The Yamaha YPT 260 is a 2017 update to their popular YPT 255 model, with expanded features and capabilities in the same compact, beginner-friendly keyboard. Yamaha is known for their exceptional digital pianos, and the YPT 260 is no exception. It’s a worthy upgrade from its predecessor, as we’ll explore in greater detail.
Table of contents
- Overview of Yamaha YPT 260
- Yamaha YPT 260 Video Overview
- Yamaha YPT 260 FAQs
- Yamaha YPT 260 Specs
- Who the Yamaha YPT 260 is Most Suitable For?
- What’s Included with the Yamaha YPT 260 Keyboard
- Yamaha YPT 260 Features
- Pros & Cons of the Yamaha YPT 260
- Yamaha YPT 260 Manual
- Alternative Product to Consider:
- Additional Accessories to Consider Buying
- Learning How to Use “Touch” Control
- Jordan Andrew’s Yamaha YPT-260 Review
- Summary
Overview of Yamaha YPT 260
The Yamaha YPT260 61-Key Portable Keyboard is sophisticated enough to provide both novices and intermediate piano players with a range of musical choices, expressions, and experiences that make it a great investment in a musical journey.
The Yamaha YPT260 61-Key Portable Keyboard is designed for beginners, and easy to use for even complete amateurs. It has built-in education features to make learning the piano fast and fun. It’s lightweight and portable, able to be powered with batteries for outdoor play. But it also has more advanced digital piano features for more sophisticated sounds and compositions, going beyond a simple entry-level keyboard
Yamaha YPT 260 Video Overview
Here’s a two-minute overview of the Yamaha YPT 260, produced by Yamaha:
Yamaha YPT 260 FAQs
The Yamaha YPT-260 came out in 2017.
The Yamaha YPT-260 is 94.0 cm long, 10.6 cm high and 31.7 cm wide.
The Yamaha YPT-260 is 4.0 kg.
A brand-new Yamaha YPT-260 currently costs approximately $120 on Amazon. Bundled with a stand, bench and power supply, the keyboard costs around $160 on Amazon.
The Yamaha YPT-260 has 61 keys.
The Yamaha YPT-260 has 400 instrument sounds.
To see a demo of the Yamaha YPT-260, please refer to this YPT-260 demo.
You can see an unboxing of the Yamaha YPT260 here: Yamaha YPT260 unboxing
The most popular place to buy the Yamaha YPT-260 is from Amazon.
The digital piano Yamaha YPT 260 is usually about $10 cheaper than Yamaha PSR E263, but with so little price difference this can vary.
These two models have a lot of things in common:
– They both have 61 standard keys and Master EQ
– They have 130 preset styles and 32 polyphonic voices or notes
– The Yamaha YPT 260 has 384 sounds + 16 drum/SFX kits, likewise the PSR E263
– These two models have the one-touch setting function, metronome and transposer
– They both have a learning function and the “Yamaha Education Suite“
– Both models have connections of auxiliary audio input, headphone output and sustained pedal input (sustained pedal not included)
– Both models have 2 x 2.5W speakers and they measure (width x depth x height) 940 x 317 x 106mm and weight 4 kg.
– Both keyboards can be used with a battery.
– They both have support for sheet music and power supply PA-130.
Some of the differences between the Yamaha YPT260 and Yamaha PSR-E263:
– One little difference is that the YPT model has 112 default songs while the PSR E263 only has 102 internal songs
– Another difference is that YPT 260 model has reverberation, chorus, and ultra-wide stereo effects, while the PSR A350 only has the functions of chorus and reverberation
– The YPT 260 has a Four Hands mode, which allows the keyboard to being use by two persons at the same time on the same tone. The PSR E263 has a dual function instead, which allows you to divide the keyboard into 2 different sounds
– YPT-260 is cheaper, slightly smaller and lighter than YPT-360.
– Both the Yamaha YPT-260 and YPT-360 have 61 keys, Song Book (via web download) and Panel Sustain function.
– However, the features of YPT-260 have less variety, including but not limited to the following:
– YPT-360 has touch-responsive keyboard, while YPT-260 does not.
– YPT-260 has 400 instrument sounds, while YPT-360 has 574 with improved sampling.
– YPT-260 has 130 auto accompaniment styles, while YPT-360 has 165 auto accompaniment styles.
– YPT-360 also has 150 different arpeggio types.
– YPT-260 has 112 preset songs, while YPT-360 has 154 preset songs.
– YPT-260 has 32-note polyphony, while YPT-360 has 48-note polyphony.
– YPT-260 has Yamaha Education Suite, while YPT-360 has “Keys to Success” with other lesson functions.
– YPT-360 has Dual, Split, Arpeggio and Melody Suppressor functions, while YPT-260 does not.
– YPT-360 has internal memory, while YPT-260 does not.
Yamaha YPT 260 Specs
| Specification | Description |
| Keys | 61-key keyboard |
| Display | Custom LCD display |
| Sound | 112 onboard sounds |
| Reverb Settings | 9 reverb settings |
| Polyphony | 32 max polyphony |
| Chorus Settings | 5 chorus settings |
| Accompaniment | 130 styles of auto accompaniment |
| Voice & Effects | 400 high-quality voices with 16 drums and effects |
| Functions | – Recording and playback function – Master EQ function – Transpose function |
| Settings | – Ultra-wide stereo setting – Touch setting |
| AWM Stereo Sampling | Yes |
| Free Gift | Free downloadable song book |
Who the Yamaha YPT 260 is Most Suitable For?
The Yamaha YPT260 61-Key Portable Keyboard is designed for beginners, with the included Yamaha Education Suite and a number of features to make it easy to learn the piano with no prior experience. It’s also a great choice for piano teachers, who can use the duo mode and learning suite to give or enhance lessons.
However, even though it is an entry-level keyboard, the ability to adjust the eq, transpose chords, and enjoy a wide selection of sounds and backing tracks still provide plenty of advantages as one grows as a musician. These features enable it to grow along with the player, providing more complexity and capabilities over time.
What’s Included with the Yamaha YPT 260 Keyboard
The Yamaha YPT260 61-Key Portable Keyboard comes with a music stand, a power adapter, and a downloadable song book.
Yamaha YPT 260 Features
| FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
| Design | The Yamaha YPT260 has 61 keys, and weighs 8 pounds, 13 ounces. It has an LCD display, and can be powered with the included AC adapter, or with 6 AA batteries. |
| Sound | The Yamaha YPT260 tones are generated with 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. |
| Amplification boosts | Built-in amplification boosts tones from the onboard 12 cm speakers and produces good quality and loudness when playing the keyboard. |
| Polyphony | 32 max polyphony isn’t a very high number, but many entry-level digital keyboards don’t have polyphony capabilities at all, so it’s nice to see in the YPT260. |
| Instrument voices | It has 384 instrument voices and 16 drum and SFX sounds. It also has 9 types of reverb, 5 types of chorus, and 130 preset accompaniment styles. |
| Master EQ | Master EQ has 6 styles of customization, so you have greater control over the sound quality. It also has 3 types of ultra-wide stereo, panel sustain, and multi-finger capability, along with style controls to adjust sync start and stop, intro/endings, auto fill-in, etc. Transpose and tuning functions allow you to adjust the tone of the instrument. |
| Tuning functions | Transpose and tuning functions allow you to adjust the tone of the instrument. |
| One-touch setting | One-touch setting allows you to either use the 4 preset settings, or customize your own voice, style, and effect settings and restore them with the push of a button. Or, use the “Portable Grand” button to have the sound and style of a grand piano at a touch. |
| Learning functions | The YPT260 comes with 112 preset songs with 12 chord study songs. |
| Yamaha Education Suite | The Yamaha Education Suite provides practice and exercises for one hand at a time, or both hands together. When learning, use the onboard song library to interactively advance your piano playing. The song playback will adjust to your playing tempo, and the song will pause and wait for you to play the right chord before it goes on, making it easy to learn and play along with the included songs. The downloadable song book includes the sheet music for the included songs, so you can learn to read music while you play. |
| Duo function | It has a built-in metronome, and a duo function allows you to split the keyboard in half, with two middle C keys. This allows two players to sit beside each other and play simultaneously, and is great for teachers and students. |
| Connectivity | The AUX IN port on the Yamaha YPT260 allows you to connect your own device and hear your favorite music through the instrument speakers, so you can play along with any song you like. It also has a headphone jack, and a jack for a sustain pedal. |
Pros & Cons of the Yamaha YPT 260
| PROS | CONS |
| 61-key keyboard has room to learn, grow, and express yourself musically | No touch sensitivity |
| Compact and portable to play anywhere, powered by a cord or batteries | Keys aren’t weighted |
| Attached music rest can hold sheet music or a tablet computer | Keys are narrower than standard |
| Custom LCD display easily guides players through lessons, settings, and keyboard functions, and uses the Yamaha education suite | |
| AWM stereo sampling provides famous Yamaha high-quality instrument sounds | |
| 400 high-quality voices with 16 drums and effects for a wide range of musical possibilities | |
| 130 styles of auto accompaniment and 112 onboard songs quickly and easily create rich, full sound even when beginning | |
| 32 max polyphony, 9 reverb settings, and 5 chorus settings allow for complexity and nuanced musical expression, in any acoustic environment you care to create | |
| Yamaha Education Suite provides simple, effective piano lessons friendly for complete novices, allowing you to practice with either hand or both hands, and allowing you to set the pace | |
| Recording and playback functions allow you to listen to your music as you grow and progress | |
| 6 types of Master EQ gives control over accompaniment and instrument sounds to customize your sound | |
| 3 types of ultra-wide stereo gives full, wide sound from the onboard speakers using advanced processing | |
| One-touch setting uses Yamaha presets to control a variety of settings at once | |
| Portable Grand is a shortcut to all the settings that make the YPT260 sound like a grand piano at a single touch | |
| Duo mode splits the keyboard for two players to play at once, each with their own middle C | |
| Transpose function is great for playing along with others, or use tuning to adjust the instrument as a whole | |
| The downloadable song book helps you learn to read sheet music even as you practice with the YPT260’s onboard song library |
Yamaha YPT 260 Manual
If you’d like to really dig into the specifics of the Yamaha YPT 260, here’s a link to the model’s manual (clicking the link will start download of the PDF manual):
click to download Yamaha YPT 260 Manual
Alternative Product to Consider:
Hamzer Keyboard
If you’re looking for an entry-level piano for a young child who may struggle to concentrate or be reluctant to practice, a good alternative is the Hamzer 61-key portable electronic keyboard piano bundle.
Both keyboards have 61 keys, with a variety of available sounds, rhythms, and features to enhance playing. The Yamaha has superior sound quality over the Hamzer, but a child is unlikely to be concerned with the authenticity of sound sampling and audio quality.
The Hamzer 61-key keyboard bundle from Amazon also comes with a stand, stool, headphones, and microphone that the Yamaha YPT260 does not have.
Importantly, the Hamzer is compatible with the award-winning Piano Maestro mobile app, which makes a colorful, interactive game out of learning the piano, and is highly appealing to children, with a wide range of kid-friendly songs.
Advantages of the Hamzer Keyboard
Comes with keyboard stand and stool
Comes with headphones and a microphone
Compatible with the Piano Maestro mobile app
Advantages of the Yamaha YPT260
Superior Yamaha sound sampling and reproduction
More voices, rhythms, and polyphony capabilities
Larger keys that transition fingering skills better to an acoustic piano
For older learners, the Yamaha is a better option, due to the better audio quality and greater range of capabilities for progressive musical growth and learning. But for young children, the Hamzer and the Piano Maestro app may help to better sustain their interest in learning to play the piano.
Additional Accessories to Consider Buying
Most players of the Yamaha YPT260 will need a few accessories to take full advantage of their keyboard’s capabilities.
Headphones
For those who are just starting to play the piano, headphones are a must. Not only do they help you hear your own music better, and screen out surrounding noise to boost concentration, but they also prevent you from annoying family or neighbors while you practice.
The Edifier H650 headphones are an excellent choice to go with the Yamaha YPT260. Like the keyboard itself, they are lightweight and portable, and even foldable.
Like the Yamaha, they provide great sound clarity and quality. They are durable and rugged, and have the noise canceling features you need to play your best. They also come in a wide range of fun colors to suit any taste. They even have a 1 year warranty, so you can try them without risk.
Sustain pedal
When learning to play the piano, it’s a good idea to get a pedal and use it early, so you get used to using your feet as well as your hands when you play. The Yamaha YPT260 has a jack for a sustain pedal, and the capability to use it, but doesn’t come with one.
The M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal is a great option, with the classic style and feel of an acoustic piano. It’s a high-quality chrome, and has a slip-resistant base for stability while you play. It also has full-pedal and half-pedal capabilities, for a greater range of expression and nuance in your playing. It even comes with a one-year warranty.
Learning How to Use “Touch” Control
Jordan Andrew’s Yamaha YPT-260 Review
Summary
The Yamaha YPT 260 61-Key Portable Keyboard is the brand’s successor to their incredibly popular YPT255 model.
It’s a good upgrade from that model, with all the same features that made it simple, easy, and friendly for beginners, but with new capabilities and options that provide more room for advanced musical expression as your learning progresses.
The YPT 260 is a fantastic starter keyboard, with enough room to grow into an intermediate player, and explore the wonderful world of playing the piano.
