If you want to know more about the Yamaha P45 digital piano, here is a detailed review.
Regarding Yamaha P45 vs P71, they are essentially the same portable digital piano. P71 is an Amazon-exclusive version with no functional difference from P45. The only difference may be the price.
Do not be surprised when you see Yamaha P45B from some vendors. The “B” indicates the color BLACK. Interestingly, Yamaha P45 only comes in black color, hence P45B is P45. Just want to clarify this.
Whether you are a professional pianist, a beginner, or a skilled musician who loves to play the piano, you will surely be captivated by this digital piano model.
Table of Contents
Yamaha P45 Specifications
| P45/P71 Specifications |
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Design
The Yamaha P45 is an 88-key digital piano designed with high-quality sound. It looks identical to the Yamaha P35 because it has a lightweight and compact design.
The Yamaha P45 is very portable compared to traditional pianos. Many musicians are switching to digital pianos for easier maintenance, and they can always bring and use them wherever they go.
If you are a musician who loves flexibility, you will like this model. The Yamaha P45 can easily fit in tight spaces, and it will be an outstanding addition to your interior decor.
The slim and compact design will allow it to fit into most cars and make transportation easy.
You can effortlessly take the instrument to gigs or on-the-road performances. However, the 88-key instrument is not suited for long trips by train or plane. But if you plan on traveling with it, buy a padded keyboard bag to protect it.
The Yamaha P45 does not include a stand, but its size allows you to place it on any table or flat surface.
On the other hand, if you want the piano to be stationary, you can purchase an optional X-type stand.
The control panel is simple, and it only includes volume control and two buttons.
Furthermore, it has a Power button that turns the instrument on/off; the other Function button can be used either to select the sound or access all the features of the Yamaha P45.
To adjust touch sensitivity and access the rest of the sounds and metronome, you must press the “Function” plus one more key.
This is a simple way of navigating and is common for quality digital pianos.
Sound
To help capture the sound of an acoustic instrument and create quality samples, Yamaha P45 uses Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) dynamic sampling technology.
You will hear real stereo sound recorded from acoustic pianos at different dynamic levels.
It may not be ideal for musicians who require a variety of sound effects and instrument sounds to create music. However, the piano only has a set of sounds that will satisfy most piano players.
You can use the reverberation effect to make the sound deeper and more expressive. The Yamaha P45 features four reverb types:
- Room
- Hall 1
- Hall 2
- Off
Speakers
Yamaha P45 is equipped with 2 x 12cm built-in speakers with two 2W amplifiers.
The sound is not powerful but loud enough to practice in a small room or perform in front of a small crowd.
Furthermore, the sound quality through the onboard speakers is good, keeping in mind the size of the digital instrument.
The sound will remain clear and won’t distort even at maximum volume. Still, you can plug in a pair of headphones to get clearer, more detailed sound and an incredible listening experience.
Polyphony
Polyphony is a measurement of a musical device’s capacity to produce numerous sounds and audio at the same time.
The Yamaha P45 consists of 64 polyphony, which is excellent for beginners in this instrument.
Build-in Tones
The ten voices are stable in the sound. A beginning to the intermediate player will find these voices useful for both practice and casual performance.
- Grand Concert Piano (it is the default voice)
- Grand Piano
- Two Electric Pianos
- Two Pipe Organs
- Two Harpsichords
- One Vibraphone
- One String
You also have four different reverberation effects you can layer onto these voices for your personalized tone.
Keyboard
The Yamaha P45 digital piano is one of the most advanced models in the market that uses Graded Hammer Standard (GHS).
The weighted action of the keys makes it feel like an acoustic piano. Because no other keyboard in this range has GHS action, the Yamaha P45 is an excellent piano for beginners. Besides, it has a matte finish on the black keys, which allows the fingers to press the keys firmly without slipping.
The Yamaha P45’s keyboard is touch-sensitive, meaning the timbre/volume changes depending on how you play the keys. To make your playing much better, you can adjust the level of touch sensitivity.
No matter how you press the keys, they are designed to operate quietly. With the quiet keys and headphones, you can play at night without disturbing those around you.
Modes
Yamaha P45 provides dual and duet (Duo) modes.
Dual Mode
It offers a dual mode that will help you layer two instrument sounds so they can sound all at the same time across the keyboard.
For instance, you can combine whatever sounds you like to get new amazing sounds. Also, you can adjust the volume balance between the sounds to make one instrument louder than the other.
Duet (Duo) Mode
The duet mode allows two players to sit side by side and play the same notes simultaneously.
The duo mode is very useful for piano teachers, where a teacher can play some tunes while the student follows along on the other part, playing the same notes.
No Recording and Playback
One negative about the Yamaha P45 is that it doesn’t have a built-in recorder.
Usually, a built-in recorder is a great feature that helps you record your performances and play them back later. You can use the USB connection and leverage certain music software to record your music.
Connectivity
This instrument is fitted with the necessary ports and jacks to connect to other devices.
USB-to-Host
Instead of using MIDI In/Out ports, the Yamaha P45 uses a USB Host port, also known as a USB Type B port, which is a convenient option.
The feature allows connection to a computer.
Sustain Pedal Jack
With this piano, you must plug in the included footswitch to use a sustain or damper pedal. Also, the jack will work with third-party sustain footswitches or pedals.
The included footswitch does not have half-pedal control. If you want a half-pedal function, you can purchase the FC3A pedal.
Headphone Jack
If you are one of those players who love late-night sessions or practicing in private, you can plug in a pair of headphones to the Yamaha P45’s stereo jack.
When plugged in, the built-in speakers will automatically shut off, and you will be able to play the piano without disturbing others.
The headphone jack is on the back of the piano, which will make it a little inconvenient.
Yamaha P45 Other Features
This digital piano comes with a few additional features.
Automated Turn-Off
To save energy, the Yamaha P45 has an automated shutting-down feature. It will automatically turn off the digital piano after not using it for a while.
However, if you find this mode unnecessary, you can permanently deactivate this feature in the settings.
Metronome
A built-in metronome is a useful tool that helps the player adjust tempo and time. It produces a steady pulse (or beat) to help musicians play rhythms accurately.
You should keep playing at an adjustable tempo, volume, and time signature.
Accessories
Yamaha P45 comes with a few items that allow you to start playing the instrument right out of the box.
- Owner’s Manual
- AC Adaptor
- Footswitch
- Music Rest
If you do not need the portability, you have the option to purchase a wooden furniture stand; otherwise, a foldable X-style will work nicely for easy transportation.
However, in many cases, a piano stand does not come with your P45 purchase. You’ll have to choose the stand style and purchase it separately.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Portable design with minimalist, simple, and clean style | One plug-in pedal works as a damper pedal; it does not support half-pedal control unless you buy a different pedal. |
| Full 88-kay keyboard with Graded Hammer Standard Action | No built-in recorder and MIDI connection |
| High-quality sound and audio | No USB-to-Device (Type A) connector for MIDI file exchanges |
| Dual and duet modes | Speakers have minimal power (6W x 2) |
| User-friendly controls, settings, and interface | |
| Affordable price for a high-quality instrument |
For more digital piano options, check out Casio vs. Yamaha Keyboards.
Our Verdict for Yamaha P45
4.2 out of 5.0
So, is the Yamaha P45 worth investing in? Yes, absolutely.
The digital piano offers excellent sound quality for pianists, and it comes with all you need for the best experience.
It has a simple design that makes it ideal for learning, and it helps build the technique required for playing an acoustic piano.
Mobility is another big plus of this piano. It will easily fit into areas with limited space and can be carried anywhere by one person.
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