I can't locate any and was hoping someone would put up some demos mainly to hear the sound rather than musical ability.

I am hearing this piano sounds as good as any of the other Yamaha pianos. I would like to see that that is the case. I personally don't care for the sound from the onboard speakers and am thinking if it sounds as good as some say through speakers that I may want to get one.

Also, as I am more of an organist that want's to improve my piano chops, I am wondering if 76 keys really covers what a pianist would need or if 88 keys is a better deal.

Thanx
Scott

This would probably be a good one to send to Purgatory Creek so as to be able to compare with the others.

So far, my vote goes to Truepianos

They had an NP-30 at Guitar Center in P'cola, the last time I went, Scott. No substitute for playing one yourself...!

I find the Yamaha's too brittle for my tastes, pretty much across the board. Roland get much warmer, better for jazz and ballads, classical, etc.. Truepianos is a VSTi, so to use it you need a laptop (pretty modern, at that) and a GOOD soundcard. In a mix, the Rolands come close enough for live, IMO, definitely good enough that it's better than the hassle of running a laptop fro your piano, live!

As to 76 vs. 88... Well, I survive OK with 76, the main hassle is getting that low C, used in a LOT of piano musics, and you have to lose the top octave to get it by transposing down an octave. But a lot of piano stuff can be played on a 76 (a lot of Beethoven and prior can be played on 76)...

The main thing for me is the generally poor actions on cheap 88 controllers. And the NP-30 is hideous, IMO, even for a 76. If you ARE a pianist, I think the action is more of a hindrance than the lack of notes! And if you want to learn at home (but not haul to the gig), my advice would be get a used, real 88 older sampled piano with MIDI on it (old RD or Yamaha, etc.), and hook it up to your T2, or get a Sonic Cell for soundsource...

Rather than go gaga over the cream of VSTi's, perhaps you should stick to finding what is the best HARDWARE pianos, and make your decision based on that. Unless, of course, you already are very familiar with the ins and outs of running VSTi's, and already have the hardware sufficient to run Truepianos, or Ivory, etc..

And, in the meantime, keep the pressure up on Yamaha to make you a 76 T-series (or even PSR). The fact that you are bumping your fingers up against the 61 barrier shows that many of us DO need more... Why tote around TWO keyboards, when one 76 will do the job?!

hi scott,
i compared the np30 to a dgx300, i really couldn't tell the difference in sound and touch. both seem to have the same specs.
32 poly etc. the np 30 is just a straight
piano as the dgx has more features such as styles and (i think)more instrument selection. btw , i'm living in columbus ohio now, sure miss florida.
dave

Hi Scott,

I had the NP30 for a few weeks...sounds were good, action was passable....not a favorite Yammie of mine...I sent it back.

Then again, some people like 'em.

For me, the only keyboard for playing piano pieces is one with 88 weighted, hammer action keys...76 semi-weighted are a poor substitute, and will cripple your piano chops considerably.

Ian

Scott I would suggest this for a portable...

fantastic sound and action...
I fell in love with the sound.

check the demo/video etc ..


http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=666&ParentId=87

This is my second choice...
http://www.korg.com/KMplay/WMplay.htm?path=http://video.korgusa.com/km/sp500.wmv

I did try the Yamaha P70. I was impressed with the action, the sound and the weight of 28 lbs. Although I'm not sure you could split the keyboard and have bass on the left. Anybody know?

The other thing that I have seen mentioned is that it has 32 note polyphony. This seems to scare some pianists away. Is that really such a big deal?

I also liked the sound and especially the touch of Yamaha's YPG 88 note version. Can't remember if it was a 525 or a 625, but it had a kind of semi weighted action, really a rather light touch. Being more of an organist I prefer that kind of touch and also for issues with wrist and hand.

Any thoughts on these?

The thing is, Scott, the organ and the piano are two different beasts, and the touch for one is not the touch for the other. Primarily, it is getting sufficient resistance and mass in the key for good dynamics control, something that is a complete waste on an organ!

So actually TRYING to find a 76 or 88 with an organ-like touch is going to work against your learning control, not help. You don't necessarily have to go to a full 88 wood, but I would certainly look for something heavier than the NP-30!

I agree with Ian that it is difficult to achieve really good dynamics control on a plastic keyboard, compared to a REAL wooden 88, but I don't feel it can't be done. But you DO need a keyboard with a lot more resistance than the NP-30 (or a PSR!), unless your technique is already well developed. One of the reasons I have stuck with the G800/1000/70 action I've had for 15 years, now. The perfect blend of light enough for organ work, heavy enough for piano!

Polyphony IS a factor... especially if, as most newbie pianists do, you use the sustain pedal a little liberally..! P70/80 are good actions, but you are back to heavy wood again. YPG's might be good (they definitely feel better than the budget NP-30), but are kind of big. You want to gig with this or stay at home?

I was completely blown away by the Roland RD700sx when I tried it for the first time at Music Ireland 07. Absolutely stunning!!

Rather a LOT more expensive than an NP-30, though.. (you have to take that into account, or we'd ALL be playing the Oasys!)

Excactly!! save your money its well worth it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U9OPrBnAKk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag53JgXTQNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-DSh9t1qiA

Hi Diki

The YPG's really do impress me in sound and in key feel. I also have to deal with a bit of carpel tunnel, so a lighter action would be fine in my estimation.

Gig or stay at home? Don't know yet. I mainly am exploring doing music in different ways lately. One thing is, while I love the arranger, with my background on trumpet, sax, drums, keys and playing in bands, find myself wanting to be more of the total sound.

So, I've been experimenting doing left hand bass, pedal board bass, full keyboard piano, left hand manual guitar parts with left hand piano and other voices usually with only the drums on. I've been experimenting having a rhythm guitar going automatically, but it sure does compromise what I do with my hands.

So it's really about exploring new ways of expressing more of me rather than all the gadget's.

Scott

Thanx for those links Donny. Those board are pretty nice.

OK, no edit, so when I was mentioning left hand manual guitar parts, I meant to say right hand piano and other voices.

I will always approach this as an organ and am thinking of having the two set up with pedals.

Straight piano can be nice, but I've seen way too many top notch organists when I was in the home organ business to ever really want to just play piano. One sound really doesn't cut it with me. Variety to me is the biggie.

One great player comes to mind and that's Rick Ionne (sp). I first saw him with Wersi and last I heard he was a clinician for Roland.

OK, no edit again, but it seems to me that with most modern music the built in styles are fine, but as soon as you really want to do a swing, jazz or even foxtrot type of thing the arranger sounds so canned with those repitious backgrounds.

As far as comping with your left hand with the arranger going, I've never heard anyone get it to sound exactly like a regular piano player would again because of the compomise you have to make playing chords with a certain voicing and having to hit the chord pretty close to on the beat so the bass and guitar are correct. Rather unnatural sounding to me.

It's the state of the art though. I've never heard one of them do what I'd really like it to do in the older styles. So, I always tried to make up for that with right hand things.

I actually believe that's why we all, some more than others, are changing keyboards as much as they are. We get bored with the best of the best arrangers and look for new styles to make it fresh, then we get bored with those styles and on and on. IMHO

Sounds pretty good for a $300 keyboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jvuchCUkBg

I have the NP30 which I use mainly as a controller and I will say with absolute certainty that there is no way those sounds were coming out of the keyboard. It does the job I want it to do perfectly but it does not sound like that and I dont think that the greatest pianist in the world could produce that tone. As there did not appear to be a feed out to an amp I wonder how it was done.

Trevor

To my ears it doesn't sound too bad for a cheap board, except that what detracts for me is that some of the notes/samples don't sound "proper piano quality" ie. produced 100% by hammer hitting string.
There seems to be an element of "plucking" in the sound sometimes which adds a (slight) tinny quality. It became noticeable in the second (slower/quieter) Baartmann piece.

Not that it would influence any decision I might make to buy it as if I did I'd use it as a controller for Ty2.
I'm currently undecided whether to go for it or wait & see if TY2 successor adds extra keys- or even switch to Motif.
Too many keyboards can lead to unused clutter aound the place

John

You might consider the Motif (or the NP30)as the Tyros2 successor will remain at 61 keys.

Ian

Hi Ian, Thanks for that definite statement.
Is that informed opinion or "official".

Regards John

Hi John,

The word comes from Yamaha Japan...it's official.

Ian

Wow,
Much obliged Ian.Food for thought.

Well, if I keep the Ty2 at least I won't have to remake all those setups & special voices I currently have.

John

If you need 76 the new Roland arranger will be here soon

Hi Scott,

A friend of mine just purchased a Yamaha DGX520, which is the Canadian equivalent of the YPG525. He plays accompaniment for Cape Breton fiddlers and needed the full 88 keys.

He tells me the 32 note poly isn't an issue for his type of playing. and, like you he has carpel tunnel issues...he just loves the action.

I would find 32 poly a bit restrictive because I like to layer sounds(Piano/Strings...Piano/E.Piano) and I'm sure it wouldn't be enough for me. ..64 notes would be my bare minimum.

The other thing, Scott, is that these pianos do not have dedicated MIDI ports like the NP30...maybe that would matter to you?

Ian

So maybe these demos aren't coming out of the NP-30 either
http://www.musiciansbuy.com/Yamaha-NP30-...0-NP30KIT2.html

Hey Yamaha what up with that?

ooops! forgot to tell you you have to clonk on th Hear this product link.

Yep...they are the onboard factory demos.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but...

ianmcnll, is there a YPG that would be similar to a PSR3000?

Cassp,

The nearest would be the YPG 625/525, but they have only two variation styles(A&B) and no Mega voices...close, but no cigar.

Ian

Cassp now what? ')