Casio AP-270 Review

The AP-270 has a real wooden cabinet, and rich tones that we were enthralled with. We took off just one point for the smaller sound bank and 2-track MIDI recorder- I feel they could have added a few more voices and 5 MIDI tracks to better cater to composers, who need a wider variety of sounds and more onboard recording. Besides these two small cons, the AP-270 is a very impressive and full-featured mid-range Casio with a rave-worthy key feel. We really like this home digital piano!

Casio AP-270: Overview

The Casio AP-270 is a popular member of the Casio Celviano line and is an 88-key digital home piano. One of the best selling points of the 270 is its sound bank, which includes 22 stellar sounds from the famous AiR sound engine. This model also has textured keys that feel amazing!– I recently tried the instrument out at the Sweetwater storefront, and couldn’t believe the authenticity of the synthetic ebony and ivory. 

A note about the line: Overall, the Celviano line is a group of digital uprights with a maximalist, authentic approach to instruments. Celvianos tends to look and feel like a real piano- And take up a fair bit of space in the home! 

Features

A Keyboard Built to Impress

This model has the second iteration of Casio’s tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard, with key surface finishes on both black and white keys. The AP line of pianos has a heavy, satisfying touch, and textured keys that are more grippy than your average mid-range digitals’. 

Concert Play and More

Casio’s Concert Play allows you to play along to a library of classical pieces. Plus there are 60 other built-on tunes onboard– this section also leaves a space for 10 songs, so you can choose what you’d like to groove along to. 

Traditional Looks

This Casio was built to be old-school, with its real wood cabinet. It comes in black or walnut and has a sturdy music rest. At first blush, it looks like an upright. 

Other Notable Features: 

• Duet mode
• Lesson function
• Chordana App comparability 
• Onboard effects
• Sliding key cover to protect your instrument
• Improved Sound Chip

This model has duet mode and lesson functions to set you up for learning by yourself and jamming with friends and your teacher. The onboard effects, including reverb, chorus, and brilliance, and an extra degree of customizability to the instrument’s sound. Plus, the sliding key cover makes this piano ideal for bustling homes, as it protects the keys from damage when the instrument isn’t in use. 

Specifications

Sourced from Sweetwater.com

• Number of Keys: 88
• Weight: 80.7 lbs.
• Height: 32.32″
• Width: 55.78″
• Depth: 17″
• Sound Engine: Multi-dimensional Morphing AiR
• Effects Types: 4 x Reverb, 4 x Chorus, 3 x Brilliance
• Song Playback: 70 internal songs
• Number of Pedals: 3 (damper, sostenuto, soft)
• Apps: Chordana Play (iOS, Android)

Who is it suitable for?

This Celviano is best suited for serious players whose main goal is to practice and perform inside their homes. This model isn’t very easy to move, so if you decide to rearrange and redecorate, you may need to phone a friend in order to move this instrument. The AP-270 has a smaller sound bank- So composers who don’t primarily write for piano may be looking for a broader sound bank.

The AP-270 is really easy to navigate, so it’s suitable for pianists of all ages.   

Casio AP-270 in Action

Check out this video to learn more about the AP-270 model in this demo by Kraft Music.

Reviews

The AP-270 has overwhelmingly good reviews. On Sweetwater, all reviews but one was 5/5 stars. Similarly, the reviews on Amazon were quite high, with an average score of 4.5 out of 5. The only critical review I found was that one particular player preferred Yamaha’s action to Casio’s. Personally, when it comes to mid-range pianos, I like Casio’s action better (Think: middle-of-the-road Celvianos, Privias, etc)

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The sounds are amazing
• The wood cabinet is aesthetically pleasing
• The keybed has triple sensors, which pick up nuance 
• Similarly, the synthetic ebony and ivory textured keys are non-slip
• The bench is included, giving you more bang for your buck! 
• It has more polyphony and better sounds than the last model

The AP-270 really polished up the sound bank for this model. As a whole, I love the feel, look, and voices. 

Cons

• It’s hard to move
• There aren’t that many sounds
• The MIDI recorder is minimalist with its two-track capabilities

If you’re looking for variety, a Roland might suit you better. But for me, the APs have some of the best touch for the price– One that is far better than some of the popular Korgs, for example. 

Comparable Instruments

• For a step-up: Casio Celviano AP-470 ($1,699.99)
• For a different style at the same price: Casio Privia PX-870 ($1,199)

The Casio Celviano and Casio Privia lines are both comprised of digital uprights, but both have a different ‘vibe’ if you will. Casio Celvianos take up more space in a room and tend to look more like a real acoustic. Privias on the other hand, are more minimalistic. The AP-470 and PX-870 are both excellent models by Casio that you should also consider. While their applications are fairly different, the sound banks are updated in both models, and the key feel is nearly identical to the Casio AP-270’s, at least to me. 

Quick View 

AP-270: Conclusion

In conclusion, this Casio Celviano is an elegant home piano that will suit the needs of pianists looking for authenticity in sound paired with a traditional look. 

Music quote of the week:

 “Music is the universal language of mankind.”  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow