Yamaha YPG 235 Review

The Yamaha YPG 235 has that unmistakable, true, acoustic piano sound that we have come to expect from a Yamaha portable grand. With a 76 key, graded soft touch action, this portable keyboard fills the gap between a digital piano and a standard portable keyboard.
Complete with Yamaha Education Suite and a very affordable price tag, the Yamaha ypg235 is perfect for both the music student, or a more experienced musician on a budget, looking to expand their musical horizons. In this review, we will look at the main features and benefits of this portable keyboard, summarize its pros and cons, and recommend where to go for the best deal. Read enough reviews on the Yamaha YPG 235?  THEN CLICK HERE NOW FOR THE BEST PRICE.

Yamaha YPG-235 Features

 

  • 76 Graded Soft Touch Keys

The keyboard features 76 keys with light touch graded action. The graded effect gives a more acoustic piano feel to the keys with the lower notes keys feeling slightly heavier than the higher note keys. The touch is more acoustic-like than most other portable keyboards. Somewhat lighter than an acoustic grand because thay are not weighted, but this certainly wouldn’t bother a student.

3 keyboard velocity levels allow the player a greater degree of personal expression when hitting the keys. Dual layering is supported so that you can play two different voices on seperate ends of the keyboard. For example you could play grand piano on the bass end supported by guitar on the treble end. Single pressed notes can be backed up by over 20 styles of harmonization. The volume level of the back up harmonies can be independently controlled as part of the keyboard’s auto harmonization feature.

  • Voices and Special Effects

The YPG-235 comes equipped with a stack of voices and special effects. All the standard voices are included such as guitar, trumpet, flute, harpsicord etc. The vast majority of these voices are very true to life and can provide hours of fun if you have time to experiment. A different voice can also help to break up
the monotomy of practicing the scales. There are some very amusing special effects onboard such as the sound of a barking dog. The 3 preset velocity levels can also be applied to the non piano voices that are naturally touch sensitive.

  • Portable Grand Feature

This feature resets the entire keyboard back to industry best grand piano sound, at the push of a button.

  • Pitch Bend Wheel

The professionalism of this keyboard is extended by the inclusion of a pitch bend wheel. The pitch bend wheel offers real time control and more epressive playing of string and brass instruments.

  • Preset Songs and Rhythms

The Yamaha YPG-235 has 300 songs built in which can all be easily learned with the supoport of the highly acclaimed Yamaha Education Suite.  160 preset rhythms have also been built in, including a dozen drum kits.

  • Yamaha Education Suite

Becoming standard now on all Yamaha keyboard related instruments is their education suite. This education tool features 7 interactive lessons that teach students how to play the built in songs.

  • USB Connectivity

USB connectivity and flashdrive ROM allow you to download new songs and sounds and expand your song-bank.

  • 6 Track Sequencer

The keyboard has inbuilt recording support in the form of a 6 track sequencer. Up to 6 tracks can be recorded and played back simulateously, one one top of the other, if required.

  • Stereo Speakers

12 watts of power sound can be pumped through thanks to dual 6 watt stereo speakers. At normal levels, the sound quality is excellent and volume can always be increased by connecting to external speakers or amplifiers. The speakers have auto shut off when headphones are connected, which can be handy when creative inspiration strikes in the middle of the night!

 

Click Here for a video- demo from the manufacturer.

 

  • Yamaha YPG 235 Specs

Keys: 76
Weight: 28.8lbs
Colors: Platinum
Polyphony: 32 note

 

  • PROS

Great Yamaha grand piano sound
Acoustic piano’like feel
True to life voices and sound effects
300 inbuilt songs
Yamaha Education Suite
USB connectivity
Light weight
Price

  • CONS

No ac power adaptor as standard
No USB cable included
Polyphony is limited when auto-harmony is used
Keys are not weighted
A few of the voices and effects are a bit weak ( eg English horn and laser gun)

  • SUMMARY

To be honest, at the price, it is very hard to fault this keyboard. Yes you could weight the keys just like a real grand piano, but that would significantly add to the price, with very little perceivable benefit to the student.

Part keyboard, part learning tool, part recording studio and part performance platform, for under $300, what more do you want?

Looking at other reviews on this instrument, it appears that the biggest single complaint is the lack of an ac power adaptor as standard. We have researched a suggested get around for this, and recommend Amazon’s special premium pack that includes stand, headphones and Yamaha PA 150MM adaptor (as recommended by Yamaha), for about $40 when bundled in with the Yamaha YPG-235. (See Amazon ad at top right of this page).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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