Yamaha YPT-340 review
This article examine three Yamaha digital pianos. First, we will dig deep into the YPT-340, and outline not only its features and specs, but discuss the instrument’s many pros and cons. Later, we’ll compare the YPt-340 to the YPT-240, as well as the Yamaha PSR-E433. In doing so, we’ll compare specs and features, related accessories, and prices to help you determine which keyboard would make the best purchase based on your needs.
Below, please use the table below to compare the Yamaha YPT-340 to the YPT-240 and other quality keyboards:
| Photo | Model |
|---|---|
 | Casio PX-S1100 |
 | Casio CDP-S360 |
 | Yamaha P-45 |
 | Yamaha NP12 |
 | Yamaha P-515 |
 | Yamaha NP32 |
 | Korg LP-380 U |
 | Yamaha DGX 670 |
Features of the YPT-340
The Yamaha YPT-340 is a 61 key keyboard is built from a very basic understanding that whomever will be using it will likely be a beginner. In fact, this is the kind of keyboard that a teenager or adult brand new to the world of keyboard and pianos can enjoy in an effort to get their feet wet. And yet, at the same token, this is the perfect kind of instrument to give to a very young child (between six and ten).
The keyboard has helpful learning features, like the Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.). With Y.E.S., you can learn how to play numerous songs with built-in lessons that actually teach you the notes. There is also a chord dictionary added here as an additional resource. The Y.E.S. function also adjusts the tempo to the songs, matching the tempo of the player. It will also allow you to isolate sections of a song, focusing on specific note passages.
The Yamaha YPT-340 has 32-note polyphony (admittedly very low, but fine for a beginner), 550 voices ranging from pianos and organs to brass and drums. There are effects like reverb, chorus, harmony, and master EQ, which lets you customize the sound settings on the keyboard.
There is also layering and a dual/split function. On top of that, there are 136 accompaniment styles at your disposal, which is a fun feature that lets you choose the chords to automatically create an accompaniment in any style of your choosing.
Another cool feature the YPT-340 is the Melody Suppressor function. This function, along with a portable music player, allows you to play along with your favorite songs–with you playing the melody. This can be great motivation for a student, as they can really see their skills on the keys turn into a beautiful piece of music (if played correctly, of course).
And lastly, be sure to take a look at some of the best selling digital keyboards and pianos online, and see how they compare to the YPT-340:
| BEST SELLERS |
|---|
| 1) Yamaha P-45 |
| 4) Casio CDP-S360 |
| 5) Casio PX-S1100 |
| 2) Yamaha P-515 |
| 3) Casio PX-S3100 |
Here are a few other key features that are worth noting:
- AWM Stereo Sampling
- Backlit LCD screen
- Ultra-wide stereo
- iPad/iPhone connectivity (requires i-UX1 which is not included)
- Aux line input
- 2-track Song Recorder records up to 5 tracks
- 102 preset songs
- Transpose function
- Touch Response
- Includes power supply but also takes 6AA batteries
Comparison to the YPT-240
The next keyboard we’ll discuss is the YPT-240, another 61 key Yamaha keyboard. Now, like the previous instrument, the YPT-240 also has the Yamaha Education Suite function, as well as iOS compatibility. The YPT-240, like the YPT-340, also has Master EQ settings, where you can customize the actual sound settings to your liking.
They both share AWM Stereo Sampling and 32-note polyphony (again, not a great amount of polyphony here, but if you’re a beginner that’s buying a 61-key keyboard, you probably don’t need to worry about this too much because you won’t be playing very complicated pieces of music).
These two instruments also share the Ultra-wide stereo for a full, resonant sound. Finally, they both share the same number of preset songs at 102. Unlike the YT-340, however, there is no touch response on the 240, and there is also no backlight.
A big difference between these two keyboards is the number of voices: the YPT-240 only has 385 voices against the YPT-340’s 550 voices. This is a difference of over 150 voices, no doubt a substantial amount. The YPT-240 does have reverb and chorus but no harmony function, a feature that adds harmony notes to the chosen voice, as well as tremolo or echo effects.
There are also no dual, layer, or split functions in the YPT-240, which, unlike the harmony function, is probably a feature that would be used often. But that really depends on what your primary use of the keyboard is. If you only would use the YPT-240 to practice repertoire, then you probably don’t need the harmony or dual/split function. But if your primary goal is to create music on the YPT-240, you may want to go with the YPT-340, which has many more features, voices, and overall options.
The YPT-240 has 100 accompaniment styles compared to the YPT-340’s 136, which is quite a bit more. But again, you’d have to think about whether you’d use this feature in your day-to-day playing. While accompaniment styles are a neat feature, they would really only be used for creating and composing music, which may not be your purpose.
One big difference that I think makes the decision pretty clear is the lack of a recording function on the YPT-240. This function is an important tool to monitor progress or save compositions, so for the YPT-240 not to have a recording function is a deal-breaker for me. This means the 240 also has no internal memory, unlike the YPT-340’s 1.7MB memory capacity.
Another feature the YPT-240 lacks is the AUX IN jack, which allows for headphone connectivity, which of course is a very useful feature for people that want to play or practice as times of the day or night when friends and family are over and don’t want to be disturbed.
For me, the YPT-240 is substantially lacking in features, especially important ones, like a recording function, and a simple AUX IN jack. The lower voice count and accompaniment styles also add to my decision to go with the YPT-340 as the better keyboard.
The YPT-240 is listed at approximately $294, while the YPT-340 is a hundred dollars more at $394. Though a 100 dollar difference is a big one, in my opinion, it is worth spending the extra $100 for a keyboard that has more features, options and capabilities.
Comparison with the PSR-E433
The final keyboard we’ll compare to the YPT-340 is the Yamaha PSR-E433. The PSR-E433 is 61 key touch response piano with several cool features. We’ll start with the similarities it shares with the YPT-340:
- Touch Response
- LCD Screen and backlight
- AWM Stereo Sampling
- E.S. function
- 32-note polyphony
- Reverb, Chorus, Master EQ, Harmony, and Ultra-Wide Stereo
- Dual/Layers and Split function
- Melody Suppressor function
- AUX In
- USB connectivity
Now, despite the features that both instruments share, it’s important to point out a handful of features the PSR-E433 has that separates it from the other keyboards.
- Pattern function used for creating beats
- Control knobs for effects
- Pitch bend wheel
- 731 voices
- 6-track sequencer that records up to 10 songs
- 186 rhythmic patterns and 150 arpeggio voices
To dig into this a little deeper, the PSR-E433 has control knobs that allows for adjustment of effects, filter, and sound envelope in real-time. It also features a cool pitch-bend wheel that is fun to experiment with.
Another interesting feature is the PATTERN function, which features loops/beats for you to adjust and customize to create your own music. The arpeggiator is also an enjoyable feature that separates the notes of chords you play–a staple in music production. The one on the PSR-433 has over 150 different voices to choose from, an impressive amount for an entry-level keyboard. The 731 voices also give you a lot of options to choose from, a lot more than the 550 voices that the YPT-340 has.
This keyboard also features a six track recorder that can record up to ten songs, a higher quality recorder than the 2-track one found on the YPT-340. There is also a 2-way speaker system with bass enhancement.
The 186 styles feature genres like Mexican, Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, and Arabic music, so you can perform an array of different music styles. The Portable Grand button takes you to the piano voice with the touch of a button, and the grand piano sound is good quality for a keyboard of this nature.
Overall, the PSR-433 is a keyboard for the beginner or intermediate player that would like to experiment more with music production. Its many music production features like the sequencer, arpeggiator, pitch-bend wheel, and pattern functions give the player lots of options to experiment with.
The list price for this keyboard is $429, about a $35 difference from the YPT-340. So I would say if music production is your primary focus, you’re not spending too much more if you purchase the PSR-433.
But if practicing and playing is your primary focus, then the YPT-340 would potentially be your best bet.
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