Yamaha CK 88

The Yamaha CK88 is an 88-key stage keyboard with GHS weighted action, designed for keyboardists who play in bands or are on the go. It combines piano, drawbar organ, and synthesizer sounds on a single front panel, with built-in speakers and battery operation. Weighing 13.1 kg (excluding batteries), it falls into the category of keyboards that can be carried by one person.

Highlights of the Yamaha CK88

• 88-key GHS keyboard: graded hammer action with varying resistance—firmer in the bass than in the treble—for playing piano parts across the entire keyboard range.
• AWM2 sound generator and 363 voices: pianos, electric pianos, strings, brass, and synthesizers are accessible directly from the front panel.
• 9 organ drawbars: You can adjust the tone in real time, just like on a pipe organ, using the rotary, percussion, and vibrato/chorus controls.
• 160 Live Sets, including 80 presets: Each Live Set stores a complete configuration (sounds, splits, layers, effects) that can be recalled with the push of a button between songs.
• Master EQ: a general-purpose equalizer to tailor the keyboard’s sound to the room or your sound system.
• Built-in 6 W × 2 speakers and power supplied by 8 AA batteries: You can play during rehearsals or on the go without needing a power outlet or PA system.

88-key GHS keyboard

The GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) action is weighted and graded: the resistance of the keys gradually decreases from the bass to the treble. This provides a weight distribution similar to that of a piano, which is useful for playing left-hand chords or fast right-hand runs.

The 88 keys cover the full range of a piano. This means you can play classical or popular piano pieces without having to transpose or adapt the repertoire.

AWM2 Sounds, Drawbar Organ, and Master EQ

The CK88 uses the AWM2 sound generator for its 363 voices and the AWM sound generator for the organ sounds. The maximum polyphony is 128 voices: this limit includes all sounding notes, such as notes sustained with the pedal or overlapping sounds, each of which consumes multiple voices.

The organ section features 9 harmonic sliders. Each slider adjusts the level of a specific harmonic, allowing you to transition from a subtle sound to a fuller sound during a song. The Master EQ then adjusts the overall balance of the keyboard, for example, to correct a sound that’s too muffled in a particular room or when connected to a specific sound system.

Live Sets, Splits, and Layers for Live Performance

A Live Set saves the current front-panel settings: sounds, splits (keyboard divided into two zones), layers (overlapping sounds), and effects. You prepare your settings in advance, then recall them throughout the concert without having to reprogram the keyboard. Of the 160 slots, 80 are preprogrammed.

The 128 × 64 dot-matrix LCD screen displays useful information while selecting sounds and settings. Sound categories remain accessible via dedicated buttons.

Built-in Speakers and Battery Operation

Two 12 × 6 cm speakers, powered by a 6 W × 2 amplifier, allow you to play without external amplification. You can mute them to use the line outputs or the headphone jack. The specified power output is suitable for practice or small spaces; a sound system is required for live performances.

The CK88 runs on 8 AA alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, sold separately. Yamaha claims up to 3 hours of battery life with alkaline batteries and up to 4.5 hours with rechargeable batteries. Its dimensions of 1,333 × 148 × 354 mm make it easy to store and transport.

Bluetooth Audio, USB, and MIDI

Bluetooth audio receives audio from a smartphone or tablet, which you can play through the keyboard’s speakers: handy for playing along with a song or backing track.

The USB TO HOST port connects the CK88 to a computer for exchanging MIDI and audio data. The MIDI IN and OUT jacks control or are controlled by another instrument, while the A/D INPUT jacks accommodate a microphone or an instrument. Two FOOT PEDAL jacks accommodate sustain or expression pedals: since no pedal is included with the accessories, you’ll need to purchase one separately.