Yamaha P45 Review

The Yamaha P45 is many beginners’ favorite choice to start with. It possesses a simple setup, sleek design, and authentic sound quality that are not inferior to any premium product. 

The Yamaha P45 is not limited to beginners since its features and quality can impress any piano enthusiast. So, what is so special about the Yamaha P45? Follow this Yamaha P45 review, and I will show you. 

An Overview Of Yamaha P45

 

Yamaha P45 88-Key Weighted Digital Piano

$499.99
Amazon.com
as of June 7, 2023 2:22 pm

The P in Yamaha P45 refers to a budget-friendly piano series. As its name suggests,  Yamaha P45 is one of the most affordable pianos produced by Yamaha on the market, making it a favorite choice for many beginners. 

However, you should not underestimate the quality of the Yamaha P45 through its somewhat attractive price. Yamaha instruments are always notorious for their realism and high quality, and the P45 is not an exception. 

Before dwelling on the in-depth features and core qualities of the Yamaha P45, let me walk you through its brief specification. Yamaha P45 features 88 fully weighted keys with a matte black top surface. 

This instrument supports Graded Hammer Standard with touch sensitivity ranging from fixed to soft and medium. There are ten instruments of sound available inside the P45, plus a 64-note polyphony. 

There are two main modes supported in the Yamaha P45 (duo and dual), plus familiar technologies like Metronome, Fine-tuning, or transpose. The piano has 2 6W + 6W speakers with a diameter of 12 cm. 

The overall size Yamaha P45 is pretty standard with a dimension of 52,2 inches x 11,6 inches x 6,0 inches (1,326 x 295 x 154 mm). This product has a total weight of 25 pounds and 6 oz (around 11.5 kg).

Highlight Features Of Yamaha P45

Yamaha always produces piano products with well-defined targets and purposes. You can find many premium and top-of-the-tire products from Yamaha, along with many compact and versatile pianos. 

The Yamaha P45 falls into the second category, and it’s one of the best products with an entry price from Yamaha. From its weight, design, and sound quality, every feature of the P45 offers a familiar touch that can please any piano lover. 

Design

The Yamaha P45 is a digital piano with 88-key hammer action and integrated speakers, which looks very classic and familiar to instrumental users. Its lightweight and compact design remind me of its predecessor, the P35. 

It’s tough to point out the difference between the previous P35 version and the P45 because they feature nearly identical designs. But it’s not necessarily a bad thing since I really love the simplistic and compact look of both versions. 

With a medium dimension and lightweight of 25 pounds, I can easily carry the Yamaha P45 without the help of another person. This advantage is ideal for on-the-go performers and musicians who have to carry their pianos around. 

The Yamaha P45’s compact design allows you to store it very conveniently. You can place the piano in your car or carry it while walking on the road. 

This lightweight and compact design is a significant advantage, and you cannot find many lighter full-sized digital pianos with 88 keyboards than the Yamaha P45. If you frequently travel with the digital piano, the P45 is an excellent choice. 

The only thing I wish Yamaha could include in the box is the piano stand. Though the Yamaha P45 doesn’t have an accompanying stand, its compact and flat design can fit conveniently on any table surface. 

The Yamaha P45 is only available in one black matte color option, which is understandable for an entry-level digital product. However, it’s still a great loss for fans of white color like me.

Keyboard and Buttons

Before moving on to the keyboard’s quality, let’s examine its control center and basic buttons first. The Yamaha P45 features a very simple and clean control panel with only one volume control and two buttons. 

There is a power button to switch on/off the device and a “function” button to adjust the playing modes and access different features. This simple navigation is familiar on many digital pianos, so you can adapt to it very quickly. 

Regarding the keyboard, this piano features a full-sized keyboard with 88 GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) keys. They bring an authentic and realistic feeling found on many acoustic pianos. 

There are actually small hammers built inside the keyboard that will feel like pressing hammers inside an acoustic piano. In addition, the Yamaha P45’s keyboard supports up to four sensitivity levels.

This feature will automatically tune and adjust the volume depending on the force players apply to the keys. You can also choose one among four touch-sensitive settings to best accommodate your playing style. 

For instance, the fixed level will deliver the same volume regardless of the force you put on the keys. Meanwhile, the “hard” level presents the largest dynamic range, and you have to press the keys hard to create a loud volume. 

The matte finish of the black keys is also eye-catching, which could get even better if they can absorb moisture. Nevertheless, the matte finish is anti-slippery and makes you feel very comfortable when playing.

Sound

There are ten instrument options equipped on the Yamaha P45, including two grand pianos, two electric pianos, 2 pipe organs, harpsichords, strings, and a vibraphone. 

This options range is definitely not ideal for musicians and composers who need a wide range of instruments for their work. However, it’s more than enough for regular players and beginners practicing piano. 

The device’s reverberation effect also allows users to add more depth to the sound quality, which can be adjusted on a scale from 0 to 10. In addition, all the sounds are stereo sounds recorded at dynamic levels. 

Therefore, you don’t have to doubt the authenticity and realism of the Yamaha P45’s sound quality. 

Speakers

There are 2 x 12 cm integrated speakers on the Yamaha P45. They produce loud and vibrating sounds that are very satisfying to hear when you play in a small room or space. 

However, the volume is definitely not sufficient for live performance when you have to mix the piano with other musical instruments. Therefore, it would be best if you purchase an additional external amplifier.

When I push the device to max volume, it still delivers a smooth and clear sound quality with virtually no distortion. It’s fairly impressive, considering the small and compact size of the Yamaha P45.

Special Features

Most digital pianos support these features, but they are still worth mentioning on the Yamaha P45. 

Key Tuning and Transpose

The default tuning is already satisfying, and you don’t need to perform any fine-tuning. However, live performers can still tune the pitch volume and frequency to combine well with different instruments and singers’ voices. 

Meanwhile, the transpose feature allows users to change the keyboard’s pitch without adjusting the hand placement. 

Playback and Recording

Unfortunately, the Yamaha P45 doesn’t support a built-in audio recorder to record your performance. However, it still features a USB connection to plug in your MIDI and record your play. 

Metronome

A metronome is an indisputable tool that helps you keep track of the tempo and practice more effectively. It also helps players develop and master the fundamental skills before moving on to the intermediate level. 

The metronome featured on Yamaha P45 can be adjusted in its tempo, beat, and volume to suit your playing style. There is also an auto power-off feature in case you forget to turn off the metronome and waste unnecessary power. 

It will turn off the metronome after 30 minutes of not playing, and you can turn off this feature if desired. 

Connectivity

The connectivity options on the Yamaha P45 allow you to connect the device to external accessories like amplifiers, headphones, microphones, or sustain pedals. 

You can find the connectors on the instrument’s back and follow the owner’s manual to locate the right inputs. 

Accessories

Besides the digital piano, Yamaha also includes a music rest, a sustain pedal, an owner’s manual, and a corded AC power adapter in the box. The accessories look basic, with decent quality and design that can satisfy any beginner. 

However, live performers can use alternative accessories to opt for higher quality and a more sustainable playing experience. 

Final Verdict: Should You Buy The Yamaha P45?

In summary, if you are looking for a full-sized digital piano that doesn’t consume too much space and is easy to carry around, go for the Yamaha P45. There is nothing to complain about its compact design and sleek appearance.

In addition, Yamaha P45 is very durable and lightweight, offering the highest value for such amazing plants. In other words, the P45 is a gift for players desiring a high-quality piano from Yamaha that doesn’t hurt their pockets. 

I hope that this Yamaha P45 review has brought you a brief view of this piano’s most significant features and core qualities. The purchase decision becomes much easier when you are well aware of its advantages and limitations.

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