Casio CTK6200 61-Key Keyboard

Here’s a complete review of Casio CTK6200 61-Key Keyboard, which replaces the outgoing Casio CTK6000. The CTK-6200 is a powerful keyboard, with several features, yet available at a price that many players can afford! Lots of sounds, wide variety of styles, better tonal quality, built-in sequencer and tone editor are some of the functions that the keyboard boasts of.

Who Is It For?

For Learning to play keyboards

Those who want a good set of Accompaniments

Use as a MIDI controller for more creative possibilities

Those who want a lightweight music keyboard for Travel

PROS
Value for Price, Good features & overall sounds

CONS
Not really a pro-keyboard

There’s no doubt this is a quality keyboard available for a great price; provides good collection of tones, rhythms, music presets, effects, this one comes with 61 touch-response keys.

With a sequencer, multiple digital effects, pitch-bend wheel, mixer, performance registration memory, USB MIDI interface, SD card storage and hundreds of editable tones, this gives you everything you need to create your music and discover the musician in you. It’s also a great keyboard for an absolute beginner, considering the price. You get combo pack as well that includes Headphones, power supply, and Single-braced Stand, besides the ctk6200 keyboard.

Watch: video review of Casio CTK6200 61-Key Keyboard

Song Sequencer
The built-in 16-track sequencer allows you to record each individual musical instrument part separately to a different track, for real multi-track recording capabilities.

You also get a full selection of editing tools such as event insert, event delete, event copy, quantize, a locator feature for selecting the range of notes to be edited, and more. A step recording function also lets you input notes by specifying the length and pitch.

Sequencer and 32 Channel Mixer
For you recording needs, you can record each individual musical instrument part on a different track (on the 16 track song sequencer) for real multi-track recording capabilities. So you can really make some complex songs with several musical instruments in use.

It also provides you with basic editing tools that is easy to use and gets the job done. Once done, you can convert the completed recordings to SMF (Standard MIDI File) format, and even store on an external SD memory card.

The 32-channel Mixer lets you adjust the volume, pan, reverb send, and other parameters, for each of the tracks (using buttons). Sound input from an external source (from the MIC IN) can also be adjusted as desired using the mixer.

Rhythm & Tone Editor
If you want to create your own unique rhythms, make use of the Rhythm Editor, that lets you combine instrument parts from multiple built-in rhythms, turn individual instrument parts on or off, and adjust volume, pan, reverb, and other parameters to create your own original rhythms. Feel free to make your own original rhythms for the various accompaniment patterns such as NORMAL, FILL IN, INTRO, and ENDING. The Rhythm Editor does make it easy.

Want to make change to the tones? You can do it with the tone editor; go ahead and modify the attack and release time, cut off, vibrato, reverb, chorus and DSP as per your needs.

Rhythm Editor
With the Rhythm Editor you can create your own original rhythms by combining bits and pieces from multiple built-in rhythms. You can turn individual instrument parts on or off, adjust volume, pan, reverb, and various other parameters to create your own unique and original rhythms.

You can even create original rhythms for NORMAL, FILL IN, INTRO, and ENDING accompaniment patterns. You can store up to 10 original rhythms in memory that can be recalled whenever you need them.

Wide Range of Digital Effects
You get access to a wide range of effects, and you can apply different effects to a tone to create exactly the sound you want.

Built-in effects include reverb (10 types), chorus (5 types), and DSP (100 types using 46 effect types including delay, phaser, flanger, wah, rotary, and more).

Arpeggiator
Another handy tool that you can use while performing is the arpeggiator. It lets you play various arpeggios and phrases automatically by simply pressing keys on the keyboard. You can choose from a wide selection of different arpeggiaton types.

Pitch Bend Wheel
Want to make the other acoustic instruments (guitar, sax, etc.) sound more authentic? Use the pitch bender wheel to add a touch of realism in your playing.

As you can see, some of the above features makes it more like a performance keyboard, you still cannot compare it with a thousand dollar keyboard as they come with several knobs/sliders to make the editing easier, and the sound engine is much more powerful & better.

Useful for Live Performances
You do get a wide range of built-in effects. In addition to the several reverbs, choruses and DSP types, you can also create your own unique DSP effects and store them (up to 100 original types) in memory for later recall.

Want to use this keyboard in school bands, annual events, or even for smaller gigs, you get all the tools for live performances. Use the registration banks to save your favorite settings, which can be recalled instantly when performing live. A simple operation saves the current setup, including tone, rhythm, and other settings for instant recall when you need them.

Here are more features of the Casio CTK6200 61-Key Keyboard:

• 61 piano-style touch sensitive keys
• 700 high-quality built-in tones, 210 rhythms that cover a wide range of musical genres, from rock and pops, to jazz, Latin, piano pieces, and more
• Store up to 10 of your own original tones for instant recall
• Comes with 16-track Song Sequencer plus one system track that supports recording of up to five songs
• Built-in effects include reverb, chorus, and DSP including delay, phaser, flanger, wah, rotary, and more
• Top quality digital samples of acoustic musical instruments recorded using the most advanced digital technology.
• Song sequencer (16 sequencer tracks), Rhythm Editor, 32-channel mixer
• Built-in Metronome
• Arpeggiator & Auto Harmonize
• Powerful 7W+7W high-output 2-way, 4-way speaker system
• Pitch bend wheel
• Audio Inputs & Outputs, USB Midi
• Runs on Batteries
• Dimensions: 6 x 17 x 42 inches; 19.5 pounds

Here’s what users have to say about this product
This is great entertainment for all of the family members, and can be used by many if you have several music enthusiasts at home. This is a nice platform to brush-up on your skills, even for those who have had piano training before. Even better, it’s got the grandchildren more interested in developing a musical talent, which is what I really like about it. And it’s mobile which gives us flexibility for the keyboard’s use as we can take it along when travelling.

Assuming you get a Korg PA arranger, are you going to use all the sounds and rhythms there? Here’s a board that gives you several gig-ready tones (you can edit them to make them one) and several cool rhythms in popular styles. You also get a 16-track sequencer, option to connect SD card, option to connect audio inputs. In terms of price, you pay one-tenth of the price. Definitely worth weighing the options available here. This one has several gig-ready tones.

Much better than what the price suggests: We are a group of amateur musicians and I use this keyboard in live performances with my band, and i’m quite happy with it. I also own a Fantom and Motif, which I use for different gigs and in my studio. I just wanted a different keyboard for smaller gigs and also to slow the wear and tear to my other pro keyboard. A friend of mine suggested this and I would say that i’m really floored with what I heard (especially the piano sounds, after some editing). You can Layer, split, octave shift (2 octaves), it has a pitch bend, variety of DSP effects, and 16 track sequencer, which is more than sufficient for my needs. I am definitely surprised looking at the price, this is a great keyboard for the money and lower priced than any Yamaha with similar features. I definitely need to change my view about Casio (whom i used to see as cheap makers of wrist watches and calculators).

Lots of features but its not a Pro Keyboard
There are several experienced musicians who are always looking for more sounds and the ability to make them unique. This one lets you edit the tone but you can only use effects such as phaser, chorus, flanger, distortion and wah. So, not really a fully fledged synthesizer, but then, for the price, its asking for too much.

It does come with several features and a cool arp. It has great sounding organs, synths (sawtooths, leads, pads, atmosphere), basses, drawbar, and rock sounds, besides several other sounds. The fact that you’re getting so much for a couple of hundred dollars is worth appreciating.

Besides, you also get various input/output terminals, USB MIDI port, a SD memory card slot, and lot more on the ctk-6200 61-key keyboard.

Competition Check
When it comes to beginner keyboards, most Casio keyboards are quite good so you should be fine with this one. If you are a fan of Yamaha, you may not really get a touch sensitive keyboard for less than 200 bucks. For just over 200 dollars you do get the Yamaha YPG-235, which is a great product especially for those who are keen to learn to play the piano but don’t want to spend a lot. That one comes with 76-keys and is worth exploring if you are keen to learn the piano.

Final Thoughts

Once again, we are talking about a product from Casio (priced at around 200 dollars), which offers you a lot more than what the price suggests. Not really a performance keyboard, but there’s no way you cannot be amazed at the overall quality of the product, considering the price. It gives you a bit of everything that is required for practicing and for composition. It comes with powerful built-in speakers, onboard sequencer, effects, mixer, arpeggiator, and more. The portability is something most songwriters will like.

Overall, the Casio ctk-6200 61-key keyboard is a great product for serious beginners, intermediate players looking for a good second keyboard, or for songwriters who want a portable and affordable keyboard. The Casio CTK-6200 comes with all the essential tools to practice, compose, and even perform.