INTRODUCTION TO THE CASIO CDP 130
The Casio CDP 130 is a digital piano that is designed to provide a high-quality sound and authentic piano experience to musicians of all levels. This piano features a full-size keyboard with 88 weighted keys that simulate the feel of a traditional acoustic piano.
The CDP 130 offers a wide range of voices and tones, including 10 built-in tones, such as grand piano, strings, and electric piano. It also includes a variety of digital effects, such as reverb and chorus, which can enhance the sound of the piano and add depth to the music.
In addition, the CDP 130 comes with a range of features to help users develop their playing skills. It includes a built-in metronome and a variety of play-along exercises, as well as the ability to split the keyboard into two sections, allowing for duet playing or for the left and right hands to play different instruments.
Overall, the Casio CDP 130 is a versatile and affordable digital piano that offers a range of features and high-quality sound, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced musicians alike.
Features of Casio CDP 130 Digital Piano
The Casio CDP 130 digital piano comes with a range of features that make it a versatile instrument for both beginners and experienced players. Here are some best features:
88 Weighted Keys: The CDP 130 features a full-size keyboard with 88 weighted keys that simulate the feel of a traditional acoustic piano, making it easier for players to transition to playing on an acoustic piano.
10 Built-in Tones: The CDP 130 comes with 10 built-in tones, including grand piano, electric piano, strings, and organ, allowing players to explore a range of musical genres.
Digital Effects: The piano also includes a range of digital effects, such as reverb and chorus, which can enhance the sound of the instrument and add depth to the music.
Dual and Split Modes: The CDP 130 allows players to split the keyboard into two sections or play in dual mode, allowing for duet playing or for the left and right hands to play different instruments.
Built-in Metronome: The piano includes a built-in metronome to help players keep time and develop their sense of rhythm.
Play-Along Exercises: The CDP 130 also features a range of play-along exercises that are designed to help players develop their playing skills and improve their technique.
USB Connectivity: The piano comes with a USB port that allows players to connect it to a computer or other external device for recording or playing along with digital music.
Lightweight and Portable: The CDP 130 is lightweight and portable, making it easy to transport to gigs or rehearsals.
Overall, the Casio CDP 130 offers a range of features that make it a versatile and affordable digital piano for musicians of all levels.
Discretionary Accessories
Since the included foot switch is not very useful and only serves as an on/off switch, I recommend investing in a proper sustain pedal like the M-Audio SP-2 Sustain Pedal.
Accessory you may want to consider is the Casio GSDX Deluxe Keyboard Stand. This will ensure that your digital piano is positioned at the correct height for comfortable access to the keyboard while playing.
Many people want to have a piano in their homes, but traditional acoustic pianos have several disadvantages. They are large, heavy, expensive, and require tuning. As an alternative, digital pianos offer none of these drawbacks and have additional features like multiple piano tones and headphone jacks for silent practice.
If you’re a beginner looking for a digital piano, two popular options are the Casio Cdp 130 and the Yamaha NP-30.
Console
The Casio CDP 130 digital piano does not come with a console or cabinet as it is designed to be a portable instrument. However, there are optional stands and furniture-style cabinets available that can be used with the CDP 130 to give it a more traditional piano look and feel.
One option is the CS-44P wooden stand that is designed specifically for the CDP 130. It provides a stable and stylish platform for the piano and also includes a pedal board to hold the optional SP-33 three-pedal unit.
Another option is the CB7 piano bench, which is a furniture-style bench that can be used with the CDP 130. It features a comfortable padded seat and a sturdy wooden frame.
Overall, while the CDP 130 does not come with a console or cabinet, there are a variety of optional stands and furniture-style accessories available that can be used to enhance the look and feel of the piano.
Sound
The sound quality of the Casio CDP 130 digital piano is one of its key features. The piano is designed to replicate the sound of a traditional acoustic piano as closely as possible, using high-quality sampled sounds and advanced digital processing.
The CDP 130 features a range of ten built-in tones, including grand piano, electric piano, strings, and organ. The grand piano sound is particularly noteworthy, as it is modeled after a concert grand piano and has a rich, full-bodied sound with excellent sustain and dynamics.
The piano also includes a range of digital effects, such as reverb and chorus, which can be used to enhance the sound of the instrument and add depth to the music. The effects can be adjusted using the keyboard’s intuitive controls, allowing players to customize the sound to their preferences.
Overall, the sound quality of the Casio CDP 130 is impressive, and it is considered to be one of the best digital pianos in its price range in terms of sound quality. Whether playing classical music, jazz, or pop, the CDP 130 is capable of producing a rich and expressive sound that is sure to please musicians of all levels.
Transportability and Construction
The Casio CDP 130 digital piano is designed with portability in mind, making it easy to transport and use in a variety of settings. The piano is lightweight, weighing just 23.1 pounds (10.5 kg), which is relatively light compared to other digital pianos in its class.
The CDP 130 also features a compact and slim design, with dimensions of 52.05 x 9.09 x 11.26 inches (132.2 x 23.1 x 28.6 cm). This makes it easy to fit into small spaces and to carry it around when needed.
Despite its lightweight and compact design, the CDP 130 is built to be durable and sturdy. It features a reinforced plastic body and a metal frame that helps to protect it from damage during transport and use. The keyboard is also designed to withstand the wear and tear of regular playing, with a high-quality key action that is responsive and reliable.
Overall, the Casio CDP 130 strikes a good balance between portability and durability, making it a great option for musicians
THE DIFFERENCES
When it comes to digital pianos, there are several models available from Casio Cdp 130 that offer different features and capabilities. While they may share some similarities, each model has its own unique characteristics and benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences between the Casio CDP 130 and other digital pianos from the company.
One of the newest models from Casio Cdp 130, which is an upgrade to the CDP 130. The CDP-S150 features a redesigned keyboard with a more natural playing feel, which is achieved through the use of scaled hammer action. This new keyboard design also includes a simulated ivory and ebony texture, which adds to the playing experience. In terms of sound, the CDP-S150 offers a wider range of tones, including 10 different piano sounds, 20 built-in rhythms, and a variety of digital effects. The CDP-S150 is a great option for those who want a more advanced digital piano with a more realistic playing experience.
Another model to consider is the Casio Privia PX-160. This digital piano is a step up from the CDP 130 and features Casio Cdp 130 Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II keyboard. This keyboard design accurately replicates the feel of an acoustic piano, providing a more natural playing experience. The PX-160 also includes 18 built-in tones, including several different piano sounds and other instrument sounds. In terms of sound quality, the PX-160 has a more powerful speaker system than the CDP 130, providing a richer and more immersive sound experience.
For those who want an even more advanced digital piano, the Casio Cdp 130 is worth considering. This model features a Smart Scaled Hammer Action keyboard, which offers an even more natural playing experience than the Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II keyboard. The PX-S1000 also includes a wider range of sounds and effects, including 18 built-in tones and 192-note polyphony. Additionally, the PX-S1000 has a sleek and modern design, with a slim profile and a high-contrast display.
Overall, while the Casio CDP 130 is a solid and reliable digital piano, there are other models available from Casio Cdp 130 that offer more advanced features and capabilities. It’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences when choosing a digital piano, and to compare different models to find the one that’s right for you. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, there’s a Casio Cdp 130 digital piano that’s perfect for your needs.
THE COMPETITORS
The competition between Casio and Yamaha has raised the bar for entry-level digital pianos in terms of quality. In recent years, we have seen many improvements in cheaper products, which are becoming more and more like professional instruments.
That’s correct! The Casio CDP-130 and Yamaha P-45 have both improved upon their predecessors by incorporating new features and technologies. So, which one is the best 88-key entry-level digital piano available?
If you consider the sound engine, Yamaha may offer something extra, thanks to its AWM Stereo Sampling engine that has quickly become an industry standard and now offers a 64-note The Casio CDP 130 has a maximum polyphony of 48 notes, which is an improvement compared
Like the CDP-130, the Yamaha P-45 offers ten different voices, and these are of great quality for the price–though the best sound is certainly its acoustic piano stereo sample.
If you prioritize the quality of the keyboard action, then Casio might be a better choice for you. The 88-key Scaled Hammer-Action Keyboard from the CDP-130 is superior to the P-45’s–less noisy and weighted more realistically (harder to lighter) just like a real piano.
While things get better if you can afford the budget of the Casio PX-130, which features the new Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer-Action Keyboard, you can’t get more value by choosing one of the more expensive pianos from Yamaha under a $700 price range, such as the P-105 or the new P-115, because they still use the same GHS keyboard as the cheaper models.
The higher price of the P-35 and the P-45 is somehow justified by a few proprietary modes, such as the Duo (which splits the keyboard into two separate parts, which is very useful for teachers who want to play along with their students) and the Half-Pedal support (available with the optional FC3-A damper pedal), which simulates all the mechanical noises of a real piano.
None of these features are available on the Casio CDP-120 or CDP-130 models, but again, if you can invest $100 more, you will get all these features and much more with the Casio PX-130 digital piano.
THE VERDICT ON THE CASIO CDP 130
The Casio CDP-130 is a good digital piano with useful features and satisfactory sound quality. However, if you have a budget of around $400, we suggest taking a look at the Yamaha P71, which we believe is the best digital piano in this price category.
Conclusion
The Casio CDP 130 is an affordable digital piano with weighted keys that simulates the feel of an acoustic piano. It offers a decent sound quality, USB connectivity for MIDI communication and recording, and is lightweight and portable.
Overall, the Casio CDP 130 is a good option for beginners or those on a budget who want a realistic piano feel. However, more advanced players may find the limited polyphony and lack of advanced features to be a drawback. It is also worth noting that the CDP 130 requires an external amplifier or headphones to be used as it does not have built-in speakers.