Yamaha DGX300 Electronic Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)Considering the price of this keyboard, it is of very good quality. It sounds 80% like a real piano and feels 70% like the real one (the keys are still a little too light). And like many have reviewed this keyboard, I also feel the sound is not "loud" enough. I have to turn the volumn close to max in order to have a decent volumn with or without headphone (btw, if you turn off the touch function then the keyboard will be louder but it will be mono-tone). However, it is still a wonderful keyboard in this price range. I am glad that I got it. If you don't mind spending a bit more money (~$500), the Casio 88-key ones sounds and feels better than the Yamaha ones.

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YAMAHA DGX-300, 76 key educational keyboard with 3.5 floppy disk

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Yamaha NP-V80 76-key Piaggero Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a professional keyboard player. I needed something light to take to practice and small solo gigs, but it needed to have at least 76 keys. My 88-key weighted controller is a lot to move, and 61 keys aren't sufficient for classical music. Generally speaking, the only choices for 76-key unweighted keyboards are workstations costing well over $2000. I don't need another workstation, just a workhorse for use in-between stage shows. The Piaggero, then, seemed to be my dream come true. It didn't quite meet my needs, though.
First of all, it lacks MIDI ports. Some of the cheapest $99 keyboards have MIDI IN and OUT ports. Yes, it does have "USB" MIDI, but that is no good on the road. You can't connect to other keyboards and sound modules. It also doesn't have proper Line Out ports. If you want to connect to an amplifier, you're forced to use the headphone out. That method introduces more noise into the signal. Another missing feature involves the USB to Device port. Try as I might, I can't load standard MIDI files from this connection. I can save and load my own performances recorded on this keyboard, and even convert them to SMF format, but I can't get it to recognize Internet-downloaded MIDI's or MIDI files of my own creation. My old Yamaha PSR-S700 had no trouble with this. Another problem, and it may be unique to the one I received, is that the speakers buzz terribly when I play the D 14 half steps above middle C. The display could also be better; It's not very detailed or informative. Thankfully, it's much better than the NP-30's lack of one.
The sound quality falls short for a keyboard that's trying to emulate a piano. Supposedly, paying $70 extra for the NP-V80 over the NP-V60 gets you the Live! stereo-sampled Grand Piano. I've heard that sample. This isn't it. The Piaggero grand doesn't sound any different to me than the default piano on the $159 Yamaha PSR-E323. It is very harsh. It's very difficult to get an expressive performance from this patch. The dynamic levels just aren't there. I guess this is a limitation imposed when you're trying to save money on components and use as little sample memory as possible. The name Piaggero is a portmanteau of the Italian words for "piano" and "light", yet my ears are not fooled into believing I am playing a piano at all.
This keyboard does have a few redeeming qualities. It is very light. It's the first electronic keyboard I know of that has 76 keys, runs off of batteries, has a full sound set (more than just Piano, E.Piano, Organ, and Strings), and plays through built-in speakers. It even has a real display and not just blinking red lights. The keys themselves are pretty good. Better than your average portable, but there are better soft-feel actions out there. The Piaggero isn't really a bad keyboard, I just can't see what it was made for. The Yamaha Portable Grand YPG-235 is almost the same instrument, just with a little more bulk/weight and a beige finish. I don't understand why Yamaha removes valuable features from their keyboards. Maybe it's to prevent professionals from being steered to the cheaper products. They missed a great opportunity, though. The Piaggero could have been an amazing keyboard had it not been crippled so dramatically. Maybe it's not a total stinker, but Yamaha knows they aren't giving you the best they have to offer.

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In both design and playability, Yamaha Piaggero embodies the almost lyrical combination of 'piano' and 'leggero' - Italian for 'light' - that constitutes its name. Piaggero provides go-anywhere portability and style while also delivering Yamaha's legendary piano touch & tone. Whether you're taking up piano for the first time or recapturing your musical passion, the Piaggero offers easy-going piano fun. To recreate the playability of an acoustic piano, Piaggero features Yamaha's own Graded Soft Touch keyboard, giving keys in the lower octave a heavier touch than those in the upper octaves. Along with superb grand piano sound, Piaggero features a number of popular instrument Voices, such as organ and strings, recorded using Yamaha's AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) stereo sampling technology for amazingly true-to-life sound. And for a complete orchestra of sonic options, Piaggero includes XGlite Voices and drum/SFX kits. Piaggero boasts over 160 preset Styles -- from the basic eight-beat to contemporary Latin rhythms -- that follow and backup the performer with dynamically responsive accompaniment. At the touch of a button, Piaggero's Music Database offers pre-set combinations of Styles, Voices, effects and tempos based on the song of your choice. Play a chord at let the 'Intelligent' arpeggiator automatically play the notes with the appropriate feel of the instrument.

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M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61 Review

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(More customer reviews)I got the ProKeys Sono to use during a temp, out-of-town work stint and wanted something I could play by itself (that has its own on-board sounds) and also use to drive the Reason and Sonar software synths on my laptop.
Well, after many months of testing (through real use) I have to say it passed with flying colors (or 'colours' for our 'Commonwealth' friends).
Keyboard features include:
- 61 note keyboard with a very playable semi-weighted action somewhere between synth and hammer keyboards (well, based on the synth and hammer action keyboards I've played)
- 5 higher quality built-in sounds (grand piano, bright piano, electric piano, organ, clav)
- A set of lower quality (but still fairly usable in my book) General MIDI sounds
- 3 Adjustable settings for how the keyboard responds to velocity
- 2 stereo line-ins (RCA jacks) for getting audio into your computer to record
- 1 XLR jack for plugging in a mic
- 1 quarter inch instrument jack
- 2 quarter inch headphone jacks
- 2 quarter inch outs for monitoring the sounds coming out of the computer as well as the built-in sounds from the keyboard
I've mostly used ASIO4ALL drivers prior to buying this keyboard, which gave pretty decent performance and acceptably low latency (the delay between hitting a key on the hardware keyboard controller and hearing any software synth sounds from the computer) for playing. Happily, the ASIO driver for the ProKeys Sono delivered even LOWER latency than the ASIO4ALL drivers I had been using.
So, with the decent construction quality, the playability of the keyboard, and the better driver performance, I admit I'm quite happy with the thing. I also occasionally used the line inputs to record from an external hardware synth module, and had no problems. Some people might whine as the resolution is only 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, but having worked with way-noisy cassette 4-tracks as a teen, CD quality is still fine by me.
The one thing I didn't ever test was plugging a microphone into the thing. I had a Samson G Track USB Microphone (which I've also reviewed on Amazon) and used that exclusively for vocals while I was on the road. Therefore I can't comment on the amp quality.
Lastly, when I just felt like playing a bit, it was nice to tinkle around on the piano without having to turn on the laptop. The piano sound quality is VERY playable, with the only drawback being the 20-note polyphony for the 5 high-quality sounds (the General MIDI sounds have 40 note polyphony).
Negatives? No LCD or LED display for helping change/configure MIDI settings, or selecting the General MIDI sounds. It's workable without the display, but it would definitely help to see the values you've entered. And because of that drawback, the ProKeys Sono really is best mostly for playing soft synths, not controlling a whole soft recording environment
Summary:
Great option for driving soft syths with the added bonus of some on-board sounds and also serving as a PC/laptop audio interface. If you want more hands-on sliders and buttons for controlling your software synths and recording software, I'd go with a different option, but for the niche this keyboard is trying to fill, it does a pretty good job. Though it's probably only a 4-star rating for overall performance, the fact I had ZERO problems using it with my computer (which is RARE nowadays) bumps it up to "barely a 5".


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Designed to bridge the gap between writing, performing and recording, the ProKeys Sono 61 portable digital piano with audio interface delivers everything that you need to make music whenever inspiration strikes.61 semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keys, advanced scanning technology and a stereo-sampled Steinway grand sound deliver an expressive piano experience.Additonal instant-access sounds like electric piano, organ and clay - as well as a full onboard General MIDI sound set-round out a top-notch performance solution, with or without a computer.Built-in M-Audio USB audio interface echnology lets you record your keyboard performance, plus vocals and instrutments, directly to your computer with the included software.the versatile ProKeys Sono 61 is ideal on stage, as he hub of your personal recording sudio and in diverse educational settings.

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M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88 Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought it for my wife,alas it didn't work.I suppose, because it was packed not enough secure and also it has very light weight and therefore fragile.I 've sent it back and had my money back but not the shipment money

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The ProKeys Sono 88 portable digial piano with audio interface lets keyboard players and songwriters bridge the gap between writing, recording and performance.88 semi-weighted, velocity-sensiive keys, advanced keybed scanning technology and a sereo-sampled Steinway grand sound deliver in incredibly expressive piano experience.Six additional instant-access instrutments and 128 on-board General MIDI sounds round out a premium performance solution that can be used with or without a computer.In the studio, the keyboard's built-in USB audio interface makes it easy to record your performance - plus vocals and instrutments - directly to the computer with the included software.ProKeys Sono 88 provides an intuitive and seamless experience from start to finish, whether you're jamming live, creating professional-quality recordings or teaching music.

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Yamaha DGX230AD 76 Key Portable Grand with power Review

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(More customer reviews)Aside from it now being affordable (I bought it when it first came out at around $900), this is a high quality digital piano. The sound is utterly incredible, clear cut and crisp. Basic operation is simple, the weighted keys match those of actual piano keys...the feel is all there. This is perfect for those fluid in their craft, going from in studio to performing in shows. It is fairly heavy, requires 2 people to transport. It is well made, can take serious rough wear and tear from moving and constant use.

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The Yamaha DGX-630 offers an affordable, feature-packed portable keyboard that boasts an authentic grand piano-like touch: heavy in the low end, feathery light in the highs, and amazingly responsive throughout. It also includes USB MIDI and USB to Device for removable storage, along with a high resolution Live! Grand stereo sample, song recorder, score and lyric display. The USB facilitates easy transfer with a PC or Macintosh computer for use with many optional software packages that can score, arrange, and sequence your music. Can't play a keyboard instrument? Yamaha Education Suite helps you get started. With nearly 500 voices and built-in stereo speakers, the Yamaha DGX-230/AD is truly a grand keyboard music instrument that you and your family will enjoy.Pitch bend wheel to add smooth pitch variations to notes playedVoices - 116 panel voices + 12 drum/SFX kits + 361 XGlite voices, Polyphony -32, DUAL and SPLIT modesStyles - 160 Preset Styles + External files, Style Control -ACMP ON/OFF, SYNC STOP, SYNC START, START/STOP, INTRO/ENDING/rit., MAIN/AUTO FILL, Fingering -Multi Finger, Full Keyboard, Style VolumeMusic Database -300 + External filesEducation Feature -Dictionary, Lesson 1-3, Repeat & LearnRegistration Memory -8 banks x 2 typesEffects - Reverb -9 types, Chorus -4 types, Harmony -26 types30 Preset Songs + 5 User Songs + Accessory CD-ROM with 70 moreAuxiliary jacks -PHONES/OUTPUT, DC IN 12V, USB, SUSTAINAmplifier -6 Watts per channel to two 2-way on-board speakers -12cm x 2 + 3cm x 2Power Supply - Adaptor -PA-150 (included) or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha, Batteries -SixDsize, R20P (LR20) or equivalent batteries (optional) Unit Dimensions (W x D x H) -1,178 x 412 x 137 mm (46-3/8 x 16-1/4 x 5-3/8); Weight -8.3kg (18 lbs. 5 oz.) (not including batteries)Supplied Accessories - Music Rest, Accessory CD-ROM, Owner's Manu

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Kurzweil SP4-7 76 Note Digital Stage Piano, Semi Weighted Keys, 128 Programs, 64 Split Polyphony, Split Layer, Setup Mode, 24 Bit DSP Technology, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)Previously, the Kurz SP-76 was the handiest of all quality, professional performer's keyboards, so small that I could carry it to a big band job strapped over a shoulder with an amp in one hand. Its limitation was the absence of any splits, making it necessary to have another keyboard or tone generator on the job for left-hand bass. Moreover, the keyboard was simply time-consuming and frustrating (like many Kurzweils I've owned) to MIDI with another device. The Kurzweil SP2 appeared to be the solution, but it's frankly proven an unexciting instrument to play. The sounds are too few, they lack brilliance and life, some of the sounds--e.g. organ--are too weak to be useful, and the inclusion of "Take 6" sounds is a joke from a performer's (and other musicians') point of view. Moreover, it's a rather cumbersome axe, twice as heavy as the SP76, and prone to misfire when set-ups are switched in the middle of a beat. Finally, I have not been able to get a decent, ringing ride cymbal sound layered to the bass--a feature that has vanished or diminished since my K1000 from 20 years ago, when Kurzweils were still made in Japan (they were bought out by the giant Korean piano maker, Young Chang).
Except for the added cost (the SP-76 would occasionally be as low as $500), the SP4-7 is far closer than any other current Kurzweil to the original SP-76 in size and weight, and it offers the advantage of splits and layering, plus more and better sounds (e.g. vibes), and a full bank's worth of 128 presets (the SP2 had only 64; the SP76, 32). Given the inevitable difficulty of programming even Kurzweil's most basic keyboard (the company has yet to produce a manual of instructions worth its weight), the doubling of preset sounds is in itself a major improvement. It certainly makes me wish I'd waited longer before picking up an SP2.

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Kurzweil's SP4-7 is the modern successor to the best selling SP76, which famously combined world-class Kurzweil sound quality with previously unheard of affordability. The updated SP4-7 makes available to more players than ever the same sound set featured in the successful PC3 line of professional keyboards, in an instrument that is slim, lightweight and extremely easy to use. The SP4-7's enclosure is slender, elegant and easy to lift; once set up it leaves the smallest possible footprint, which means that you, not your keyboard, will be in the spotlight. Featuring a user interface that's intelligently designed, allowing you to create splits and layers with the touch of a button; select presets and setups from easy to access category and program buttons; quickly adjust effects parameters; everything is laid out so you can be up and running and making music right out of the box. The keyboard has 128 hand-picked programs taken directly from the PC3 line, it delivers the best in every category of sound, with the renowned Triple Strike Grand Piano, classic electric pianos, lush strings and orchestral instruments, along with top notch basses, guitars, winds, brass, percussion and drums. Its 16-part multi-timbral architecture makes the SP4-7 a powerful tool for writing and recording music in conjunction with an external sequencer or Desktop Audio Workstation. It has everything from flawless concert hall reverbs and crisp delays to powerful distortion and amp simulation effects add another layer of depth and realism that can only be found in a Kurzweil. The most relevant effects parameters have been mapped to the timbre knob, so you can customize your sound without having to dive into menus or manuals.

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M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano Review

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(More customer reviews)The Piano sound is truly the best sound you can find for even under $1000, and this is only $500.
Thats the good news.
The other sounds are ok, the organ sounds being the worst, and the electric piano being the best non-piano sounds. The worst part (and the reason i wouldnt buy it again) is the touch. If you plan on just pounding out chords, itll be fine, but if you play classical, jazz, or even most pop-styles that require a bit of touch, you will hate this piano. They say it is "Hammer-Action" but really they should be called "way-over-weighted". These are the heaviest keys i have ever played, and I wish i would have played it before i bought it online.

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The ProKeys 88 is the premium digital stage piano that doubles as a great MIDI controller. It's loaded with large, realistic samples 14 world-class instruments in all, including split/layer capabilities. We paired those great sounds with an 88-key hammer-action keyboard, delivering a realistic feel to satisfy the most demanding pro. The ProKeys 88 is also a great master controller keyboard, including a built-in USB MIDI interface for easy direct connection to your PC or Mac, MIDI In and Out jacks to communicate with other MIDI gear, pitch and modulation wheels, sequencer controls and more. ProKeys 88 pulls out all the stops in creating the ultimate playing experience in an affordable digital stage piano.


Ultra-Realistic Piano Our goal in designing the ProKeys 88 was to create an extremely musical and realistic piano experience. The caliber of a digital piano is greatly influenced by the quality and the size of the samples, so we started by giving the ProKeys 88 a generous amount of memory. Then, rather than dividing it up amongst a bunch of sounds you're not likely to use, we focused on the 14 sounds that are the bread and butter for many keyboardists--paying special attention to the stereo grand piano.

More Than a Stage Piano The ProKeys 88 delivers all the staple keyboard sounds needed by many musicians. Its flagship stereo grand is supplemented by an alternate grand designed to really cut through in popular music. The ProKeys 88 has electric pianos covered too. And the Clavinet brings one word to mind: "funky." Acoustic and electric basses give you the option of layering a ride cymbal for jazz tunes. Vibes, ensemble strings and an inspiring warm, lush synth pad round out a great sonic palette for the gigging keyboardist.
88-Key Hammer Action Of course, a realistic digital stage piano must have a full 88 keys that are properly weighted. The ProKeys 88's full-range clavier features hammer action that feels just like the real thing. It features three velocity curves tailored to different touches, as well as a fixed velocity for synth work.
Splits and Layers The ProKeys 88 keyboard also features split and layer capabilities. Put a bass in your left hand and keys in your right. Chord with an organ while playing a piano lead. Layer lush strings over a piano. You can even have a split and layer simultaneously for a total of three sounds at once.
Control Your DAW When it comes to communicating with the outside world, most digital stage pianos offer little more than a MIDI jack. In sharp contrast, the ProKeys 88 inherits much from M-Audio's years of experience pioneering mobile MIDI controllers. It incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your PC or Mac via a single, simple USB connection--perfect for recording with virtually all MIDI sequencer software on the market. (The instrument features class compliancy with Windows XP and Mac OS X without installation of additional drivers.) You can even control your sequencer remotely via front-panel Start, Stop and Tempo buttons.
MIDI In and Out jacks allow full communication with all standard MIDI gear as well. The ProKeys 88 also features performance controls that are rare on digital stage pianos, including pitch wheel, modulation wheel, two footswitch inputs, and expression pedal input. The three different ranges available via the ProKeys 88's combined split and layer functions can each transmit on a separate MIDI channel as well. You also get dedicated front-panel buttons for program change, channel, bank MSB, bank LSB and local on/off.
Built-in Effects There's no need to mess around with additional gear to add basic effects to your ProKeys 88. On-board EQ lets you easily tweak the tone on the fly. You also get three different built-in reverb spaces that simulate different acoustic environments. Chorus fattens up sounds like the electric pianos and basses. And what's a vintage Wurlitzer electric piano without tremolo? Experiment with different effects on the ProKeys 88 to create signature sounds of your own.
Full Pedal Complement Every digital piano has a sustain pedal jack. But what about the sostenuto pedal (the middle pedal on an acoustic piano)? ProKeys 88 has it. There's also an expression pedal for foot-control of volume. And all three of these pedals serve as MIDI controllers for outboard gear as well.
Headphones and Pro Audio Outputs Ever need to practice privately? ProKeys 88 includes a 1/4-inch stereo headphone jack so you can play without anyone else hearing you--at home or at a sound check. Of course, it wouldn't be an M-Audio product without high-fidelity 1/4-inch unbalanced audio output with specs like 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and 108dB dynamic range.
What's in the Box ProKeys 88, Software Driver CD (drivers and applications), USB cable, Printed User Manual, Power supply (12V DC), Sustain Pedal

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M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm an amateur musician, and I always wanted a big keyboard, something close enough to a piano, but the big keyboards were always so expensive. In top of that, they always come with lots of knobs and features that I never wanted to learn or try. I just wanted a piano-like keyboard to play.
When I saw this keyboard for first time, I loved its 'minimalistic' style: no knobs, no screens, no buttons. Just the 88 keys and the minimum necessary controllers (3 buttons, 2 wheels and 1 slider), all in a beautiful and solid silver case. When I checked its price, I suspected maybe its quality was poor, but I had good references for the M-audio brand. So I decided to give it a chance and I'm still very proud of my purchase: just plugged it into the usb port of my PC and it was inmediately recognized. I was using FL Studio, but right now I'm trying Sonar and it works flawlessly. The keys offer some resistance to pressure, so it almost feel like piano keys.
If you're interested on this keyboard, I strongly recommend it. But if you don't to know that much of keyboards (and you don't want to, anyway), you have to know this keyboard is not a exactly a toy, nor is the kind that comes with lots of sounds and rythms. It is a controller, which means you have to use some kind of software or synth device for it to produce any sound. If you know exactly what you're buying, I don't think you will ever regret of buying this keyboard. It's great!

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If you appreciate the full range of a piano keyboard in a lightweight package, the 88-note Keystation 88es is for you. You get great-feeling, semi-weighted action that's velocity-sensitive, to convey all the nuances of your playing to your computer and most popular music education and studio software. The pitch and modulation wheels plus slider and buttons make it a great controller for playing and programming synths, samplers, drum sounds and more. At just 22 lbs., the Keystation 88es is equally at home on stage and in the studio. Class compliancy with Windows XP, Vista (32 bit), and Mac OS X ensures easy plug-and-play setup. It's even bus-powered, so one simple USB cable is the only connection you need.


88-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller

88-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action 88 keys means no constant hitting of an octave switch, an annoyance with smaller controllers. The semi-weighted action gives you a piano feel, and since it's velocity sensitive, your dynamic playing is accurately sent as data.
Pitch bend and modulation wheels These are ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.
Volume/assignable control slider Easily assign the control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software, for further control over your sound.
Advanced function button for programming When the Advanced Functions button is pressed, the keyboard goes into "Edit Mode." In Edit Mode, the keys on the keyboard are used for selecting functions and entering data. Black keys are used for selecting functions, while the white keys are used for data entry and channel selection.
Sustain pedal input (pedal sold separately) Add a sustain pedal, such as the M-Audio SP-1, for piano-like pedal control of your notes' duration.
Built-in USB MIDI interface Easily interface with most MIDI software using the built-in USB MIDI interface. The standard MIDI "out" jack routes MIDI signals from the keyboard or computer to your external devices.
USB Powered The 88es grabs power from the USB port on your computer. You can also purchase a 9VDC power adapter.
Mac OS X and Windows XP class compliant Enjoy plug-and-play operation with both Mac OS X and Windows XP. Ableton Live Lite music production software is included, so you can make music right away on either platform.
What's in the Box M-Audio Keystation 88es USB Keyboard, USB Cable, User's Manual

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Yamaha CP33 Stage Piano Review

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(More customer reviews)Nice upgrade from my Yamaha P90.
I purchaed this piano for the piano sound and feel. Any additional instruments or features that come with it are a bonus. The acoustic bass, strings and jazz organ sounds are done very well also.
While nothing replaces the feel of a real piano, this keyboard comes very, very close and the lighter touch on the higher keys really takes you there.
I only wish that the power transformer was inside of the piano instead of requiring a wall wart (transformer).
If you want a great piano sound and feel get this keyboard. If you want speakers to go with it as well as some more sounds, look into the CP300, but then you will need to add $1000, 30 more pounds and a deeper frame.

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The CP33 is made for the serious musician on-the-go. Sit down with one, and the instrument becomes an extension of your hands and your musical imagination. The authentic piano voices and rich expressiveness come alive at your touch, and the sound is big enough to blast through a full band onstage - yet nuanced enough to work magic in an intimate club.Yamaha's extensive experience in crafting fine acoustic pianos helps us in creating the ultimate digital pianos. Our advanced Graded Hammer Effect (GHE) action gives all keys an authentic resistance that increases from the top register to the lower - just as on an actual acoustic piano. Which means that you can naturally pound out thunderous low notes with your left hand and let the fingers on your right dance and fly with the high notes.In crafting the authentic sound of the CP series, we used meticulously recorded stereo samples of top-quality instruments, taken at various playing strengths, and included subtle elements such as String Resonance, Stereo Sustain, and even Key-Off Samples that capture the felt dampers muting the piano strings - providing the most authentic sounding and finely nuanced acoustic piano voices possible.The CP stage pianos are also master keyboard controllers that give you full command of your gear. Play and control external tone generators. Assign different voices to different keyboard sections and create multi-textured layers of sound. Two instrument zones on the CP33 with panel sliders, let you easily tweak the level of each instrument as you play. You can also freely reassign the sliders and wheels to control other sonic characteristics of your gear, such as sound attack, decay, brightness and filter cutoff.At just under 40 lbs. the CP33 is a very compact and portable yet full size stage piano.

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Yamaha YPG-235 76-key Portable Grand Graded-Action USB Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)After having played the Yamaha YPG-535 88-key Portable Grand Piano Keyboard in a showroom and loving it, I was torn, wondering what all I would be missing out on if I went with the more economically priced YPG-235. I now own the 235 and it appears as if I am missing out on twelve keys. That is, I am not experiencing even an ounce of buyer's remorse after opting for the cheaper 235. This is a lovely keyboard with more beautiful voices than I will ever know what to do with and extremely user friendly functionality. Of course, my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt as I will be the first to admit that my experience with other products of this variety is extremely limited. As such, it might be best to say that, for a novice, one could not ask for a better instrument for the price.
So what is the difference between the 235 and the 535? Based on my previous comparative shopping, I have come up with a few differences. First is the obvious fact that the 535 possesses 88 keys, while the 235 has 76. The 535 also includes a stand, sustain pedal, and power adapter, which must be purchased separately for the 235. While I am unaware of the specifics, the 535 also has greater storage capacity and capability as well as a few more voices. Beyond these definitive differences, having now played both models, the 535 also wins out with regard to aesthetics in that it looks and feels to be of a slightly higher quality, from its display to the apparent craftsmanship in assembly.
Why buy the YPG-235? If price is not an issue, go ahead and get he 535, it is a beautiful instrument. However, for those on a budget or for those who simply do not need 88 keys, purchase the 235. Like the 535, the 235 possesses piano style Graded Soft Touch (GST) keys, which are not exactly weighted but occupy that perfect gap between pure synth keys and weighted. The feel is perfect for one who is used to standard synth-style keyboard keys yet longs for a little more control without sacrificing playability. The 235, like the 535, also features USB connectivity and general MIDI compatibility, as well as almost all of the same high quality voices, which separate both the 535 and the 235 from many other models in their price brackets (besides the pianos, the multitude of stringed instrument voices are amazingly realistic). While it is unfortunate that Yamaha decided to not include a power adapter with the 235, the Yamaha Survival Kit D - Accessory Kit for Yamaha YPG-235 & YPG-235 Keyboards which includes a power adaptor, extended warranty, and a couple of other low quality extras can be purchased relatively cheaply. In my opinion, the YPG-235 offers the buyer more bang for their comparative buck. Again, the 235 sounds great, feels great and is hard to beat for the price!


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The Yamaha Portable Grand YPG-235 piano-focused keyboard has 76 Graded Soft Touch action piano-style keys, USB computer connectivity, a large selection of realistic sounding Voices and Your Tempo lesson mode that lets you learn to play at your own pace.

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Yamaha P95B Digital Piano, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)After finally deciding it was time to upgrade, i've begun the quest of finding the PERFECT keyboard. I am only able to compare the P95 to my Korg N-one so far and of course to the real pianos i`ve played. Hands down the Yamaha P95 is the most touchy feely digital piano i`ve ever had the pleasure to play. It invites expression, something i really was missing from my acoustic piano days. So that`s marvellous. The tone is `nearly`` perfect. Still think there must be a better one out there, but i haven`t found it yet. This is as close as i`ve come so far to sound perfection, for the acoustic piano sound. The other sounds are sadly lacking but that`s not what i need it for. So for feel, full marks, acoustic piano tone nearly full marks. Ease of operation - to be honest i did not get the manual as this is a rental. I`m sure with a manual you could figure out all the ins and outs. But for just sit down and play, record while you play, play it back, add a bit of strings, all simple and no brainers. (nice change after the Korg N-one) I`m not complaining about my Korg, it`s just a completely different beast (yes you have to tame it) but the Yamaha is so user friendly i loved it immediately. The pedal is ok, it works, just tape it down so it doesn`t slide away on you. Nothing unusual about that if you`ve ever played on stage, everything HAS to be taped or strapped down or else. So no biggy. The other thing about the P95 is how darned easy it is to carry. I just about broke my knees every time i had to move that KOrg. This P95 I can carry with ONE hand. Wow. That`s worth every penny right there. Speaking of which, it is a real bargain - you will not be disappointed with a P95, even if you are still looking for the perfect digital piano, which after all may or may not exist. I Highly recommend the P95.

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The P-95 gives musicians the dynamic, high-quality sound and natural piano touch response they expect from Yamaha, along with a high-quality built-in speaker system. All this packed into a slim, exceptionally affordable instrument that's always ready to play when you are. No compromises, just Yamaha quality.

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Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand Piano Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Before detailed remarks, here is my reference point. Having been spoiled with playing real pianos (I should say "acoustic", for PC :), I wanted a keyboard just to enjoy some classical music on my own, at my amateur level. I wanted it to be like a piano (in how it feels and sounds) but small and inexpensive.
PROS:
PORTABILITY - especially for an (almost) full-size keyboard. I really didn't want another piece of furniture. NP30 just lies on the table, which (to my own surprise) ended up as the deciding factor for me. YMMV.
SOUND. All the voices (including grand piano, organ, harpsichord) are well done and beautiful. (But see "CONS" below.)
KEY WEIGHTING. NP30's keys are something like "semi-weighted" and "touch sensitive" (but consult the official specs on this) and somewhat easy to press. But see "CONS" below. BTW I researched this "weighted" topic quite a bit and tried several options, but my practical conclusion is this. If you care about the feel, go more high-end or get the real thing (an acoustic piano, that is). Otherwise you will likely get used to what you have, even though it isn't perfect.
SIMPLICITY. The controls are few and quite intuitive.
PRICE. It's all relative, of course, but compared to other full-size keyboards out there, it's among the cheapest - $300 at Best Buys. (And that's without any sale discounds - Best Buys felt kinda thin on sales to me.)
CONS:
KEY WEIGHTING. While offering you an approximation of an acoustic piano's feel, NP30's keys are not quite there. First, they are hard to press if you place your fingers far from the edge of the key (i.e. towards the back of the keyboard) - I have never noticed this on an acoustic. Second, in some cases when I press several keys at once, NP30 doesn't sense one or two of them, whereas an acoustic piano would. I have to re-adjust the pressure to get NP30 to play them.
SOUND. While individual sounds are beautiful, their combinations may not parallel the richness of an acoustic piano's. This is probably because there is no is no resonating effect between the various strings. (Which is quite understandable at this price level.)
FEATURES (missing). The ones I cared about: additional voices (NP30 only got 10) and the 12 keys for the full-size 88-key keyboard. Again, it's all about a trade-off against portability and price.
ACCESSORIES (missing). Power adapter and the sustain pedal are not included, and Best Buys charges $25-30+ for each. This is a RIP-OFF, people. For power, look around; maybe you have a compatible one already (12V, 1500 mA, negative is outside) - or use rechargeable batteries. And maybe you are fine without the pedal (I am still to answer that question for myself).


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The Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand is an easy-to-carry piano that features Advanced Wave Memory stereo sampled piano sounds for incredible sound quality.A entirely new take on the digital piano, offering quality, value and portability with a lighter touch. Featuring 76 Graded Touch keys and stereo-sampled pianos. Also, 10 voices like Organs and Strings plus 32 notes of polyphony. Another great feature for the home recording artist is that it performs as a MIDI controller too. The built in speakers allow you to play it anywhere since it operates on six AA batteries.Ultra-Portable Digital PianoThe new NP-30 Portable Grand delivers Yamaha digital piano sound and simplicity in a new lightweight, compact design like nothing else you've seen... all at a price point you won't believe.Its super slim design and minimal weight of 12 pounds makes it the most compact performer in the digital piano family of instruments. And 6 AA batteries are all you need to power up and start playing immediately.Do you have questions about personal keyboards?Click on the image for product comparisons and FAQs!Graded Soft Touch Action - NEWBecause of its similarity to acoustic pianos, a graded action is one of the primary features sought by pianists in their digital instruments. While technically a non-weighted action, the new Graded Soft-Touch keyboard is the first of its kind bringing different levels of resistance without the extra

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