Piano Keyboard Reviews (2021)

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Yamaha EZ-220 Review (2021): Lighted Keys Make Learning Easy…and Fun!

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Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply

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The Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package is Yamaha's easiest learn-to-play instrument ever, with lighted keys and a fingering guide so that even absolute beginners can quickly get up to speed practicing their favorite songs. It uses the latest technologies to make learning the piano fun and engaging, and this Amazon bundle includes everything you need right out of the box.

See Reviews & More for Yamaha EZ-220
Quick Navigation
Overview of the Yamaha EZ-220 
Video Overview of Yamaha EZ-220
Yamaha EZ-220 FAQs
Specs of the Yamaha EZ-220
Who the Yamaha EZ-220 Most Suitable For?
What's Included With the Yamaha EZ-220 Keyboard Package?
Yamaha EZ-220 Features
Pros & Cons of the Yamaha EZ-220
Yamaha EZ-220 Manual
Two Alternative (Cheaper) Keyboards
Hyson Music Presents the Yamaha EZ-220 EZ220 Piano Keyboard w/ iPad Integration
Conclusion

Overview of the Yamaha EZ-220 

Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply

Yamaha has specifically designed the EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package to make piano instruction fun, simple, and fast.

The Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package has great Yamaha sound and features, along with a touch-sensitive, lighted keyboard and next-generation app integrations that make it fast and easy to learn to play the piano. The lighted keys, simple step-by-step instruction modules, and iPad app will particularly appeal to young learners, but it has robust features to appeal to intermediate players as well.

Video Overview of Yamaha EZ-220

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Yamaha EZ-220 FAQs

When did the Yamaha EZ-220 come out?

The Yamaha EZ-220 came out in 2012.

What are the dimensions of the Yamaha EZ-220?

The Yamaha EZ-220 is 94.5 cm long, 11.1 cm high and 34.8 cm wide. 

What is the weight of the Yamaha EZ-220?

The Yamaha EZ-220 is 4.4 kg, excluding batteries. 

How much does the Yamaha EZ-220 cost?

  • A brand-new Yamaha EZ-220 keyboard costs approximately $200 USD on Amazon at the time of writing
  • A Yamaha EZ-220 premium bundle costs approximately $250 USD on Amazon at the time of writing. The bundle includes a brand-new keyboard, stereo headphones, power supply and keyboard stand.

How many keys does the Yamaha EZ-220 have?

The Yamaha EZ-220 has 61 keys. 

How many sounds does the Yamaha EZ-220 have?

The Yamaha EZ-220 has 392 instrument sounds. 

Where can I see a demo/test of the Yamaha EZ-220?

To see a demo of the Yamaha EZ-220, please refer to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvziETIN980. 

Where can I see an unboxing of the Yamaha EZ-220? 

To see the unboxing of EZ-220, you may refer to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0Zz1x8D8LI. 

Where to buy the Yamaha EZ-220?

  • You can purchase the Yamaha EZ-220 keyboard from Amazon
  • You can purchase the Yamaha EZ-220 premium bundle here.

What demo songs does the Yamaha EZ-220 keyboard include?

The Yamaha EZ-220 keyboard includes 100 demo songs, which comprise but not limited to the following. (For the full list, please refer to the contents page of the Yamaha EZ-220 song book).

  • Standard:
  • Scarborough Fair
  • Ave Maria
  • Greensleeves
  • Londonderry Air
  • Silent Night
  • Duet:
  • We Wish You a Merry Christmas
  • Battle Hymn of the Republic
  • Pianist:
  • Für Elise (L.v. Beethoven)
  • Turkish March (W.A. Mozart)
  • 24 Preludes op.28-7 (F. Chopin)
  • Piano Ensemble:
  • Piano Concerto No.21 2nd mov. (W. A. Mozart)
  • Ode to Joy (L.v. Beethoven)
  • Canon (J. Pachelbel)
  • Classical:
  • Air (Orchestral Suite) (J. S. Bach)
  • Frühlingslied (F. Mendelssohn)
  • Valse Des Fleurs (From “The Nutcracker”) (P. I. Tchaikovsky)

Yamaha EZ-220 iPad app – what apps are available?

For the Yamaha EZ-220, the available iPad apps include EZ-220 Page Turner, Piano Diary and Visual Performer. To download the apps or find out more information, you may refer to the Yamaha EZ-220 page.

Specs of the Yamaha EZ-220

Specification

Description

Keys

61-key lighted-key keyboard

Weight

Weighs less than 10 pounds

Display

LCD screen

Present songs

100 in total

Touch-sensitive keys

Yes

Demo songs

One

Polyphony

32 levels max

Voices

392 voices with 12 drums and 1 sound effect kit

Accompaniment Styles

100 preset accompaniment styles

Record playback

Yes, record and playback functions through the app

Accessories Included

  • Comes with headphones
  • Comes with AC adapter
  • Comes with a keyboard stand
  • Comes with music rest
  • Comes with digital song book

Reverb

9 types of reverb

Transpose Function

Yes

GM compatible

Yes

Headphone Jack

Yes

Fingering guide

Yes

iPad App

Comes with iPad Page Turner app

Who the Yamaha EZ-220 Most Suitable For?

source

The Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package is ideal for young children and complete novices to learn to play the piano. The lighted keys not only show you which key to play, but the fingering guide shows which finger to use, and the accompanying iPad app makes piano lessons simple and engaging. The included accompanying song styles make it easy to play complete songs in no time.

 Beginners will also enjoy experimenting with the wide range of included piano voices and instrument sounds, exploring the full range of capabilities of a digital piano. Transpose and polyphony capabilities give greater range to the customization and expressions possible in this entry-level keyboard.

What's Included With the Yamaha EZ-220 Keyboard Package?

The Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package comes with the EZ-220 keyboard itself, along with:

Samson HP30 Stereo Headphones

Samson HP30 Closed-cup Headphones with a comfortable, padded headband. These headphones have good sound quality at a high range of frequencies, and a 9 ft. cord

World Tour SXKS Standard Keyboard Stand, which is a single-braced, steel keyboard stand. It is heavy-duty, and strong enough to hold keyboards up to 130 pounds, with a height adjustment from 25.25-38.75”

Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply
Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply

World Tour PA130 Power Supply for AC power in a compact size

EZ-220 Page Turner iPad app is a digital songbook for the 100 songs built into the keyboard. It connects wirelessly to the keyboard, and automatically advances the music pages as you play along

Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply
Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply

Yamaha Visual Performer app will create animations and cool visualizations based on the music you play on any MIDI device, to add custom imagery along with the sound

Yamaha Piano Diary app allows you to record, store, play, and share your EZ-220 music no matter where you are. The Piano Diary lets you track your progress and makes your piano playing sharable with anyone, at any time.

Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply

Yamaha EZ-220 Features

The Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package has a lot of features in a compact package.

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Design

The Yamaha EZ-220 keyboard is compact and portable, weighing less than 10 pounds

Sound

The EZ-220 keyboard uses high-quality Yamaha Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) stereo sampling. AWM sampling uses high-quality recording and filtering technology to make tones that are expressive, nuanced, and authentic to the source instrument sound.

Touch sensitivity

The lighted keyboard is touch-sensitive, which is an excellent feature. And the lights can also be turned off when you don't need them anymore.

Battery Power

The ability to use battery power makes it even more convenient for travel or playing outdoors.

Music rest

It comes with a music rest that can hold sheet music or an iPad, and has a special mount to hold an iPad securely in place, so that you can use the touchscreen features without risking moving or dropping the tablet.

Instrument voices

It has 392 instrument voices and 13 drum and SFX sounds. It also has 9 types of reverb, and 100 preset accompaniment styles.

Adjustable style sync

You can adjust accompaniment style sync, intro, ending, auto-fill, etc. One Touch Setting lets you use Yamaha preset settings, or store your own preferences and retrieve them with the press of a button.

Tuning functions

Transpose and tuning functions let you customize the tone of your instrument as needed.

Grand piano sound

There is also a dedicated Grand Piano button, that adjusts all settings to reproduce the sound of a grand piano from the EZ-220.

Connectivity

The Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard has ports for a sustain pedal, headphones, and a USB port for connecting directly to digital devices. It also connects wirelessly to an iPad running the dedicated Yamaha EZ-220 apps, but uses a dedicated private connection between the iPad and the keyboard, rather than using standard Bluetooth or WIFI connectivity.

Learning functions

It comes with 100 preset songs and 1 demo song to help speed learning, and has a built-in customizable metronome. The Yamaha Education Suite is built in to the keyboard, and uses the LCD screen to help you practice with either hand, or both hands, giving simple, effective lessons without requiring an app or internet connection.

Bundle

This bundle includes a keyboard stand, AC adapter, and a pair of headphones. The stand and headphones aren't the highest quality, but are certainly functional enough for a beginner, and it's nice to get the entire set in a single package.

Features

32 max polyphony isn't a very high number, and more advanced players will want a greater capacity, but many entry-level digital keyboards don't have polyphony capabilities at all.


There are several iPad apps that are bundled with the Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package.

Apps

Page Turner

This is a digital songbook for the preset songs included with the keyboard. It helps you learn to read music, and advances the pages automatically as you play along.

Visual Performer

This app creates custom visualizations based on the pitch and velocity of your piano playing, creating visual effects and imagery to go along with your music.

Note Star

Note Star adds touchscreen and interactive capabilities to traditional sheet music, taking advantage of new technologies to enhance the experience.

Piano Diary

This app allows you to track and record your piano performances. Recordings are stored in the cloud, where they can be replayed anytime, anywhere, and easily shared with others. It's a great way to track your progress as a player.


Pros & Cons of the Yamaha EZ-220

PROS

  • 61-key lighted-key keyboard has touch sensitive keys that respond to the speed and pressure of your fingers by increasing in volume. The lighting can be turned off when you want
  • Comes with a music rest, AC adapter, headphones, and a keyboard stand so it can be set up right away, and playing music with the included songbook
  • Weighs less than 10 pounds and can be battery powered for extra portability and playing outdoors
  • 392 voices with 12 drums and 1 sound effect kit for a wide range of instrument sounds
  • 100 preset customizable accompaniment styles and 32 levels of polyphony for overlapping musical arrangements
  • 9 levels of reverb, transpose and tuning functions, and other settings to customize your preferred sound, or use One Touch or Portable Grand buttons for preset acoustic environments
  • Metronome and fingering guide to make learning easy
  • Comes with all necessary ports, including headphone, phone out, pedals, and USB ports
  • Includes Yamaha Education Suite for piano lessons directly from the LCD screen
  • Compatible with piano education apps through iOS mobile devices add a range of capabilities, learning options, and musical enhancements to promote fun, learning, and exploration

cons

  • Apps are available for iOS only
  • Expensive
  • Non-weighted keys
  • Not MIDI compatible
  • Can't independently adjust volume of accompanying tracks
  • Doesn't have standard WIFI or Bluetooth for wireless connections

Yamaha EZ-220 Manual

If you'd like to check out the nitty-gritty of the Yamaha EZ-220, here's a link to the model's manual:

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD YAMAHA EZ 220 MANUAL

Two Alternative (Cheaper) Keyboards

Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply

The oddest aspect of the Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package is the price point. It seems like the lighted keys and app integration are intended to appeal to younger beginners, making it a good educational keyboard for children, and yet it's an expensive keyboard for children who may lose interest or get distracted.

 Yamaha has many entry-level keyboards with better musical capabilities at a lower price, making it seem as though the cost-driving feature of the EZ-220 is bundled the iPad apps. Some may feel that those apps aren't worth the cost difference when compared to competitive keyboards, even from the same brand.

Casio LK-190 61-key Premium Lighted Headboard Pack

Alternative product for a young piano student

Like the Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package, the Casio LK-190 package has a lighted, touch-sensitive, 61-key keyboard. The package also comes with a stand, headphones, and power supply. It has onboard lessons and learning modules, a variety of voices and rhythms, and connects to an iPad. But it's much less expensive than the EZ-220, and might be a better way to foster a child's musical interest and education without investing too much money.

Casio LK-190 61-Key Premium Lighted Keyboard Pack with Stand, Headphones & Power Supply

Casio LK-190 61-key Premium Lighted Headboard Pack

Alternative product for an older piano student

Yamaha Ypt260 61-Key Portable Keyboard With Power Adapter (Amazon-Exclusive)

Like the EZ-220, the Yamaha YPT260 has the Yamaha Education Suite with onboard learning tools. This bundle also comes with a stand, bench, and power supply.

It doesn't have lighted keys or app integration, but aux input allows you to play along with your existing music library. It has a wider range of voices, songs, and accompaniment styles, along with a greater range of sound customization options.

Importantly, it allows you to independently adjust the volume of your accompanying tracks, and has onboard recording and playback features. It's a more sophisticated instrument, with greater opportunities to grow as a musician, and still costs significantly less than the EZ-220.

Hyson Music Presents the Yamaha EZ-220 EZ220 Piano Keyboard w/ iPad Integration

Conclusion

The Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package has everything a person needs to be set up and playing the piano in minutes, with a package that includes headphones and a keyboard stand, and lighted keys that guide you through playing the built-in song library.

It's an incredibly fast, simple, fun way to start playing your favorite songs on the piano right away.

The large number of settings, instrument voices, and app compatibility also support your growth as a musician, so you can go on to more complex songs and even your own compositions. 

Yamaha EZ-220 61-Lighted Key Portable Keyboard Package with Headphones, Stand and Power Supply

Yamaha EZ 220 (click image for more info)

With one touch, you can even simulate the sound of playing a grand piano in your own concert hall. It's a great way to foster a love of learning and a love of music, making learning to play the piano simple, fun, and engaging.

See Reviews & More for Yamaha EZ 220

Yamaha EZ-220 Tutorial: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Where to Buy Yamaha Keyboard

Yamaha YDP143 Arius Review (2021): Yamaha’s Best Compact Console Piano?

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Yamaha YDP143B Arius Series Console Digital Piano with Bench, Black Walnut

The Yamaha YDP143 is a console piano in the iconic brand's Arius line, which are made to simulate the feel and sound of acoustic pianos in a compact size, and at an affordable price.

This model has a lot of features that make it an attractive digital piano for beginners and experts alike. Let's take a closer look!

See Reviews & More for Yamaha YDP143
Quick Navigation
Overview of the Yamaha Arius YDP143
Yamaha Arius YDP143 Video Overview
Yamaha Arius YDP143 Specs
Who the Yamaha YDP143 Is Most Suitable For
What's Included With the Yamaha YDP143?
Yamaha YDP143's Features
How to Get the Most out of the Yamaha YDP143
Pros & Cons of the Yamaha YDP143
An Alternative Product to Consider
Yamaha YDP143 - Buyers Guide Overview & Demo
Conclusion

Overview of the Yamaha Arius YDP143

Yamaha YDP143B Arius Series Console Digital Piano with Bench, Black Walnut

The Yamaha Arius YDP143 is compact and lightweight for a console piano, easy to fit into even a small space. Unlike most portable digital pianos, it has three pedals that look, feel, and work like those on an acoustic piano.

It has a fully weighted keyboard for a realistic feel, and matte black keys that prevent slipping and promote good finger technique. But it also has special capabilities that are only possible with a digital piano, like the ability to change voices, layer instruments, playback and record, and easily interface with digital apps and devices using the USB port.

Yamaha Arius YDP143 Video Overview

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Yamaha Arius YDP143 Specs

source

Specification

Description

Size

53.5 x 32 x 16.5 inches

Weight

83 pounds

Keyboard

  • 88 keys
  • Graded hammer standard weight system
  • Matte black key tops
  • Hard/medium/soft/fixed touch response

Sliding key cover

Yes

Built-in music rest

Yes

Pedals

  • 3 pedals for sustain, sostenuto, soft
  • Half pedal function

Demo Songs

10

Sound

  • Pure CF sound engine
  • Damper resonance
  • 192 max polyphony
  • 10 voices

Preset Songs

50

Functions

  • Dual/Layers function
  • Duo function
  • Metronome function
  • Transpose function
  • Fine tuning function

Memory

Onboard memory for 1 song, 2 tracks

MIDI Playback

Yes, MIDI playback and recording

USB

USB to host connectivity

Headphone Jacks

2 stereo headphone jacks

Finish

Comes in Dark Rosewood or Black Walnut finish

Auto Power

Auto power off

Who the Yamaha YDP143 Is Most Suitable For

source

The  Yamaha YDP143 is a great choice for those who want the look, feel, and style of a piano in their home, classroom, or meeting space, without sacrificing too much space. It has a smaller footprint than other console pianos, with the attractive look of real wood and high-quality materials. 

It produces great sound and provides the feel and weight of playing an acoustic piano, along with rich tones and great sound. If you want a compact piano, with more style, substance, and resonance than an X-stand, the  Yamaha YDP143 is a great choice.

And it has lots of functions and features that make it friendly for learners, hobbyists, and casual performances, so it will fit into many environments. Adding an amplifier and external speakers can make the YDP143 sound even bigger, and fill a space with the rich sound of a grand piano, for a fraction of the cost in money and space.

 It's also a great choice for learners who are getting started with the piano, teachers who are teaching the piano, and hugely popular with hobbyists who let their playing lapse over the years but are longing to play again. It's sophisticated controls are headphone and low-volume optimized, so it can be played in a home or apartment without disturbing anyone.

What's Included With the Yamaha YDP143?

50 Greats for the Piano

The Yamaha YDP143 comes with a song book, “50 Greats for the Piano,” to accompany the 50 songs in the piano's song library, so they can read and play along with iconic piano pieces.

 It also comes with a Yamaha bench for seating.

Yamaha BB1 Padded Wooden Piano Bench - Black

Yamaha YDP143's Features

The Yamaha YDP143 has a lot of great features in a compact console piano. It gives big piano sound and authentic analogue piano key weight and pedal action, with convenient digital features.

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Graded hammer

The graded hammer standard for keyboard weighting in the Yamaha YDP143 uses a hammer system and springless mechanism based on the feel of a grand piano. It reproduces the touch of an acoustic piano, with heavier feeling in the lower register, to a lighter touch in the upper octaves.

CF Sound Engine

The Pure CF Sound Engine faithfully reproduces the sound of the famous Yamaha CFIIIS 9' concert grand piano, for exceptional quality, dynamics, and expressiveness in a digital piano.

Matte finish.

Matte black key tops provide a non-slip, tactile surface for the black keys, reducing moisture and preventing slipping.

Acoustic Optimizer technology

The cabinet itself is designed with Acoustic Optimizer technology, that regulates the flow and control of sound as it moves from the instrument to the cabinet. It creates greater tonal richness and smoothness as you play.

Intelligent Acoustic Control

Intelligent Acoustic Control is an innovative, proprietary Yamaha technology. Without it, digital pianos can lose sound quality when played at a low volume (for example, practicing at home). IAC automatically adjusts speaker equalizer settings to compensate for speaker volume, and allows for more clarity and depth of sound, even when played quietly.

Stereophonic Optimizer

The Stereophonic Optimizer is another proprietary Yamaha technology that enhances the sound of the piano when played wearing headphones. It separates headphone sound from the piano sound, to create a spacious surround sound experience.

Three pedals.

To fully simulate the techniques and practice necessary for an analogue piano, the Yamaha YDP143 has three pedals. The sustain pedal (often called a damper pedal, although it does the opposite) removes all the dampers to allow the strings to continue to vibrate and sustain a note.

Transpose function

Transpose function allows you to adjust the tuning by semitones, and are great when accompanying a vocalist. Fine tuning allows you to adjust the overall tone of the instrument, which is great when playing along with other musicians or a pre-recorded song.

Compatible with Digital Piano App

 The Yamaha YDP143 is compatible with the Digital Piano Controller app, and other digital piano apps, optimized for iOS touchscreen devices. It makes accessing and adjusting settings faster and easier, and streamlines recording and playback. It also stores your settings, so you can retrieve them quickly.

How to Get the Most out of the Yamaha YDP143

Here are a few things to remember to help you make the most of a Yamaha YDP143.

Test the keyboard before assembling the console

Because the console can be a challenge to put together, it's best to test the keyboard first. While it is rare, there are sometimes audio or performance issues with the keyboard, and it is easier to return and manage a warranty repair before the console is assembled, than it is afterward.

Get high-quality headphones

While many people prefer to use their existing ear buds with their piano, it's better to invest in high-quality over-the-ear headphones. Not only will headphones help you practice without disturbing anyone, the Yamaha YDP143 has features purpose-built for them. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones are designed for professionals, with exceptional audio quality, durability, and sound separation. If those are a bit too pricey, consider the Roland RH-5 stereo headphones, designed for musicians.

Upgrade to a storage bench

While a standard piano bench is included with the purchase of a Yamaha YDP143, that bench doesn't have storage. But keeping sheet music inside the bench simply makes good sense, and it's an easy upgrade.


There are several high-quality storage benches that will match with your chosen finish on the YDP143, and make good use of your space, without costing too much. Consider the SONGMICS Padded Wooden Piano Bench with music storage, or the Griffin Premium Antique Piano Bench, which not only has storage, but is has an adjustable height for lasting comfort

Get a Bluetooth adaptor

While the USB out of the Yamaha YDP143 is an excellent feature, the USB port itself is beneath the keyboard, and a cable connection may be something of a hassle to manage. And, let's face it, a USB cable dangling beneath the piano doesn't look great. Consider getting the Yamaha Wireless USB to Host MIDI Adapter to use iOS apps with the piano easily and seamlessly.

Pros & Cons of the Yamaha YDP143

PROS

  • Excellent key weight and feel of the graded hammer standard system
  • Authentic concert grand piano sound with a Pure CF sound engine
  • Compact size and handsome, furniture finished console
  • Key cover protects from dust
  • Has built in music rest
  • Matte black key tops prevent slipping
  • 4 levels of touch response to suit any playing style
  • Authentic analogue piano pedal functions
  • 192 max polyphony
  • A good range of up to 10 present voices
  • 4 types of reverb
  • Intelligent Acoustic Control for great sound at any volume
  • Stereophonic Optimizer for fantastic sound in headphones
  • Cabinet built with acoustic optimization
  • Comes with 50 preset and 10 demo songs
  • MIDI playback and recording
  • Duo keyboard and metronome functions are great for teaching and learning
  • Dual/layered function doubles voices for more complex performance
  • Transpose and fine tuning functions let you customize and perfect notes
  • 2 headphone jacks for great versatility
  • Auto power off saves energy

cons

  • Headphone jacks and USB port are located beneath the console
  • Not natively compatible with Android devices
  • Console can be difficult and time-consuming to assemble

An Alternative Product to Consider

Yamaha P125 88 Weighted Key Digital Piano Bundle with Knox Double X Stand, Knox Large Bench and Sustain Pedal

The Yamaha YDP143 happens to land in the middle of two different trajectories of Yamaha products.

On the one hand, the keyboard, features, playback, and audio qualities are virtually identical to the Yamaha P125, but that model is portable.

It can be quickly set up with an X stand, and is suitable for taking to practices and performances.

On the other hand, the Yamaha YDP143's cabinet and console are virtually identical to the Yamaha YDP163B, but that model has a superior key weight system (the GH3 standard vs. the GHS standard) and synthetic ivory keys that more closely mimic the experience of playing a grand piano.

For a few hundred dollars less, you could have virtually the same digital keyboard experience in a portable package with the Yamaha P125.

Yamaha YDP163B Arius Series Console Digital Piano with Bench, Black Walnut

 Or, for a few hundred dollars more, you could have a console piano that more closely replicates the sound and playing experience of a grand piano with the Yamaha YDP163B. The Yamaha YDP143 splits the difference between these two needs, placing a high-end portable digital keyboard into a compact cabinet with excellent acoustics.

Yamaha YDP143 - Buyers Guide Overview & Demo

Conclusion

The Yamaha YDP143 is a great choice for a console piano that is rich in features, has a great keyboard weight and feel, and the authentic tones of the best Yamaha concert grand pianos.

It also has advanced digital features and innovative Yamaha technologies to provide the best functions of a digital piano, along with USB capabilities that connect the piano to a computer for even more options for recording, playback, and mixing.

Yamaha YDP143B Arius Series Console Digital Piano with Bench, Black Walnut

Yamaha Arius YDP-143(click image for more info)

The Yamaha YDP143 is a great choice for a console piano that is rich in features, has a great keyboard weight and feel, and the authentic tones of the best Yamaha concert grand pianos. It also has advanced digital features and innovative Yamaha technologies to provide the best functions of a digital piano, along with USB capabilities that connect the piano to a computer for even more options for recording, playback, and mixing.

And it has a compact, handsome console that adds style and substance to any room, without taking up too much space. It's a great compromise between the best of analogue pianos and the best of digital technologies, in a small footprint at an affordable price.

The Yamaha YDP143 a great way to invite the handsome style of a piano, and the beauty of piano music, into your home, and make it a part of your daily experience, whether you are just beginning to learn, or are an experienced player.

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Yamaha YPG 235 Review (2021)

Yamaha Keyboard Reviews (2021): 6 Best Yamaha Keyboards for Beginners, with Weighted Keys, and More

By

yamaha keyboard

Yamaha is a name that's synonymous with quality musical instruments, and they offer many keyboard models that aren’t going to break the bank.

After spending dozens of hours conducting Yamaha keyboard reviews, we recommend the Yamaha P45, thanks to its natural, in-stereo sound and weighted action keys. 

In the guide below we also recommend five additional Yamaha keyboards that satisfy a range of needs. We're confident you'll find a model that suits YOU!

Our Picks:

Best Overall

Yamaha P45 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal and Power Supply, Standard, Black

Yamaha P45

When it comes to overall quality and value, we choose the P45 as our top pick. This keyboard has GHS-weighted action that is heavier in the low end and lighter in the high end, much like a traditional acoustic piano. This is great for beginners, because it allows them to learn how to play on something that feels like a real piano.

The 64-note polyphony keyboard lets you perform dense passages with a lot of sustain, without dropping any notes. It even has a duo mode, so you can combine two voices, such as strings and piano, to give your songs a richer, fuller sound.

We love the single button operation that makes it easy to change the various settings on the P45.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Bundle Package

Yamaha YPG-235 76-Key Portable Grand Piano Keyboard Bundle with Knox Double X Stand and Yamaha Survival Kit (Includes Power Supply and 2 Year Extended Warranty)

Yamaha YPG-235

If you are trying to get a beginner set up with everything that they need to learn how to play the piano, you need to get a good bundle package.

The YPG-235 comes with a variety of accessories so any student will be ready to start learning and playing right away. This keyboard has 76 piano-style keys that have Graded Soft Touch, and it is good and loud, with over double the speaker output of other comparable models.

The full keyboard fingering mode allows for playing a variety of musical styles, and there are chord and chord/free modes.

The bundle kit comes with the digital piano, a music rest, a Knox double X keyboard stand, and the Yamaha survival kit, with headphones, instructional aids, and more.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Authentic Piano Touch

Yamaha DGX-660 Digital Piano - Black Bundle with Furniture Bench, Dust Cover, Headphones, Sustain Pedal, Instructional Book, Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD, and Polishing Cloth

Yamaha DGX-660

If you are looking for a digital keyboard piano that has the same sound quality as a concert grand piano, look no further than the DGX-660.

While no digital keyboard is going to give you an authentic grand sound, this is probably as close as you are going to get to the real thing. This keyboard is ideal for beginners and professionals, with an authentic piano touch and 88 weighted keys. It also offers some pretty terrific functions, including audio recording and playback. The

Damper Resonance gives this keyboard a truer sound than others, and you can even connect it to your computer through USB. When you want a keyboard that is going to last for several years, and grow with the user, this is definitely an option you will want to consider.

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Best Onboard Lessons

Yamaha PRSEW300 76 Key Portable Keyboard With Knox Adjustable Stand & Power Adapter

Yamaha PSREW300

If you want to learn how to play the piano, or one of your kids has expressed an interest in learning, you should check out the onboard lessons offered by the PRSEW300.

This keyboard has loads of features that make learning fun and easy, including 574 voices, 165 styles, and 154 pre-set songs. This is not a full keyboard, but it has plenty for most piano players, and it is a good model to start out with.

Thanks to the USB to HOST audio and the MIDI connectivity, you can enjoy interfacing with a variety of learning and creative apps.

The new Touch Tutor function can go along with regular piano lessons and be a great practice and learning tool. You can also plug in a microphone and sing along while you are playing.

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Best Deal

Yamaha PSRE263 Keyboard with Knox Bench, Stand, Headphones, & Survival Kit (includes power supply & 2 year warranty)

Yamaha PSRE263

Are you looking for a good quality keyboard bundle package that isn’t going to cost a bundle? At less than $250, we are naming this our top pick for a great deal.

The PSRE263 is the perfect first keyboard for beginners. It is not a full keyboard, only having 61 keys, but it is great for learning and practicing, and it is loaded with features that are fun to use, including more than 400 different instrument voices and 130 accompaniment styles.

It is compact and light weight, and can be used with batteries, so you can take it pretty much anywhere, even if you don’t have an electrical connection.

This bundle package comes complete with a keyboard stand, a bench, headphones, and several learning tools, including an instructional book and an instructional CD.

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Best for Beginners

Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal and Power Supply (Amazon-Exclusive)

Yamaha P71

When you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a keyboard for a beginner, but you want something that is going to play and sound great, so it is easier to learn, the P71 is a great option.

This has a full 88 keys, which are weighted so they have the feel of a traditional acoustic piano. This is the ideal digital piano for beginners, and it is also popular with professionals who are looking for something that has great sound quality and that is portable.

We consider this one of the best Yamaha keyboards for beginners, because it has loads of features that make it fun and easy for anyone to learn how to play the piano. It even has a dual mode, so you can combine two voices and really experiment with fun sounds.

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Quick Navigation
History of Yamaha
Best Yamaha Keyboards (Summary Table)
What is Special about Yamaha Keyboards?
Best Yamaha Keyboard Reviews
 Yamaha P45: Best Overall
Yamaha P71: Best for Beginners
 Yamaha YPG-235: Best Bundle Package
 Yamaha DGX-660: Best Authentic Piano Touch
 Yamaha PSREW300: Best Onboard Lessons
 Yamaha PSRE263: Best Deal
Alternative Product
Conclusion
1979 yamaha keyboard

Credits

History of Yamaha

For more than 125 years, Yamaha has been a producer of quality musical instruments, beginning with reed organs in 1887. In fact, the Yamaha Corporation, with its headquarters located in Japan, is probably the largest manufacturer of a full line of instruments in the world, and it is also a leader in the production of audio/visual products, semiconductors, and a variety of other computer-related items.

They have even branched out into other items, including sporting goods, home appliances, furniture, machine tools, specialty metals, and even industrial robots.

In 1966, the Yamaha Music Foundation was established, offering a huge range of musical activities and studies, including Yamaha music schools. There is also the Junior Original Concert for young people.

Yamaha has a strong commitment to music, and anyone who loves music, and does its part to support music education all over the world. This is not something you are going to find with many of Yamaha’s competitors.

Best Yamaha Keyboards (Summary Table)

What is Special about Yamaha Keyboards

What is Special about Yamaha Keyboards?

There are many manufacturers of quality keyboards, but few names are as well-known as Yamaha, and for good reason. Yamaha has been consistent with the quality of its instruments for several decades, and produce instruments ranging from student to professional quality.

One of the great things about Yamaha musical instruments, including their keyboards, is that they are extremely durable. They will last for several years, and even an entry-level keyboard is going to be with you for a long time to come.

The purpose of this article is to give you as much information as possible about some of the most popular digital keyboard pianos from Yamaha. We will give you the details about the various features on each of these keyboards, as well as full reviews, including the pros and cons.

We don’t want you to think that we are just hyping the Yamaha brand, and you need to be aware of any little issues before you go out and spend a lot of money.

Best Yamaha Keyboard Reviews

Best Yamaha Keyboard Reviews

The purpose of this article is to give you as much information as possible about some of the most popular digital keyboard pianos from Yamaha. We will give you the details about the various features on each of these keyboards, as well as full reviews, including the pros and cons.

We don’t want you to think that we are just hyping the Yamaha brand, and you need to be aware of any little issues before you go out and spend a lot of money.

 Yamaha P45: Best Overall

Yamaha P45 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal and Power Supply, Standard, Black

If you are looking for a keyboard that will give you that authentic piano touch, the P45 may be just what you need. It has the Yamaha GHA (Graded Hammer Action) weighted action, so it plays very much like a real acoustic piano. The black keys have a matte finish, making them less slippery than those found on other keyboards, which is good if you will be playing for extended periods of time.

This keyboard has the classic Yamaha sound engine with Advanced Wave Memory sampling, so it sounds as much like an acoustic piano as possible. It has a single button operation that is super-easy to use.

All you have to do is hold down the Grand Piano/function button, and press the keyboard to change the voices, play demos, use the metronome, and much more.

Pros
  • USB to HOST port for easy connectivity
  • Dual Mode allows you to combine two voices for fuller sounds
  • Natural sounding instrument, in stereo
Cons
  • Some keys tend to stick once in a while
  • Some keys may stop working all together
  • Problems with warranty and customer service

Summary

We consider this to be a really great buy. Not only is it going to cost you less than $500, it is loaded with features that let you create all kinds of wonderful sounds and effects for your music. We love that it has the feel and sound of an acoustic piano, and that it is so easy to use.

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Yamaha P71: Best for Beginners

Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal and Power Supply (Amazon-Exclusive)

When you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a keyboard for a beginner, but you want something that is going to play and sound great, so it is easier to learn, the P71 is a great option.

This has a full 88 keys, which are weighted so they have the feel of a traditional acoustic piano. This is the ideal digital piano for beginners, and it is also popular with professionals who are looking for something that has great sound quality and that is portable.

We consider this one of the best Yamaha keyboards for beginners, because it has loads of features that make it fun and easy for anyone to learn how to play the piano. It even has a dual mode, so you can combine two voices and really experiment with fun sounds.

Pros
  • Lightweight and portable
  • GHS weighted action
  • One-touch button operation
Cons
  • Some buttons may stop working
  • Headphone jack on rear
  • Clicking noises when keys are pressed

Summary

If you are looking for a keyboard that is going to grow with you, from the beginning/learning stages to actual performances, the P71 is a good one to consider. It has weighted action, is easy to use, and is built with Yamaha’s classic sound engine, AWM Stereo Sampling (Advanced Wave Memory).

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 Yamaha YPG-235: Best Bundle Package

Yamaha YPG-235 76-Key Portable Grand Piano Keyboard Bundle with Knox Double X Stand and Yamaha Survival Kit (Includes Power Supply and 2 Year Extended Warranty)

The YPG-235 has 76 piano-style keys that have Graded Soft Touch. The full keyboard fingering mode follows a variety of piano playing styles, and this keyboard also has Performance Assistant Technology features, including Chord/Free Mode and Chord Mode.

It features USB MIDI computer connectivity, so you can easily and quickly transfer songs, and you can record your songs with the six-track recorder. This Yamaha Portable Grand has 30 songs already built into it, as well as an additional 70 songs on the included CD-ROM. There is also an interactive learning system that is broken up into the right and left-hand parts, making this the ideal keyboard for beginners to learn and grow with.

This is a bundled package that comes with everything you need to start learning and playing right away. It includes the YPG-235 76-key, portable grand piano keyboard, a Knox adjustable, double X keyboard stand, and the famous Yamaha Electronic Keyboard Survival Kit.

Pros
  • Bundled package comes with everything needed to start playing right away
  • Connect to other devices via USB
  • Interactive lesson system for beginners
Cons
  • Some keys may stop working
  • Organ voice isn’t realistic
  • Confusing instructions

Summary

If you are looking for a learning keyboard that is going to grow with the learner, the YPG-235 is a great choice.

It may only have 76 keys, but this is usually enough for most piano players, even professionals. It is easy to use, and it is lightweight and portable, so you can play it just about anywhere.

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 Yamaha DGX-660: Best Authentic Piano Touch

Yamaha DGX-660 Digital Piano - Black Bundle with Furniture Bench, Dust Cover, Headphones, Sustain Pedal, Instructional Book, Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD, and Polishing Cloth

The DGX-660 offers the sound quality of a world-class concert grand piano, and it has Pure CF Sampling. One of the reasons why the sound is so close to the real thing is because it has damper resonance. This keyboard gives you everything you need, with 88 weighted keys. Not only is this a great digital piano for professionals, it is also perfect for beginners, with score and lyric displays that are easy to read.

Learners can record what they are doing and then listen to it to see where they need work, and professionals can use the record/playback feature to record their creations. There are many great learning features that make it easy for just about anyone to learn how to play the piano easily.

You will also find load of other interactive features that allow you to play and share your music with others.

Pros
  • Grand piano sound in a portable keyboard
  • Microphone jack allows you to sing along while playing
  • Loads of interactive features to make learning fun and easy
Cons
  • Function button can be difficult to figure out and use
  • Not all of the samplings have a true sound
  • Instruction manual can be confusing to some

Summary

All in all, if you are looking for a quality digital keyboard from Yamaha that isn’t overly expensive, this is a great choice. It is perfect for beginners, thanks to the interactive features, and it also has features that many professionals enjoy using.

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 Yamaha PSREW300: Best Onboard Lessons

Yamaha PRSEW300 76 Key Portable Keyboard With Knox Adjustable Stand & Power Adapter

The PSREW300 is a 76-key, portable keyboard that has 574 voices, 165 styles, and 154 pre-set songs that you can play along with. If you are still in the learning stages, you will enjoy using Y.E.S. (Yamaha Education Suite) that lets you practice with the pre-set songs. One of the really neat tools offered is the Touch Tutor lesson mode. Other keyboards offer learning features, but this one actually tracks the strength at which the keys are played, so you can learn about dynamics.

If you are going to be using the keyboard to create your own music, you will love the USB to HOST connectivity with MIDI and audio transfer. You only need to use one cable to connect the keyboard to your software, and you can start creating.

Plug any portable music player into the Aux input, and you can use the melody suppressor to lower the lead vocals, so you can sing along, almost like karaoke.

Pros
  • Bundle package with stand, headphones, and learning tools
  • SmartMedia internet connect capability
  • MegaVoice techology and MEGA enhancer software
Cons

We really can’t find anything to complain about with this keyboard!

Summary

Whether you are just learning how to play the piano, or you are a professional playing gigs, you are going to love the many features of the PSREW300. It has some really cool learning tools that will help to supplement piano lessons, and loads of great effects for professionals, including slide effects, harmonics, and more.

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 Yamaha PSRE263: Best Deal

Yamaha PSRE263 Keyboard with Knox Bench, Stand, Headphones, & Survival Kit (includes power supply & 2 year warranty)

If you are looking for a portable keyboard that you can take anywhere, the PSRE263 is an excellent option to consider. This is ideal if you are getting a first keyboard for a beginner who is just learning how to play. It offers plenty of features to keep beginners interested, and even professionals will enjoy playing around on it. There are 130 auto accompaniment styles that give you real time, band-backing tracks to play along with.

One of the things we really like about this keyboard is that even though it is on the low end when it comes to price, the features are as good as anything you would expect from a Yamaha keyboard.

The sound reproduction for the various instruments is high quality and detailed, so this isn’t going to sound like some cheap keyboard you would pick up at a department store.

Pros
  • Onboard piano lessons that support regular lessons
  • Bundle package has everything needed to start playing right out of the box
  • Nine reverb effects and a Master EQ
Cons

We have no complaints as it is an ideal keyboard for beginners

Summary

This may not be the choice of most professionals, but if you are getting this for a beginner, you would be making an excellent choice. It has plenty of features that will help beginners to learn faster and easier, and there are loads of fun effects to play around with for different sounds.

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Alternative Product

Yamaha P115 88 Weighted Key Digital Piano Bundle with Knox Double X Stand, Knox Large Bench and Sustain Pedal

While on the subject of Yamaha keyboards, we really should also tell you about the Yamaha P115. This is an 88-key keyboard with weighted keys that has an amazing 192-note polyphony keyboard, so you aren’t going to be dropping any notes.

It offers Intelligent Acoustic Control for a balanced sound that will adapt to your preferred volume setting. It even has a duo mode for side-by-side practice, which is great for students and teachers.

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Yamaha Music Friends Course ~Piano/Keyboard Course~

Conclusion

Whether you are just starting out as a beginner taking lessons, or you are a professional piano player who wants a good quality keyboard for practice, writing and recording, and performing, you will find just what you need from one of the most popular names in musical instruments: Yamaha. 

All of the above-mentioned keyboards are perfect for students, and over half of these keyboards are even used by professionals!

Roland Keyboards & Digital Pianos: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

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Image result for Roland Keyboards & Digital Pianos

Roland keyboards and digital pianos are prized for their excellent features, sounds, and rhythms, which is why many professionals, intermediate players, and novice pianists play one of their models at some point in their music journey. 

If you are a potential customer or a loyal customer, you may have a question or two (or more!) regarding Roland keyboards. In this article, we’ve gathered a series of questions and answers that Roland customers have for this world-renowned piano and keyboard company. 

  • How Do I Contact Roland Support?

Roland support is available from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm. You can contact them via their contact number (323) 890-3740. You can also send in your query via their online email support system. You will get a response within 24 working hours by a member of their customer care support staff. 

If you are interested in ordering parts or have any repair issues, you can contact Roland’s Parts and Service department at (323) 890-3771. This department is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

  • Where are Roland Digital Pianos Made?

Roland is a Japanese manufacturing company of electronic musical instruments. The founder – Ikutaro Kakehashi founded the company in Osaka on April 18, 1972. However, the company’s headquarter was relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

 Apart from Japan, the company has its factories in various parts of the world, including Taiwan, Malaysia, and the United States. Its testing laboratory is located in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, and the main offices are in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. 

  •  How Much Is a Roland Digital Piano?
There isn’t any fixed price when it comes to Roland digital pianos. The price of each Roland digital piano varies depending on its size, design, model, and overall features. Generally, the price of a Roland digital piano starts as low as $400 and can go to as high as $20,000. 

Beginners can consider purchasing a digital piano within the price range of $500 - $900. Low-priced digital pianos come with basic features, apt for first-timers. Since they are inexpensive, they are great for first-time pianists for practicing and brushing up on their piano skills. Intermediate and advanced/professional pianists can go for slightly expensive Roland pianos, ranging from $1200 to $19000. 

  • Where to Buy Roland Digital Pianos from?

There are plenty of online and offline sources from where one can buy Roland digital pianos. One of the most popular websites where you can find an extensive range of Roland pianos is Amazon.com. 

If you want to get Roland pianos at a more reasonable price, visit eBay.com and Etsy.com to utilize their amazing sales offers. 

You can also purchase Roland pianos directly from a Roland store in the UK, USA, Japan and a number of Middle Eastern Countries. Shopping in-store will give you an edge as you get to compare the prices and qualities of different digital pianos. Plus, you can play the piano to assess its overall playability –whether or not the keys are easy to press, the sound they produce, if the keyboard is tuned or not, how difficult or smooth it is to play, etc. 

  • How to Turn on a Roland Digital Piano?

First and foremost, you will need to use both your hands to open the lid of the piano. Make sure that you do it from the edge of the lid and push it away from yourself. 

Once you have opened the lid, you will need to press the “switch on” button. After a short while, you can play the piano. Check that it’s working properly by pressing each key. This will also let you know whether any of the keys are faulty and need to be repaired. To change the volume, use the volume buttons – press [+] to increase the volume and press [-] to lower the volume. This will change the volume of the speaker of your keyboard or the volume of your earphones/headphones, but ensure that these devices are properly connected to adjust the volume. 

  • How to Turn off a Roland Digital Piano?

Once you are done playing a Roland digital piano, you can turn off the instrument by pressing the “turn off” switch. Next, gently hold the piano lid from its right and left corners and gently lower it down using both your hands. 

Be vigilant while closing the lid to avoid getting your fingers pinched between the lid and the panel. If a small child is using the piano, make sure that they close the lid with the assistance of an adult. 

  • How to Fix Keys on a Roland Keyboard?

For a DIY Roland key repair, you will need to turn off the keyboard first. Next, loosen the screws on the back and the rear side of the keyboard with the help of a screwdriver.

Look for the broken key and carefully extract it out. Check whether the white hammer, the one that ensures the movement of the keys, is broken or not. If it is, replace it with a new one. Once the new hammer perfectly fits in its place, slide in the new key that is perched over the hammer. Now, tightly screw the back cover of the keyboard on and turn it on to play the instrument! 

  • How to Replace the Hammer in a Roland Digital Upright Piano?

To successfully replace the hammer in a Roland digital upright piano, follow the tutorial below:

  • How to Repair a Roland Digital Piano?

Your Roland piano may act up for a bunch of reasons. Being equipped with DIY repair skills will allow you to fix the problem (whatever it may be) at the earliest. In case your piano doesn’t turn on, check the rechargeable battery or the adapter, which could be dead or damaged. If a replacement is needed, look for these parts online on Amazon or order them from the Roland Company. 

If the keyboard turns on but produces no sound, make sure that the volume is on. Even then, if the instrument produces no sound, check the headphone jack and the speaker cable. If everything is fine, then the culprit could be dead keys. In that case, you will need to replace them with new ones.

If the buttons on your keyboard are not functioning, it is likely that a “panel lock” is on. Turn off the panel lock by turning off both the volume and the keyboard. As you turn the power back on, the panel lock will be off, and the buttons should function. 

  • How to Clean a Roland Keyboard?

One of the most popular ways to clean Roland keyboards is by using a cleaning solution. Take a bowl and mix 2 drops of a dishwashing liquid in some water. Take a clean, dry cloth that is also soft and white in color. Dip it in the solution and gently clean all the keys with it. Doing so will help eliminate dust or fingerprints (if any) on the keys. 

Once you have cleaned the keys individually, take another dry cloth, and wipe off the excess that may be on the keyboard. You can also use a commercial cleaning and maintenance spray bottle to clean your Roland digital keyboard.

We hope we’ve answered most of your FAQs; for more information, you can visit the official website of Roland and discover more about the company. 

Alesis Recital: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

How to Record a Yamaha Keyboard on a Computer

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A Yamaha Keyboard

Modern digital keyboards come with built-in tools and features that allow keyboard players to make beautiful music; but a lesser-known fact is that these instruments can easily be connected to a PC, which means that keyboard players can also harness the power of the computer to experiment with musical compositions, music recording software, and lots more.

One of the main reasons to connect your keyboard to your computer is to record your performances, either to share them on social media, or for self-evaluation. Once the keyboard is connected, you can record your music and enhance it by adding effects, tracks, etc.

The major problem that first-time Yamaha keyboard users generally face is how to record their keyboard on a computer. Read this article for a step-by-step guide on how to connect your Yamaha keyboard to your PC. Subsequently, you will also be able to transfer files and record music from the keyboard on your computer.

Connecting a Yamaha Keyboard to a Personal Computer

Every Yamaha keyboard comes with a USB port. Generally, audio-out ports come in four types. They are:

  • A MIDI port and USB audio port that sends MIDI and audio data with the help of a USB A to B cable
  • A USB MIDI port that sends MIDI data only via a USB A to B cable
  • A MIDI port that uses a five-pin cable
  • An auxiliary port which is used to connect an audio cable. This is used as a line-out port

Once you have connected your USB or MIDI cable to its out ports on the keyboard, the next step is to attach the cable’s opposite end to the computer. In the case of a USB A to B connector directly linked to the keyboard, connect the cable’s other end to a port that is free on your PC. In the case of a MIDI cable, it needs to be connected to the MIDI port, and an audio interface should be connected to a USB A to B cable. If you have an auxiliary port, you will have to connect a ¼” audio cable to the line-in port. To attach the audio interface, a USB A to B cable can be used.

In case you lack the audio interface required for this task, you can connect the cable to the keyboard’s microphone port with the help of an adapter (3.5mm). Once the cable is in the port, turn on the keyboard. In some Yamaha models, you will be required to put your keyboard into a MIDI or PC mode to record or transfer MIDI data.

How to Connect a Yamaha Keyboard to MAC?

source

In most Yamaha models, keyboards are recorded via MIDI data. For that, you will need to download the most recent versions of the MIDI drivers for the system you’re using (MAC or PC). To download MIDI drivers on a MAC, you will need to click on the following link: USB Midi Driver for Mac

The next step is to click on the checkbox that guarantees your conformity to the software’s license agreement. After this, you have to download the Yamaha MIDI driver zip file. Open the zip file from wherever it downloads to on your MAC (usually the “Downloads” folder) to access it. Click on the “um132-2mx” file in the folder and select your keyboard in the sound settings.

How to Connect a Yamaha Keyboard to Windows?

source

In order to connect a Yamaha keyboard to your Windows, you will need to go to the following link: USB Midi Driver for Win

Once you’ve done this, agree to the license agreement by clicking on the checkbox. In order to download the required zip file, you will need to click the purple button. Once the zip file is downloaded, it will be available in your “downloads folder” from where you can extract the files. Click on the “um3141x64” folder and run the “setup file” to successfully connect your keyboard to your Windows.

How to Transfer Files from a Yamaha Keyboard to a Computer?

Depending on your model, you can transfer files using a USB cable as well as a disk. Once you have connected the cable/disk to the port of your Yamaha keyboard, you can easily transfer files by downloading them. Once the files are downloaded, create a folder and save these files in it. You can disconnect the Yamaha keyboard and access the files later whenever you want.

You can also download “Audacity” for free and plug in a ¼ inch jack into your headphones. For the keyboard, get a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter and plug it into the back of your computer. Start “Audacity” and play whatever you want to on your keyboard. Don’t forget to click on the record button to start the recording process. Once you are done playing the keyboard, stop the recording. You can save the file and listen to the recording whenever you like.

How to Record a Yamaha Keyboard on a Computer to Compose a Song?

For this, you will need to access your digital audio workstation, also known as DAW. Many digital devices have their own built-in DAW. If your Yamaha model doesn’t consist of DAW, Audacity and Reaper allow free trials for recording multiple music programs.

In order to record your music, you will need to click “Track,” which is at the top of a menu bar. Then click on “New MIDI track” or “New Audio Track.” The recording will begin and will record the sound produced by your keyboard. This recording can be saved as an audio file. MIDI tracks record the pressed keys and the sound volume, but use DAW to set the tone. Once you have recorded a song, end the recording process by clicking on the stop button. In this way, you can record as many songs on your computer via your Yamaha keyboard.

Tutorial Links

By following this detailed guide, connecting your Yamaha keyboard to your computer and recording music will be a breeze. Not only will you be able to record high-quality music, but you will also be able to share it with the world!

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