I write to you now about the YPT-410 because it is a model currently being closed out by Yamaha. Every once in a while Yamaha introduces a new line of keyboards to keep things current. The Yamaha YPT-410 is one of the top keyboards of the YPT line. It typically runs for $400 in most music stores, but since it the YPT line is being retired, you can find it for only $199 at Musician’s Friend (link below):

Yamaha YPT-410 61-Key Portable Keyboard ¹

The great things that you expect out of the YPT line come standard with the 410: 30 built in songs, the Yamaha Education Suite, the interactive lesson system, and USB connectivity. The YPT-410 is unique because it features the “PC button” which makes connecting the keyboard to your computer even easier. All you need to do after connecting your USB cable is press the PC button and you are ready to go.

Six-Track Sequencer

The 410 also comes with a 6 track sequencer which means you can program in the songs that play. Six track means that you can record yourself in one instrument, and then layer over it with a different instrument. This lets you be your own accompaniment.

Sound Quality

The 410 is the top of the line when it comes to sound quality. It has separate woofers and tweeters, a feature that is unique to this model of the YPT line. It is definitely the top-of-the-line model in this series of 61-key instruments. The keyboard features true stereo sound  with the Yamaha patented Digital Sound Processing (DSP) .

The 410 also comes with a pitch bend wheel, which you won’t find a keyboard at this price.

The 410 comes with 116 panel voices, 12 drum kits, and 361 XGLite voices. The piano voice is recorded by Yamaha’s patented Stereo Sample recording technique, which is used even for their $1000+ models.

Digital Music Notebook

The Digital Music Notebook allows you to download current contemporary music songs to download directly to your keyboard. It helps you learn the music you want to by giving you music books and more. With these books, you can also download the accompaniment to play alongside. You can even sing karaoke alongside the 410 using the Digital Music Notebook feature.

Bottom Line

The bottom line for this keyboard is that it is an entry level Yamaha keyboard that is going to be great for the new pianist. It has all of the features necessary for a learning pianist but also has the capabilities needed by advanced keyboardists. The Yamaha Education Suite is definitely going to be able to help out someone who is just learning but the Digital Music Notebook takes it a step further.

The YPT-410 is available online at Musician’s Friend, marked down from $399 to $199:

Yamaha YPT-410 61-Key Portable Keyboard ¹

Basics

The Yamaha MM6 is a synthesizer workstation in the “M” line that Yamaha introduced some time ago. I don’t own a synthesizer yet but I am looking to acquire one so I played around with the MM6 and the MM8 at my local music store yesterday. I have to say that the MM8 is definitely the better model but of course it is more expensive and is an 88-key compared to the 61 keys that the MM6 has. When shopping for a synthesizer, you should realize that you get what you pay for. But oftentimes, some of the functionality of a cheaper keyboard can be expanded by buying expansion kits or downloading additionaly voices.

If you are looking to buy your first synthesizer this is  a great buy. The great thing about Yamaha is that they offer so much in their products for a great price.

Capabilities

The MM6 is a 61-key synthesizer with 32 note polyphony and an eight track sequencer. The MM6 has 70 MB of sounds and voices for a total of 418 voices and 22 drum kits. You will never get tired of this thing because there is always a new voice to try out.

The MM6 rolls out another installment in the MOTIF series of Yamaha synths that allow customization and editing through your computer. Play out the music you want on the keyboard, upload it via MIDI, change up the sounds and effects on your computer, and then finally record your final track. The MM6 makes it easy to start creating your own dance mixes, movie soundtracks, beats, and any kind of music you want. I am not an expert on synthesizers so Ihad my friend help me write this review. But playing around with MM6 for about 20 minutes gave me a pretty good exposure to the capabilities of this system. And unlike a lot of synthesizers I’ve played with, this one is VERY easy to figure out. Its often hard to figure out what all the buttons and functions do but the MM6 really is different.

The MM6 has four different wheels to control the timbre of the voices and sounds by changing the cutoff, resonance, attack,  and release. The MM6 has an arpeggiator which lets you create you own rhythms automatically. Then you can automatically create lead melodies in piano, synth, guitar and other voices. Its almost too easy to start making music on this thing.

Specifications

• Connections
• Left, Right
• Headphones
• Foot Controller
• Sustain
• MIDI In/Out
• DC inlet (12w power consumption)
• Dimensions: 37.35″W x 4.85″H x 14.75″D
• Weight:11 lb.

The Yamaha MM6 retails for $699 but is available here for $599 with FREE shipping and a FREE gift. This is the lowest price online that I could find for the MM6. Most music stores have to mark up their products because they have such high overhead so I have now turned to buying all my music equipment online because you can always find the cheapest price. Check out additional specs, prices and packages at the link below:

Yamaha MM6 Music Synthesizer Workstation

The On-Stage Keyboard Stand is great because the height adjusts from 27-39 inches and the width adjusts from 11-30″, so it works for keyboards that are 66-key to the full 88-key. This stand can hold up to 395 pounds, which is great, even though you will probably never need that much support. 

The stand locks in place with its ERGO-LOK technology so it will not fail on you and destroy your instrument. 

This is typically found in stores for $80-90 but you can find it here at a new discounted price of only $44.99. 

On-Stage Stands Heavy-Duty Deluxe X ERGO-LOK Keyboard Stand  The pro-level On-Stage Stands Heavy-Duty Deluxe X Ergo Lok Keyboard Stand is built and styled for demanding musicians. Super heavy-duty tubing and welded construction support up to 395 lbs. Double-X frame allows height adjustment from 27″-39″ and width adjustment from 11″-30″.Uses ERGO-LOK technology for ease of use. The ERGO-LOK system includes an ergonomic trigger, an internal rod mechanism, and a solid steel spring-loaded deadbolt assembly. Uses dual sheer disk plates and heavy-duty deadbolt for superior stability.

This one is really easy to set up and can be lowered to fit right underneath your keyboard stand and out of the way. There really isn’t too much to be said about keyboard benches as most of them are pretty similar. The great thing about this one is its great price. 

Most keyboard stand run from $40-50 but this one is available for only $33.99: 

Yamaha PKBB1 Keyboard Bench The Yamaha PKBB1’s ultra-thick padding, extra-wide single seat, and adjustable height assures the utmost comfort. The bench folds up for your traveling convenience. 17.5″-19.5″ height. Black finish.

Sustain pedals are a must have, especially if you play classical music. Pretty much every song uses some sustain pedal, but oftentimes, classical music has it written on the actual score. Here is what sustain pedal notation looks like, in case you didn’t know. It’s the cursive letters that spell “Ped”:

Sustain pedals are also known as damper pedals and they are the most frequently used of the three pedals on a piano. On a standard, acoustic piano, it is located on the very right of the three pedals. When depressed, the sustain pedal “sustains” the sound that is played by removing all of the dampers from the strings and allows them to resonate without interruption.

Features

The Yamaha FC4 emulates this action electronically by extending the notes that you play on your digital instrument. The FC4 is very versatile and can be used as an FS controller for synthesizers and drum machines.

The FC4 works with a wide variety of keyboards, digital pianos, and synthesizers. The FC4 will work with any instrument that has a 1/4″ SUSTAIN input.

The connection is a PHONE plug and has a 6 foot cord, which is more than enough to reach your keyboard. The FC4 also has a rubber bottom that keeps it from sliding around while playing. When I first got my FC4 I had some trouble with it sliding around but I noticed that I was placing it too far back. If you keep the pedal directly underneath you it will not slide around like is does if it is too far in front of you.

To me, having a sustain pedal is a must when you buy a new keyboard or digital piano. I use sustain in almost every song or style that I play, so there is no way I could go without it.

Yamaha FC4 Sustain Pedal…… $22.99

Yamaha FC4 Piano-Style Sustain Pedal The classic-style Yamaha FC4 Sustain Pedal works with any Yamaha keyboard utilizing a sustain pedal with a 1/4″ connector. Permanent 6′ cable to 1/4″ phone plug.

Overview

The P-155 Digital Piano is an instrument made by Yahama, that, up to this point, is the highest quality digital piano that I have reviewed on this site. It has all the capabilities of the models below it (NP-30, P85, P140)and is going to be marketed towards the intermediate to more experienced musician.

Sound Quality

The P-155 features professional grade sound quality with the trademarks Graded Hammer Action. Graded Hammer Action allows the player to use expression and touch to their music. Real pianos have strings that range from very thin to very thick. The P-155’s Graded Hammer Action imitates this effect with heavier hammer weighting towards the bass part of the keyboard and lighter hammer weighting in the higher areas.

The ability to use extra expression also comes from the 4-level Piano Sampling system that is unique to Yahama digital pianos. Depending on how hard or soft you press a key, it will respond with a tone relative to how heavily you pressed it.

The P-155 attributes it sound quality to its unique recording source: a studio quality 9 foot grand piano. After being rigorously tuned and tested, the 9-foot Yahama Grand Piano recorded the voice for the P-155 using their Pure CF Sampling Technology. For those of you not familiar with how digital tones are recorded from acoustic tones, the Pure CF is a top notch recording system used to transfer sound into electronic form.

Built-in Speakers

The P-155 comes with two built-in speakers and two 12 Watt amplifiers so you can practice at home without needing an external PA system. Of course, you can always plug one in if you need one or if you are performing.

Specifications

• 128 Polyphony
• 17 Voices
• Metronome
• Tuning/Transpose
• 7 Demo Songs
• 50 Preset Piano Songs
• MIDI IN/OUT
• 2 Stereo Headphone Jacks

Comes Stock With

Sustain Pedal, Music Rest, Owner’s Manual, AC Power Adapter

Great Price

The quality of this piano should put its price over $2000. However, most retailers and music stores price the P-155 at $1299.

However, you can find the P-155 for only $1199 here:
Yamaha P-155B Contemporary Digital Piano – Black

OK here is my take on the Yamaha NP-30 Digital Piano. This piano could be classified somewhere between a portable keyboard and a digital piano because it is a 76 key so it is more portable than an 88 key piano. But the NP-30 is going to have a little bit less of the variability in sounds and voices that a portable keyboard has. It also isn’t going to have the display and Yamaha Education System that portable keyboards have.

I don’t to start with the drawbacks on this one but its not like its a terrible instrument, its just that you are going to get what you pay for. The Yamaha NP-30 is a great starter digital piano at only $299. If you are just starting into piano and you don’t need the functionality of a full 88 key digital piano, then this model might be the right one for you.

I do have to say that even at its price, this is still a great piano. I played around with this one for a while at the music store and I really liked it. If you have read any of my other reviews on digital pianos, you’ll know that I am looking to buy one. Personally, I am probably going to buy a P-85 or a P-140, but I already own a few portable keyboard and an acoustic piano. So I don’t really need the capabilities of a portable keyboard and I already have in 88 key in the acoustic, so I want to get a really good digital one as my next purchase.

So if you are looking to get a digital piano that sounds like an acoustic, has graded touch for extra expression and sound control, a built in metronome, and sustain plugin capability then this is a great value.

If you want to read more about the specs and capabilities then check it out at Musician’s Friend:
Yamaha NP-30 Digital Keyboard

The YPG-535 Portable Keyboard is an 88-key keyboard that you can find for $499 online. It is a great keyboard for the beginner or intermediate keyboardist/pianist because it has all the keys of an acoustic piano (88) and it is still easy to move around. If your looking for a keyboard that you can transport easily but can also look good in one place, the YPG-535 is it, because it can be bought along with an optional keyboard stand that will look great in your home or apartment.

The YPG-535 can connect to your computer via USB, so you can use all of the functionality of internet and computer connectivity. This includes storing and uploading songs.

Another great thing about the 535 is that it includes that graded soft hammer touch, which allows to add expression to your songs. This however, is pretty much standard with any Yamaha keyboard over $300.

The YPG-535 allows you to record your own songs with playback and a sequencer.

The MSRP on the YPR-535 Keyboard is $899.99 but you can find it at Musician’s Friend (one of my favorite websites for buying musical instruments and accessories for only $499.

Click here to read more about it at Musician’s Friend:
Yamaha YPG-535 88-Key Portable Grand Piano Keyboard

The Yamaha DGX230 with features similar to the YPT line. The major difference between them is that the DGX is a 76 key model, where as the YPT are all 61 keys. The DGX230 is an upgrade from the DGX220 model and it has a few new features like extra voices and more songs in the song database. The DGX also has the portable grand feature that is standard on all Yamaha keyboards. Its a great feature that gives the ability to switch immediately to Grand Piano voice at the press of a button.

Features

The DGX has Graded Soft Touch action, which means you can control the sound and expression of your music. The DGX comes with the Yamaha Education Suite, which is great for beginners who are just starting to learn piano. The Yamaha DGX230 has a backlit LCD display which highlites each key as it is pressed on the musical staff and on the keyboard layout. The keyboard comes with 30 programmed songs and 70 on a CD-ROM. The 230 also allows you to record your work for immediate playback, which is great when you are learning a new song.

The Yamaha P85 is a digital piano that is great for really any level of piano student or enthusiast. For someone who is looking for a digital piano in the lower price range, this is just about the best value you are going to find. The Yamaha P85 runs about $599 for a new model. The great thing is that the P85 has sound quality that rivals much more expensive digital piano models.

Features

The P85 features graded Hammer Standard action keyboard, which gives the user the feel of an actual acoustic piano. This gives the user a lot more control over the expression and control of the keys and music. The hammer action is heaviest in the bass and gets gradually lighter towards the higher keys, giving more weight to the lower keys just like in acoustic pianos.

The great thing about the P85 is that it has the sound of an acoustic piano but the variability in loudness or volume that you expect with a digital piano. And if you have ever moved a full acoustic piano, you know that they are extremely heavy and bulky. Well, the P85 solves this, as it is very slender and weighs about 25 pounds.

Sounds

The P85 also features a several different voices that offer the user variety in music styles and playing. Some of these includes basses, guitars, stringed instruments, organs, and electric pianos.

Another great thing about the P85 is that it has built-in, stereo speakers. Many digital pianos do not feature this and require a separate PA system for amplification. Well this is not necessary here. The P85 is ready to play right out of the box.

Affordability

The P85 is a great buy for the money. I have a friend who has a P85 and I have to say that I am supremely jealous. I am currently looking to buy a digital piano and I am trying to decide between the P85 and the P140. Because I am about to move into an apartment, I will need a digital piano because my acoustic piano is going to be too difficult to move up stairs and is going to be too loud for an apartment anyways.

You can find the P85 for about $699 at Musician’s Friend. Click below for prices and additional information:
Yamaha P85S Contemporary Digital Piano Silver

Overall

I like to stick with Yamaha because I have always thought that, for the money, they have the best sound quality. Of course, the P140 is more expensive, but it is higher quality. I will probably end up saving up for the P140, which is $1199. But I recommend, if you want to stay in the $600, the P85 is going to be your best option.