If you’re looking for a compact and cost-effective keyboard, our Korg B1 vs Yamaha P45 review will help you choose between these two excellent and popular options. When it comes to keyboard options for beginners, two names come to mind;.
Both the Korg B1 and the Yamaha P45 have a significant fan following and come highly rated. But which is going to be the best choice for you out of these two options? That’s the big question, and we’re going to answer that in this comprehensive comparison.
Korg B1 vs Yamaha P45 Specifications Compared
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Korg B1 |
Yamaha P45 |
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88-key fully weighted keyboard with matte black keytops |
88-key fully weighted keyboard with matte black keytops |
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Natural Weighted Action (NH) |
Graded Hammer Standard action |
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Sound: Stereo PCM |
Sound: AWM Stereo sampling |
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120-note polyphony |
64-note polyphony |
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8 instrument sounds (3 pianos) |
10 instrument sounds (2 pianos) |
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Modes: Duo (Partner Mode) |
Modes: Duo, Dual |
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Speakers: 9W + 9W / (3.94″ x 1.97″) x 2 |
Speakers: 6W + 6W (12cm x 2) |
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Metronome, Transpose, Fine-tuning |
Metronome, Transpose, Fine-tuning |
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Connections: Headphone jack, Sustain Pedal jack |
Connections: USB to Host, Headphone jack, Sustain Pedal jack |
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Touch Sensitivity (Light, Normal, Heavy) |
Touch Sensitivity (Hard, Medium, Soft, Fixed) |
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B1 – 11.8 kg (26 lbs); B1SP – 21 kg (46.3 lbs) |
11.5 kg (25 lbs. 6 oz.) |
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Dimensions: 131.2 x 33.6 x 11.7 cm (51.6″ x 13.2″ x 4.6″) |
Dimensions: 1,326 x 295 x 154 mm (52.2” x 11.6” x 6.0”) |
Major Similarities Between Korg B1 vs Yamaha P45
The price of the Korg B1 and Yamaha P45 is almost the same, with the Yamaha P45 being considerably more affordable.
Because of the nice and smooth keys, both are considered to be good choices for learners. Both come with a music rest and foot pedal. Along with onboard chorus and reverberation effects. Both have weighted keys that imitate a traditional piano, and both feature a matte black keytops. Both have around the same number of instrument sounds, while the Korg B1 does come with 120-note polyphony, which is higher as compared to the P45. Overall, both these digital pianos are smart choices for beginners.
Major Differences Between Korg B1 vs Yamaha P45
Some of the major differences between both the B1 and P45 digital pianos is that the latter only features 64 polyphony, while the Korg B1 has a lot more. But, the P45 also comes with a midi, which the Korg B1 does not. Additionally, the B1’s speaker system is considered to be much more advanced as compared to the Yamaha P45.
Korg B1 Summary
The Korg B1 shines with its enormous tonal range that gives you a sound that’s comparable to a grand piano. The main selling points of the Korg B1 has got to be its sleek, compact design and affordable price. But, that does not mean you’ll have to compromise on quality.
Another defining factor of the Korg B1 is that while others are technically a watered-down version of existing models, the B1 has the distinction of being a stand-alone digital piano which has been designed to deliver in spades.
It’s easy to see that with the B1, the folks at Korg went back to the drawing board to design this keyboard from the ground up. The B1 boasts of the latest technologies and some neat features that easily makes it a joy to play on whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pianist.
Major Features
The following are some of the main features of the Korg B1 Digital Piano:
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FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
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NH Keyboard |
The Korg B1 features the brand’s proprietary technology, NH (Natural Weighted Hammer) keyboard action. This is a great feature to have, especially for beginners, since the Natural Weighting results in a heavier touch when using the lower registers. NH keyboard action also makes the transition towards a lighter touch in the upper regions easier while playing, while making the player feel like they are using a traditional piano. This dynamic response that’s created by the natural weighted hammer keyboard action makes it easier for the player to set the keyboard to match their playing style. |
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Improved Music Rest |
One of the features that is easily noticeable right out the box with the Korg B1 is its music rest. The music rest of the B1 digital piano boasts of a smartly designed page retention pocket. While this feature adds to the appearance of this digital piano, it also has a functional purpose. The page retention pocket ensures that the folios or music pages that you use while playing do not turn unexpectedly.
The music rest has been designed to hold printed music of approximately 10 mm in thickness. This is another great feature that can be taken advantage of by beginners. Since you do not have to bother about the sheets of music turning while you play, beginners can concentrate more on the playing. |
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Sleek and Modern Design |
Another stand-out feature of the Korg B1 has got to be its sleek, modern design that offers both style and functionality. The simple and streamlined design, coupled with the neatly placed controls, minimizes any distractions while playing.
The compact body also houses a surprisingly powerful speaker system that’s been nicely integrated into the mix. Even with the powerful speakers, the Korg B1 only weighs around 26 lbs. With a depth that reaches up to 13 inches, the B1 can fit comfortably in any room without taking much space. Available in two colors; white and black, the Korg B1 can easily spruce up any home decor. |
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Rugged Damper Pedal |
The B1 also comes with a rugged damper pedal that’s been designed to last. The damper pedal is made of heavy-duty metal, which offers the user some much-needed stability while playing. The well-thought-out design of the damper pedal makes it extremely comfortable to use. While beginners can take advantage of the single-pedal damper that comes along with the B1, piano purists also have the option of a three-pedal unit that is sold separately but is compatible with the B1 digital piano. |
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Partner Mode |
The Korg B1 comes with a Partner Mode feature, which allows the player to split the keyboard into two. This transforms the B1 into a side-by-side keyboard that can be played by two people simultaneously. This is another great feature for a keyboard to have, especially if it’s going to be used by a beginner.
The ability to split the keyboard in two allows two players to play the same passages at once, making it the perfect choice to learn those difficult piano lessons. Keeping this nifty feature in mind, the Korg B1 also works great in a classroom setting where two students can share the keyboard. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- In-built stereo sound system
- 8 digital sounds
- Onboard chorus and reverberation effects
- 88 Natural Weighted Hammer keys
- Comes with an optional stand for the keyboard
- Good for learning piano instructions and lessons
Cons
- Does not come with a stand or bench
- The piano has no midi points
- Does not offer a variety of sounds
- Moderate sound quality
The Bottom Line
The B1 is well endowed when it comes to appearance, sound, and touch. But, there are a few things that seem missing from the B1. For instance, the B1 does not feature a midi, which is not a deal-breaker, but could be considered an important feature to have for some people.
While the Korg B1 was clearly designed for beginners who are looking for an affordable starter piano, this does mean that Korg has had to make some sacrifices in the features department while designing the B1. That being said, Korg has done a good job of designing an affordable keyboard for beginners.
Yamaha P45 Summary
If you are planning to purchase a beginner keyboard, then the Yamaha P45 is one name that you’ve probably already heard of. The P45 is especially popular amongst beginner piano players because of its ease of use. While the P45 was first launched in 2015, its user-friendly design instantly made it a hit amongst beginners who are always on the lookout for an easy-to-use digital piano that they can hone their skills on.
What makes the P45 a reliable choice for beginner piano players is that the unit shares all of the core features that made its predecessor the P35 one of the much-loved digital piano designs. But, that’s not all, with the P45, Yamaha has also thrown in a few additional features to make it even more user friendly for beginners as well as experienced players. And the best part is that you can get all of these features in a neatly designed, affordable digital keyboard.
Major Features
The following are some of the main features of the Yamaha P45:
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FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
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Yamaha Authentic GHS Technology |
The Yamaha P45 digital piano boasts of the company’s GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) weighted action technology. What makes this feature a key component of the P45’s popularity is that the GHS Weighted Action results in a heavier touch when playing on the lower end of the keyboard while allowing you to have a light, comfortable touch while playing in the high end.
In short, the GHS technology, which has been nicely incorporated into the design of the P45 allows the player to enjoy the same weighted touch as with the hammers in a traditional piano. This makes it a great feature to have for novice piano players who are looking to build their skillset. Additionally, the premium matte finish on the black keys means that they are less slippery, which is a common complaint of beginner piano players who practice for long periods. |
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Advanced Wave Memory Technology |
What makes the P45 especially attractive to beginner piano players is that it features Yamaha’s classic sound engine, the Advanced Wave Memory (AWS) sampling, which utilizes the latest digital technology for the recording of sounds of an acoustic piano.
With AWM technology, you get to enjoy a deeper and richer sound quality, which makes it appear that you are playing in a large spacious hall. By using pairs of waveforms, mainly R and L, that are captured via a microphone, the P45 is able to recreate a truly breathtaking sound. |
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Lightweight and Compact |
One other feature that any beginner will appreciate with the digital piano they choose is its ability to be placed in a minimum amount of space. The Yamaha P45 not only looks great and delivers an excellent performance, but it also passes the test in portability in flying colors.
With a depth of just 12 inches and weighing just 25 lbs., the P45 can be conveniently placed almost anywhere in a room without you having to bother about it taking up too much space. This level of portability also means that this digital piano can be easily stored away when not in use, making it a smart choice for those who are looking to purchase their first keyboard. |
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Single-Button Operation |
Another great advantage of using the Yamaha P45 is its efficient and easy-to-use design. From the design of the keys to the placement of various controls, it’s easy to see that the P45 has been designed, keeping the user in mind. In fact, using the P45 is so easy that all you are going to need is a single button to change the settings of the P45 while playing. All you have to do is hold down the ‘Grand Piano/Function’ and press the keyboard keys to make the necessary changes, from the voices to configuring the metronome and even playing demo sources along with much more. The smart single-key function of the P45 makes playing it a breeze. |
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Auto-Power Feature Helps Conserve Energy |
The Yamaha P45 also comes with another nifty feature that’s extremely useful for both beginners and experienced pianists. The P45 includes an auto power feature that shuts down the unit after sensing a period of inactivity. Furthermore, this feature can also be customized depending on how long you want it to wait before the auto power feature kicks in and shuts down the unit. This is a welcome addition and will certainly be appreciated by anybody who wants to do their part for the environment. |
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Layer and Duo Mode |
Two of the other important features that come in the P45 is the keyboard layer mode which allows the player to create more complex sounds. The Duo mode is also another important feature for those who are looking to use the keyboard for practicing with a partner. The addition of the Duo mode makes the P45 a smart choice for all those beginners who are looking for a keyboard for practicing. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10 voices
- 88 weighted keys
- Ideal for beginners
- Grand piano function button
- Master Volume slider
- Computer or iPhone
- Music rest and Foot pedal
Cons
- Doesn’t have any playback or record function
- Issues with the dynamic range.
The Bottom Line
With the Yamaha P45, you are going to get an exquisitely designed digital piano which comes with multiple features, from the Advanced Wave Memory which relies on the latest digital technology to record sounds similar to an acoustic piano, to the 64-note polyphony which makes it easier for players to play their preferred passages and notes with relative ease. Overall, the Yamaha P45 is a great choice for beginners who are looking for advanced features at a competitive price.
Yamaha P-45 VS Korg B1 Piano Comparison
Conclusion
At the end of the day, a beginner wants a keyboard that’s reliable and makes it easier for them to learn. The Yamaha P45 offers an excellent array of features at an affordable price, while the B1 offers comfortable keys, resulting in easier practice sessions, but you might have to skimp on the features. Overall, both the Korg B1 and the Yamaha P45 have something to offer beginners when it comes to helping them during piano lessons.
