Product Review: Yamaha PSR-E283
At this year’s (2024) NAMM show, Yamaha announced the launch of its latest innovation, the Yamaha PSR-E283 portable keyboard. Serving as the successor to the acclaimed PSR-E273, this comprehensive student instrument sets a new standard in entry-level musical exploration, boasting an array of enhanced features and capabilities.
With its 410 high-quality instrument voices, 150 preset rhythm accompaniment styles, and 122 built-in songs, the PSR-E283 offers an extensive selection of sounds and styles to inspire creativity and experimentation. Compared to its predecessor, it delivers an expanded range of sounds, providing users with even more options to explore and express musical ideas.
Building upon the success of the PSR-E273, the PSR-E283 introduces innovative features designed to enrich the learning experience and facilitate skill development. From stimulating lesson functions, including a Quiz Mode, to a variety of sound-guessing quizzes aimed at training players' ears, the PSR-E283 offers a holistic approach to musical education.
One of the standout advancements of this model is its Smart Chord function, which enables users to effortlessly produce musically ideal chords with a single finger. This feature, along with Style functions that provide automatic accompaniment, empowers musicians to create dynamic and immersive performances, elevating the playing experience to new heights.
In addition to its enhanced features, the PSR-E283 retains the user-friendly interface, battery-powered portability, and Duo Mode for duets or teacher-student mirroring that made its predecessor a favourite among beginners and educators alike. However, with an expanded sound library and advanced functionality, the PSR-E283 sets a new benchmark for entry-level digital keyboards.
Possible alternatives to the PSR-E283
In terms of similar spec entry-level keyboards, the Yamaha YPT-270 is a cheaper option and provides a different look with its silvery finish, but it is identical in specification to the PSR-E283's predecessor, and thus lacks some features.
If you are looking for something touch sensitive, you'll need to spend a little more, but several solid options are available: Yamaha's next model up is the PSR-E373, and Casio and Roland both offer feasible alternatives with the S400 and E-X10 respectively. Casio's CT-S300 even comes in ever so slightly cheaper than the PSR-E283, but it is not as well suited for mass classroom use, with a far smaller number of songs, rhythms and other education-focused features.
What does Chamberlain Music think?
‘The new entry level Yamaha keyboard builds on the success of previous models with improved sound quality and functions, with 410 good quality sounds including XGLite and drum kits, 150 rhythm styles and a one song, one track record facility.
Ideal for the beginner it also includes a number of built-in lessons so you can learn to play the 112 built in songs. The addition of a new quiz mode is a real boon, as is the smart chord function which should help to enliven the learning experience for even absolute beginners!
While a great value starter keyboard, the keys are not touch sensitive and it does not have a USB MIDI port. If these features are required we recommend the PSR-E373 instead.’
- Dominic Barnett, Director of Pianos