Yamaha YDP-145 review – The Best Console Piano?

Enjoy our Yamaha YDP-145 review

The Yamaha YDP-145 is a digital piano that has been designed to provide a realistic piano-playing experience. In this Yamaha YDP-145 review, we will break down the key features of this instrument and discuss its strengths and weaknesses.

PhotoModel
Yamaha YDP-145

Yamaha YDP-165
Casio PX-870
Casio AP-460Casio AP-470
Yamaha YDP-184

Yamaha YDP-145 review (TLDR)

The Yamaha YDP-145 is a top-notch digital piano that offers a realistic playing experience similar to that of an acoustic piano. Its advanced sound sampling technology, solid construction, and adjustable touch response make it a reliable and impressive instrument. 

The YDP-145 has a range of features that cater to players of all skill levels, including 128-note polyphony, dual mode, 50 internal songs, and a metronome for practice. Although it is certainly not as portable as some other models on the market, the YDP-145 is a mid-range digital console piano that offers good value for its price. Overall, the Yamaha YDP-145 gets an A- grade for its exceptional quality and performance.

BEST SELLERS
1) Casio PX-770
2) Yamaha YDP-145
3) Roland RP-701
4) Yamaha YDP-165
5) Casio PX-870

How Much Does the Yamaha YDP-145 Cost?

The Yamaha YDP-145 was discontinued a few years ago, so there are no official price points available from Yamaha. However, where the instrument is available, it is priced in the mid-range for digital pianos, typically ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 depending on the retailer and any promotions or sales available. 

Sound Quality

One of the standout features of the Yamaha YDP-145 digital piano is its exceptional sound quality. It produces a rich and authentic sound that replicates the tonal qualities of a real acoustic piano. The instrument’s sound is well-balanced, with clear bass and treble response that is sure to impress even the most discerning pianists.

While the internal speakers are decent, connecting the piano to external speakers will take your playing experience to a whole new level. The sounds are rich, detailed, and nuanced, making it perfect for music enthusiasts and professionals alike. The sound quality of the YDP-145 is unparalleled, holding its own against other high-end digital pianos in its peer group.

The YDP-145 boasts an elegant and authentic grand piano action that makes playing a joy. The Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) technology accurately replicates the acoustic properties of a grand piano, resulting in an exceptional playing experience that is second to none. 

The action of the keys is incredibly responsive, and the touch response is adjustable, allowing players to customize the sensitivity of the keys to their liking. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pianist, the Yamaha YDP-145 digital piano delivers a performance that is sure to impress.

PhotoModel
Yamaha YDP-145

Yamaha YDP-165
Casio PX-870
Casio AP-460Casio AP-470
Yamaha YDP-184

Build Quality

When it comes to the build quality, the Yamaha YDP-145 is definitely worth mentioning. This digital piano has been built to last, with a solid construction that can withstand regular use without any wear and tear. Not only that, but it also features a sleek and elegant design that can easily fit into any decor, be it traditional or modern. 

With its sturdy and reliable build, the YDP-145 is sure to provide you with a durable instrument that will last for years to come. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, this piano is designed to meet all your musical needs while looking great in any setting.

With that said, you will need to assembly the YDP-145 when you receive it. However, unboxing and putting together the Yamaha YDP-145 is not difficult. Check out a video of how it’s done below:

Portability

When it comes to portability, the Yamaha YDP-145 strikes a balance between size and stability. While it may not be as portable as some other models, its relatively compact design means it can fit snugly into most living spaces without taking up too much real estate. The dimensions of this elegant instrument measure approximately 135 x 42 x 81 cm (W x D x H), making it the perfect size for home use. 

Weighing in at around 140 pounds (64 kg), the YDP-145 is built to last and remains stable during use, allowing you to focus on your music without worrying about any wobbling or unwanted movement. So, while it may not be the lightest piano out there, its sturdiness and compact size make it a reliable and practical option for those seeking a stationary digital piano.

Dimensions at a Glance

  • Width: approximately 135 cm
  • Depth: approximately 42 cm
  • Height: approximately 81 cm
  • Weight: approximately 140 pounds (64 kg)

Touch Response

The Yamaha YDP-145’s touch response is a result of the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard action, which emulates the feel of an acoustic piano. The keyboard features heavier touch in the low end and lighter touch in the high end, just like a grand piano. This realistic touch response provides players with an immersive experience that closely mimics playing on a traditional acoustic piano.

Players can also customize the keyboard’s response to their individual playing styles with the YDP-145’s adjustable touch sensitivity. This means that whether you are a beginner or an experienced pianist, you can set the keyboard’s touch response to your liking, providing you with the ideal playing experience. 

The ability to fine-tune the keyboard’s sensitivity also makes the YDP-145 an excellent instrument for those who want to improve their playing technique. Overall, the YDP-145’s touch response is one of its most impressive features, and it’s sure to impress players of all skill levels.

What is Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard action?

The Yamaha YDP-145 with a bench.

Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard action is a type of keyboard technology used in digital pianos. It is designed to replicate the feel of playing an acoustic piano, by providing keys with a heavier touch in the lower range and lighter touch in the higher range, just like an acoustic piano.

This allows for a more realistic playing experience and helps to develop proper finger strength and technique. GHS keyboards are often found in entry-level to mid-range digital pianos, but can also be found in high-end models.

Features

The Yamaha YDP-145 is packed with a range of features that cater to players of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pianist, this piano has something to offer. Here are some of the key features of the YDP-145:

  • 128-note polyphony: The YDP-145 has a high polyphony count, which means that even complex pieces with multiple notes can be played without any notes dropping out.
  • Dual mode: With the dual mode feature, players can layer two different instrument sounds together for a more dynamic playing experience.
  • 50 internal songs: The YDP-145 comes with 50 built-in songs that can be used for practice or entertainment.
  • Metronome: The metronome feature helps players develop their rhythm and timing skills, which are crucial for playing the piano.
  • USB port: The YDP-145 has a USB port, which allows players to connect the piano to their computer for MIDI recording. This feature makes it easier for players to create and record their music.
PHOTOPIANO
Yamaha DGX 670
Roland FP-E50
Yamaha YDP-145
Yamaha P-125a
Kawai ES120

Smart Pianist App

The Smart Pianist App is a free mobile application available for iOS and Android devices that can be used with Yamaha’s digital pianos, including the YDP-145. This app allows players to control various functions of their piano through their smartphone or tablet, providing a more intuitive and streamlined user experience. 

Users can adjust settings such as instrument voices, rhythms, and effects, as well as save and recall their favorite settings. Smart Pianist can also create chord charts automatically based on the songs in a user’s music library. 

What Comes with the Smart Pianist App? 

  • Free mobile app for iOS and Android devices
  • Controls various functions of Yamaha digital pianos, including the YDP-145
  • Allows users to adjust instrument voices, rhythms, and effects, and save/recall favorite settings
  • Analyzes songs in the user’s music library and creates chord charts for playing along
  • Enhances functionality and versatility of Yamaha digital pianos

As a result, the Yamaha Smart Pianist App is a valuable addition to the Yamaha digital piano owners’ arsenal of tools, as it enhances the functionality and versatility of the instrument in general.

Pros and Cons of the Yamaha YDP-145

The Yamaha YDP-145 is a solid mid-range digital piano that offers a range of useful features for players of all skill levels. It has a realistic sound quality and adjustable touch response, as well as a solid build quality that can withstand regular use. 

There are some disadvantages, however, including its lack of portability and a need for improved internal speakers. Here is a brief breakdown of the pros and cons, as well as a comparison to its predecessor and other notable instruments on the market:

Pros:

  • Realistic sound quality
  • Solid build quality
  • Adjustable touch response
  • Useful features for players of all skill levels

Cons:

  • Not as portable as some other models
  • Internal speakers could be better

Final Thoughts on the Yamaha YDP-145

After considering all of its features and capabilities, we believe that the Yamaha YDP-145 is an excellent digital piano that is worth every penny. It offers a superior playing experience that is comparable to that of an acoustic piano. The YDP-145 has a range of features that cater to players of all skill levels, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced pianists.

One of the standout features of the YDP-145 is its realistic sound quality, which mimics the tonal qualities of an acoustic piano. This is thanks to Yamaha’s advanced sound sampling technology. As well as being a reliable practice and performance tool, the YDP-145 is durable and can withstand regular use.

The touch response on the YDP-145 is another impressive feature. The keys have an authentic and tactile feel that allows players to get used to the touch of an acoustic piano. Additionally, players can adjust the touch response to their liking, allowing them to customize the keyboard’s sensitivity to match their playing style.

The YDP-145 has a range of useful features, including 128-note polyphony, dual mode, 50 internal songs, and a metronome for practice. It also has a USB port that enables MIDI recording, making it easier for players to create and share their music.

Of course, like any instrument, the Yamaha YDP-145 does have its downsides. It is not as portable as some other models, which may be a drawback for musicians who need to move their instruments frequently. The internal speakers could also be better, although this can be easily remedied by connecting the piano to external speakers.

When compared to its predecessor, the YDP-144, the YDP-145 boasts a better sound quality and a wider range of features. In comparison to other notable instruments on the market, the YDP-145 is a mid-range digital piano that offers good value for its price.

Overall, we give the Yamaha YDP-145 a final grade of A-. It is a high-quality instrument that is well worth the investment for anyone looking for a reliable and high-performing digital piano.

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