Yamaha DGX300 76-Key Portable Keyboard
No longer available at zZounds
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Bass ports. Built-in metronome.
Overview
Yamaha Corporation of America, Portable Keyboards, announces the Winter NAMM 2002 debut of the 76-key DGX300 and 88-key DGX500. Targeted to the "first-time" buyer looking for a piano-oriented product, the new entries are ideal choices for educational, worship, or home environments.
"Yamaha is recognized as a world leader in pianos - from home models to concert grands," notes Jim Presley, marketing manager, Portable Keyboards, Pro Audio & Combo Division. "That experience makes the DGX300 and DGX500 especially significant, due to their piano focus. Consumers can now enjoy the look and feel of an expensive acoustic piano without the financial commitment, and that should certainly appeal to the large entry-level market."
A selection of Yamaha's famous XG voices has resulted in remarkable sonic quality. Both models feature a stereo-sampled piano voice, a technology previously reserved for much more expensive, professional keyboards. With the Yamaha Portable Grand function, one dedicated piano-shaped button sets up the keyboard to play in full keyboard mode, with an optional piano accompaniment style available.
Many of the functions have vocal cues that announce in English. The built-in Yamaha Education Suite (YES) contains both right-hand and left-hand exercises, a built-in chord directory and interactive functions that grade the playing of internal exercises. Just to make the learning experience more fun, there are even built-in musical games. With Yamaha's Music Database,… read more simply select from over 200 song titles, and the entire keyboard will set itself up for that song.
The DGX300 and DGX500 should also appeal to the technology-savvy consumer, as one push of a button on the front panel allows direct access to a computer. Both models also contain a 3.5 in. disk drive for loading additional software and saving work. Users can write, arrange and store songs, recording as they play. Song files may be downloaded from the Internet onto a 3.5 in. disk in a computer, then transferred to the DGX300 or DGX500 and played. MIDI song files may also be purchased from a music store or from selected Internet sites. The back-lit display will display songs on the disk by name; to play the song, simply push the Start button, and the unit becomes a stereo sound system. Friends and family can send personalized song files to each other - even as email attachments.
Other features include bass ports for enhanced sound and a built-in metronome. read less
"Yamaha is recognized as a world leader in pianos - from home models to concert grands," notes Jim Presley, marketing manager, Portable Keyboards, Pro Audio & Combo Division. "That experience makes the DGX300 and DGX500 especially significant, due to their piano focus. Consumers can now enjoy the look and feel of an expensive acoustic piano without the financial commitment, and that should certainly appeal to the large entry-level market."
A selection of Yamaha's famous XG voices has resulted in remarkable sonic quality. Both models feature a stereo-sampled piano voice, a technology previously reserved for much more expensive, professional keyboards. With the Yamaha Portable Grand function, one dedicated piano-shaped button sets up the keyboard to play in full keyboard mode, with an optional piano accompaniment style available.
Many of the functions have vocal cues that announce in English. The built-in Yamaha Education Suite (YES) contains both right-hand and left-hand exercises, a built-in chord directory and interactive functions that grade the playing of internal exercises. Just to make the learning experience more fun, there are even built-in musical games. With Yamaha's Music Database,… read more simply select from over 200 song titles, and the entire keyboard will set itself up for that song.
The DGX300 and DGX500 should also appeal to the technology-savvy consumer, as one push of a button on the front panel allows direct access to a computer. Both models also contain a 3.5 in. disk drive for loading additional software and saving work. Users can write, arrange and store songs, recording as they play. Song files may be downloaded from the Internet onto a 3.5 in. disk in a computer, then transferred to the DGX300 or DGX500 and played. MIDI song files may also be purchased from a music store or from selected Internet sites. The back-lit display will display songs on the disk by name; to play the song, simply push the Start button, and the unit becomes a stereo sound system. Friends and family can send personalized song files to each other - even as email attachments.
Other features include bass ports for enhanced sound and a built-in metronome. read less
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
(84 ratings)
Submitted July 15, 2004 by a customer from netrworld.com
"A Great Machine For A Great Price."
I've been able to suppliment the background rhythym tracks with very good stuff off of the internet. Unless I go to a Yamaha TYROS or PSR 9000 Pro, I think I will stick to this machine till I wear it out.
This keyboard is easily comparable to a top of the line Roland at a much lower price. I actually abandonned Rolands because they did not maintain any sort of catering to the portable workstation player. The Yamaha DGX 300 is eminently suited to those of us in this venue. I would recommend it to anyone.
If I had to replace this product, it would most probably be with a Yamaha PSR 9000 Pro. This is because of the features that machine has, not because of any lack in quality with this machine.
The DGX 300 is sized right, has great features and sound, is a little less flexible to me than the Roland, but more intuitive to those who would sit down at it initially, and is a great value. There is very little about it that i do not like.
As I said, the finish leaves some room for improvement, and the screens over the speakers need to be beefed up or replaced with something that will not get bent.
Sound
I've had the DGX300 for over a year now, playing it in outdoor situations, in small rooms, and in large auditoriums. The sound it produces is comparable to, and perhaps better than the sound that I previously achieved with my Roland e-66. I usually play solo, but the DGX300 mixes nicely with other guitar, bass, and drum instrumentation.… read more Pianos, Accordians, Trujmpets, flutes, saxes, are all superior sounding, and have impressive effects built into the machine.
Features
When I bought it, all I needed were the basic accessories, ie., CD Rom, Floppy Disk, etc., It came with a sustain pedal, but I had a much better pedal for it, and did not need a keyboard stand since I had a very sheek one for stage use. Overall, the features are very good, but I wish it had a CD Player on board, and a set of output jaccks that would allow the onboard speakers to be used as keyboard monitors. I wish it had both fills and variations, and that the finish was a deep finish rather than painted on (I'm fairly careful with it, but some of those who use it aren't. I personally don't need the teaching tools, but definitely see the need to have them on board for those who need to learn how to play.
Quality
The quality of the Yamaha is excellent. My only gripe regarding quality has to do with the finish which is painted rather than molded. It will scratch more easily, wear off if someone doesn't watch for where their fingers should be as they are turning the volume up or down, etc.. I wish that the screens over the speakers were molded ridges rather than a screen which can be bent by someone leaning on it. I had had a Kawaii once that had the distressing habit of having keys that broke about once a month. This is a far different animal. It is durable, reliable, and enjoyable to use. As I said, the only problems I have with the quality of this machine have to do with the finish, and the screens covering the speakers. Otherwise, I love it.
Value
Yes, the difference between the price of this machine comparable to others is phenomenal.
Manufacturer Support
This is my fourth Yamaha since 1980 (PS 3, PS 20, PS 55. DGX 300) I cut my teeth on these machines as it were, and have come back to using one now as a semi-pro. I have never had reason to deal with customer service. All of the the machines have been well constructed and taken a beating very well.
The Wow Factor
There are a lot of good machines out there, some of which are much prettier, but overall, this is one that a musician could sit down at, and be producing very good sound in a short length of time. Those of us who do "single finger chords" will find it to respond easily, and to be very satisfying.
Musical Style:
Gospel and Sould read less
Sound
I've had the DGX300 for over a year now, playing it in outdoor situations, in small rooms, and in large auditoriums. The sound it produces is comparable to, and perhaps better than the sound that I previously achieved with my Roland e-66. I usually play solo, but the DGX300 mixes nicely with other guitar, bass, and drum instrumentation.… read more Pianos, Accordians, Trujmpets, flutes, saxes, are all superior sounding, and have impressive effects built into the machine.
Features
When I bought it, all I needed were the basic accessories, ie., CD Rom, Floppy Disk, etc., It came with a sustain pedal, but I had a much better pedal for it, and did not need a keyboard stand since I had a very sheek one for stage use. Overall, the features are very good, but I wish it had a CD Player on board, and a set of output jaccks that would allow the onboard speakers to be used as keyboard monitors. I wish it had both fills and variations, and that the finish was a deep finish rather than painted on (I'm fairly careful with it, but some of those who use it aren't. I personally don't need the teaching tools, but definitely see the need to have them on board for those who need to learn how to play.
Quality
The quality of the Yamaha is excellent. My only gripe regarding quality has to do with the finish which is painted rather than molded. It will scratch more easily, wear off if someone doesn't watch for where their fingers should be as they are turning the volume up or down, etc.. I wish that the screens over the speakers were molded ridges rather than a screen which can be bent by someone leaning on it. I had had a Kawaii once that had the distressing habit of having keys that broke about once a month. This is a far different animal. It is durable, reliable, and enjoyable to use. As I said, the only problems I have with the quality of this machine have to do with the finish, and the screens covering the speakers. Otherwise, I love it.
Value
Yes, the difference between the price of this machine comparable to others is phenomenal.
Manufacturer Support
This is my fourth Yamaha since 1980 (PS 3, PS 20, PS 55. DGX 300) I cut my teeth on these machines as it were, and have come back to using one now as a semi-pro. I have never had reason to deal with customer service. All of the the machines have been well constructed and taken a beating very well.
The Wow Factor
There are a lot of good machines out there, some of which are much prettier, but overall, this is one that a musician could sit down at, and be producing very good sound in a short length of time. Those of us who do "single finger chords" will find it to respond easily, and to be very satisfying.
Musical Style:
Gospel and Sould read less
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