Yamaha YPG-635
The Yamaha YPG-635 has earned the right to be called the most popular keyboard. As you immerse yourself, Your ears and fingers will be blessed with the sweet sound and feel of a keyboard that could easily be mistaken for an acoustic piano. If classical music is your thing, sitting down to play a concerto on classical acoustic grand piano will be a most satisfying feeling: as the notes resonate from the console. But no mistaking it – it sounds and feels like grand but is a digital piano. And to top it off, this keyboard is so versatile it can handle any type of music you throw at it. If I were to buy this keyboard I would rate it 5 stars out of 5!
For years I had been somewhat of an acoustic piano purist – the Yamaha YPG-635 is one of the first realistic digital pianos I really practiced with. There are other great models on the market, many of which I have reviewed, but the attention to detail in the Yamaha 635 series really impressed me as an avid player. If I learned one important lesson from my time reviewing this piano, it’s that digital technology is rapidly catching up with the best acoustic, tuned pianos and that’s good news for piano players everywhere.
Understanding the digital technology in the YPG 635
The keyboard is responsive all over the range of keys. The piano features 88-key weighted graded hammer action. An impressive response mechanism, the piano has an authentic feel that is reminiscent of its acoustic cousins. Essentially, the 635 is an advanced computer packed inside a portable digital piano with realistic touch, recording and playback. Close your eyes and you may just your imagination putting you at the helm of a top of the line acoustic model.
The ergonomics of the model are top grade as well – with a cabinet that puts the keys at the same optimal height as an acoustic piano, you will feel like you’re playing an actual model. High quality stereo playback on the acoustics, including the optional pedal add-ons, provides a complete 64-note polyphony which resonates as well as most acoustic pianos. The weighted keys are both realistic and responsive, putting you in full control over musical feedback and interpretation. The only caveat is that this is a keyboard without a stand. The stand is sold separately.
Sound quality on the Yamaha YPG 635 – hearing is believing
Paying a piano tuner to regularly update an upright can be a great investment when you hear the immediate results. While you won’t ever have to tune the YPG 635, the sound quality represents a gold standard in digital technology. For internal sound processing, the DSP (Digital Signal Processing) feature produces realistic harmony and reverberation during playback. At the core of the digital technology is the Advanced Ware Memory (AWM) sampling technology – this ensures realistic sound quality that rates highly when compared to digital and acoustic models. There are authentic reverberation effects including voices for piano variants, as well as dozens more that realistically replicate the sounds of other instruments, and nearly as many harmony settings – the result is impressive performance from beginning to end. Realistically, the best acoustic pianos have a richer tone, but the YPG 635 delivers impressive performance:
- A complete 88-key weighted, realistic graded hammer keyboard
- Realistic 64 note polyphonic sounds and 100s of unique voices
- Impressive internal storage and USB outputs for more memory
- Integrated software for composition, playback and learning
- An integrated LCD display to see notation and chords in real time
On the output side I really came away impressed after spending some time with the Yamaha digital model. Its quad, integrated speakers perform quite well in authentic stereo sound – you can compare the output to playing a high quality Bach concerto over your speakers. While it’s not quite at the level of a baby grand directly, the dual subwoofers and amplifiers (6 watts) deliver subtle tones and powerful base that will have you smiling. A responsive pedal and keyboard system ensures you can hear the unique output tones from the keys in full glory.
Software connections with the Yamaha digital line
Getting to parity with standard upright pianos is important, but the YPG 635 digital model truly shines when it comes to its electronic features. Integrated software, connected to your computer can provide automated notation of your recorded or downloaded pieces. Going beyond playing from sheet music, the feature allows you to understand the chords and see their progression in real time. With nearly 2 MB of internal storage (1,895 KB to be exact), the USB flash input comes in quite handy. For pianists who want genuine feedback on their play, this is a great value add. With easy connectivity to your computer, the dual USB connection makes it easy to transfer as well as import tracks in real time.
Many piano players and teachers have traditionally shied away from digital models because of the steep learning curve – Yamaha has made is easy with intuitive, one button settings for voices, recordings and melodies. An integrated metronome makes teaching and learning much easier. Within just a few sessions the electronic settings became second nature…and first rate!
Evaluating the Yamaha digital piano
The portable nature of the piano makes it mobile and effective in a variety of spaces. At just over 50 pounds (25 kg), the unit is easy to store and measures 55x30x19”, compact enough for convenient use. Still, it features a complete 88 graded hammer keyboard and a complete 320 x 240 resolution display. You can pair the piano with you own bench and situate it for permanent or temporary placement. I can imagine being ambitious enough to take it to a friend’s house for brand practice if you’re so inclined!
Taking a step back from the specifications of the model, the Yamaha YPG 635 truly shines when it comes to the complete package. Considered a Portable Grand, the model authentically replicates these features as well as any affordable digital can. For the price, the YPG 635 delivers a stereo version of a grand piano package in an affordable, efficient package. You can imagine the rich tones of some of the finest concert halls by recreating reverberations on the piano, and can utilize its impressive sound effects to create compositions in the comfort of your own home.
During a test, you can try out playing the guitar voice and quickly switch to percussion and back to piano quickly. The graded keys are quite realistic and only take a bit of time to get used to. While the actual feel of a baby grand is hard to replicate, Yamaha has done an admirable job with the YPG 635 – as a result, I can strongly recommend the model for most beginning and intermediate players. That Bach concerto resonating in your mind can shift from vision to reality once you make a smart investment in a new Yamaha digital piano!
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