Casio LK 280 Review: Best Digital Pianos For Beginners Of Casio
When we talk about digital piano for beginners, the brand Casio always come out. Of course, it should not be a surprise, considering that they have released multiple entry-level keyboards (e.g. the LK 165 and LK 170).
This time, we will introduce you to this Casio LK 280 review.
Primarily, the LK 280 is one of the best beginners pianos of the brand Casio. It is a good unit that can act as your digital teacher. Specifically, it has features that make learning a lot easy.
It is a great thing, knowing that the piano is a hard instrument to master. Moreover, the piano has a portable and intuitive design. Therefore, using it is not that difficult at all.
Before we fully discuss the features of the Casio LK 280, let us narrow down first the essential things that you need to look for a digital piano. In this way, you will get the best unit for your needs and money as well. Read on!
Casio LK 280 Review & Buyer’s Guide
We already gave you the essential components that you should look for a digital piano. Therefore, we can already showcase you the features of the Casio LK 280.
This digital piano has all the essential features for beginners to learn the instrument fast and properly. Moreover, you can guarantee that its features comply with the industry's standards.
This particular digital piano features a compact and lightweight construction. It also offers an intuitive design, with the majority of its space being given to its two speakers.
You will also be happy that this model comes with a slot for SD cards if you want to download or upload a song from your computer.
Overall, the Casio LK 280 offers solid performance and functionality. To know more about its features, you have to read on!
Huge Sound Library
Casio does not limit itself when integrating sounds to its machines. Specifically, the LK 280 boats 600 tone presets and 180 rhythms. Excluded from this count is the whopping 150 songs that you experiment and play.
Of course, you can guarantee that these audio files are distinct and unflavored. Each of them undergoes sampling procedures to make them immune to tone loss.
Speaking of sampling, this device comes with a built-in microphone for sampling. Therefore, you can sample sounds from your voice or surrounding sources and integrate them in your rhythms.
The Casio LK 280 also houses multiple effects like reverbs and chorus. With these features, you can guarantee that this machine has enough arsenals to satisfy your needs.
Ideal for Piano Learners
Just like the rest of the LK Series, the LK 280 is using a Step-Up Lesson System. This assistive feature acts as your digital instructor on how to play the piano.
Specifically, this system separates the songs into various pieces so that you can familiarize them at your pace. As a result, learning the notes and concepts becomes hassle-free!
Moreover, the system includes a performance assessment to rate your progression. It also offers a guide for the proper fingering, which you can see on its LCD screen. Notably, this system also lets you practice with either or both of your hands!
Touch Sensitive Keys
Although we know that all LK pianos don't use the weighted mechanism, the LK 280 still stands out. The reason for this is due to its touch-sensitivity feature. With this feature, you can set the sensitivity of the keys to three levels.
However, you can still disable the sensitivity so that the volume would just be the same regardless of how hard or soft you pressed the keys.
The keys of the LK 280 also uses a lighting system. The latter will allow the keys to light up, depending on the notes that you have to play. It is still an assistive function that you will love!
Pros:
- 48-note polyphony
- AHL Sound Source
- Sampling function is available
- Extensive sound library (600 tone presets and 180 rhythms)
- Step-Up Lesson System
- Keys are touch-sensitive
- Full 61-keys
- Multiple connectivity options
- Compact and portable design
- High-quality speakers.
Cons:
- LCD doesn't have a backlight (it is hard to see the status in low-light conditions)
- The keys don't have weight.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Digital Piano
Polyphony
The term polyphony is like jargon, especially to people that are not into music. But for the musical aficionados, they know that this concept is highly important, especially on pianos.
Specifically, polyphony refers to the maximum number of notes that a piano can play at a time. For example, a three-note chord will require a machine with 4-note polyphony. However, such amount is too small.
Most of the digital pianos today already come with 48-note to 128-note polyphony. If you want to play classical pieces, then you should go with those models that have 128-note polyphony or more.
But for amateurs, pianos that have 48-note polyphony or less can work already.
Sound Sampling
We all know that there is a limit to what a digital piano can do. After all, it doesn't have those particular parts that an acoustic piano possesses.
Fortunately, many manufacturers imbibed innovation to their machines. This scenario gave birth to sampling.
Specifically, sampling is the process of recording sounds from different sources and instruments for later playback.
With these sounds, you will be able to create complex harmony and rhythms. If the digital piano has a layering function, then you can take advantage of this feature fully.
Another thing that you should look at is the rate of the sampling. This aspect tells you the quality of processing for the recorded sounds. In short, it is not enough that you can record a sound.
Instead, the recorded audio should have enough "depth" and "rate" to prevent tone loss.
Quality of Keys
The build of the keys is another essential aspect of digital pianos. We know that you want to invest on a digital piano because you are tired playing with those toy keyboards.
Therefore, you should inspect the keys of the digital pianos that you want to buy.
Specifically, you need to choose a digital piano that has a weighted-key mechanism. It is through this action that you can feel that you are like playing a real piano. You can know if the keys have weights if they offer resistance if you press them down.
Moreover, you should also consider the number of keys that you want your piano to have? Do you prefer starting with a full 88-key piano? Or you are already happy with 61-key or 76-key models? You are the only one that can answer that.
Social Proof
You can see a lot of good reviews for the Casio LK 280 on various music forums.
Even on online retailers, this product is still undeniably reputable. Specifically, piano users regarded the sound quality of this digital piano. They said that its sound is audible enough and doesn't show any flavoring.
Moreover, people liked how compact this machine is. According to some of its users, the LK 280 is a good digital piano to give to children because it is lightweight and durable.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Casio LK 280 offers a wide array of functions and features at your disposal. Despite having an entry-grade price, this product still comes with sophisticated capacity that truly gives value to your money.
If you are a beginner, you will certainly love the service of this digital piano. It is intuitive, user-friendly, and downright awesome!
Did you learn from this Casio LK 280 review? Tell us your thoughts about this digital piano in the comment section below.
