The PSR-225GMAD has everything a musician new to keyboards would need to get started creating, composing, and/or performing music, without the expense of a professional synthesizer. It's a fantastic keyboard at a phenomenal price. The PSR-225GMAD boasts a total of 238 voices. The voices are simple to access: press the Voice button, then type in the appropriate voice's number (all of the voices with their numbers are listed in the accompanying manual). For an inexpensive instrument, the quality of these voices is well above average. The PSR-225GMAD is a General MIDI-compatible keyboard, which means 128 of the voices are grouped in a standardized way: if you connect the keyboard to a computer--via the MIDI ports using MIDI cables (sold separately)--the PSR-225GMAD will correctly play General MIDI files (a standard of most MIDI files in educational software and of those available on the Internet).
If you enjoy playing along with built-in drum patterns and bass lines, then you will want to press the Style button. The PSR-225GMAD contains 100 different auto accompaniments from a variety of musical genres. The keyboard can harmonize chords for you, and it can select voices that match well the style you have chosen. You can easily change the tempo or move between an intro, ending, or two preset sections of a song.
There is also a Song function on the PSR-225GMAD, which allows you to play back songs or record your own songs. This is one area where the PSR-225GMAD does not shine. The user can store only a maximum of three songs. Each song can have up to six tracks, but the interface for recording these tracks is cumbersome and counterintuitive.
A user more serious about creating their own songs will probably opt for connecting the keyboard to a computer and using a software-based sequencer. The novice songwriter will most likely become frustrated rather quickly with the PSR-225GMAD's built-in sequencer because of its complexity and limitations.
There are a number of other useful and extremely easy-to-use functions on the PSR-225GMAD, including a metronome, dual- and split-keyboard modes, and sound enhancers such as reverb and chorus. The five-octave, 61-note keyboard and good-quality built-in speakers make the PSR-225GMAD very fun to play.
Overall, the PSR-225GMAD is a quality keyboard for new keyboardists and composers. --Chris Fresolone
Pros:
- 5-octave, 61-note keyboard
- Built-in speakers
- Good-quality sound
- General MIDI compatible
- 100 different auto accompaniments
- Easy-to-use functions and sound effects
Cons: - Limited and difficult-to-use built-in sequencer
