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If you’re looking forward to learning how to play the piano and want to start with the basics, our Casio LK-280 review might convince you that this lighted-key model is the right choice for you.
The Casio LK-280 is equipped with everything that you’ll need to learn to play the keyboard, from its integrated Step-Up Lesson System to Lighted Keys. The Casio LK-280 is an excellent blend of the portability of an entry-level keyboard and the features and quality of a professional keyboard, making it the best choice for people who want to enjoy the ‘real feels.’
Our detailed review of this beginner Casio keyboard will help you make a smart and informed decision of whether this model is the right choice for your needs!
Overview of Casio LK-280
The Casio LK-280 is equipped with advanced design and impressive features. It has 61 light-up keys that help the user with the placement of their fingers on the keyboard, enabling them to create great music. With its 600 built-in tones that include organs, diverse pianos, percussion, synths, and orchestral instruments, you get to enjoy the real band feels every time you play the keyboard!
Its incredible features include MIDI operations, USB port, SB card slot, a center display among many, making the Casio LK-280 an excellent learning tool for beginners. It emphasizes on making the learning experience for those who are willing simple, easy, and most importantly, super fun.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, the Casio LK-280 allows the user to record up to 5 songs, layer two tones, and enable them to select different tones for bass and treble keys. It comes with two song transcription books that further assist the user in leveling up their keyboard playing skills!
Casio LK-280 Video Overview
A seven minute video review from a Casio LK-280 user.
Casio LK-280 Specs
The specifications of Casio LK-280 are listed below:
Specification | Description |
|---|---|
Keys | 61 standard-size, light-up keys |
Touch Response | 2 types of touch responses |
Polyphony | 48 notes |
Tones | 600 built-in tones |
Lessons | Step-Up Lesson System |
Connectivity | MIDI, USB |
Auto Accompaniment | 180 rhythms |
Storage | SD card storage |
Recorder | 5 songs, 6 track recorde |
Speakers | 2 (2.5W + 2.5W) |
Dimensions | 37-3/4 inches wide, 13-3/4 inches deep x 4 inches high |
Weight | 4.99kg |
Accessories | Ac power adapter, music book, music stand |
Who Is The Casio LK-280 Most Suitable For?
The Casio LK-280 is most suitable for beginners who are looking to get into playing the keyboard. It features touch-responsive keys that make it easier for beginners to get a hold on the keyboard playing skill. Moreover, it comes with 152 built-in songs, out of which 50 songs are meant solely for practice. With the Casio LK-280, you can get to learning right away!
Also, it allows the user to record their performances and go back to them whenever they wish. It helps them re-visit their previous performances and see where they went off-track and identify the areas where they need improvement.
The Casio LK-280 can be connected to your computer via the USB port. You can download whichever songs you wish to play. The light-up keys will guide the way for you, which means you can literally play any song you like!
What makes the Casio LK-280 good for beginners is its Step-Up Learning System, which consists of practice pieces broken down into simple and small learning units, allowing the user to learn to play the keyboard step-by-step.
In short, the Casio LK-280 is the ultimate learning tool for beginners who are looking for ways to learn to play a keyboard without enrolling in piano playing classes!
What's Included with the Casio LK-280
You don’t have to worry about purchasing each essential keyboard component separately. The Casio LK-280 comes with an AC power adapter, a songbook, and a music stand that not many keyboards come with!
Casio LK-280 Features
The Casio LK-280 is an all-in-one solution for beginners. It is equipped with excellent features that make it a top choice for anyone who is just starting to learn how to play a keyboard. The wide array of features lets users get accustomed to everything they need to before they can move on to playing more advanced, acoustic pianos!
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Display | The surface of the Casio LK-280 features a large display in the center along with a number of controls. On the front side of the keyboard, there is a power switch and knob for adjusting volume. There is a Step-Up Lesson section, the Song/ Rhythm section, and numerous other buttons for the Recorder, Metronome, Sing-Along mode, and for the Tone/ Rhythm/ Song Bank section in addition to the standard controls. |
LCD Screen | One of the most attractive features of the Casio LK-280 is a large display present in the middle of the chassis. It displays all the important details that you’ll need during your jam and learning sessions. The large display makes it easier for the user to navigate through the extensive options that the Casio LK-280 is equipped with. |
Velocity-Sensitive, Light-Up Keys | The Casio LK-280 features 61 velocity-sensitive or touch-responsive keys. You can adjust the volume of the sound produced by the way you press the keys. The harder you press, the louder will be the sound, and the lighter you press the keys, the softer will be the sound. You can switch between two sensitivity levels, as per your preferences. It gives the user the feeling of playing an actual, professional keyboard. The Light-up feature of the keys is what sets the Casio LK-280 apart. The keys light up to help the user identify the keys that they need to press in order to follow the tune of a particular song that they’re playing! |
Sound Quality | The Casio LK-280 features the AHL Sound Engine piano sampling, which along with the 48-note polyphony, produces sound as good as any higher level piano. The organ patch and stereo piano sampling further add to the sound quality that the Casio LK-280 produces. The One-Touch button allows the user to switch from the Piano to Organ preset, which is an excellent feature for people who are a part of the church band. With the AHL Sound Engine, the Casio LK-280 comes with 600 different sounds. 180 rhythms and a built-in DSP like Chorus and Reverb add several effects to the sound. The features do not end here. The Casio LK-280 also features an Auto-Harmonizer and 90 different patterns! It won’t be an exaggeration to say that there is no limit when it comes to integrating sounds into the Casio LK-280. |
Step-Up Lesson System | The Step-Up Lesson System is the reason why the Casio LK-280 is often referred to as a virtual teacher. This system includes 50 practice songs that allow the user to play along. These practice songs are divided into smaller phrases that make it easier for beginners to follow them. With each phrase, the exact keys that the user is supposed to press are highlighted. The user can continue following the notation and fingering until they have mastered playing the song. |
Recorder | One of the finest features of the Casio LK-280 is its 5 song, 6 track recorder that allows you to record up to 5 songs directly on your keyboard. |
Karaoke Mode | The Casio LK-280 also features a Karaoke Mode that enables you to play your favorite MIDI files via the SD card, connect a microphone to the Mic input that is present on the rear side of the keyboard, and enjoy a fun karaoke night with your friends. It makes the Casio LK-280 one of the best entertainment pieces at the price that it is available at! |
SD Card | The Casio LK-280 features a slot for an SD card that allows the users to play their favorite songs on the keyboard. The Casio LK-280 supports up to 32-GB SD card. |
MIDI Port and USB Port | The Casio LK-280 also features MIDI port and a USB port that makes it possible to connect the keyboard to your computer and record soundtracks. |
Speakers | LK-280 keyboard by Casio has a compact design that has made space for two powerful, 2.5-watt speakers. |
Power Input | The best thing about the Casio LK-280 is that even if there is no power source available, you can still use it because it is battery-powered and can run on batteries for approximately 3 hours straight! |
Pros & Cons of the Casio LK-280
The Casio LK-280 has many pros and some cons which have been listed down below:
PROS |
|---|
cons |
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Casio LK-280 YouTube Tutorial Videos
One of the cons of the Casio LK-280 is that it can be a bit confusing to handle, especially for beginners. Many people take help from YouTube tutorial videos to find their way through it. Some helpful YouTube tutorials have been listed down for you below:
Casio LK-280 Manual
You can access the official user manual for the Casio LK-280 at the following link:
Casio LK-280 vs. Yamaha EZ 220
The Casio LK-280 and the Yamaha EZ-220 both feature lighted keys and are ideal options for beginners. Both these keyboards help novices take their first steps towards learning to play the piano. Coming from globally renowned manufacturers, both are excellent choices. However, what is it that makes the two different, and what is it that makes one better than the other?
SOUND
The Casio LK-280 and the Yamaha EZ-220 differ in the quality of sound. The polyphony number of the Casio LK-280 is 48, while that of Yamaha EZ-220 is 32. Another contrasting difference between the two is that the Casio LK-280 is equipped with AHL Sound Engine piano sampling, whereas Yamaha EZ-220 is equipped with a higher quality AWM Stereo Sampling, giving Yamaha EZ-220 an edge over the Casio LK-280.
CONNECTION PORTS
The Casio LK-280 and Yamaha EZ-220 both feature a USB port and MIDI port and can be connected to the computer. However, the Casio LK-280 has an additional SD card port that allows users to use an SD card of up to 32 GB storage to store their favorite songs and play them on the keyboard.
PORTABILITY
The Casio LK-280 weighs 4.9kg, whereas Yamaha EZ-220 weighs only 4.4kg, making Yamaha EZ-220 more portable than the Casio LK-280.
DISPLAY SCREEN
The Casio LK-280 features a large display screen as compared to a smaller display of the Yamaha EZ-220.
BUILT-IN SONGS
The Casio LK-280 has 152 in-built songs, out of which 50 are practice pieces. Each practice song is broken down into small phrases to help the user learn better. On the other hand, Yamaha EZ-220 comes with a songbook with 100 songs that the user can practice with. The learning factor is surely better in the Casio LK-280.
OTHER FEATURES
The Casio LK-280 has a unique karaoke mode in which you can play the songs of your choice, connect a mic, and enjoy a fun karaoke night with your friends. Yamaha EZ-220 lacks the entertainment element.
PRICE
The Casio LK-280 is priced lower as compared to Yamaha EZ-220. The price and features of the Casio LK-280 make it a better option for beginners.
Conclusion
The Casio LK-280 is one of the best entry-level keyboards for beginners. It is equipped with a great set of features and is attractively priced, all of which make the Casio LK-280 an ideal option for anyone who wants to get hands-on training to learn how to play the keyboard like a pro!
Casio LK-280 (click image for more info)
