INTRODUCTION TO THE YAMAHA PSR E343
In the past, portability was a significant selling point for keyboards, especially when large, unwieldy models were the norm. However, the landscape has evolved, and today, being compact and lightweight isn’t enough. Manufacturers must offer more than just a portable keyboard—it should also perform exceptionally well. After all, what good is a lightweight keyboard if it falls short in functionality?
Yamaha E343, a renowned leader in the music instrument industry, boasts a wealth of experience in crafting keyboards of all kinds. They believe they’ve hit the mark with the PSR E343, offering what they deem the ultimate portable keyboard, complete with features designed to meet users’ demands. But does it live up to Yamaha E343 claims? Is the keyboard truly as exceptional as Yamaha E343 suggests?
Sound
The Yamaha E343 manages to deliver impressive sound quality considering its portable nature and cost-effective design constraints. This keyboard, designed for affordability and portability, can’t accommodate powerful amplifiers for enhanced output. Nevertheless, it still produces high-quality sounds that can fill a reasonably large room.
Among its sound offerings, the electronic tones stand out, demonstrating a commendable performance. Accurately capturing piano tones is often challenging for entry-level keyboards, but the Yamaha E343 pleasantly surprised us with its piano tones, which sounded quite decent for its compact size.
The keyboard boasts a well-balanced range of sound options, enabling the creation of various musical styles. Additionally, the EQ feature allows for precise tone adjustment, making it easier to achieve the desired sound and facilitating the creation of unique music. You’ll also find a selection of effects like harmony, wide stereo, reverb, and chorus at your disposal.
An exciting feature of this keyboard is the melody suppressor, which opens up endless possibilities for music creation. By connecting the keyboard to a mixer, computer, smartphone, or another keyboard through a line output to Aux-in connection, you can edit songs and blend different sounds seamlessly. You even have the option to mute vocals in a song and replace them with your unique sounds. This feature not only fosters creativity but also aids learners in playing along with diverse music styles to improve and diversify their skills.
Other Features
The Yamaha E343 is undeniably designed with learners in mind, as evident from the inclusion of the renowned Yamaha E343 Education Suite. This program serves as a comprehensive guide, assisting users in mastering keyboard skills, playing along with various demo songs, and harnessing specific effects for vibrant performances. The Education Suite is a valuable asset for learners, offering access to 102 songs and vivid demos showcasing how to play them. It even provides finger sequences, aiding users in reproducing each demo song accurately. With these finger sequences and the demo songs, learners can practice and improve their skills independently.
Positioned at the center of the keyboard’s top panel, you’ll find a backlit LCD screen. This multifunctional display serves several purposes, including showing the notes being played and the currently active chords. It acts as the gateway to the various features of the PSR E343, granting access to the Education Suite, finger sequences, and more. This display is an invaluable tool for visualizing finger placement and movements required to play selected songs.
Moreover, the keyboard offers the capability to record two tracks and up to five songs. The PSR E343 boasts built-in recording functionality and allows for the connection of external devices to export your compositions. Notably, the keyboard is compatible with mobile devices like iPod touch, iPhone, and iPad. Yamaha provides a dedicated app that enables users to control the keyboard using their mobile device. Simply download the app and connect your gadget via the i-UX1, granting you control over modulation and pitch bend features.
Touch
The keyboard’s keys on the Yamaha E343 may prove a bit challenging for some users, and there are several key issues to consider, even for learners.
Firstly, the keys are relatively narrow, which can lead to frequent mistakes when playing. This narrowness could pose a significant challenge for many beginners. While users may eventually adapt to these keys over time, they might outgrow this keyboard as they progress in their skills. Transitioning to a keyboard with standard-sized keys may require another period of adjustment. However, these compromises in key size are the trade-offs necessary for a compact and portable keyboard like the Yamaha E343.
Another drawback of the Yamaha E343 is that its keys lack both weight and pressure sensitivity. In today’s market, most keyboards aim to replicate the touch and response of acoustic instruments by incorporating weighted keys that also respond to pressure variations. This keyboard, however, doesn’t provide any semblance of what it feels like to play an acoustic instrument. For beginners, this might not seem like a significant issue, especially considering the cost difference between this keyboard and a grand piano. However, the problem is more profound than it appears.
As you learn and become proficient on this keyboard, you may one day transition to an advanced digital piano. When that happens, you’ll suddenly realize that your experience with the Yamaha E343 has not prepared you adequately. The absence of weighted keys means that the transition can be quite challenging, and you might feel like a beginner all over again. Yamaha could have improved this keyboard by incorporating even basic weighting technology, providing users with a glimpse of what advanced keyboards feel like.
Despite these drawbacks, the keys on the Yamaha E343 function reasonably well, and those who have never used other keyboards may not notice any significant issues.
YAMAHA E343 SPECS
- Dimensions: Width 945mm (37 3/16″); Depth 368mm (14 ½”); Height 121mm (4 ¾”)
- Weight: 4.4kg
- 61 touch-responsive keys
- Backlit LCD screen
- AWM Stereo Sampling
- 32-note polyphony
- 550 preset voices
- GM and XGlite compatibility
- Effects: Reverb, Harmony, Ultra-wide Stereo, Master EQ, and Chorus
- Functions: Split, Panel Sustain, and Dual/Layers
- Multi-fingering
- 136 preset accompaniment styles
- 102 preset songs
- Recording: 2 tracks and 5 songs
- SMF playback
- Yamaha Education Suite
- Tempo range: 11 – 280
- Transpose: -12 – 0 – +12
- Metronome and tuning available
- 7MB internal memory
- Connections: AUX IN, AUX Pedal, USB to HOST, DC IN, and Headphone jacks
- Two 2.5W amplifiers
- Two 12cm speakers
- Power options: Six AA batteries or an optional adaptor (PA-3C/PA-130)
- Power consumption: 8W with an optional PA-130 adapter
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE YAMAHA PSR E343
In conclusion, the Yamaha PSR E343, given its affordability and portability, serves as a decent entry-level keyboard. It offers pleasant tones and a range of useful features, notably the Yamaha Education Suite. However, it may not be a keyboard you stick with for an extended period. As you become more proficient and gain mastery over keyboard basics and musical nuances, the E343 may feel limited in its capabilities.
This keyboard is most recommended for absolute beginners who are taking their first steps into the world of keyboard playing. For them, the E343 provides essential learning tools, the ability to play along with demo songs, and the means to create their unique sounds. Its budget-friendly price ensures accessibility to a wide range of aspiring musicians, eliminating excuses for not embarking on a musical journey.