Yamaha YPG635 Review
By Dan on Jul 20, 2009 with Comments 8
Winning both the 2007 Product of the Year and Keyboard of the Year awards from Music & Sound Retailer, the Yamaha YPG635 is a superb addition to Yamaha’s range of piano-focused portables, and retails at around $900.
[...Get More Opinions...] The most obvious benefit to this instrument is that it features an 88 key weighted action keyboard, which is unusual for a portable. The Graded Hammer Standard keyboard makes it the perfect answer for pianists looking for the practicality of a portable keyboard, with the feel of an acoustic piano. It enables piano students to build strength in their fingers and to grow accustomed to the way an acoustic plays, whilst also benefiting from all the modern technology of an electronic instrument.
Another reason that the Yamaha YPG635 may appeal to pianists is that it has a special mode of fingering called Full Keyboard Mode. This enables you to play chords with your right hand and bass notes with your left, which is usual practice for acoustic pianists. Traditional electronic portable keyboards require chords to be played on the left of the keyboard.
Like many modern Yamaha keyboards, the YPG635 has a number of ultra modern features such as USB MIDI for computer connectivity, USB TO DEVICE for downloading onto USB storage devices, a 6 track sequencer and a backlit LCD.
Students will find the Yamaha Education Suite useful, with 30 built in songs to play along with, and an extra 70 on CD-ROM. They can also use a multi media internet service to download music books and tips on playing their portable keyboard.
The only problem that you might encounter with instrument is that it only features 32 notes of polyphony. This is a low amount for an 88 key instrument and you may find that some notes drop out in particularly dense musical passages. To get 96 notes of polyphony you would need to upgrade to the PSR 1500 Portable Keyboard which retails at around $1000. This also includes 700 musical voices and a 16 track sequencer. However, if you are mainly using the keyboard as a piano substitute 32 notes of polyphony will be more than adequate.
Filed Under: Featured • Yamaha Keyboards
Your information about polyphony is incorrect. This keyboard features 64 notes of polyphony, not 32.
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dan Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Oops you are right Mike. For some reason I had in mind the YPG625. The YPG 635 does have 64 note polyphony which replaces the YPG 625 which only had 32. My apologies.
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I’m comparing this with a Korg SP250. Do you know if the Korg has “full keyboard mode” also?…..This is actually the deciding factor for me.
Thanks,
Jesse
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Hi, I’m just wondering what’s the difference between the “Yamaha YPG635″ and the “Yamaha DGX 630″?
I’m currently looking for something that allows me to practise in the night, I have already bought a nice upright piano, so I don’t need a lot of fancy buttons, just 88 weighted keys with a hole for headphones.
Which keyboard would you recommend?? Thanks in advance!
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I am looking into buying the YPG635 but I noticed that Costco and Target both sell a DGX-630 which looks to me to be identical. Does anyone know the difference?
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Lonnie Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
There is no difference. They are just marketed under two designations. The DGX630 is mostly found in “mass market” places like Wal-Mart and such and the YPG635 is more for the music stores. They are the same instrument.
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“…the DGX220/YPG225, DGX520/YPG525, and DGX620/YPG625. In the first place, the YPG designation is not to replace the DGX, but merely to distinguish the difference between mass market retailers such as Best Buy, Circuit City, COSTCO, etc. (DGX), and specific MusicalInstrument dealers such as Guitar Center, and Musician’s Friend (YPG). There is absolutely no difference between the DGX and YPG designation for these models other than the name”
(Copied From: http://www.yamaha-keyboard-guide.com/yamaha-portable-grand-pianos.html)
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We just ordered one from Costco-online for $750.00. Hope this is an excellent instrument as reviewed and recommended…
The name DGX/YPG was confusing-noted the comments above on the same too- and I also have seen multiple interpretation of the same-high time Yamaha explains the details on their website. Thank you !
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