Sam Mullins

Yep, I played that piano when my Mom was there a couple years ago. A nice respite on those long days.

Just looked a bit at the manual: Nice that they gave plenty of foot controller inputs and options for controlling rotary speed.

As usual, the crowd here has done a good job of pointing out pros/cons vs. competitors. If I was in the marked for an organ-centric all-in-one (which I'm not), my thoughts would be: - Great that they included audio interface in case I need to augment sounds. - Disappointed that there is no aftertouch. I don't buy the "it's a clonewheel" argument since it has pitch bend and mod wheels. I realize that most of the competitors also don't have aftertouch but that could have been a selling point for Yamaha. Roland got it right on the VR-760 (one of the original attempts at this type of keyboard): really nice waterfall keyboard with very smooth aftertouch response. - As a person who has owned several Motif-line and Nord electro/stage keyboards: I would gladly trade the Nord sample library for a useful set of Yamaha high-quality multi-samples. The Nord samples are OK in a pinch and useful as raw synthesis options on the Stage. But for most acoustic instrument emulations they don't hold up to modern ROMplers. As an example, find the "Velo Growl" acoustic bass sound on any Yamaha Motif/MOX series and compare to anything on the Nord library. No contest. - None of the above would make any difference unless the Yamaha is in the same league as the others on Hammond/Leslie emulation. Doesn't have to be the best but it better be darn good.

Hopefully, the keys are standard width, unlike most of their unweighted pro keyboards for the last couple decades which are 3/16 " narrower per octave. Maybe that stopped with the Montage/MODX...I jumped off the Yamaha train when I sold my MOXF so I can't speak to those newer models.

Just curious what you mean by "nord format" and what you don't like about it. The overall layout? The push buttons with LEDs?

My nomination for quote of the week

I see there is a "like new, open box" Nord Electro 5 HP for $1900 on ebay. That seems to fit the bill if you can live with 73 keys. (Electro 6 is closer to 3k).

As Judge John Hodgman is fond of saying " Nostalgia is a toxic impulse".

I am now because: - I'm old enough to afford the flagship. (i.e. house paid off, kids long out of college, etc.) - I've lost the patience with hooking lots of cheaper stuff together to accomplish the same tasks. - I don't let stuff collect; I've probably owned 30 keyboards/modules over the years but I try to keep my number of keyboards to 3-4 at any one time so I want those to cover as much territory as possible. But there was a time when I was quite thrilled to be playing in a band with a Yamaha P90, Roland JV-1010 and an Alesis QS6.

Nice playing Mitch! If I was more of a bread and butter keys guy, I could really see the appeal of Mojo61 on top of Crumar Seven running into one of the new Motion Sound amps. Simple, great sound-sounding setup.

Thanks Vonnor!

Not that I can tell. There are some tones which have splits built in (e.g. bass/piano) but even then you don't hae control of the split point.

To be more accurate, the problem is the fact that USB is not isolated (the way 5-pin MIDI is, for example). Can be solved with one of these: USB Ground Loop Isolator - Jimbo Interesting. Probably won"t spend the $45 to find out if it solves my particular issue. Not a big problem for me and also trying to minimize connections on my couch setup . Thanks for the info though! Update: I did go ahead and order the device that Jimbo suggested (actually $50) and it did indeed drastically reduce the noise. Was originally hesitant to spend $50 for a keyboard I spent $115 for, but I figured it might come in handy in other audio situations with USB devices. So now happily playing Ivory Grand with CT-S300, an iPad and a two short cables...on my couch! Thanks again Jimbo.

Vonnor, what material did you use for the actual pedalboard? I just ordered a StudioLogic mp-113 and now have to figure out how to put that, my two expression pedals, two sustain pedals and footswitch on one easily transportable pedalboard. Should be an interesting logistics problem to solve. There is room inside my stand for the sustain pedals to go on each side, but the expression pedals will have to be mounted above somehow. I sit for gigs so hopefully that can be done without making them too high.

I've been using the Gator Pedal Tote with two Yamaha FC-7 and two sustain pedals (of varying types) for years. Works well for me and not outrageously priced. All four pedals velcro to the base. I do secure the base with gaffer's tape on most gigs but there are other ways of addressing the slippage issue (against stand, on mat, rubber feet, etc.)

Good playing! I think this demonstrates what I was saying; it sounds pretty good on the attack and passages without a lot of sustain sound good. My brother also has a Livetrak L12 and likes it a lot; .nicely thought out practical combination of features for a good price.

To be more accurate, the problem is the fact that USB is not isolated (the way 5-pin MIDI is, for example). Can be solved with one of these: USB Ground Loop Isolator - Jimbo Interesting. Probably won"t spend the $45 to find out if it solves my particular issue. Not a big problem for me and also trying to minimize connections on my couch setup . Thanks for the info though!

Just a follow-up: After doing a web search, this appears to be a problem that is not unique to CT-S300. Many keyboards appear to exhibit this behavior in this configuration (Keyboard USB MIDI Out -> iPad, iPad audio out -> Keyboard audio in)..often referred to as "USB ground loop". I see that Mike Martin commented on a Casio forum that this as a general problem of the technologies involved, not necessarily a problem with a particular keyboard, i.e. it stems from the fact that USB is not grounded.

I've had an ongoing quest for a "couch keyboard" and recently got a Black Friday deal on a CT-S300 ($115). I only had a couple days to play with it before I had carpal tunnel and orbital tunnel surgery yesterday but I thought give my initial impressions while I'm recovering. Here are my couch keyboard requirements with some comments on how well the CT-S300 meets them: - 4-5 octaves with full size velocity sensitive keys For a keyboard in this class, I really like it. It's light but has some resistance in the travel that makes it OK for playing piano and e-piano. I concur with Mike's comments. - built-in sounds good enough to practice songs, voicings, scales I was slightly disappointed in the main piano sound based on my expectations from watching demo videos. The attacks are decent but short sustain in the mid-range bothered me a bit. Didn't have a lot of time with other sounds bit found an epiano that was fun to play. But overall plenty good enough for my couch practice. - minimal footprint It does have a couple extra inches width to accommodate a pitch wheel and I wiil take that as a trade-off. The depth is fine. As a bonus, I love the buuit-in handle which doubles as the mounting for the music stand. The overall build is quite good for this price level. It doesn't look or feel like a toy. - light weight so I can place on lap Acceptable at 7 pounds (8 with batteries) - speakers loud enough for acoustic jams in a small area The speakers seem fine for this purpose. Not super-high fidelity bit I've heard much worse at higher prices. - usb-midi class compliant for easy integration with iPad Worked with no hassle using standard USB to iPad lightning connector. - power via AC or rechargeable batteries Worked fine with 6 AA Energizer NI-MH batteries (even though Casio says you must use Panasonic eneloop)I did not used the recommended One annoyance: I had the idea that I would put the iPad on the music stand, connect USB midi and then run iPad audio output back to audio input on keyboard so I could use those stereo speakers. This "works" but introduces lots of digital noise (affected by cable positioning, display changes,etc) I tried various things to see if it would help (different cables, using AC power instead of batteries) all to no avail. I'm not too optimistic since the User Manual basically says not to do this configuration (while not explainng why): "When connecting a smart device to the Digital Keyboard, do not connect both a USB cable and an audio cable at the same time." Overall I'm quite pleased for the price and think I will use this a lot while watching football, golf,etc. and on vacation.

showoff ! [j/k] Mostly the Fiona Apple, St. Vincent and Radiohead. Good stuff. Unfortunately I'll have to time to listen to the rest of them this winter; I'm having carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve surgery on both sides in the next 3 weeks.

I've listened to 9 of the 50..a few of them repeatedly. Is that a passing grade for an old fart (58)?

In my continuing quest for a good tv/couch keyboard (criteria: >= 4 octave full size touch sensitive keys, minimal footprint, light weight, speakers, usb-midi class compliant, and battery power)...Casio ct-s300 for $115. Can"t see how i will be disappointed for that little investment.

Bummer. Went to take advantage and by the time I went to cart it had been removed Didn't need it but at that price...oh well.

Mitch, as a fellow Iowa grad, you are missing the larger question. Why is she wearing a Hawkeye jersey? Fess up.. are you two dating?

One vote for Soundcraft Notepad-12fx. I use mine in a duo with 2 mics, guitar and 2 keys and have no complaints. Quiet for the price.