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Piano Reviews: Alesis Melody Review
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Looking for a portable keyboard? If so, then your search is over now that you’ve found the Alesis Melody 61 MKII. This amazing little electric keyboard has everything you need. Whether you want to increase your piano skills or have an instrument to take to gigs, you need the Alesis Melody 61 MKII.
We think you should try out an Alesis Melody 61 MKII right now. But, don’t take our word for it. Read on to find out about all of the great and essential features of the Alesis Melody 61.
Specifics
The following specifics set the Alesis Melody 61 apart form its competition. Plus, they will help you make your purchasing decision.
- Keys: 61 keys (piano style)
- Dimensions: 4.1 inches x 12.4 inches x 37.2 inches
- Weight: 8.7 lbs.
- Modes: 2 (layer and split)
- Demo Songs: 40
- Included: Portable Keyboard, Microphone, Headphones, Music Rest, Keyboard Stand, Bench, Power Adaptor, User Guide, and Safety & Warranty Manual
Top Features
The Alesis Melody 61 MKII comes with a number of features that you need to have. Here are our top three choices.
One thing that sets all portable keyboards apart is their recording and playback ability. The Alesis Melody 61 adheres to this standard. It allows you to press a button and capture your performances.
Not only that . . .
The Alesis Melody 61 also has a microphone. This is a perfect tool for a singer or songwriter. So, all you do is plug in the microphone and press the recording button, and you are ready to go. When you are done recording you can playback your song right there on the machine. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
All of Alesis’ keyboards are designed as teaching tools. The Melody 61 is no different. It includes forty demo song and three-hundred accompaniment rhythms right out of the box. These additions jump-start your piano playing technique. Plus, they can help an aspiring songwriter and singer as well as a pianist.
Alesis also includes a three-month trial subscription to Skoove Premium with the purchase of the Melody 61. Skoove is an online, interactive piano-teaching tool. It allows you to learn to play on your own time. Plus, Skoove includes a huge catalogue of music from classical to contemporary hits.
All in all, Alesis has the beginner in mind for the Melody 61. If you need a portable keyboard to begin your piano journey, then the Alesis Melody 61 MKII is the instrument for you.
Flexibility is an important trait of the Alesis Melody 61. By flexibility we mean the ability to move the keyboard around and set it up without any hassle. The Melody 61 has these traits in abundance.
First, it only weighs 8.7 lbs. It weighs is low enough that most people will be able to carry it easily. Therefore, you never have to worry about how you are going to get this portable keyboard to a gig. For other portable keyboard options, go to this article.
Second, the Alesis Melody 61 MKII comes with an easy-to-assemble stand and foldable bench. The keyboard stand merely unfolds, but it is sturdy enough to withstand even the most intense playing. The bench has three different height settings, so players of any size can use this keyboard.
In all, Alesis has designed the Melody 61 to be easy to play and use. The buttons are clear and large enough to press while playing. And, the instrument can be moved around easily. If you are looking for a good instrument that will travel well, then the Alesis Melody 61 is for you.
Pros and Cons
Specifications and features do not describe the full story. You need to learn about the pros and cons of the Alesis Melody 61 too.
Pros
- There are built-in speakers on the Alesis Melody 61. They allow you to your own playing in real time, play the demo songs, or play back recorded compositions. However, if you don’t want to use the built-in speakers, you can always plug in the included headphone.
- The Alesis Melody 61 comes with a number of accessories. These provide everything you need to learn the piano and advance your playing.
- As an added bonus, there is a microphone included in your purchase of the Alesis Melody 61. So, anyone can sing along with their playing. This feature makes going to gigs with the portable keyboard a breeze.
Cons
- 61 keys are more than enough for many players. But, if you want the same size keyboard as an acoustic piano, then you need another product. There are plenty of portable and digital pianos out there with the standard 88 keys. If having a full range is not an important consideration, then the Alesis Melody 61 MKII will work just fine.
Reviews of digital pianos with 88 keys can be found in this blog. For example, our review of the Korg SV188BK-88 Key Digital Piano Review.
Alesis does not indicate the amount of polyphony the Melody 61 MKII can handle. Polyphony describes the number of pitches that can be played simultaneously. Obviously, it is a very important number to know. Our suspicion is that the Alesis Melody 61 has a low polyphony number. This is not a problem for a beginning player but can be a hindrance to a professional.
Like the Alesis Recital, the Alesis Melody 61 MKII is a great beginner instrument. Check out some other picks for the top digital pianos for beginners here. The Alesis Melody 61 has a flexible set-up. It even has three adjustable height settings, which makes it perfect for growing children. Additionally, the three-month subscription to Skoove is a major learning tool.
The Alesis Melody 61 MKII would not be great for a professional musician. If you are advanced on the piano, you should purchase a portable keyboard that has 88 keys. Therefore, a professional or advanced musician will also need more synthesizer and connectivity capabilities. So, if the above sentences describe you, you will want to look through our other portable piano reviews. But, if you are new to the piano or music in general, you need to give the Alesis Melody 61 MKII a close look.
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