The P71 is Yamaha’s flagship piano in the low-cost segment. This digital piano model received quite a lot of positive user reviews.
In actual tests, is the Yamaha P71 as perfect as what the manufacturer announced? Does its sound meet user standards and expectations?
Before considering buying this product, check out my Yamaha P71 review below. I will clarify its pros and cons to help you make the best decision.
Yamaha P71 Overview
YAMAHA P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano with Sustain Pedal and Power Supply (Amazon-Exclusive)
Yamaha oriented P71 as a product for beginners. Hence it comes in full size with an attractive price. Its quality is similar to the P45, a well-known digital model.
The Yamaha P71 has attractive characteristics with an 88-key keyboard, outperforming options in the same price range. Yamaha equips it with high-end technologies such as standard-graded hammers and high-quality speakers.
I appreciate the optimal size and lightweight advantages of the Yamaha P71. Despite owning a full keyboard, this digital piano is still easy to store and move.
With these characteristics, the Yamaha 71 is a reasonable budget for beginners.
Feature Highlights
The reasonable price, high-end technology integration, and compactness are the impressive things I discovered about the Yamaha P71. After a long time, I was surprised by quite a few great features of this good-budget piano model.
Size & weight
The Yamaha P71 weighs 25 pounds and is less than 13 inches deep. This size is rather compact for a piano model with an 88-key keyboard.
With this advantage, my children have no difficulty using and moving it. They can take their piano to any performance venue or class they attend.
Keyboard
The 88-key keyboard is a feature that makes the P71 stand out from most competitors in the same segment.
This model doesn’t only have a rare full keyboard. Yamaha also equips it with standard and lightweight keys for perfect performance for highs and lows.
Yamaha also adds the ability to adjust the response of the keys. I recommend beginners practice with the Yamaha P71. Learners will develop the correct finger technique when finger movement on the key has a flexible response.
I am pretty satisfied with this keyboard experience. However, I do not appreciate its plastic outermost finish. I expected the keys to getting a premium non-slip finish for comfortable playing over a long period.
Tuning
Digital piano samples usually don’t require fine-tuning. However, the instrument should still support this feature to get the expected pitch.
The Yamaha P71 is one of the few products in the low-cost segment that has a pitch that meets all user requirements.
The power of this piano comes from intelligent tuning. I often take advantage of this feature to play along to recorded music.
Polyphony
For me, the P71’s polyphony should be more impressive. This entry-level digital model has a polyphony that needs to be more distinctive to appeal to users.
Yet, Yamaha’s AWM dynamic sound engine has done a better job than expected.
My resulting sound is much deeper and more prosperous than before. This authenticity and naturalness will surely delight users.
Yamaha also added features to deliver better polyphony. I used these features by adding reverb effects to create a complex sound layer.
Duo Function
I often use this feature in teaching piano. By dividing the keyboard into two zones, I will play with my students at the same time. Beginners can also teach themselves the piano using the instrument’s metronome function.
USB
Yamaha P71 supports connecting to computers and mobile devices via a USB port. USB is a reasonably standard connection port. So, I can easily record songs or connect the piano with my favorite software and applications.
You can even use the USB port to download tracks you have just composed unexpectedly. Not many cheap piano models integrate this intelligent feature.
Music rest
It is a controversial function with the Yamaha p71. The piano will automatically turn off after a long period of inactivity. This feature will save me some power.
In fact, this feature brings more trouble than convenience.
Accessories
For the best piano-playing experience, you’ll need accessories. Here are some accessories I have used with the Yamaha P71, and I am pretty satisfied.
- Headphones: This accessory helps me practice for hours without worrying about disturbing those around me. I give preference to headphones that are lightweight, comfortable to use, and have good connectivity.
- Foot pedal: Since using the foot pedal, my finger technique has improved significantly. Look for a sturdy pedal model with a rubber bottom that won’t slip. While combining pedals and keyboards, you will notice a difference when playing a digital piano.
- Item Box: Thanks to its small size and lightweight, the Yamaha P71 is an ideal choice to carry on the go. I also make the most of this advantage by equipping a case with good protection.
Test Review
In the above section, I have mentioned some outstanding features of the Yamaha P71. Now you can be eager to know how I tested this piano. Here are the results I got after some dedicated tests:
Sound
The sound of the Yamaha AWM did not disappoint me. Both of its microphones capture high-quality audio. I especially love its natural and classic tone for recording acoustic instrument sounds.
In addition to classical music, this piano model also supports pop music recording. The sound that the Yamaha P71 performed surprised me with its depth, expression, and high quality.
In short, this digital piano sound meets all requirements for naturalness and fidelity. After detailed testing, you will be surprised by the clear highs and lows when using the Yamaha P71.
Voices
I have done several tests to evaluate the quality of the Yamaha P10’s 10-voice library. The results surprised me quite a bit. Its grand piano, string, and organ voices provide a more dynamic sound effect than I imagined.
This feature meets my creative needs quite well. After only a while of researching, I could take advantage of the voice library to create a unique layer.
Dual mode
It is no coincidence that Yamaha is quite proud of the dual mode on the P71. With this unique feature, I could create two sound layers on one instrument.
Overlapping audio layers can cause noise and create undesired effects. But thanks to the adequate volume control support, I got a natural layered sound.
I also tried dual mode to split the keyboard into two equal parts. This setup will allow me and another person to play the same note simultaneously.
Connectivity
Yamaha P71 supports connection via USB port. Yet, I had no trouble connecting the instrument to the computer.
This model also has the necessary jacks on the back to connect accessories such as headphones, pedals, and amplifiers.
I connect the piano to the software to use the keyboard as a MIDI controller. If your device lacks the recording feature, you should also try connecting this way.
The connections to my laptop are also relatively stable. It makes it easy for me to use supporting software to compose new music with the piano.
Even after completing the demos, it’s usually easy for me to back it up to a memory hard drive and move on to another fresh one.
This feature saves me significantly more time and effort than before.
Control
I could be more impressed with the control panel on the Yamaha P71. It has a simple design with a basic layout, like many devices in the same price range.
The highlight is the critical protection function to prevent the instrument from turning off suddenly during practice.
This model also comes with function buttons for accessing essential features.
Even so, I still need more from the P71 controls. The lack of LCD makes it impossible for me to press the function button and the keys at the same time.
Quick Rundown Of Yamaha P71 Review
The Yamaha P71 is always on the list of the considered products for beginners. Before you decide to invest in this model, consider its pros and cons.
Pros
- Affordable price.
- Full keyboard.
- Many premium features.
- The sound is deep and clear.
- Compact design, easy to store, and move.
Cons
- There is no LCD control screen.
- The auto-off feature brings many annoyances.
Conclusion
I have used quite a few electronic models in the low-end segment. Yet, the Yamaha P71 is still one of the most impressive models.
It meets the basic playing requirements of any beginner with many advanced features that delight the players.
Hopefully, through the Yamaha p71 review above, you have had a deeper look at this piano model and made the best decision.
Are you satisfied with the information that I have provided for the article? Do you have any questions about the Yamaha P71?
Don’t forget to leave a comment on this article and share it with your family and friends. Thank you for your interest in the article!
Read more: