New Yamaha PSR-E383

[sonic2000gr]

Yamaha videos of this model appeared in YT today and apparently will be already shipping (in a few days) from thomann:

https://www.thomann.de/gr/yamaha_psr_e383.htm

The price is ok, and since they already have the 283 out, I suspect we will soon get an E483 too (and a 76 key version).
I am almost certain it will sound good, but the look (for me) is actually quite dated and uninspiring.

I think Yamaha could take a few lessons from Roland here, their new GO:KEYS 3 and 5 look a lot more modern and probably appealing to their respective audience.

[shelly0624]

I didn't even know about these. Apparently they came out April 24th (if I'm not mistaken). They are quite a bit more expensive than the PSR-E373 keyboards. I would expect Jeremy See to do a video soon. They aren't available in the USA now.

Here is a comparison of the two PSR-E models. I copied the descriptions from the Yamaha Europe website


PSR-E373
622 high quality Voices with improved sampling
Touch-sensitive keyboard with 48-note polyphony
Brand new DSP effects and 11 Super Articulation Lite Voices
205 auto accompaniment Styles
26 Harmony types
150 Arpeggio types
"Keys to Success" with other lesson functions
Duo mode
Easy Song Book available for download
USB TO HOST allowing two-way MIDI and digital audio transfer
Melody Suppressor for both analog and digital audio input
Includes two free online music lessons with a Yamaha Music School teacher

PSR-E383
650 high quality Voices, 260 auto accompaniment Styles
Touch-sensitive keyboard with 48-note polyphony
125 onboard Songs, easy Song Book (available via web download)
12 Super Articulation Lite Voices
Reverb, Chorus and 41 types of DSP effects
26 Harmony types
152 Arpeggio types
Brand new "Auto Chord Play" function for Style
"Keys to Success" with various lesson functions
Duo mode
USB Audio/MIDI Recording/Interface
Battery operation (AAx6)


https://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/m ... index.html

[Saul]

I listened to demos of the PSR-E383 and unfortunately I have to say it is just the same old rehashing that Yamaha has been doing for years. Everything sounds so dated, especially in comparison to what Roland are doing with the Go:Keys 3 and Go:Keys 5. Those keyboards, even though they are aimed at the same entry level market are so much more advanced in both sound and features.

Of course we do need to take into account that the Roland Go:Keys 3 is £100/$100 more expensive than the PSR-E383. A better comparison would be the PSR-E483 when it arrives but, going on past releases, the E483 will be an incremental update on the E473 and unless they have done something drastic with the sound engine, it will sound just the same.

Roland are leading the way now. I doubt whether Yamaha's "Home Keyboard" division are agile enough and up to date with the current music scene to be able to compete.

[sonic2000gr]

I don't even think they care to compete in this.

I guess they base the E series on what 'traditional' music schools around the world are teaching regarding keyboard playing. I guess Yamaha is also running some of these schools themselves.

If it is anything like I've done back in the late 80s - early 90s when I started (and there was a Yamaha keyboard school here then) it was based more or less on well known melodies, some traditional songs and rhythms (waltz, march, samba, pops) and also some classics arranged specifically for auto accompaniment. I would say the instruments matched the curriculum quite well.

But if any of my friends was on the market for a new entry level keyboard, I would have a hard time recommending an E series keyboard. The new Rolands win all the way. These are truly entry level arrangers for the 21st century.

Sometimes I feel Yamaha is run by an old's people committee

[shelly0624]

With any new model there should be a significant offering that separates it from previous models, an unexpected upgrade or a pleasant surprise, (like the AIX sound engine on the Casio keyboards a few years ago). And with those models the price stayed relatively the same as the keyboards with the old sounds. Nevertheless, many beginners started on the Yamaha E-373 and there was enough to keep them busy for awhile and the sound wasn't bad at all, some where nice, especially compared to a couple of others in that price range. The price on this E-383 is kinda high. Now I wish I had a keyboard with weighted keys. I'm noticing how you can't really thump on the keys for dynamics.

[Saul]

The PSR-E373 was a really good starter keyboard and the PSR-E473 was a good step up from it. Although they should have left the sampling out and concentrated on quality of the keys and sounds.

With the PSR-E383 it seems Yamaha is still content to coast whereas Roland are pushing the boundaries of what a starter keyboard is.

For me, looking at the two offerings, the GO:KEYS 3 & 5 represents 2024 and where things are headed. The E383 is a relic from the past. Perhaps it makes financial sense for Yamaha to keep flogging these now very dated keyboards and I am sure loads find their way into schools etc but If I were a young person wanting to get into keyboards keyboards right now, or someone just looking for a good budget keyboard I would be heading straight for Roland

Sometimes I feel Yamaha is run by an old's people committee

You are absolutely right on the money there. Yamaha's "Home Keyboard Division" is full of the sort of people who would not be out of place entertaining at an old people's home. Even the younger ones I have met have this air of "old person" about them. So until that changes I cannot see them doing much in the way of innovating with the PSR-E series keyboards.

Of course, Roland, much like Korg, is a smaller company than Yamaha and they are able to be much more agile in spotting market trends and quickly adapating to them.