Yamaha CK61 Stage Keyboard

With authentic piano, organ and synth sounds, intuitive controls and built-in speakers, the lightweight CK61 makes everywhere a stage or studio.

CK turns everywhere into a stage or studio with intuitive controls, built-in speakers, and all the sounds you need to create your own sound.

CK combines the sounds of the Yamaha CP Stage Piano with the organ and synth focused YC Stage Keyboard to give you a totally new sonic palette. All with an intuitive interface that lets you focus on the music, not the menus. You'll have piano, electric pianos, strings and brass plus a dedicated organ section and modern synth sounds. Onboard special effects to make it your own. There's even Analog to Digital (A/D) Input to plug in a mic or another instrument, apply effects and record directly to your laptop. Not to mention CK has built-in speakers and batteries to take your new sound to new places. The options are nearly endless.

CK features piano sounds from three legendary Yamaha grands: the CFX, S700 and CF3, plus the character-rich U1 upright piano from the Yamaha YC Series. "Digi Piano" sounds let you get your 90s dance party on. There's also a selection of vintage electric piano sounds in both the reed and tine style, funky Clavi sounds and the classic 80s DX7-style FM electric pianos Yamaha helped make famous. You'll have all the keyboard sounds you need to bring down the house, arena or backyard barbecue.

When it comes to organ, the versatile CK is all about options. Classic 60s surf rock? Check. Soulful R&B? Check. Gospel and everything in between? Amen. CK has a dedicated organ section based on the Yamaha reface YC mobile mini keyboard featuring five different organ types, rotary speaker effect, percussion and a newly enhanced vibrato/chorus. You get nine dedicated drawbars with controls for the rotary speaker, percussion and a vibrato/chorus section.

CK gives you a variety of complex synth sounds without the complex menus. You get analog style pads, leads and basses, synth brass, strings and pads. Even synth bells and textures to add to your synth sound palette. All with modern synth controls to tweak your sound without menu diving. Elegant filter and envelope generator (EG) controls to shape the tone and amplitude of all of them. Mono mode with panel switch and customization features that are great for synth leads and basses. Unison mode with panel switch, three modes and deeper adjustments. Make massive sounding synths for stabs, pads, leads, basses or anything you can imagine.

CK effects make it easy to turn its sounds into your sound. It starts with three dedicated effects processors: Drive, Effects 1 and Effects 2 plus an A/D Input with two dedicated Effects.

Drive features five types of overdrive and distortion to add edge to your sound.

Effects 1 and 2 gives you modulation effects like Chorus, Flanger and Phaser. Time-based effects like Delay and Reverb plus Wah, (even more) Drive, Tremolo and experimental synth effects such as Ring Modulation, Slicer, Lo-Fi, and more. Not to mention EQ. With 36 effects in all, it's like having a built-in, customizable guitar pedal board.

Master Delay lets you choose from four different delay effects including Tempo Delay.

Master Reverb has three different reverb settings to put your sound in the right space. Both Master Delay and Master Reverb have their own send level from each of the three CK parts and A/D Input.

Then finalize the tone of your sound with Master EQ. Plug a mic or instrument into the A/D inputs, apply effects and hear the resulting sound through the CK's speakers or outputs. You can even record anything plugged into the A/D input to your computer via the built-in USB audio interface.

CK lets you split, layer, mix and process all from the front panel. Making it easy to create with a nearly endless combination of sounds. Split bass and piano. Layer organ with strings. Experiment with modern synth sounds. CK gives you three parts that let the music go wherever you want.

Analog to Digital (A/D) Inputs let you apply two dedicated effects to the audio and store them to a LIVE SET.

CK features an intuitive, 1 to 1 interface that gives you the freedom to explore your sound. Everything, from dedicated Organ controls to Synth and Effects controls, is designed to keep you making music instead of diving into menus.

The CK Series has two different keyboard actions for different kinds of players.

CK61 features the new 61-key "FSB" or "Future System Basic" action, inspired by the famed "FS" or "Future System" action that was originally developed for Electone organs like the legendary FX-1. In the spirit of the original "FS" action, FSB uses a completely new structure. This action features a heavier initial key resistance and increased key travel for a wider range of expression and stability. This action is great for keyboardists playing organ, synths, strings and more, and provides piano and electric pianos with a dynamic, expressive response.

CK88 features Graded Hammer Standard (GHS), 88-key, weighted and graded action to recreate the feeling of playing a Yamaha grand piano, without ever having to call the piano movers.

The intuitive User Interface lets you dive into the music, not the menu and features Dedicated Category buttons that make it easy to find the sound you're looking for.

CK Filter and Envelope Generator (EG) feature dedicated controls for the most commonly-used synth parameters and a dedicated bypass button to quickly return to the default state. You have total control to shape your sound.

LIVE SETS store and recall the exact settings for anything on the front panel including your splits, layers and special effects. It also stores and recalls features such as A/D Input setting, sample playback and LED light color.

A four-zone controller connects with your external MIDI devices to turn CK into a full-fledged MIDI controller with your DAW or master keyboard in your MIDI rig. Which means you get four additional sounds at your fingertips with complete control of the splits, octave adjustments, patch changes and more.

All the world's a stage - or studio. And CK is the portable keyboard ready to play anywhere at a moment's notice. Take it camping and livestream by a stream. Play in the park. Or on stage in Central Park. Bring it to your neighbor's BBQ and steal their guitar thunder. All without compromising sound quality or features.

Hear, Try and Compare the Yamaha CK61 Stage Keyboard in our showroom

Located in Leicester in the central Midlands and close to Coventry, Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham and Warwick we promise you that a visit to our specialist Digital Piano and Keyboard showroom will not disappoint. Try the full Yamaha range including the CK61 Stage Keyboard and compare it with Roland, Casio and Korg all under one roof. Whatever your playing standard our knowledgeable and friendly experts will help guide you through the Keyboard buying process and make sure that you are buying the right instrument for your needs. As ex teachers we are ideally placed to advise and answer any questions you may have. Lifetime support and product tuition with ALL digital pianos.

We sell Digital Pianos and Keyboards. That's it. Nothing else. No distractions and nothing to steal our focus.

What is the Yamaha CK Series?
The Yamaha CK Series is a portable stage keyboard range designed for live performance, rehearsal, songwriting, and mobile production, combining piano, organ, synth sounds, built-in speakers, and a streamlined hands-on interface.

Which models are included in the Yamaha CK Series?
The Yamaha CK Series includes two models: the CK61 and the CK88. Both share the same core sound engine, performance features, effects structure, and connectivity, but differ in keyboard size and action.

What is the difference between the CK61 and CK88?
The CK61 has 61 keys and uses Yamaha’s FSB keyboard action, while the CK88 has 88 keys and uses Yamaha’s GHS weighted graded hammer action. The CK61 is lighter and more compact, while the CK88 is better suited to players who want a more piano-style feel.

What kind of instrument is the Yamaha CK?
The Yamaha CK is a stage keyboard designed for players who need fast access to performance sounds such as pianos, electric pianos, organs, synths, strings, and layered live setups without deep menu diving.

What sounds are included in the Yamaha CK Series?
The CK Series combines piano-focused sounds derived from Yamaha CP stage instruments with organ and synth-focused sounds associated with Yamaha YC-style performance keyboards, giving it a broad live-performance sound set.

How many voices does the Yamaha CK have?
The Yamaha CK Series includes 363 voices, covering acoustic pianos, electric pianos, organs, synth leads, pads, basses, strings, brass, clavi, and other keyboard-focused performance sounds.

What tone generation system does the Yamaha CK use?
The Yamaha CK uses Yamaha’s AWM2 tone generation system, along with AWM organ flute technology for its organ section.

What is the maximum polyphony of the Yamaha CK?
The Yamaha CK Series offers up to 128-note maximum polyphony, helping it handle layered sounds and live performance setups with stable voice allocation.

Is the Yamaha CK good for live performance?
Yes, the CK Series is specifically designed for live use, with direct front-panel control, fast sound selection, split and layer functionality, built-in speakers, battery operation, and a lightweight design for portable performance.

Does the Yamaha CK have built-in speakers?
Yes, both the CK61 and CK88 include built-in stereo speakers powered by dual 6-watt amplifiers, making them practical for rehearsal, small performances, home use, and mobile playing setups.

Can the Yamaha CK run on batteries?
Yes, the Yamaha CK can run on eight AA batteries, making it suitable for portable use where mains power is not available.

Does the Yamaha CK support USB audio and MIDI?
Yes, the CK includes USB to Host and USB to Device connections, and it functions as a USB audio and MIDI interface for computer-based music production and playback.

What USB audio interface functions does the Yamaha CK provide?
The CK Series provides a built-in USB audio interface operating at 44.1 kHz, with 2 input channels and 2 output channels for stereo audio communication with a connected computer.

Does the Yamaha CK have standard MIDI connections?
Yes, the CK includes dedicated MIDI In and MIDI Out ports in addition to USB MIDI functionality, making it suitable for use with external hardware rigs and controllers.

Does the Yamaha CK have audio inputs?
Yes, it includes stereo A/D inputs on 6.3 mm jacks, allowing external audio sources such as microphones, instruments, or playback devices to be routed into the keyboard.

Can the Yamaha CK process external audio?
Yes, the CK can process audio coming into its A/D inputs using dedicated effects, allowing external signals to be integrated into live or recording workflows.

Does the Yamaha CK support Bluetooth?
Yes, the CK Series supports Bluetooth audio input in supported regions, allowing wireless audio playback into the instrument.

How many parts can be used in a Yamaha CK performance?
The Yamaha CK uses a three-part architecture, allowing players to split, layer, and mix three internal parts from the front panel for flexible performance setups.

Can the Yamaha CK create keyboard splits and layers?
Yes, the CK is designed for fast split and layer creation, allowing players to combine sounds such as bass and piano, organ and strings, or synth layers directly from the control surface.

What is a Live Set on the Yamaha CK?
Live Sets store and recall performance settings, including splits, layers, effects, A/D input settings, sample playback settings, and even LED light colour, helping players switch sounds quickly during performance.

How many Live Set sounds does the Yamaha CK have?
The Yamaha CK Series includes 160 Live Set sounds in total, including 80 preset Live Set sounds.

Does the Yamaha CK have drawbars for organ control?
Yes, the CK includes nine dedicated drawbars along with controls for rotary speaker, percussion, and vibrato/chorus, giving players hands-on control over organ sounds.

How many organ types are available on the Yamaha CK?
The organ section includes five different organ types, giving players a range of classic and modern organ-style textures.

Does the Yamaha CK include dedicated synth controls?
Yes, the CK includes hands-on synth controls such as filter and envelope generator controls, plus dedicated bypass functionality for quickly returning to the default sound state.

Does the Yamaha CK have effects?
Yes, the CK includes a comprehensive effects structure with dedicated Drive, Effect 1, Effect 2, Master Delay, Master Reverb, and Master EQ processing.

How many effect types are available on the Yamaha CK?
The CK includes five Drive types, 36 Effect 1 types, 36 Effect 2 types, four delay types, three reverb types, and a 3-band Master EQ.

Can the Yamaha CK be used as a master keyboard?
Yes, the CK includes a four-zone MIDI Master function, allowing it to control external MIDI devices and act as the centre of a larger keyboard or DAW-based setup.

How many external MIDI zones does the Yamaha CK support?
The Yamaha CK supports four MIDI control zones for managing connected external devices and layered performance setups.

What keyboard action does the CK61 use?
The CK61 uses Yamaha’s FSB keyboard action, designed to provide a responsive feel suited to organ, synth, electric piano, and general live keyboard playing.

What keyboard action does the CK88 use?
The CK88 uses Yamaha’s GHS graded hammer action with matte black keytops, giving it a more weighted and piano-oriented response than the CK61.

Is the Yamaha CK suitable for organ players?
Yes, the CK is well suited to organ-focused players thanks to its dedicated organ section, drawbars, rotary speaker control, percussion, vibrato/chorus controls, and fast-access interface.

Is the Yamaha CK suitable for synth players?
Yes, the CK includes dedicated synth sound categories, real-time tone shaping controls, mono mode, unison options, and hands-on filter and envelope control for synth-based performance.

Does the Yamaha CK include piano and electric piano sounds?
Yes, it includes grand piano sounds based on Yamaha’s CFX, S700, and CF3 instruments, plus an upright U1 sound and a range of electric piano, DX-style FM piano, clavi, and keyboard voices.

Can the Yamaha CK be used for mobile performance setups?
Yes, its lightweight design, built-in speakers, battery operation, USB audio/MIDI interface, and quick-access controls make it particularly well suited to portable and mobile music setups.

How portable is the CK61 compared with the CK88?
The CK61 is the more portable model at 5.6 kg, while the CK88 weighs 13.1 kg and is better suited to players who want an 88-note weighted action.

What are the physical dimensions of the CK61?
The CK61 measures 910 mm wide, 109 mm high, and 291 mm deep.

What are the physical dimensions of the CK88?
The CK88 measures 1,333 mm wide, 148 mm high, and 354 mm deep.

Who is the Yamaha CK Series best suited for?
The Yamaha CK Series is ideal for gigging keyboard players, singer-songwriters, worship musicians, rehearsal spaces, mobile performers, and anyone who wants a flexible stage keyboard with direct control and broad sound coverage.