Yamaha PSR-E243 And PSR-E343 Portable Keyboards

Yamaha today launched the PSR-E243 and PSR-E343 portable keyboards at the 2013 NAMM Show. Primarily geared towards learning musicians, each model offers the built-in Yamaha Education Suite, which enables students to teach themselves piano as well as built-in accompaniment styles that make it possible to sound like full bands. USB TO HOST connectivity makes interfacing with personal computers and Apple iPad/iPhone/iPod touch easy. The PSR-E343 also adds an AUX line input and Melody Suppressor so players can perform the lead part in their favorite songs stored on MP3 players.

Yamaha PSR-E343

For more seasoned music makers, these versatile models can also be used as MIDI controllers for computers and high performance sound sources for XG-lite music software applications.

The PSR-E243 and PSR-E343 keyboards offer built-in speakers featuring the Ultra-Wide Stereo DSP button that creates greater separation and a more spacious sound. Both models also provide players with more sounds and Styles to explore than ever before – 385 voices and 100 Styles in the PSR-E243 and 550 voices and 136 Styles in the PSR-E343. In addition, Yamaha offers iOS/Apple music apps for iPhone/iPad and iPod Touch that extend and enhance the music-making experience. Connections to iOS devices require the optional i-UX1 USB MIDI interface cable.

"The PSR-E243 and PSR-E343 are perfect keyboards for the beginner. In addition to great sound, both models have easy learn-to-play features, a built-in library of songs, connectivity and support for iOS devices and computer music programs," says Mark Anderson, Yamaha Keyboard Division Director of Marketing. "Both models represent technological marvels at their price points."

Additional features include the Yamaha Education Suite―built-in lessons that let users teach themselves to play, a new power-saving mode and 61 full-sized keys. These affordable models also let users play along with a band or use the dedicated Portable Grand button to instantly call-up a great sounding grand piano.

In addition to AUX line input, the PSR-E343 has touch sensitive keys for expressive, piano-style playing and a more powerful speaker system for a fuller sound. Both the PSR-E243 and PSR-E343 will ship in May 2013.