Yamaha PSR-E463 61-Key Portable Keyboard

I upgraded to this from a DJX and seriously wish I hadn't. I also own three Yamaha keytars and am very proficient with them. First, the synth sounds on this are, at least to me, amazing. I'm not a pianist and so couldn't care less what the piano patch sounds like. The saw wave, synth brass, etc. that I use are all there and much clearer than, but will never replace, the sound of the DJX. This thing has a way to adjust parameters in real time, but they took the DJX's real time adjustment system and crammed it into a limited box. I need high and low pass filters, release time and maybe DSP adjustment at my fingertips. I need to be able to toggle split and dual voices with a pedal. Instead I get... five presets that don't work right and if I want the pedal functions I have to install separate jacks myself. Wrong answer! Last is the MIDI implementation. Standard was on the MM6 and just about every PSR series keyboard up to 2005. What happened here!? In order to link *any* Yamaha keytar to this thing via MIDI I had to drop $350 on a converter and even still it thinks every patch should be a piano. Never mind the panel settings, it does what it wants. On the DJX and the Motif series, you set all your patches up on the keyboard itself, then run the keytar as a simple controller. Note on, note off, velocity, pitch bend, modulation, and who did they think needed portamento or aftertouch anyway. Next verse comes up, you hit a preset on the keyboard and keep going. Even customer service has zero clue how to hook up a classic MIDI device like the KX-5 or any keytar at all for that matter (including theirs!) Not here, they took what MIDI this does have and absolutely nuked it. The only way to connect a keytar reliably is via the analog audio port, and that's assuming it has a halfway decent built in tone generator (the KX-5 does not and the SHS-200 sounds terrible). Overall this thing is a money pit. In order to figure out how the stupid USB works I need the thing at home, but I'm a working musician and often times it's sitting on stage at church. The ONLY reason I went for an SHS-500 to shell solve the issues is price. I've played the Roland AX-09 and it's fantastic, but I was able to find an open box 500 for half the price. That's it, though. After being fooled by the $350 ish price tag and having to sink another $350-$400 into it and STILL wind up running all my MIDI stuff through the synthesizer this was to replace, I've had it. I hope the SHS-500 does what I need and can somehow be hooked wirelessly to this thing, otherwise I'm done with Yamaha for modern keyboards. I'll either use their time proven ones or switch to another brand for new. My opinion on their other products has not changed, usually they are well made. I just don't know what they were thinking here.

This keyboard is very reliable and has tremendous sound

Will be used in live worship and possibly in a cover band. Sounds great, love the audio in feature, but lacks the gritty sound of the DJX. No standard d MIDI connection--it's all USB. Has intuitive controls but this comes at the price of setting them mid song. Overall seems to be a great instrument though!

I have re-purchased this item for a second tell him but I wish I have no but it did not come with the power cord because I could've saved it from my first purchase you might want to consider and get it extended warranty since it is a bit fragile.

I am a retired professional guitarist who decided to learn keys about three years ago. The Yamaha 463 is the next tier up for me as an intermediate. I am still leaning all the keyboards functions and sounds. This is a keyboard that I will be able to use on stage. The better the equipment and instruments; the better the sound - the goal of every musician.

I'm not finding too much to praise. It does not come with the power supply or a sustain pedal. Had to reset to factory setting twice.