The Yamaha PSR-E473. Budget Price – Pro Features!

Back in June I purchased two keyboards for entirely different reasons, the Casio CTS-1000V and the Yamaha PSR-E473. I needed a great-sounding slim keyboard for trips away. I really found that in the Casio CTS-1000V, which I reviewed here, on Yamaha Musicians. My elderly mom has required more care of late, so I leave my CT-S1000V there because I always alternate between my home and hers. Mom loves to hear me play and my dad, who is also a musician, can’t believe that it has the sound it does for its size and price point.

But I also needed something else. I had my eye on the Yamaha DGX-670, for many reasons including its amazing sound but also its mic input and DSP effects that could be used with vocals.

As a guitar player, I had gotten used to the organic and expressive blend of voice and acoustic guitar, something I miss even today, beyond words. Arthritis, of course, took that away and I found I could manage a keyboard, but the blend of voice and keyboard was far from wonderful. My voice sounded wimpy when blended with the perfect, electronically processed sounds on my keyboard. Guitar has an earthy, not always perfect intonation, as does voice…at least with a more rustic folk or soft-rock vocal style. The keyboard is very different (for me). The Yamaha DGX-670 was out of my price range, though, so I sighed and released my wish.
Then I found out that Yamaha had already launched an affordable keyboard with a mic input! In March of 2022, the PSR-E473 arrived on the market and I was excited to check it out! Whenever I want to look at something new, I go to the Jeremy See YouTube channel.

I decided to buy the 61-key model, but the PSR-EW425 has 76 keys and larger speakers, 2 X 12 Watts as opposed to 2 X 6 Watts. While I do miss the extra keys, the smaller keyboard meets my needs.

The first thing that really stood out after I turned on the keyboard was the clarity of sound. Some of my often-used tones I had classified as “warm” on my PSR-EW310 were actually sounding with the absence of that pristine layered edge that a clarified sound produces. In fact, strangely, it took a short while for me to get used to that. Very short. Then I loved it far more and still do. The sound is really amazing, especially at that price. It has become my primary keyboard at this time, but I will sometimes play the Yamaha PSR-EW310 if I want more keys. I still enjoy that one and what a bargain for someone on a small budget! The Yamaha PSR-E473 is somewhere, I would say, between a mid and entry-level keyboard. It’s an excellent value.

The interface on the PSR-E473 is easy to understand, but I also appreciate the paper manual. I don’t like to go to my computer when I’m stumped, or worse, read the downloaded manual with tiny text on my phone when I’m away. One thing I really love, compared to my PSR-EW310 is that the PSR-E473 has a jog wheel for quick scrolling. That’s a step up.

I found a treasure in this YouTube channel, “Piano Tone.” As opposed to a manual, I prefer to watch someone operate an instrument. This YouTube channel wonderfully covers most functions on the PSR-E473 and shows you step-by-step how to operate it. For those who are acquainted with arranger keyboards, this might not be needed, but for beginners, this YouTuber, Tony, is worth his weight in gold. He also covers other keyboards, software, and digital pianos. He caters to beginners.

https://www.youtube.com/@PianoTone/sear … 20PSR-E473

The microphone input:

I use my Sure SM58 microphone and I am VERY happy with this feature! If there is a single-most feature that meets my needs, it’s the mic input and the excellent way you can customize the sound. The sound quality is great and I am relieved that the 45 years of songs I wrote for guitar can now be sung with the keyboard. It’s amazing how a few extra DSP effects can fatten up your voice. It’s easy to set the volume and the effects. They stay that way when you turn the instrument back on. It has made such a big difference and I’m really glad I bought it. I feel like I’m slowly getting back into shape.

For anyone curious about the difference between the PSR-E473 and its predecessor, PSR-E463, here is another Jeremy See video.

The Spec:

Control Interface

Keyboard:
- Number of keys: 61
- Touch Response: Soft, Medium, Hard, Fixed
Other Controllers:
- Pitch Bend Wheel: Yes
- Knobs:
Language: English

Voices

Tone Generation Technology: AWM Stereo Sampling
Polyphony (max.): 64
Number of Voices: 820 (294 Panel Voices + 28 Drums/SFX Kits + 40 Arpeggio + 458 XGlite Voices)
Compatibility: GM, XGlite

Effects

Reverb: 12
Chorus: 5
Master EQ: 4
DSP: DSP1:41, DSP2:12

Accompaniment Styles

Number of Styles: 290
Fingering: Multi-Finger, Smart Chord
External Styles: 10
Other Features: One Touch Setting, Style File Format

Groove Creator

Number of Grooves: 35
Number of Sections: 5 (4 Sections + 1 musical Climax/Ending)

Songs (MIDI)

Number of Preset Songs: 30
Number of Songs: 10
Number of Tracks: 6 (5 Melody +1 Style/Groove Creator)
Data Capacity: Approx. 19,000 notes (when only “melody” tracks are recorded
Data Format – Playback: SMF Formats 0 & 1
Data Format – Recording: Original File Format (SMF 0 conversion function)

USB Audio Recorder

Recording Time: 80 min (approx. 0.9GB) per song
Playback/Recording: WAV( 44.1kHz 16 bit stereo)

Quick Sampling

Sampling Type: Oneshot, Loop
Samples (Preset/User): 4
Sampling Time: Approx 9.6sec
Sampling Sources: AUX IN, MIC INPUT, USB audio interface, WAV format files
Sampling Format: Original File Format (16-bit, stereo)
Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz

Functions

Voices:
- Dual: Yes
- Split: Yes
- Harmony: 26
- Arpeggio: 152
- Articulation: Yes
Registration Memory:
- Number of Buttons: 9
- Control: Freeze
Overall Controls:
- Metronome: Yes
- Tempo Range: 11 – 280
- Transpose: -12 to 0, 0 to +12
- Tuning: 427.0 – 440.0 – 453.0 Hz (approx. 0.2Hz increments)
- Octave Button: Yes
- Scale Type: 5 types
Miscellaneous:
- PIANO Button: Yes
- Demo: Yes
- Melody Suppressor: Yes
- Crossfade: Yes
- USB audio interface: 44.1 kHz, 16-bit stereo
- Motion Effect: 57
- Mega Boost: 2 steps (approx. +3dB, and +6db)

Storage and Connectivity

Storage
- Internal Memory: Approx. 1.72 MB
- External Drives: USB Flash Drives
Connectivity:
- DC In: 12V
- Headphones: Standard stereo phone jack
- Microphone: Yes
- Sustain Pedal: Yes
- AUX IN: Yes (Stereo mini jack)
- OUTPUT: Standard stereo phone jacks: L/L+R/R
- USB TO DEVICE: Yes
- USB TO HOST: Yes
Sound System:
- Amplifiers: 6W + 6W
- Speakers: 12cm x 2

Power Supply

AC Adaptor: PA-150 or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha (Output: DC 12V, 1.5A)
Batteries: Six 1.5V ”AA” size alkaline (LR6), manganese (R6) or six 1.2V “AA” size Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (HR6)
Power Consumption: 9 W (When using PA-150 AC adaptor)
Auto Power Off: Yes

Size & Weight

Dimensions (W x D x H): 992mm x 404mm x 136mm
Weight: 7.0kg

Included Accessories

Owner’s Manual AC adaptor (PA-150 or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha) Music Rest.

Conclusions:

Yamaha keeps incrementally improving their budget PSR range and I think the E473 is the best so far. The range of features on offer, combined with the high sound quality is quite astounding at this price point. I can’t really think of anything that has been left out. The only slight negative is that the audio sampling is not chromatic. You can sample into the keyboard but you cannot play those samples along the keyboard. They can only be assigned to the four trigger pads. Still useful but not ideal.

The inclusion of an audio/midi interface on the PSR-E473 turns what would otherwise be a good entry-level keyboard into a great entry-level keyboard. This feature opens a whole world of possibilities. Not only can you record MIDI to a computer but you can also record Audio over USB. No external interface is needed. And of course, you can expand your sound palette with the thousands of third-party virtual instruments and effects available to download, many of which are free. Native Instruments is a good place to start for those.

The Yamaha PSR-E473 is a versatile and affordable keyboard. Great if you are just starting out but also for those more experienced players who are perhaps looking for a good quality instrument that won’t break the bank and doesn’t skimp on sound quality or features.