Casio CTK-2550 61-Key Keyboard: Review, Specs & Prices

Casio CTK-2550 61-Key Keyboard: An excellent and affordable first keyboard with touch-sensitive keys and loads of features for the beginning keyboard player. Its easy-to-use, lightweight, has USB MIDI, and comes with built-in music lessons. The keyboard is available as part of a package that comes bundles with all the necessary keyboard accessories such as headphones, stand, and power supply.

Highlights

• 61 full-size keys
• Huge variety of tones and rhythms
• Learning tools (via Chordana Play app)

Casio CTK-2550: Pros & Cons

• Who Is It For: Suitable for learning to play music keyboards. It’s good for the price and perfect for the beginner.
• PROS: Value-for-money, packed with features, good audio quality, 61 standard keys
• CONS: No touch sensitive keys, No Sequencer (at this price its usually not available)

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XWS1LLD” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Casio CTK-2550[/easyazon_link] succeeds the popular ctk-2400, and comes with a few more voices/styles. It has several features for the curious minds, although its definitely not for the serious musician.

Casio CTK-2550: Video Demo

Casio CTK-2550: Review

The Casio ctk-2550 is sophisticated keyboard with a wide range of capability. Its 61 keys gives you more than enough room to cover the musical spectrum.

There is no doubt that this is a great keyboard for beginners. But then, this is a notch higher than a pure beginner keyboard. If you have played before and want a board to keep up practicing your skills, this one can definitely fit in there. 61-keys, nice sound, styles and several features. You can also use it as a controller.

There’s a built-in microphone that you can sing, shout or play into, and it picks up pretty well! And the best part is that you can try out the new sounds on the keyboard, across the 61 keys with some interesting results.

Although this board has some bells and whistles (nice ones) in terms of sound bank, you can’t find a less expensive keyboard.

Feature-wise, you’ll be quite happy with what’s provided. Barring a sequencer, you have everything that you can expect on a digital keyboard. You can even connect a media player and play-along to your favorite songs, which makes it even more exciting to play.

The keyboard does not have touch sensitivity—the ability to have dynamics in the notes – you hit based on how hard you hit the keys. This feature is available on a number of beginner keyboards, but not on this one. The keys produce the same level of notes, irrespective of how hard or soft you hit the keys.

Casio CTK-2550: MIDI

Casio CTK-2550 comes with USB-midi jack, which is a bi-directional slot, which means it serves the purpose of both MIDI IN and OUT.

Casio keyboards will automatically work on Windows computer and MAC-OS and iOS (iPad/iPhone), you do not have to install any special drivers to make the midi connection work.

Competition Check

Here are some alternatives that you may consider:

• [easyazon_link identifier=”B0794RNK5V” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Casio CT-X700[/easyazon_link] (61 keys): This one features touch-sensitive keys
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B074SZ3M4S” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Casio LK-190[/easyazon_link]: 61-Key Keyboard with lighted keys (touch-sensitive keys though it doesn’t work very well)
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B00416WHV4″ locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Casio mini keyboard[/easyazon_link]: This one is smaller and cheaper

Casio CTK-2550: Specifications

Here are more features of the Casio CTK2550 61-Key Keyboard:

• Number of Keys: 61
• Polyphony (maximum): 48
• 3-step learning system
• 400 sounds, 150 Rhythms, 110 built-in songs.
• Dance Music Mode lets you play and remix EDM
• Chordana Play app for learning songs
• Speakers: 3.9″ x 2, Amplifiers: 2 W + 2 W
• Inputs available: PEDAL (SUSTAIN/DAMPER), PHONES/OUTPUT, MIC IN, AUDIO IN
• MIDI/USB to Host: NA
• Weight: 7.28 pounds, Dimensions: 12.1 x 37.2 x 3.6 inches

Casio CTK-2550 Keyboard: Accessories

If you opt for the Casio CTK-2550 premium pack, you will get useful accessories such as keyboard stand and a pair of nice stereo headphones (for silent practice).

If you have played keyboards before and played on more expensive keyboards, you may find the sound a bit ‘tinny’, but for the price there’s hardly anything to complain. The accessories that comes along may not be of the best quality, but they do the job well.

Hundreds of rhythms, ability to connect a CD or MP3 player via the audio input and play along to your favorite songs, USB midi, are some amazing features that you get with this keyboard. You can always refer to the onboard learning system that will help you with your learning. If you buy the bundled package, you’ll need to spend some time going through the manual to put it all together. It can take some time if you’re totally new to keyboards. But then it applies to most bundled keyboards. So spend some time going through the instruction manual.

Casio CTK-2550: Buying Links & Prices

Overall, the Casio CTK2550 61-Key Keyboard offers a great value-for-money bundle that is available for well under 200 bucks. With 61 standard size keys, a good library of sounds & rhythms covering a wide range of musical styles, the Casio ctk-2550 is a great Keyboard with several useful features. You can plug in a music player and play along to your favorite tunes. You also have the option of going in for a bundled package with several useful accessories. Great for beginners who are keen to play the keyboards.

Buying Link

• Casio CTK-2550: [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XWS1LLD” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
• Casio CTK-2440 bundle: [easyazon_link identifier=”B00JZEW4XS” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

Checkout more Casio Keyboards here.

KeytarHQ Editorial Team

KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.