUC_ko/видео.html
9:41 Super Mario 64 intensifies
I play no instrument and have no musical talent, but when your videos come up I always watch and enjoy them.
Thank you.
Hey man, you can get started with 50 dollars
Do you play now?
I recommend learning it’s hard but it’s worth it and in talking about most instruments not just keyboard
12:10 made me smile
I got the PSS-A50 when this series of keyboards first came out. FUN is the most important word you used in your review. I use it as a midi controller for apps on my phone. I use it to transcribe now songs I want to learn, and to study music theory. I find it to be a highly portable and useful tool in addition to my other instruments.
Grant L. Jackson how about the touch sensitivity a50.? Thanks
Whatever you played at 12:12 is exciting and truly unique.
I must say the skills are more important than the gadget you have... you have impressive piano skills!!
Feels like listening to a 30 mins soundtrack of an unreleased LucasArts game.
Right? Some of these patches I feel like I got a game over in a Sierra game.
A lot of that has to do with older PC soundcards using the same FM synthesis programming as these yamaha keyboards (basically all the PSS portasounds are just ultra watered down DX7s without the ability to program your own patches)
Yeah that harpsichord sound took me exactly there!
@@rockerboyworldwide152 hate to “well, actually”, but this is a sample playback based keyboard. The fm portasounds (with the OPL chip you’re talking about) would be the 80’s/early 90’s ones.
@@seamusburke639 Right??? RIght???? Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????Right??? RIght????
This video is great! I actually passed by my local music shop and say one in the window, thought I’d check out a review video about it. Saw about 20 mins of this and was sold. Went back and bout it straight away. Played with it for about an hour and had loads of fun. Watched the rest of the video the next day and you go through all the fancy things about it. Perfect for me to learn with. Cheers for this mate!
Man you have such great teaching energy. It's clear you are passionate about this stuff and you do a great job of sharing your enthusiasm with us. I'm a guitarist who knows about maybe five or six songs on the piano but I truly love your videos. I first saw you a few years back in your videos about Hammond organ, and had one suggestion I wanted to throw out to you: I would love to see a series similar to this but just dedicated to the classic Hammond organ sound.
I play lead guitar in a band with an absolutely phenomenal keys player who grew up playing B3 every sunday at his church. Unfortunately, for many reasons, we don't have access to that organ for our purposes, so our keys player is relegated to using just a standard multi-voiced keyboard that has maybe four or so decent organ sounds. As a huge fan of classic music with all of those great, lush, swirly Hammond sounds, it is honestly a dream of mine to have my keys player getting all of those great real sounds in our music. A dream which has yet to be realized.
What I am curious about is seeing at what price level do the organ sounds and options (like rotating speaker effect, percussion effects, drawbar settings, etc.) get to be anywhere close to a real Hammond? Essentially, what is the cheapest option to get great and truly customizable (like with drawbars) organ sounds? Obviously you can go up to the high end of stuff with Nord's and even Hammond XK-1 and get all the regular organ options, but how cheap can you go with organs and still get a lot of great sounds? What is the best option to get true Hammond tones that don't cost an arm and a leg, or weigh 400+ pounds?
Would love to hear your top picks for how to get the best Hammond sounds with all (or most) of the standard options that you would find on a real Hammond. This is just something I haven't been able to find a good answer to. Thanks, and keep up with the great content!
Yeah he makes this seem so cool, love people
This will change lives when it finds its way into the right hands.
You actually found something this cheap, great job. Love your vid!
Glad you think so!
I kinda feel emotion seeing you finally come to review a mini-key thing. :) This model uses the renowned mini action originally developed for their Reface line, so, good choice! And thanks for getting back with another pleasant video!
My father had a large musical instrument shop (largest in my state actually) when I was a kid, and this brought back so many memories playing all those different keyboards in his shops from high end down to the kiddie toys like this. I had a proper digital classical piano, but it also had a lot of different sounds on it and it actually made practicing for exams a lot better, as when dying from boredom playing pieces I had no interest in, I could switch it up by choosing different instruments.
Think I just found the ideal birthday gift for my daughter😃🙌🎉🎶! Thank you for helping me out. I'm on a tight budget right now, a real piano became a to big of a stretch last year. And she was so dissapointed. Now I can't wait to give her that smile back.
I am amazed by the voices in this unit also. I am MORE impressed with YOUR skills. I could listen to you play for hours on this keyboard. Thank you!
That was a fun review, and more than enough keys to play "One Note Samba"
That’s amazing that it surpassed the splitting Casio, but that doesn’t surprise me considering most of those don’t seem to have anything going for them .
Yamaha's digital sounds are always amazing and seem to be relatively uniform up and down their instrument line. What causes this keyboard to be so cheap is the number of keys (30), lack of screen, and chicklet buttons. If you fixed those shortcomings, you would jump the price up $100 easily. What I like about it is its portability. You can take this anywhere someone could take a guitar which is great for campfires, parties or trips. My only concern would be the speaker. If you are drowned out by the sound of singing, you will be disappointed.
Thanks for this video. I like the way you explain and show things a lot! :)
Converning the PSS-F30: I ordered one right away after watching your video and can't wait to play with it.
Watching your new videos is always a pleasure! With regard to piano reviews, this is the only channel I watch, since your reviews are so comprehensive and cover every aspect of the instruments you review. Great job!
Wow, thanks!
@@ThePianoforever No problem! :)
Pleasant playing, flowed quite nicely. I definitely agree that the reverb on the flute sounded surprisingly nice. Thanks for sharing this instrument with us! (:
The value for me would be to just have something light and portable that I can use without my computer. I’m not much of a player but I do rely heavily on a keyboard midi controller to produce music. Also I live in a small space and don’t have a permanent studio setup at the moment so a standalone instrument could be useful for just getting some play time in and working out some songwriting ideas.
Try the reface series! Perhaps JPS has already reviewed them, but if not, I can only say the reface DX is like a grown-up version of this toy.
if it's good enough to perform at a children's birthday party, it's good enough for me.
In my opinion Yamaha make excellent entry level keyboards, I have a Yamaha YPT 230 and it was sufficient enough for me all the way up till grade 4, even though it wasn't touch sensitive nor had weighted keys, but now I use it as a perfect midi controller and that keyboard has never let me down, and all just for £100
Great review! I'm convinced to subscribe... the $50 keyboard is impressive, and your playing is phenomenal! Love your enthusiasm... Thanks!
This reminds me of my SHS-10 purchase way back in late 80's. I still have it and it works without flaws. Amazing product that brought lots of smiles over the years. Especially during the christmas period. And the sound of the FM chip...well let's call it vintage.
James, with your playing ability, you can make anything sound great 🙂
Yamaha same sound score no matter if you bought e series Keyboard or kids series
Hello bhai
I like yr videos
I just priced it at scamazon for 106 UK pounds, that's $136 nov 2020
@@alanyoung8495 Try Gear4Music, £56.
In 1984 this piano sound would be "groundbreaking". Not to mention the guitar.
in 80s there would be more keys
Nice to see someone give a simple entry-level keyboard a fair shake in a review. I was a little confused how this got recommended to me. Was wondering if it was because of some videos of old synths I'd been watching, then 17:19 happened....
Thanks for doing this review. When I was a kid, we didn't have room for an acoustic piano in our house, and my parents didn't much support my interest in music. There were cheap electronic instruments available, but it can be discouraging to learn if they can't manage a certain minimal level of musicality and playability. This would have been ideal for me at that stage.
Thanks for taking the time to review this class of instrument. While music was never my profession, I went on to direct a choir. I've been looking for a small, inexpensive keyboard my choir members could afford so they could learn to match notes with their voices, and then basic music theory, score reading, sight singing, and eventually picking out difficult passages to rehearse. I think this will fit the bill nicely. I enjoy your channel, and look forward to more reviews.
Yamaha’s sound algorithms are sooooo much better than Casio. Things tend to level out when you start dropping more money, but for a cheap product. In my experience, Yamaha hits a little harder.
It sounds really, really good
nothing beat my sk sampler tho :0. But yeah for 50 bucks!? this is amazing
I love how there is this genuine enthusiasm and joy that shines through reviews such as this. .. even better I love how someone accomplished can find value in cheaper gear. I have three you daughters and this seems like they can get some value out of it now but also in the future.
This is exactly what me and my brothers would do for hours after getting a new keyboard. Go through all the instruments, go through all the beats, go through all the songs, mess with the auto chord, then turn off
A week later, go through it all again
Great review, thank you! These are great to play through effects pedals, like Zoom MS-70 and others, sounds way bigger and a lot of fun!
Nice review. Awesome playing.
This makes me smile. A very enjoyable review.
wow that sounds fantastic! very good testing and I am just simply amazed. I've been watching your other videos so I know a lot of the good sound is from expert playing that you do so well. Still, congrats to Yamaha here.
I think this little gem of a keyboard would be at home with recording artists in the Lo-fi genre, sitting snuggly among 1980s Casiotones and cheap Boss drum machines. Evidently aimed to compete with the likes of the Casio SA-46 at Christmas. Arguably it sounds at the high end of Lo-fi and may benefit from bit crushing inside a DAW or the addition of a bit crushing FX pedal to add some chiptune video game sound. Great review James, you may well have sold one to me.
that is a fantastic idea i may get this just for that
Exactly the idea that has lead me to this video 😎👌 So funny you should mention the Casio SA-46 as I'm looking to add both to my team very soon. Also, the mooer lofi can achieve that lofi granular sound on a budget for the DAWless folk ✋😉
Hi James,
Another great video! You make a 50 dollar keyboard sound so good, keep up the great work.
Yamaha is releasing a PSR E 373 arranger keyboard very soon as the replacement for the outgoing E363. Some of the quick demos on the internet seem to be very good. Maybe Yamaha could get one for you to review, they make it in 61 or 72 key models.
Hope you can get your magical hands on one or both and see what you think.
Thanks for all you do,
Brad Maier
Long Island, NY
Reviewer: Not enough keys to play Bach.
Me: SOLD!
Lol you hate Bach or sumn? Haha
You could still use the octave switch
The yamaha patches are always nostalgic. Great review!
I’ll be gettin this
Thank you very much for the detailed presentation :D
I've been thinking of getting one of these, and this review made my mind up for me. I'm no kid or teenager either ;). I just wish you had added 10-20 seconds to the video and let us hear the built-in speaker, but no biggy. Thanks for this.
Quote: "This is great, but I want things cheaper" 😏 Great review!
I love this video, JPS. I would actually consider purchasing one to take camping. From previous messages you know how much I love the harpsichord and the PSS-F30 seemed to have a great sound. I will most always continue to toss either a cheap piccolo or a cheap flute in my camping kit but the PSS-F30 could be fun to take to the woods. Thank-you for the video. 🎵🎶🎹👍
It would be a near perfect keyboard for camping.
Try the PSS-A50. It’s the high end lol version of this one and it’s an even more legit keyboard IMO
Cool! Looking forward to the A50 review!
Wow ! You even play the black keys ! Seriously, this was a great review. Been thinking about getting back into the keys, but my hands aren't as flexible as they were 40 years ago, thanks to advancing arthritis. Still, this is a nice desktop that would be fun to diddle on and get some finger-cise, too. Be nice to play some Eno, Mike Oldfield and Victor Borge again...Thanks !
Surprisingly good sounds! You are right about the flute
James, you should do the “high end” version of this keyboard: the PSS-A50. It’s touch sensitive, has an arpeggiator and a recorder which allows you to create your own backing track quite easily and it certainly sounds good enough considering the price. I truly love it. I’m not sure that the sounds are as good as this one though, but it’s a real music machine. I use that thing when I,m sitting on the couch watching a movie or on conference calls lol. He keybed on these are incredible. I’d say they are the best “mini keys” made. Yamaha uses them in real high end mini keyboards and every one I know loves them in those.they are really expressive keys for being mini. All the other mini keys I’ve tried are junk compared to them. I am not kidding.
that is what i use!
The keybed on these is great because it's taken straight from the Reface series. I have both an A50 and an F30. There's only a few differences: The A50 only has a subset of the sounds, it drops the auto accompaniment in favor of the arpeggiator, it gains touch sensitive keys, and it can connect to MIDI over USB. The Octave buttons also go up to 3 octaves up or down instead of 1, though the on board speakers don't have the bass response for the lower octaves - it's really only useful for external speakers or MIDI. The A50 also drops the built in songs. Other than that the E30, F30 and A50 are pretty much just small variations on each other. While the E30 is aesthetically for younger kids, it has all of the features of the F30 accessible through the function key, just a smaller sound bank similar to the A50. They're all great keyboards for their price.
I own the A50 and it is really nice. My only complaint is I wanted more basic waveform sounds besides a square wave in the lead library of sounds (every other lead sound is way too loud/busy imo). But otherwise for 100 bucks I don't think you could do much better at that price point for a keyboard to practice theory on/MIDI controller.
I bought the PSS-A50 a while ago and was pleasantly surprised. The internal speaker is reasonable but outputting to my little 20watt guitar amp brings this thing to life. It’s really good for the price (£100) and I highly recommend it.
What do you mean by touch sensitive? You mean the keys are velocity dependent? They don't have a touch surface do they?
I’m a guitar player and like to goof around on keyboards. I’m not ambitious, I’m not very talented and I don’t want to invest in anything big or expensive... but I could see myself hanging out on my couch having a ball with that thing for hours.
From the way the banks/instruments are arranged, it’s sounds GM based. That’s the most affordable GM/GS thing I seen though, thanks for sharing!
I'm a guitar teacher. I think I'll get one of these because once the pandemic ends I'm not really sure I want the kids coming back into my studio, and my wife doesn't want them in front where the piano is. But having access to a keyboard really helps demonstrate some concepts.
I have 5 pianos in my dance room synths in my study and have just moved one into the lounge. Tough times!
This review is excellent and I love watching you play. It’s easier to focus on your fingering on a smaller keyboard. I’ll have to checkout your other reviews.
Wow, am bit confused here, to appreciate the keyboard or your playing skills and choice of songs, both are cool and astonishing. Great work, both of you.
Here’s a question. What would you think about having this on top of another unit as a go to for left hand only basslines? Running right to a small bass amp? Seems like it might work ok for that…
He's done it again the mad lad!
The ‘Banjo’ in the World Instrument section sounded like a Japanese Koto.
That's an incredible amount of features for just $50.
in costs x1.5 more in many countries
A perfect review, on the half of the video I understand this the keyboard I am looking for and bought it ! Thank you
Excellent review, very well done!
Great Review Keep up the good work. Very Helpful
Great video. Great playing and demo.
Thank you! I was looking for something like this to get back in to playing having not played in 20 years and not wanting to spend to much, this looks to fit the bill!
My first ever keyboard was a Casiotone affair in the 1980s, which had similarly tiny keys. They messed me up when I started playing actual pianos. For that reason I expected to hate this one, but I'm sat here with a silly grin on my face as I watch this. Genuinely surprising. I could see myself getting one of these and I have absolutely no idea why.
i love your reviews, i bought a p125 over fp30 after seeing your review as i travel , i wanted a paino to play for leisure on the go. This seems to be a good choice. Again so thank you again.
What an impressive instrument for $50!!! And a very nice review video.
Great review. Thanks!
This looks good. Good review.
You give me a young Mark Hamill vibe. Also, great video! Very informative.
12:12 that's sound n Melody is so good..
I heard a few sounds similar to the Casio I got in 1997. I do have a question. Is the reverb adjustable, or is it particular to the sample being played? I have a few music students who would enjoy this keyboard and I want to be able to provide this, even out of pocket to share with kids that have the same interest in keys I have and grew up with.
Great little keyboard. Going to buy for my toddler granddaughters. Thanx for the review.
I am one of the ones who said GO CHEAPER, I didn't expect you to actually do it!
Would be cool to see a $50/$500/$5000 keyboard comparison explaining what justifies the step up in price. Maybe a dumb idea and too similar to what you've already done but you seem to have gone mad :P so I will throw it out there.
James, thank you for giving objective reviews, and showing us to your great playing skills! I have damaged tendons in my right hand and have been teaching myself piano on a 61 key Yamaha PSR-e403. I'd like to get an 88 key... The one I'm looking at is the Suzuki vg-88. It's a digital resembling an upright grand. Please consider a review of it. Thanks!
James could do an entire movie soundtrack off this...
Colors of the keyboard look like late 60's (what I remember of if).
Everything really was black and white back then!?!?
Damn shazam! That little baby sounds great!! Never would have believed it!!😳
So appreciate you showing us even during a major health crisis...we can still enjoy music and afford to eat at the same time.. much 💕 from NC!
Great review...Thank you.
Your leather jacket is equally as amazing as the keyboard. Keep on rockin!!
You are literally the best. I love the way you think.
My followers are the BEST!!!!
You have a great point, but wouldn't adding a second keyboard tuned to different octaves be a better way to add the missing notes you need?
First comment!! YEAH!!! Your Treble Test Piece sounds better on this than the split/folding keyboard. I appreciate your honesty and fairness of pro/con in your reviews.
Cool, thanks!
Really wonderful video, will be checking that keyboard out !! thank you
My five-year-old son enjoyed the heck out of watching you play. Thank you for applying so much talent to a simple keyboard. He really enjoyed 12:11. And 17:54 - Reminds me of my old Korg M1.
I'll be honest, I never expected hearing Megalovania from you but that was great and a good demo of the synth lol
I struggle with the small key keyboards but can’t argue that these seem like good stock Yamaha patches.
I purchased this keyboard after watching your vedio 😊
Thank you for review
How is he capable to do a 30 minutes video about this!! How mad
TROLL
Because it is a genuinely cool keyboard for the price, lots of features and even the sounds aren't half bad
You play amazing!!! Good review also
Pretty amazing! Brilliant Demo!
Just bought one. Thank the RUclips algorithm gods for recommending this today. Would never have looked for this little keyboard, but it definitely has the vibe I’m looking for to make some experimental lofi.
Wow,, these little "beep-n-boop" keyboards have come a LONG way. The flute sound really was kind of enchanting and even though you thought the strings were a bit cheezy, I didn't expect them to sound as good as they did. The piano? I didn't hate it.
A german circuit bender apptly named these "tablehooters".
Great video. Would you consider making a few videos that show younger and so younger non-musicians how to get started with this device? How to best use the device to play from a simple fake book would be wonderful to see. Thanks again.
I love your videos! I just realized I never subscribed, so I just liked and subscribed!
Beautiful playing!
Great review as always! By the way what is the tune you play at 12:20? Very nice!
So cathy! I would also love to know that.
Amazing demo! Thanks
What kind of table / stand is that you are using? Seems like a most practical thing to have in the studio! :-)
Keep up the great reviews!