An affordable Keyboard, which provides:
most of the basic functionalities required for a beginner, along with
future growth possibilities is an uphill battle for sure.
Luckily, the PSR series of keyboards from Yamaha (Especially, Yamaha PSR E363) offers these much needed functionalities without hurting your pocket.
The PSR series of keyboards are portable, feature loaded, beginner friendly and highly affordable.
I am not saying all of these good stuff just to hype the keyboard.
But, I am saying this because I used it for 200+ days and I can say that it is a good enough entry level keyboard.
So, let’s enter the world of music with the 61 Keys Portable Keyboard from Yamaha, the PSR-E363.
The Yamaha PSR-E363 is definitely an ideal instrument for beginners and music lovers.
With its variety in sounds and features, there is plenty of room to explore in different categories.
Its versatile functions and expressive touch-sensitive keyboard action makes it perfect for beginners, by providing all they need to start and continue on their musical journey.
Lets have a look what PSR-E363 has to offer to us.
Comparing Yamaha PSR E363 With Yamaha's Other Best Selling Digital Pianos
image | Model | Keys | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
P 125 | 88 | Best Model Fully Weighted Hammer Action Keys Great Feel CF Sound Engine USB-MIDI Connectivity App Integration Genuinely Priced 91% positive reviews on Amazon | ||
P 45 | 88 | Best Seller Budget Friendly Authentic Feel Weighted Hammer Action Keys Minimalist Design AWM Sound Engine 88% positive reviews on Amazon | ||
YDP 163 | 61 | Best In The Class Console Piano Graded Hammer Action Keys (GH 3) Pure CF Sound Engine App Connectivity Built-In Pedals 10 Voices 192 Polyphony 87% Positive Reviews | ||
PSR EW 300 | 76 | For Beginners Touch Sensitive Keys 574 Instrument&Voices 165 Styles App Connectivity Lots Of Learning Features Lightweight 81% Positive Reviews | ||
PSR E363 | 61 | For Beginners Touch Response Keys Yamaha Education Suite For Easy Learning Duo/Layer Mode Weighs only 8.8 Lbs PC, Mobile Connectivity 87% Positive Reviews |
Reading Reviews Is So 90's, Instead Check The Video Review of Yamaha PSR E363 below 👇
Yamaha PSR-E363 Features
Keyboard
Touch –Sensitive Keys Allow Expressive Dynamic Control.
The PSR-E363 features a 61-notes touch sensitive keyboard and a complete range of features you would normally only find on a high-end entry level keyboards.
The thing to note is the keys are touch sensitive not weighted (PSR E363 is an entry level keyboard and getting a weighted keys keyboard is not possible at this price point).
On a touch responsive keys the sound depends upon the intensity of the key press.
So, when you press the keys heavily you will get a louder sound and pressing it lightly will result in a lighter sound.
The good part of sensitive keys are that it allows you to be more expressive and it also creates more convenience according to what you want.
For example, when you're at home and you want to play a song of your choice at a lower volume because a family member is asleep, the touch sensitive keys allow for that and makes it convenient for you.
my audio setup with Yamaha PSR E363 epy
Sound
The better an instrument sounds, the greater is the inspiration.
Yamaha PSR E363 offers a massive choice of 574 high quality different instrument voices with improved sampling.
Because the instrument has a library that contains so many voices, it helps you experiment and also enjoy with so much of variety that you don't usually get.
It includes some sweet voices which reproduce the characteristics of each instrument in more detail.
The PSR-E363 also features a comprehensive song library and also has 48 note polyphony.
It includes some sweet voices which reproduce the characteristics of each instrument in more detail. The PSR-E363 also features a comprehensive song library.
Real-Time Backing Band Tracks
Yamaha PSR E363 has 165 backing accompaniment styles, featuring musical genres from all over the world.
It provides real-time band backing tracks based on the chords you play.
The portable grande button instantly sets of the iconic grand piano sound.
"Check this Cool Video Demonstrating 5 Best Thing About PSR E363"
Lesson Mode of Yamaha PSR E363
Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S) and keys to success feature.
The Y.E.S makes it easier to learn the built in songs which is a perfect option for beginners who are just starting of.
The keys to success feature provides short and easy step by step lessons which makes learning piano more easy and fun.
These small but effective way to teach result in playing entire songs in just only couple of days.
While other substantial lesson function steadily support the learner, such as the “touch tutor” function which helps when learning expressive playing.
Yamaha PSR E363 also offers a song book which needs to be downloaded separately.
The best part of song book is that it gives you a score based on your performance of the on board songs which comes preloaded with PSR E363.
This really helps to evaluate your performance without the help of any tutor.
The songbook also provides tips for the lessons with image, glossary and more.
PSR E363 is really focused toward beginners and Yamaha had delivered their best effort toward making learning piano easy and fun for newbies.
Functions
Duo mode
Duo mode splits the keyboard into two identical halves so the student can learn by watching and copying their teacher’s hands.
And the inbuilt two-track recorder captures your song and melody ideas as well as complete performance when ever needed to review or play.
Brand new reverb effects and master EQ.
Twelve new types of reverb effects add different ambiance that sounds as if you are playing the keyboard in a large hall or out stage.
There is also chorus and other effects with a master EQ to adjust your overall sound as per your need.
Arpeggios help you in performing complex passages with great ease.
The arpeggiator instantly creates complex note sequences for a professional sound.
Choose from 150 arpeggio phrases and The inbuilt registration memory allows you to store your favorite settings for instant recall.
Connection
AUX- IN terminal and Melody suppressor
Aux-in allows you to connect your music player and play along with your favorite songs.
Use the melody suppressor to virtually remove vocals from tracks.
Connect to portable devices or PCs for more fun.
The USB TO HOST interface can transfer both MIDI and audio files.
You can connect PCs or iOS devices for digital recording or to playback from the built-in speakers.
For iOS devices there are free apps available in the app store, including cloud audio recorder for digital recording, my music recorder and MIDI audio and video recorder for tracking and sharing learning progress which is quite cool.
Sound controller allows you to manipulate sound in real time without dropping a single beat.
yamaha pSR E363 vs PSR e463
Yamaha PSR E363 Alternate
The Best Alternate for Yamaha PSR E363 is Yamaha NP 12. The Price is Nearly same so don't forget to check it.
My Experience With Yamaha PSR E363 Portable Keyboard
A Summarized And Quick Overview Of The Features Of The PSR E363
- Touch Sensitive Keyboard With 48-Note Polyphony And Adapter.
- 574 High Quality Voices With Improvised Sampling.
- Brand New 12-Type Reverb Effects And Master EQ.
- 165 Auto Accompaniment Styles.
- Comprehensive Collection Of 150 Different Arpeggio Types.
- Duo Mode For Practice .
- “Keys To Success” With Other Lesson Functions And Education Suite.
- Easy Song Book Available For Download.
- USB To Host Allowing Two-Way MIDI And Audio Transfer.
- AUX IN Terminal And Melody Suppressor.
As I stated above, I used PSR E363 for more than 20 days and I can say that without a doubt that it is one of the best keyboard for beginner. It makes learning piano quite easy.
You might need a teacher on later stage but at initial stage the lesson mode got you covered.
Their are couple of drawbacks likes the keys are not weighted, the sound loudness is good but can be improved but expecting these many features from an entry level piano is not equitable.
If you are a teacher and you are setting up your piano school then E363 might be a good option to consider. As it is quite rigid and offers everything a beginner needs.
The PSR-E363 a great combination of high quality sound, powerful features and inspiring versatility from Yamaha.
And the price at which PSR E363 is available is quite low when compared with what it offers.
Yamaha
Digital Pianos / Keyboards
Yamaha PSR-E363 Manual
https://in.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/7/890277/psre363_en_om_b0.pdf
That's all from Our End. Hope Our Unbiased Review Of Yamaha PSR E363 helped you in making a better decision.
Till Then,
Keep playing and Spread Love.
Which version is better E343 or E263, Do it comes with transpose and string resonace features ? And lastly do it sound like a toy ?
E343 and E363 are also a good option as they offer a bit more features but If I were you I would definitely go with E363 as it is more beginner friendly and easy to navigate.
Yes, it offers a transpose feature but lacks the string resonance sound. I think if you are looking for something user-friendly and for someone who is just stepping in than E363 and E263 are a good option to consider.
What is the price of E363 and how many tones does it have ? And is the grand piano sound good ?
The price of E363 is $205, it has more than 500 tones to choose from. I can say that the grand piano sound is good but don’t expect too much as this is an entry-level keyboard. If the feel and tonal quality is your priority I suggest going with PX S1000. and PX S3000
What is the use of DUO mode in E363? Is it some glorious feature only that has no practical use?
Hey Kevin, The Duo mode in PSR E363 is one of the best features for those who are just started learning the keyboard.
The duo mode allows you to learn piano by sitting side by side with your tutor.
Actually the mode divides the keyboard into two equal halves (each half has its own middle “C” note).
So you can sit right to your teacher and watch her playing and the finger placement and repeat the same on your end.
Duo mode makes learning easy and fast. You can also sit with your friends and family and can enjoy playing together.
How yamaha education suite helps in learning E263 ? Is it for total novice or do one need some prior experience to learn from yamaha suite? And is it light enough that a 10-year boy can lift it?
Hey Elinor, You will be glad to hear that the Yamaha Education Suite is specially designed for the very beginners student. The suite has various modes to speed up the learning process but making sure that the younger student get a firm grip on playing the piano.
Also, the inbuilt duo mode on E263 helps in learning piano at a great pace cause the student can sit side by side with their teacher or other student and copy the hand movements. This learn by doing method makes learning the piano easy.
PSR-E263 weighs around 13 pounds and I am sure your 10 Year old son has the power to change the world like every youngster so lifting the keyboard is not going to be a big deal for him. ????
Dear Daniel,
Very nice article. I’m from India and I am seriously considering to buy the E363 once this coronavirus hell is over 🙂 I’m unable to find any reviews of it’s Indian voices, or any major voices for that matter, anywhere on the internet. I’m most interested in the harmonium voice, which does exist in its voice list as per the user manual. Do you know any reference to the voice list walkthrough?
And one more thing, are there any musical software kits that we need to purchase in order to use its full capability? Couldn’t find anything such in the manual though.
As you said it is ideal for beginner do you think a 61 key keyboard is good to start learning? Don’t you think 88 keys will be much better for beginner to start learning.
David, I agree with your point that 88 keys are a better option for a beginner. But I am referencing PSR E363 as entry-level because of the price and features it offers. Whereas 88 keys keyboard are a much better option but the price is often high, and when you are not sure how long you will pursue playing piano than its much better to start with a cheap option under $250 keyboard rather than $600-$700 entry-level digital piano.