Side by Side Comparison of Casio CTK-5000 & Yamaha PSR-I425
by Rajib Ghosh • September 23, 2011 • Review • 28 Comments
Compare Yamaha PSR I425 with Casio CTK 5000
With 533 comments (as of writing of this post), my article comparing the Casio & Yamaha keyboards is the most popular article on the blog. While the article does discuss the keyboards, technical details are not available in the article.
Here is a tabular comparison of the keyboards illustrating the similarities and differences in the technical details of the keyboards. Note that the two most important differences cannot be illustrated in this article – The sound quality of the keyboards and your heart’s actual desire.
| Casio CTK-5000 | Yamaha PSR-I425 | |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard | ||
| Keys | 61 Standard sized keys | same |
| Functions | Split (Customizable split point), Layer (2 tones, only on right side if Split is On) | same |
| Display | LCD Display (Backlit) | same |
| Tones | ||
| Built-in Tones | 670 (17 Indian voices: Sitar 1/2, Sitar Pad, Tanpura 1/2, Harmonium 1/2, Santur 1/2, Sarod 1/2, Shanai, Sarangi 1/2, Tabla, Banjo, Muted Banjo) | 514 (16 Indian voices: Harmonium 1/2/3, Bansuri, Sitar 1/2, Sarod, Tanpura, Tabla Kit, Indian Kit, Sitar 1/2, Sitar Dutuned, Tamboura, Banjo, Muted Banjo) |
| Edited Tones | - | same |
| Sampled Tones | Up-to 5 sampled tones (Sampling from Audio-in) | - |
| Maximum Polyphony | 48 notes (24 for multi-layered tones, less depending on layers+splits) | 32 |
| Auto Accompaniment | ||
| Built-in Rhythms | 200 (7 Indian styles: Bhangra, Dadra, Garba, Keharwa, Dandiya, Teen Taal, Bhajan) | 162 (12 Indian styles: Bolly Mix 1/2, Indian Pop, Bhangra, Boliyan, Goan Pop, Garba, Rajasthan, Qawwali, Bhajan, Tamil, Kerala) |
| Variations | Intro, Ending, Variation1+Fill-in, Variation2+Fill-in | same |
| Edited Rhythms | Up-to 10 (Edited versions of Built-in rhythms) | - |
| User Rhythms | Up-to 5 sampled rhythms (Sampling from Audio-in) | 1 User loadable Style File |
| Chord | 4 fingering modes | Multi-finger |
| Tempo | 30 to 255 Quarter Note Beats Per Minute | 11 to 280 |
| Tap Tempo | - | Yes |
| Metronome | 0, 2 to 6 Beats Per Measure | 0 to 60 |
| Metronome Volume | Adjustable from Menu | same |
| Synchro Start/Stop | Synchro Start only | Synchro Start & Stop |
| Accompaniment Volume | Adjustable from Menu | same |
| Performance Assist | ||
| Built-in Songs | 152 | 256 |
| User Songs | Up-to 10 | Up-to 5 |
| Music Preset | 305 (Keyboard tone & rhythm setup as per popular songs) | 30 |
| One Touch Preset | 200 (Tone setup as per selected Rhythm) | Automatic (Set voice to 000) |
| Effects Processor | ||
| Reverb | Types 1 to 10, Off | 9 types |
| Chorus | Types 1 to 5, Off | 4 types |
| Pan | Full-left to Full-right | same |
| EQ | - | 5 Master EQ Types |
| Real-time | - | 2 Control Knobs (Cutoff, Reverb, Attack, Resonance, Chorus, Release, Style-control) |
| Other Functions | ||
| Transpose | ± One Octave (-12 to +12 semitones) | same |
| Octave Shift | ± Two Octaves (Applicable on both sides of Split) | same |
| Tuning | A4 is at approx. 440 Hz, adjustable by ± 100 cents | same |
| Scale Tuning | 16 Preset Scales, Scale Fine Tuning, Quarter Tone | |
| Auto-Harmonize | 12 Types | 26 types |
| Auto-Harmonize Volume | Same as last note velocity | Adjustable from Menu |
| Arpeggiator | 90 Types (On right side only if Split is ON), Arpeggio Hold | 62 types (2 India Arpeggios: Teentaal, Dadra) |
| Arpeggio Volume | Same as last note velocity | Adjustable from Menu |
| Pitch Bend Wheel | 0 to 12 Semitones | same |
| Touch Response | 2 Levels, Off | same |
| Volume Control | Knob for Main, Tone, Rhythm in Menu | same |
| Volume of Sound Layers | - | Adjustable from Menu |
| Registrations | ||
| Number | 32 (4 setups x 8 bank) | 16 (2 setups x 8 banks) |
| Type | Volatile (battery required to keep in memory) | Non-volatile |
| Recording Functions | ||
| Type | Real-time Recording and Playback | same |
| Number | 5 songs of 6 tracks each | same |
| Memory | Approx. 12000 notes total notes capacity | (unclear) |
| External Storage | ||
| Storage Type | SD Memory Cards (2GB or less) | - |
| Functions | SMF playback, File storage, File recall, File delete, Card format. | - |
| Data Types | Sampled Sounds, User Rhythms, Recorded Songs, User Scale Memory, Registration Setups | - |
| Learning Functions | ||
| Songs | (all built-on songs) | Dictionary |
| Lessons | 4 types (Listen, Watch, Remember, Auto) | similar |
| Lesson Parts | Left hand, Right hand, Both hands | same |
| Functions | Repeat, Voice Fingering Guide, Note Guide, Performance Evaluation | Lesson 1-3, Repeat & Learn |
| Music Challenge | 20 Notes | - |
| Input/Output | ||
| USB Port | Type B | same |
| Sustain/Assignable Jack | Standard Jack (sustain, sostenuto, soft, rhythm start/stop) | same |
| Headphone Jack | Standard Stereo Jack (6.3mm) | Phones/Output Jack |
| Line Out | Standard Jack x 2, Right, Left/Mono, Output Impedance: 2.3KOhms, Output Voltage: 1.5V (RMS) Max | - |
| Audio In | Stereo Mini Jack (3.5mm), Input Impedance: 9KOhms, Input Sensitivity: 200mV | - |
| Built-in Speakers | 12cm x 2 + 3cm x 2 (Output: 6W + 6W) | 12cm x 2 + 3cm x 2 (Output: 2.5W + 2.5W) |
| Computer Connectivity | ||
| MIDI | General MIDI Level 1 Standard Over USB | same |
| MIDI Send/Receive | 16 part multi-timbre | same |
| Management | Backup/Restore data from Computer using Software (sampled sounds, recorded songs, user rhythms, user songs) | Yamaha Education Suite |
| Power Supply | ||
| AC Adaptor | 12V DC Covertor (18W consumption) | 12V DC Covertor (10W consumption) |
| Batteries | 6 nos. D Size (4 hours continuous operation, 6 minutes auto-off) | 6 nox. D size |
| Physical Attributes | ||
| Dimensions (lxbxh) | 95 x 37.6 x 13cm | 95.c x 38.8 x 14.6 cm |
| Weight | Approx 5.4 Kg (without batteries) | Approx 7 Kgs (without batteries) |
| Color | Matt Black | Silver |
Also Read:
- Quick Comparison of Casio WK-7500, CTK-7000, WK-6500 and CTK-6000
- Comparison between Yamaha PSR I425 and Casio CTK 5000
- Review of Casio CTK-4000
Latest Casio Keyboards
- Casio WK 7500:
List Price: Price too low to display New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock Used from: Too low to display In Stock 
- Casio CTK7000:
List Price: $599.99 USD New From: $348.49 In Stock Used from: Too low to display In Stock - Casio WK 6500:
List Price: $449.99 USD New From: $269.99 In Stock Used from: Too low to display In Stock - Casio CTK6000:
List Price: $299.99 USD New From: $170.44 In Stock Used from: Too low to display In Stock - Casio CTK5000:
List Price: $439.95 USD Release date October 10, 2008.
Latest Yamaha Keyboards
- Yamaha PSR-E423:
List Price: $399.00 USD Release date January 1, 2012. - Yamaha PSR-E333:
List Price: $269.00 USD New From: $129.99 In Stock Used from: $116.99 In Stock - Yamaha PSR-S910:
List Price: $2,299.00 USD - Yamaha PSR-S710:
List Price: $1,399.00 USD Used from: $968.67 In Stock - Yamaha PSR-S550B:
Hi Rajib,
Pls. advice which one would be a better buy CTK 7000 or i425 ? You have compared CTK 5000 & i425 only. I plan to buy it for my son 10y old, who is learning the same on a smaller keyboard. Myself being novice in the area, pls. advice featurewise. The cost is same approx. for both.
Thanks.
Dear Manish,
The CTK-7000 is a technically superior keyboard, however the Yamaha PSR I-425 is a better learners and live performers keyboard.
My suggestion would to purchase the Yamaha keyboard for your son.
HTH
Dear Rajib,
I have read your comparison of Casio CTK 5000 and Yamaha PSR i425 and must say that in depth comparison is appreciable. A newly launched keyboard from CASIO CTK 6300IN was suggested to me by one of my friend for my 12y son (Just started learning). However, on inquiry from other friends in the field, I was recommended to purchase i425. I am confused as 6300 offers many other features which are not available in i425. Since I do not have knowledge on this, I would be grateful to you for the help in suggesting me the right keyboard. Thanks and regards
Aniruddha
Dear Aniruddha,
Music teachers in India swear by the PSR-I425 and are deeply uncomfortable when asked to teach using any other brand/model.
If comparing the CTK-6300IN with the PSR-I425, I will recommend that PSR-I425. As evident from Casio’s youtube videos of the 6300, the Casio keys still do not have enough ‘spring’ to them are very soft and mushy.
HTH
Hi Mr. Rajib, after having gone through your blogs, I was so happy that you have gone very deep into the subject and obviously your ideas about these musical instruments have simply started multiplying like anything as it has reflected in all of your blogs. Anyway thanks for your superb knowledge in several fields. It is amazing and reachable for all !
Keeping my budget constraints, can u suggest me which is best for me as an hobbyist, to purchase a used keyboard – either Yamaha PSR 1500 or Yamaha PSR i425 or Casio CTK 7000 ?
Kindly suggest – I am confused !
Regards,
GS Gnaneshwar
Dear Gnaneshwar,
IMHO, the Yamaha PSR 1500 is the best of the lot. The keyboard was released in 2004 as an Arranger keyboard and has terrific real-time control of keyboard features for stage performance. With this keyboard, you can switch parts of the rhythm at will and achieve the ‘clean’ rhythm of an actual performance versus the polyphony heavy rhythms that electronic keyboards typically output.
I will rank the PSR-I425 next for real-time performance. It sounds good and is ideal for stage / home performance.
Though the sound quality of Casio CTK-7000 is excellent (I own one), I can tell you that it is a poor keyboard for real-time performance and much more suited for Studio / Hobbyist purposes.
That said, the PSR 1500 is also likely to be quite old and hence I would like you to check it thoroughly (check the keys, buttons, sliders, knobs and wheels for proper functioning) before you buy it. Keyboard repairs tend to be expensive; hence don’t buy something that you are not comfortable with. Also note that the ‘Smart Media’ card used in the PSR 1500 is no longer available.
HTH
hi,
i am a beginner .
i have two choices yamaha psr e333 and casio ctk 4200
i am a guitar player, so my purpose maily is to play keyboard and be able to record it along with guitar for music videos.
please help. e333 or ctk 4200
whats difference ?
Dear Mohit,
I am assuming that you intend to use the keyboard to either provide backing rhythm + chord or even entire sequences so that you can play along.
Typically for guitar players, strong accented rhythms help – unfortunately, rhythms on Casio keyboards have always been a little ‘flat’ and backing heavy – making them sound very synthesized.
The Yamaha E333 is a keyboard even more basic than the CTK-4200 but it does enjoy Yamaha’s excellent rhythms and offers marginally more real-time control of rhythm+chord start stop.
The CTK-4200 has line in and you can use this to router your guitar’s output into the keyboard and obtain a mixed output which can then be recorded into a cassette recorder/computer.
Note that none of the keyboards allow recording of full-length audio. For that you will need the Casio CTK-7000.
Do you think a guitar processor is a better investment for you?
HTH
Is a psr i425 better or e333. I am a student. I don’t know much about the chords and all the other stuff.Please suggest to me which is better.
The PSR-i425 is superior to E333. Even if you are a student, if budget permits, opt for the PSR-i425.