Casio first released its Casiotone keyboards way back in the eighties. Building on its promise to supply consumers with electronic pianos that anyone could afford, they recently revived this line with more modern features and updated models. I have received the CT-S100, 200, and 300 and spent quite some time exploring the various modes and options. Keep reading to find out if these digital keyboards with attractive price tags are right for you.
Here is a short video explaining the main differences between models and sound examples from the CT-S300.
Casiotone common features
Whichever model you pick from the Casiotone keyboards, you will get a 61 note keyboard. Although this is not the full range of a regular piano, it is a pretty good compromise between range and portability. You will be able to play most of the world’s repertoire. The keys are also full sized, unlike some highly transportable options that exist. There is a minimum amount of weight on these keys, unlike an acoustic piano. Although this is great for playing synths, organs, and many other instruments, it’s not ideal to develop proper technique that will transpose easily to the conventional piano. In fact, many teachers insist on the weighted key feature. Make sure you consider this before purchasing your first instrument!
All three keyboards have the same plastic shell that sports a very useful handle. These keyboards are so light, you might find yourself carrying it around by the handle most of the time. I still recommend a case though, and Casio has the SC-50B, which can be carried around as a backpack: perfect! This handle also accommodates the music rest that comes with all three digital pianos.
An adapter is included, but you can also power the keyboard using 6 AA batteries. This is really smart from Casio, because these models lend themselves really well for playing on the move. On the back, you’ll find an output for headphones and a USB plug. Unfortunately, the CT-S100 is the only model that’s incompatible with Casio’s learning app: Chordana. This is a shame, because the app is well built and helps you learn songs in an efficient manner.
Sounds and features
The entry model, in comparison to its siblings, is quite limited on the number of sounds. There are 122 different ones to play with, which is still a respectable amount of variety. But when you compare to the 400 available on the 200 and 300, it feels, irrationally, very small. The absence of an LCD screen on the base model makes switching sounds slightly different than most keyboards, so that might take some adjustment.
All three models have rhythms that you can use to accompany your playing. The 100 has 61 different rhythms, while the 200 and 300 have 77 of them. This feature is a lot of fun and will enhance your practice experience by making you feel like you are actually making music.
One of the big differences between the 100 and the 200/300 is the Dance Music Mode. This is actually a lot of fun and will develop your arranging and composing skills. It enables you to take a variety of instrument loops (drums, bass, and two synths), as well as a few different effects, and activate them at the press of a key. This is quite similar to what producers do with some digital audio workstations and sequencers.
I’ve had a very pleasant time trying out various combinations of instruments and parts to create my own jams. I think this feature will be a hit with younger users. If you are curious, there are two examples of me playing around in this mode in the video, so make sure to give it a listen.
The CT-S200 and 300 models
The LCD screen on the 200 and 300 models makes navigating easier, but it’s still a chore because of the amount of sounds to cycle through. There’s really a limited amount of buttons to help you navigate. Apart from the presence of a mod wheel, the huge difference between these two is the presence of touch sensitivity on the CT-S300. Depending on the amount of force you use to press on the keys, the sample that will be triggered will reflect your pressure. This means things will get louder the harder you play and vice versa.
Impressions
If you ever felt any sort of jealousy towards guitarists who carry their guitars along to the party and become the center of attention, now’s your chance to either compete or join forces. All three models are very easy to carry, and the built in speaker/battery powered combo really enables you to bring music to everyone, no matter the location.
The price of the Casiotone keyboards is very attractive and could incite a lot of beginning pianists to consider these models. If you do decide to go this route, I highly recommend the CT-S300 over the other two. In this day and age, I have yet to understand why companies make keyboards that aren’t touch sensitive. If you don’t have this feature, you are essentially cutting out dynamism in music. This really is a shame as it is part of the building blocks of music.
That being said, Casio conceived these models very well. You could definitely use them as a backup keyboard too. The variety of sounds and rhythms will serve you well and will cover you in most situations. The features are generous, and the Dance Music Mode is a fun activity to get your creative juices flowing. Also, if you have access to the Chordana App, you’ll be able to quickly learn the 50 built-in songs or import your own. A cool point system gamifies the whole experience, making it quite motivating to keep getting better and better. This is a great way of learning to play on your own or to supplement your lessons.
I’ve also recently reviewed the Casio CDP-S350, which might interest new players that are looking for the best bang for your buck with weighted keys and quality features.
Make sure you check out the Casio Casiotone keyboards (CT-S100, CT-S200 and CT-S300) on Best Buy’s website.
My daughter would love the Dance Music Mode and the Chordana App makes it easy for her and myself to learn to play the keyboard easily.
The full sized keys.
built in speakers are good but portability is better.
Built in speakers is a big plus for me since I can use it as a midi controller or solo!
Crisp and clear sound and soft touch
the portability of them
Powerful speakers, lightness of device, and touch sensitivity are features I love about these keywords.
they are light to carry and have a handle
Full sized keys are a great feature. Love the battery powered and portability too!
I love the full sized keys and how portable the keyboards are!
built in speaker and battery powered
The full sized keys are my favourite!
I like the touch sensitivity on the 300, disclose to the feel of weighted keys.
I like that they are compact but still have a good range for beginners
My daughter would love the dance music mode – she’s constantly in motion!
THe Dance Music Mode cause I know my kids would love it and play with it endlessly
I love their portability and ease of playing. Casio has been, and continues to reflect affordable quality in a keyboard.
My daughter would enjoy the 200 because of the dance music mode and i like that you can use it in conjunction with the learning software.
All three of the keyboards look great. I really like the handle design and how it can be carried without a gig bag (although Nikolai has a good point about getting the official carrying case). Really like that the CTS300 has a mod wheel which would make it an ideal midi controller keyboard for music production while also being a portable stand alone keyboard.
I like that they are portable so I can easily take my music with me..
Dance Music Mode!
they are light to carry especially by the built in handle
I love all the features of casio ct s 300. Light weight, easy to carry, affordable and best keyboard for beginners.
The Dance Music Mode sounds like a lot of fun! My daughter would love this!
I like how portable the keyboards are
Portability with full sized keys
I like that they all have a 61 note keyboard.
I love the classic 80s nostalgic name of Casio and the keyboards ultimate portability!!
I like the rhythms that you can use to accompany your playing
Portability!
Portability!
I like the rhythms that you can use to accompany your playing
I love all the different rhythm beats. It will make playing music so much fun.
I would love the portability and my granddaughter would love the Music Mode sounds and learned out to play it. Thank you! We for sure would have lots of fun with it.
The battery powered keyboard is an awesome feature.
Love the keys on these, and the size.
The full size keys are awesome!
My granddaughter would absolutely love the dance music mode! I would love the portability of it 🙂
Portability!
On all the Casio keyboards, I love the useful handle. It makes the keyboards easily portable, much easier to carry and less chance of dropping them by accident!
I’d love this for my daughter, she would love the handle for moving it!
I love it!!
Looks so easy to carry on great sound!
Music is food for my soul.
I especially love its portability, more related to storing in my space-challenged digs than toting to another location.
My favourite feature on the keyboard is the LCD screen. Thanks to Bestbuy for this amazing contest!
What I love most about the 200 is the incredible colour selection and the cool portable design. AWESOME!
Portable and integration with Chordana Play app look like a real winner. My son wants one so bad.
Honestly I love how light it is. We started on a giant piano which wasn’t ideal because it wasn’t portable so this is definitely the way to go for lessons. Thanks for the giveaway!!
Thank you for your honest review. It is so important to have information from people who have already tested a product to make an informed decision. I really like the option of Dance Mode and think it would enhance my son’s creativity for sure!
The feature I like the most about Casio keyboards is their portability. Even though they sport full-sized keys, they are still light enough to carry around!
The Dance Music Mode sounds like so much fun! With Winter coming on I’d love the chance to win the CT-S200BK Casio Keyboard to keep me busy learning and enjoying making my own music!
These look pretty neat. The pricing isn’t that different, so I would probably go with the CT-S300 if I am able to pick one up.
I haven’t been able to sit and play piano much in the past few years, since I don’t own one and my parents got rid of theirs, so it would be nice to be able to easily pull one of these out and play.
Thanks Nikolai!
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