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Hi all,

For those interested

http://thetodaybrief.com/yamaha-p-overview-yamahacorporation-2014-january

more info; http://se.yamaha.com/sv/products/mu...digitalpianos/p_series/p-255/?mode=model

USB to host AND MIDI connections. Fantastic. Gotta keep my eye on this one.

Anyone know anything about Casio's "class compliment" USB vs Yamaha's integration with DAWs as a MIDI controller?

I noticed that too: MIDI to host is supported. There is a separate USB jack of the "device" type on the back, There appears to be a USB "host" jack on the front for a USB stick: a much better place for that purpose. Definitely a plus over the P-155.

It looks like the mahogany wood grain option is no longer available. I was hoping they'd offer the same colors as the P155.

Speakers point out the back, it looks like maybe you hear the backwave through those narrow slits in the top? So maybe not all that different than the P120 (which is kind of lame sounding).

Same old 3 digit / 7 segment LED display.

I suppose the 3 band EQ is better than the single "brightness" slider on the P120, but I'd rather have a $1 data spinner and a $2 LCD display.

The i-whatever interface seem like fluff - probably not enough going on inside to warrant any kind of "deep dive".

Only 5 buttons for voice selection? With every model they seem to reduce voice button count. Not directionally correct IMO.

~38 lbs, not all that portable.

Funny that you mention the display. I thought that the P-155's LED display was a strong point because a LCD display is often the first thing that becomes defective on keyboards that get carried and banged around.

I have nothing against LEDs, just that 3 digits / 7 segments is not enough info to really do much with. LCD displays can be robust, particularly the small & cheap 1 and 2 line alpha-numeric ones.

True but I think that is the selling point and attractiveness of the free iOS app that is available for the P-255. I'm certainly interested in this one to replace my P-120.

The specs look similar to the CP40 in some ways (same sample set, key action and 3-band equalizer in the same position on the case). On the other hand, it has double the polyphony (256 vs 128), string resonance and, of course, speakers.

Looks like an awesome DP IMO. Still waiting to see what the U.S. price will be, as right now it looks like $2000 if you consider conversion rates on various sites (http://www.andertons.co.uk/stage-pianos/pid32069/cid618/yamaha-p255-digital-stage-piano-in-black.asp)Which would be way too much for what it offers.

No. If you look at Andertons pricing the P155 is 1099 pounds, which is US $1800. You simply can not use conversion rates to accurately guess US prices.

Since the P255 at Andertons is only 100 pounds more than the price of the P155, the US pricing should be not more than $100 than the current US pricing of the P155.

iOS app already on iTunes and Yamaha site

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/apps/p-255_controller/?mode=model

Hunting around for a DP, including the P155 which is available at reduced prices at the moment I came across this:

http://www.yamahamusiclondon.com/?page_id=31000864

with details here:

http://www.yamahamusiclondon.com/P~YAM-P255~P-255-Digital-Piano?attributes=

Scroll down past the video where most of the available details are revealed.

owners manual pdf here:

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/mu...digitalpianos/p_series/p-255/?mode=model


Scroll down to Downloads.

Apologies if this is already buried elsewhere in this thread.

Frank
PS Decisions, decisions......can't even decide between cabinet models and portables!...

Is SoundBoost something they call the Compressor on some of their other boards?

"When playing along with other instruments, Sound Boost makes your performance stand out in the mix with clear tonal delivery."

I notice it ships with the FC4 foot switch pedal and not the FC3 sustain, although the FC3 is suggested as an accessory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avn2l_BLWIQ

first video overview

seems nice...

but for the price i prefer the casio PX 5s, less expensive and for my use a better piano


How this be compared to the Kawai ES7 this new Yamaha? Seems to be the direct competence

The P255 appears to be a nice upgrade to the ageing P155, however I was expecting rather more.

The iOS app looks pretty cool though, and that product overview video is very slick.

James
x

Comparing the P255 to PX-5S (which I have) the Yamaha is probably of higher quality, if I am to be realistic. It seems to have a more solid keybed and the Yamaha grand piano voices are among the best there are, in my opinion. The PX-5S may have a wider array of sounds and more gigging features, but the P255 has the most important ones, at least for home practising.

So for those willing to up their budget over the 1.000 euros or pounds, the P255 seems a very viable option. There may be Rolands and Kawais in the same price category, that are comparable and even better, but the Yamaha will probably not be a disappointment.

w

Good catch. The link for the manual is:

http://download.yamaha.com/api/asset/file/?language=en&site=uk.yamaha.com&asset_id=61387

I'm not sure what I was expecting - more for less money, probably! But considering the glacial pace of advancement in the digital piano market it's not a bad upgrade to the 5-year-old P155 design: double the polyphony, better sounds, rhythm tracks, turn off the speakers option, USB-to-Device, USB-to-Host, etc. And being able to change the parameters via an iOS device is a nice touch, since touch device integration is something we're likely to see more of in the DP world. If they'd just added pitch and mod wheels they'd have sold me immediately.